Man United beat Spurs, wins for Liverpool and Newcastle

Manchester United produced one of their best performances of the season as goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes secured an emphatic 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Wednesday.

United rained in 18 shots on the Spurs goal in the first half without scoring, Antony’s curling effort against the post and Marcus Rashford’s powerful strike that was well saved being the closest they came to taking the lead.

It did not take the hosts long to break the deadlock after the interval, however, with Fred’s side-footed shot deflected past Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris less than two minutes into the second half.

United kept coming and deservedly put the game to bed in the 69th minute when Fernandes powered a strike into the net after another excellent flowing move.

The hosts had further chances to make the result more comprehensive, but two goals were enough to lift fifth-placed United to within four points of Spurs in third.

Nunez goal earns Liverpool points against West Ham
Darwin Nunez’s first Liverpool goal at Anfield was enough to earn his side a nervy 1-0 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League on Wednesday.

The Uruguayan forward, signed in June for an initial 75 million euros ($73 million), planted a superb header into West Ham’s net in the 22nd minute to give Liverpool the lead.

He was close to a second when he rattled the post with a ferocious shot as Liverpool dominated the early exchanges.

But West Ham grew in confidence and had a golden chance to level before halftime but Jarrod Bowen’s penalty kick was well-saved by home keeper Alisson.

Liverpool, lacking the intensity they showed in their 1-0 defeat of Manchester City on Sunday, struggled to contain a lively West Ham after the break.

West Ham would have taken a deserved point home had either Said Benrahma or Tomas Soucek converted great chances.

Victory lifted Liverpool into seventh place with 16 points from 10 games. West Ham’s first defeat in four league games left them in 13th place with 11 points.

Superb Almiron strike sees Newcastle beat Everton
Newcastle United forward Miguel Almiron scored a super first- half goal to secure a 1-0 win over toothless Everton in their Premier League fixture at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

Paraguay international Almiron curled a shot from the edge of the box into the top corner just past the half-hour mark as the sixth-placed home side claimed a fourth win of the campaign and moved to 18 points from 11 games.

It was a third defeat in succession for Everton, who had striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the starting lineup for the first time this season but lacked the quality on the ball to trouble the hosts.

Newcastle winger Jacob Murphy fired above the crossbar with an early effort from the edge of the box before Calvert-Lewin headed over from a corner from what was Everton’s only real chance.

Bruno Guimaraes twice shot wide of the post in the minutes after the opener as Newcastle might have gone into halftime with more than a one-goal lead before they ceded the majority of possession in the second period but never looked like conceding.

Newcastle travel to Tottenham Hotspur for their next fixture on Sunday after an increasingly desperate Everton, who are slipping down the table, host Crystal Palace the day before.

Brentford hold Chelsea to 0-0 draw
Lively Brentford earned a point at home against powerful neighbours Chelsea on Wednesday, ending the visitors’ four-game Premier League winning run in a goalless London derby with plenty of enterprise but few chances.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney, bidding for inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, kept the Chelsea defence busy and had his best opportunity in the ninth minute, forcing Kepa Arrizabalaga into a leaping save to tip the ball over.

Winger Bryan Mbeumo should have put Brentford ahead early in the second half but his point-blank shot went straight to the in-form Chelsea keeper.

At the other end the visitors’ attacking efforts were limited and lukewarm. David Raya saved a skidding shot from Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta in the first half and batted away an on-target effort from Kai Havertz in the 69th minute.

Graham Potter’s side finished strongly, substitute Christian Pulisic forcing Raya into a stinging save in the last five minutes, but Brentford held on for the draw.