MANCHESTER – It was a very good day for Manchester United, whose revival is really taking shape under Erik ten Hag.
As if Win against Manchester City in the 189th Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Saturday, there was bonus news a few hours later when Liverpool were overwhelmed 3-0 by Brighton in the English Premier League.
The 2-1 win over City reinforced a growing belief that Ten Hag will turn the tide of the 20-time English champions.
It might be too early for the Dutchman to challenge a true league title this season but improvement at United with nine straight wins in all competitions is evident.
United are third in the table – one point behind City and six points behind Arsenal, who play Tottenham on Sunday.
“We’ve improved, that’s obvious,” said Ten Hag. “We still have a long way to go… there are many aspects of our game that we need to improve on, but we’re making progress.”
City took a second-half lead through substitute Jack Grealish but Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford secured a win from behind for the home side.
United were 10 points clear of their closest rivals Liverpool, who suffered a sixth league defeat at Brighton and their first defeat since 1961.
Solly March scored twice and substitute Danny Welbeck added a third for Brighton.
Jurgen Klopp’s side face a battle just to qualify for the Champions League after that latest blow that left Liverpool seven points behind fourth-placed Newcastle.
“Everything went wrong from start to finish. Brighton were better than us in all areas. It’s a real low point as a team,” said Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson. “It’s a tough moment but we have to come together, stay together and try to change things quickly. We have to try to learn and show a reaction.”
Bottom of the table, Southampton continued their win over City in the League Cup in midweek with a 2-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park.
Nottingham Forest increased their chances of survival with a 2-0 win over Leicester, and Wolverhampton Wanderers beat West Ham 1-0 to climb out of the relegation zone.
RASHFORD GETTING HARDER
Marcus Rashford scored his 16th goal of the season and his eighth in his last seven games, but Ten Hag praised his physical resilience rather than his finish after the City win.
“He knows that in football you have to suffer and make sacrifices and have painful moments, especially a player like him,” said Ten Hag. “He’s unstoppable and opponents will be tough on him but he keeps going and he’s been rewarded and the team has been rewarded.”
EN ZERBI PRAISE
Solly March, who scored twice, paid tribute to Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi for his performance in the brilliant result against Liverpool.
“I love playing for Roberto de Zerbi. He is great. He puts his arm around you and tells you you’re a good player and maybe that’s what I need,” March said.
EVERTON PROBLEMS ARE GROWING
On a day when Everton board were ordered not to attend the home game against Southampton over a “real and credible threat to their security”, the team’s hopes for league survival suffered another after a 2-1 defeat blow.
“We have to take responsibility, myself first. We have to do better,” said Everton coach Frank Lampard.
FOREST FLY
Nottingham Forest have lost just one of their last six league games and are five points clear of the relegation zone after beating Leicester.
“It’s a big win. It’s a local derby and you always want to do well for the fans,” said forest manager Steve Cooper.
WEST HAM SINK
West Ham fell into the last three after losing 1-0 at relegation contenders Wolverhampton.
“What we have found this year is that we cannot take the chances when we get them,” West Ham manager David Moyes said.
TONEY STRIKES AGAIN
Ivan Toney scored his 14th goal of the season in Brentford’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth. The forward converted a first-half penalty that continued his perfect record from the point for the Bees with 21 goals from 21 tries.
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