Man United wins to close gap on EPL leaders
LONDON (AP) — Manchester United ended its
Premier League scoring drought with a 2-0 win
over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, while
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy scored for the
ninth straight league match in a 2-1 victory
against Watford.
Newcastle, meanwhile, moved out of the
relegation zone following a 1-0 away win against
Bournemouth.
Both United and West Brom labored in a first
half lacking any real purpose and it wasn't until
the second that United went ahead. Youngster
Jesse Lingard broke the deadlock with his first
goal in United colors, curling an effort beyond
goalkeeper Boaz Myhill within minutes of the
restart.
Substitute Saido Berahino should have equalized
for West Brom shortly after his introduction, but
he headed over the bar in the 76th following
Stephane Sessegnon's right-wing cross.
United doubled its lead in second-half stoppage
time from the penalty spot after Anthony Martial
was felled by Gareth McAuley. The West Brom
defender was shown a straight red card and
Juan Mata converted the resulting spot kick.
That win was the first time United had scored
more than once in a game since its 3-0 away
win over Everton and ended a run of goalless
draws after failing to score against Crystal
Palace and city rivals Man City in its last two
domestic outings.
Foxes forward Vardy showed his predatory
instincts after netting his 12th goal of the
campaign from the spot to double his side's
lead after Ngolo Kante had earlier given
Leicester the advantage. Troy Deeney's penalty
reduced the deficit but the home side held on
to move up to third in the table.
Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot proved to be
Bournemouth's nemesis with a series of saves
throughout. Forward Ayoze Perez gave the Toon
the lead against the run of play with the half-
hour mark fast approaching. He collected
Georginio Wiljnaldum's pass before striking a
shot that bobbled under Adam Federici.
West Ham was punished by a familiar face with
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku scoring the
leveler for the Toffees to cancel out Manuel
Lanzini's fine opener.
Lukaku's goal, his seventh in his last seven
appearances against the Hammers, provisionally
moves his side up to eighth place on 17 points,
four points adrift of fifth-place West Ham.
Elsewhere, there were narrow 1-0 victories for
Norwich and Southampton.
Midfielder Jonny Howson scored his first goal of
the season as the Canaries beat Swansea to
end a miserable run at home that had seen it
win just once and lose six of its last eight home
games.
Meanwhile, Dusan Tadic's second-half penalty
lifted Southampton into seventh while keeping
Sunderland in the bottom three.
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