Ashley Young scored a brace as Manchester United defeated Watford 4-2 at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night. Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard were the other scorers on the night for the Red Devils, who almost let a three goal lead slip.
United began the night in second place, eight points behind league leaders and city rivals, Manchester City, with their hosts, Watford, eighth.
The visitors lost 3-1 at the same venue last season, but
three first half goals saw Jose Mourinho’s side cruising this time around, before two late goals, first a penalty by Troy Deeney, then, a clever Abdoulaye Doucoure finish set up a frantic last five minutes.
However, Lingard’s first goal since March, a beautiful solo run, sealed a deserved win and all three points for United.
“The second half it should have been 5 or 6-0, we missed chances and then out of nothing a penalty,” Mourinho said moments after the match.
“At 3-2 the match is in a grey zone but then Jesse had that moment of quality.”
At the King Power stadium, two stunning efforts from Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez earned Leicester City a 2-1 win over Tottenham.
Vardy and Mahrez gave the Foxes a 2-0 lead at the break, before Harry Kane’s second half effort gave the North London side hope.
But Leicester held on for the win, despite a late appeal for a penalty by Spurs after Danny Rose appeared to have been tripped in the box by Wilfred Ndidi.
Leicester have now climbed into the top half with that win.
Elsewhere, West Brom Albion were denied all three points after Matt Ritchie’s late free kick beat Ben Foster in goal for the Baggies courtesy of a Johnny Evans deflection.
Hal Robson-Kanu gave the host a 1-0 lead at the struck of half time, before Sam Field’s first senior goal doubled their advantage in the 56th minute.
Newcastle were back in the game three minutes later, as Ciaran Clark pulled one back with a towering header, before Ritchie’s deflected free kick completed the comeback as both sides shared the spoils.
Finally, at the American Express Community stadium, Brighton & Hove Albion were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace.
Full Results
Brighton 0-0 Crystal Palace
Watford 2-4 Man. United
Leicester 2-1 Spurs
WBA 2-2 Newcastle United
