Manchester United

Stalemate at Stamford Bridge

The home side carved out the best chances but United, who had a decent first-half penalty appeal turned down, defended solidly throughout to earn a point.

Chelsea remain in fifth spot with 44 points from 26 games, one point behind West Ham United, while Manchester United are second with 50 points from 26 games, 12 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City.

Liverpool ended a run of four successive Premier League defeats and scored their 7,000th top-flight goal during a 2-nil victory at Sheffield United that moves them within two points of a Champions League place.

Manchester United's defence dithers in six-goal draw with Everton

The problem is, they don't have the defence to go with it.

United conceded a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time to draw Everton 3-3 at home on Saturday for a result that highlighted the vibrancy of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team going forward but the vulnerability of it at the back.

Helped by the record-tying 9-0 win over Southampton on Tuesday, United have the most goals in the league with 49 - six more than the next best, Liverpool.

Manchester United back to winning form

Both teams are on 44 points although United have played two more games with City travelling to Burnley tomorrow.

Southampton, already weakened by injuries, were reduced to 10 men after 79 seconds and lost another four minutes from time and drop to 12th on the table.

Newcastle United came back to earth with a bump as Crystal Palace recovered from conceding an early goal to claim a 2-1 victory at St James' Park.

Man United held in stalemate at Arsenal

City earlier beat bottom club Sheffield United 1-0 to move to 44 points from 20 matches while United are on 41 points from one game more.

Third-placed Leicester City, who are on 39 points, will go above Manchester United if they can beat Leeds United on Monday.

Following their shock home defeat by Sheffield United on Wednesday, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reverted to his strongest side although he lost Scott McTominay during the first half.

Manchester United beat Burnley to go top of Premier League

     

Top of the Premier League.

A 1-0 win over Burnley on Tuesday (Wednesday NZT), secured by a deflected volley from Paul Pogba, lifted United above great rivals Liverpool to the summit of England's top division after 17 games, approaching the halfway point of the season.

“We are exactly where we belong,” United midfielder Nemanja Matic said.

FA Cup meeting for EPL heavyweights

The two sides, who are both top of the Premier League table and go head-to-head in the league on Monday (NZ time), meet in the cup for the first time since Dirk Kuyt scored a late winner as Liverpool beat United 2-1 in January 2012.

United have not beaten Liverpool since March 2018, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer yet to taste victory against the Anfield side in four attempts as manager, once as Cardiff City boss.

Man United go equal top

United trail their traditional rivals on goal difference with both teams on 33 points from 16 matches ahead of their clash at Anfield on January 17.

Liverpool travel to Southampton on Tuesday (NZ time) while United visit Burnley on January 12.

United stretched their unbeaten league run to 10 games as Bruno Fernandes capped another fine individual performance with a penalty after Bertrand Traore had cancelled out Anthony Martial's opener for the home side.

Leicester and Man U climb into top three

United are on 26 points, five behind leaders Liverpool and just a point behind second-placed Leicester, who earlier beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in London.

Jamie Vardy scored Leicester City's opening goal and had a hand in the other.

The Foxes now have 27 points from 14 games, four behind champions and leaders Liverpool.

Tottenham dropped two places down to fourth after a second successive defeat.

Fans return to English football

Chelsea beat Leeds United 3-1 in front of 2,000 spectators at Stamford Bridge while Manchester United fought back from a goal down to win 3-1 at West Ham United -- their fifth straight comeback victory on the road -- in front of the same size crowd.

Clubs in less restricted areas of England were allowed to welcome back 2,000 fans but in higher risk places games carried on behind closed doors with Manchester City beating Fulham 2-0 and Everton held to a 1-1 draw at Burnley.

Man United and Chelsea get Champions League spots

Aston Villa survived thanks to a 1-1 draw at West Ham United which moved them to 35 points, one more than Bournemouth, who go down despite a 3-1 win at Everton and Watford who lost 3-2 at Arsenal.

A penalty from Bruno Fernandes and late goal from Jesse Lingard gave United the three points with a 2-0 win at Leicester City, who missed out on the Champions League by finishing fifth.

Chelsea ended in fourth spot after a 2-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.