London, May 17: Manchester United secured third place in the Premier League after edging past Nottingham Forest 3-2 in a dramatic contest on Sunday, while Sunderland kept their European hopes alive with a spirited comeback victory over Everton. Elsewhere, Leeds United dealt a major blow to Brighton & Hove Albion’s continental ambitions, Brentford fought back twice to draw with Crystal Palace, while Fulham saw their fading European hopes all but disappear after being held by relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Fernandes stars as United down Forest in VAR drama
Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League record for most assists in a single season as Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest in an entertaining five-goal thriller at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese playmaker registered his 20th assist of the campaign when he set up Bryan Mbeumo for United’s decisive third goal in the 76th minute, matching the record jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. Fernandes will now have the chance to break the record outright in United’s final league game against Brighton next weekend.
United took an early lead through Luke Shaw before Forest equalised after the break through Morato. The match then descended into another VAR controversy when Matheus Cunha restored United’s advantage despite Mbeumo appearing to handle the ball in the build-up. Referee intervention following a VAR review still resulted in the goal standing, with officials ruling the contact accidental.
Mbeumo later added another goal before Morgan Gibbs-White reduced the deficit late on for Forest. The victory further strengthened the growing optimism around interim manager Michael Carrick, whose impressive run has reportedly convinced the club hierarchy to hand him the role permanently after guiding United to 11 wins in 16 matches.
Sunderland revive European dream
Sunderland continued their remarkable resurgence by coming from behind to beat Everton and keep alive hopes of qualifying for European competition for the first time in more than four decades.
The home side went ahead just before half-time when Merlin Rohl’s strike from distance took a heavy deflection off Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka and looped into the net.
However, Sunderland improved significantly after the break and found an equaliser through Brian Brobbey, who capitalised on Everton’s defensive lapse to finish clinically following a pass from Enzo Le Fee.
Le Fee then completed the turnaround in the 81st minute after Everton failed to clear their lines, before substitute Wilson Isidor sealed victory deep into stoppage time with a simple finish from Habib Diarra’s cross.
The result leaves Sunderland still dreaming of a top-seven finish and a potential return to European football, something the club has not experienced since the early 1970s.
Calvert-Lewin strikes late as Leeds stun Brighton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Leeds United snatched a 1-0 victory over Brighton at Elland Road, severely denting the visitors’ hopes of qualifying for Europe.
Brighton dominated possession and created numerous opportunities throughout the match, registering 19 attempts on goal, but poor finishing repeatedly let them down.
Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck both came close, while Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow produced several key saves to keep the hosts in the contest.
Leeds offered little going forward for most of the game but snatched victory in the 96th minute when Calvert-Lewin intercepted a weak backpass, rounded goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and calmly slotted home. Remarkably, it was Leeds’ first shot on target of the evening.
The defeat leaves Brighton clinging onto seventh place, with pressure mounting from Brentford and Sunderland heading into the final round of fixtures.
Brentford fight back twice against Palace
Brentford twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace in an entertaining encounter that kept their Conference League hopes firmly alive.
Palace made a dream start after goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher fouled Ismaila Sarr inside the area. Following a VAR review, Sarr converted the resulting penalty to hand Palace an early advantage.
Brentford equalised in fortunate fashion when Dango Ouattara saw the ball ricochet off his face and into the net after a defensive error.
Palace regained the lead through Adam Wharton, whose low strike slipped through Kelleher’s hands. But Brentford refused to surrender and Ouattara struck again late in the game, heading home at the far post to rescue a valuable point for the home side.
The draw keeps Brentford in eighth position — a place that could still secure European football next season — while Palace remain in the lower half despite another spirited display.
Fulham’s European push fades at Wolves
Fulham’s slim hopes of qualifying for Europe suffered another setback after they were held to a frustrating draw by already relegated Wolves at Molineux.
Wolves struck first through Matheus Mane, who fired home from the edge of the area after good work by Rodrigo Gomes and Hwang Hee-Chan. (Agencies)
