Manchester: Manchester United stayed on the tail of Premier League leaders and arch rivals Manchester City after a Lewis Dunk own goal gave them a laboured 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford here, Saturday. Elsewhere in London, Tottenham toiled hard before playing a 1-1 stalemate with West Bromwich Albion.
United’s 32-year old wing-back Ashley Young let fly from the edge of the penalty area in the 66th minute and his shot took a heavy deflection off Dunk, leaving visiting goalkeeper Mathew Ryan rooted to the spot.
The winner settled an uneventful contest as Brighton’s packed defence foiled waves of attacks by United’s 4-3-3 formation, with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford deployed either side of striker Romelu Lukaku.
But Brighton, who had several dangerous raids down Young’s flank, failed to clear a corner and the home side took advantage to stay second in the standings on 29 points from 13 games, five behind City.
At Wembly, Salomon Rondon gave West Brom and their unheralded caretaker manager Gary Megson an early advantage five days on from Tony Pulis’ sacking.
The visitors looked set for a first league victory since August until their massed defensive ranks were punctured by a typically expert piece of movement and poaching from Harry Kane in the 74th minute – his ninth Premier League goal of the season.
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