English Championship: Newcastle slowed down, Manchester United grabs

LONDON, UK — Newcastle took just one point from relegated Leeds (2-2), a bad deal in the Champions League race, as Manchester United edged Wolverhampton (2-0), Saturday during the 36th day of the Premier League.

The Magpies will be satisfied with it

Coming very close to being led 2-0, then having led 2-1, Newcastle are both relieved and disappointed by this draw which nevertheless leaves their fate in their hands.

The Magpies have 66 points, four more than Liverpool, 5th and first virtual non-qualifier for the C1, while they still have three games to play.

Leeds, provisionally 18th at a unit from Everton, the first non-relegation, had made the best start by opening the scoring by Luke Ayling who had closely taken a header from Weston McKennie repelled by Nick Pope (1-0, 7th) .

In the 27th minute, Patrick Bamford had the 2-0 at the end of the foot, on a penalty, but his strike, neither strong enough nor precise enough, was repelled by the England international goalkeeper.

Three minutes and 23 seconds later, Newcastle took a penalty and Callum Wilson tied the two teams (1-1).

Just over 20 minutes from the end, the visitors obtained a second penalty, for an opposing hand in the area, and Wilson again transformed into force (1-2, 69th).

Leeds however found the resources to react and, on a badly repelled corner, a recovery from Rasmus Kristensen deflected by Kieran Trippier, took Pope on the wrong foot for an equalizer which gave him a chance of maintaining (2-2, 79th) .

Manchester United restarts

After two losses in a row, Manchester United won without shining (2-0) against Wolverhampton who have nothing left to play for this season.

These three points make it possible to consolidate the 4th place of the Red Devils, outstripped only on goal difference by Newcastle.

Erik Ten Hag’s men, deprived in particular of Marcus Rashford, injured and uncertain for the rest of the season, ended the season obviously blunted, especially offensively.

The attacking mess of some players, like Antony, who missed a huge chance with a header in the 30th minute, did not help, although the Brazilian made up for it soon after by serving Anthony Martial for the opener ( 32nd).

Despite 27 shots, including 9 on target – against 5 and 0 for Wolves – United remained under the threat of an equalizer until added time when substitute Alejandro Garnacho killed all suspense (90 + 4).

Tottenham dark again

Candidate for the Champions League in mid-March, Tottenham could well be deprived of all European competition next season after another defeat at Aston Villa (2-1).

With 57 points, the Top 4 is out of reach and if Liverpool win Monday at Leicester, 5th place will also be lost.

But the Spurs are mainly joined by their opponents of the day on the number of points, only the goal difference of +6 against +4 ensuring their 6th place.

And as Brighton, 7th, has 55 units but with five more games to play against two for the Londoners, the situation for the latter is most precarious.

The victory of the Villans, transfigured by the arrival of Unai Emery during the truce for the World Cup, suffered no contest, the penalty of Harry Kane at the last minute of regulation time responding to the goals of Jacob Ramsey ( 8th) and Douglas Luiz (72nd).

Still without a sporting director or coach for next season, the north London club have just two games left to salvage a calamitous season.

In the other games of the afternoon, Chelsea, without N’Golo Kanté, injured in the adductors and whose season may be over, was held in check (2-2) by Nottingham Forest who are fighting for their maintenance. .

Southampton has, on the other hand, given up hope, after a 24th defeat this season, at home, against Fulham (0-2), which formalizes its relegation to the Championship for next season.