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Sunday European Rewind: Man United beats Chelsea, Firmino lifts Liverpool over WBA, and more

One of the English Premier League’s big rivalries saw another chapter take place on Sunday as Manchester United edged league-leaders Chelsea, 2-0, at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils earned an important victory against his former side in their chase for a top-four finish. Marcus Rashford gave the hosts an early 1-0 lead as the 19-year-old forward netted his fifth goal of the season in the seventh minute.

Midfielder Ander Herrera doubled the hosts’ advantage in the 49th minute, netting his first league goal of the campaign. Even with the second-half introductions of Cesc Fabregas and Willian, Chelsea failed to record a shot on goal in the remainder of the match.

Chelsea’s second defeat in their last four matches, now sees their lead over second-place Tottenham reduced to four points. Manchester United moves back into fifth-place, unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions.

Elsewhere in Europe, Liverpool edged West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns, while Werder Bremen defeated Hamburg in Bundesliga action. Espanyol and Real Betis earned important victories in Spain, while Nantes fell at home against Bordeaux in France.

Here is a rundown of all Sunday’s European action:

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

In the only other Premier League fixture on Sunday, Liverpool defeated West Bromwich Albion, 1-0, away from home. Roberto Firmino played hero for the second week in a row, netting the match-winner for Jurgen Klopp’s side. The Brazilian’s header in first-half stoppage time proved to be the difference in the scoreline. West Brom’s best effort came in the 80th-minute when Matt Phillips forced a good save from Simon Mignolet. However, the Baggies fell for the third consecutive match, which keeps them in eighth place. Liverpool retain their spot in third-place, now unbeaten in their last seven matches.

West Bromwich Albion 0 – Liverpool 1

Manchester United 2 – Chelsea 0

Middlesbrough hosts Arsenal on Monday afternoon in the final match of Round 33.

SPANISH LA LIGA

In Spain’s early fixture of the day, Espanyol earned a late three points at Leganes. Quique Sanchez Flores’ side received a 92nd minute winner from substitute Leo to make it consecutive victories. Despite the hosts holding an edge in shots on goal, the Brazilian forward came up with the goods in the dying moments. Leo rifled home from outside the box, netting his fourth goal of the season. Leganes remains five points clear of the relegation zone, despite losing three in a row. Espanyol remains in ninth-place.

Real Betis snapped a three-match losing streak on Sunday, defeating Eibar, 2-0, at the Benito Villamarin. An 89th minute goal from Dani Ceballos sealed the three points for the hosts after the visitors hung around for most of the match. Betis keeper Antonio Adan made three saves in the clean sheet, while Jonas Martin’s second-minute header opened the scoring for Betis. Eibar dropped to eighth-place, while Betis moved up to 14th.

Leganes 0 – Espanyol 1

Valencia 0 – Sevilla 0

Real Betis 2 – Eibar 0

Granada 0 – Celta Vigo 3

Villarreal travel to Alaves on Monday afternoon in the final match of Round 32.

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA 

Werder Bremen extended their current unbeaten run to nine matches after a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Hamburg. Despite a sixth-minute opening goal from Hamburg’s Michael Gregoritsch, Bremen drew level just before halftime. Max Kruse’s equalizing header leveled the score at 1-1 following a Bremen fast-break. Florian Kainz’s second goal of the season, put Bremen ahead for good, rifling home in the 71st minute. Bremen keeper Felix Wiedwald made three saves in the win, while Hamburg’s Christian Mathenia made three saves in the defeat. Hamburg drops to 14th in the table, while Bremen jumps up to eighth.

Last-place Darmstadt earned a surprising 2-1 home victory against visiting Schalke in Sunday’s late match. Mario Vrancic’s 11th-minute opener put the hosts ahead 1-0 at the Stadion am Bollenfalltor. Schalke saw a 58th minute penalty kick saved as Guido Burgstaller was denied by Michael Esser. However, Schalke drew level in the 75th minute from Coke’s header inside the box. The visitors were reduced to 10-men in the 81st-minute as Thilo Kehrer saw a straight-red card for a foul on Sven Schipplock. Jerome Gondorf’s second goal of the season proved to be huge as it earned Darmstadt the win in stoppage time. Schalke drops to 11th, while Darmstadt remains 14 points from safety.

Werder Bremen 2 – Hamburg SV 1

SV Darmstadt 2 – Schalke 04 1

FRENCH LIGUE 1

Bordeaux moved to two points behind fourth-place Lyon after a 1-0 road win at Nantes on Sunday. Younousse Sankhare’s 65th-minute finish proved to be the difference as the visitors left the La Beaujoire-Louis-Fonteneau with all three points. Malcom and Diego Rolan missed late chances to extend the visitors lead, while Nantes failed to record a shot on goal. Nantes keeper Maxime Dupe made four saves in the loss, the hosts first since March 5. The hosts dropped to 10th with the loss, while Bordeaux realistically sees themselves in the fight for the final European qualification spot.

Marseille earned the team’s first victory since March 5 after a 4-0 home triumph against Saint-Etienne. Florian Thauvin opened the scoring for Rudy Garcia’s side after 22 minutes, finishing off Morgan Sanson’s assist. Bafetimbi Gomis doubled the hosts lead to 2-0 in the 31st-minute, rifling home Thauvin’s assist to the bottom-left corner. Thauvin’s 12th goal of the season made it 3-0 before the hour-mark before Dimitri Payet capped the final score at 4-0 in stoppage time. Saint-Etienne was held to three shots on goal, suffering their first defeat since Feb. 26. Marseille remains in sixth-place while their opponents sit in seventh.

Nantes 0 – Bordeaux 1

Bastia 0 – Lyon 0 (Abandoned in 44th-minute due to Crowd Trouble)

Marseille 4 – Saint-Etienne 0

 

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