Man Utd’s Title Bid Damaged By West Brom Draw
By AFP
Manchester United squandered a chance to put pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City as Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser spared their blushes in a 1-1 draw at struggling West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
Portugal midfielder Fernandes levelled just before half-time with his 19th goal of the season in all competitions.
But United were unable to find a break down second-bottom Albion again and had to settle for a third damaging draw in their last four league matches.
They moved above Leicester into second place, but sit seven points behind City, who have a game in hand.
United have lost just once in 18 league games and are unbeaten in 19 away league matches, but they left the icy West Midlands well aware City are now firmly in pole position to win the title.
After the blistering form that carried them into the title race across December and January, United are stumbling while City have won their last 11 league games.
Aware of the physical threat posed by Sam Allardyce’s teams, Solskjaer had warned his players to put their “bodies on the line” to deal with Albion’s aerial assault.
But that message clearly didn’t sink in as Albion took the lead after just 83 seconds.
Conor Gallagher swung over a teasing cross from the right and Diagne overpowered United defender Victor Lindelof as he muscled past him before thumping a diving header beyond David de Gea.
It was the 29-year-old Senegal striker’s first goal in four appearances since his loan move from Galatasaray in January.
Rocked by the earliest league goal they had conceded for three years, United tried to respond as Fred’s drive was held by Sam Johnstone.