EPL: Hojlund scores in Man United comeback win as Liverpool go top

December 26, 2023 11:27 pm

Manchester United scored thrice in the second half to earn a 3-2 comeback victory over Aston Villa in their English Premier League (EPL) encounter at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.

In one of five Boxing Day fixtures, the Red Devils put a poor first-half display behind them through Alejandro Garnacho’s brace and Rasmus Hojlund’s late winner to secure a desperately needed win to celebrate Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in the club.

The victory ended Man United’s three-match winless run, with Erik ten Hag’s men also scoring for the first time in four matches.

Aston Villa scored twice within five minutes; first in the 21st minute when John McGinn’s cross missed everyone before nestling in at the back post. The second was more awful defending from United on 26 minutes when they failed to defend a routine corner, allowing Clement Lenglet to nod a corner onto the path of Leander Dendoncker who flicked into the roof of the net to put the Villains firmly in the driver’s seat at halftime.

The home side however conjured a spirited fight-back reminiscent of old as Garnacho tapped in from Rashford’s cross on 59 minutes before his deflected shot leveled matters on 71 minutes.

Hojlund, the marquee summer signing, delivered the winning goal on 82 minutes when a quickly-taken corner kick deflected into his path and the Denmark international found the net to send the Theatre of Dreams into jubilation.

The goal was Hojlund’s first in the EPL since joining Man United.

Man United move up to sixth on the EPL table while Aston Villa remain third after 19 matches.

Earlier in the day, Liverpool scored one in each half through Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota to defeat Burnley 2-0.

The win returns the Anfield side to the top of the league table with 40 points from 19 matches, two points ahead of Arsenal who have played a game less.

Newcastle United’s poor run of form continued with a 3-1 loss at home to Nottingham Forest.

RESULTS