United, Newcastle, Spurs all win to keep top four race buzzing

Manchester United, Newcastle, Tottenham all win to keep top four race buzzing - Premier League Review

Marcus Rashford limps off against Everton to hand Erik Ten Hag a major headache ahead of the Europa League clash on Thursday. United beat Everton 2-0. (Photo credit: Manchester United)

Manchester United beat Everton on Saturday to earn a 6-point cushion in the top four, but Tottenham and Newcastle maintained the same energy later in the day to keep the race feisty.

Scott McTominay fired United in front after the hosts missed lots of chances to continue their great run in front of goal, but it could have been as many as five for United with Anthony and Marcus Rashford missing gilt-edge chances.

The second half wasn’t different, and Anthony Martial added the second with an assist from Rashford, who later limped off following an injury that Erik Ten Hag described as "not looking good" at a crucial time in the course of their season.

Tottenham managed a 2-1 win over Brighton, their major competition in the race for fourth, but the video assistant referee would have lots of questions to answer with key decisions going against the visitors in the game.

Harry Kane scored the winner in the second half after Heung Min Son had joined the 100 club with a sensational curler in the first half, and Brighton managed to level through a fine header by Lewis Dunk not long after the hour mark.

Kaoru Mitoma was hacked down in the Spurs area for a blatant penalty, but referee Stuart Attwell waved play on and VAR didn’t call it. Christian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi were both sent off for being unable to control their area, and Kane’s fine finish meant Brighton now sits seven points off Spurs but with two games in hand.

Newcastle made a strong case for a top-three finish with a comeback win over Brentford at the Community Stadium; the Geordies are back level on points with United but ahead of the Red Devils on goal difference.

Ivan Toney missed from the spot for the first time in his Premier League career before having another opportunity from the spot that he couldn’t pass on. The 3 Lions striker had scored earlier, but the VAR ruled him offside.

David Raya diverted a Joelinton pass into his own net before Alexander Isak scored the winner a few minutes later off a pass from his strike partner Callum Wilson. The latter had an effort ruled out for offside five minutes later, proving Eddie Howe right in saying both strikers can play together to a devastating effect.