Manchester derby fires blanks, Newcastle’s Almiron scores in 20 seconds

London: Manchester United failed to ease the pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a limp display in their 0-0 draw against Manchester City, while Miguel Almiron scored in 20 seconds as Newcastle beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 on Saturday.

Solskjaer faced calls for his sacking after United crashed out of the Champions League with a midweek defeat at Leipzig.

The beleaguered United manager desperately needed an uplifting result in the Manchester derby to win back some support.

But, with Paul Pogba restored to the starting line-up, United laboured to a drab draw that left them in seventh place on the table.

Meanwhile, Newcastle took less than a minute to grab the lead when Almiron swept his shot past West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone.

West Brom drew level five minutes into the second half at St James’ Park.

Newcastle clinched the points in the 82nd minute when Dwight Gayle met a superb cross by fellow substitute Jacob Murphy to head past Johnstone.

Newcastle’s second successive victory lifted the gloom from their virus issues, but struggling West Brom stay second bottom.

Everton pip Chelsea
The People’s Club welcomed back its fans and Chelsea felt the full force.
With 2,000 supporters allowed back into Goodison Park after nine months, Everton won 1-0 on Saturday to end Chelsea’s 17-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

It means third-place Chelsea can be overtaken if Leicester beats Brighton on Sunday and front-runners Tottenham and Liverpool can pull further away at the top of the Premier League.

It was an uncharacteristic mistake by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy — bringing down Dominic Calvert-Lewin that allowed Gylfi Sigurdsson to score a penalty in the 22nd minute and spark home celebrations as Everton rose to seventh.

“The impact was really strong    we were really pleased,” Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti said.

“It is really important to have the support. It’s a totally different environment, completely,” he further added.