AFCON 2025
Bournemouth humbled Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, and the result leaves Michael Carrick’s future under intense scrutiny. Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson scored the goals. It was the third time in four seasons that the Cherries have won by that scoreline at the ground, and it lifted Marco Rose’s side to nine points from eight games.
Rayan opened the scoring on 38 minutes, arriving at the far post to finish Justin Kluivert’s outswinging delivery from a set piece.
The visitors struck again before the break, and that blow broke the home side’s spirit. Tavernier doubled the lead on 43 minutes, punishing United’s disorganised defending, and the boos rang around the stadium as the teams left for half-time. Carrick’s players never recovered their composure, and the second half brought no fightback.
Evanilson then killed the contest on 71 minutes. He reacted first to a loose ball, rounded Lammens and curled a superb finish into the far top corner from a narrow angle.
The story before kick-off centred on Bruno Fernandes. Carrick dropped his captain after Fernandes criticised the team’s tactics in the midweek 4-1 defeat by Como in the Champions League, and he left him on the bench for the full 90 minutes. Cl
Carrick later defended the call, telling Sky Sports that managers must make decisions to change the course of a game. The gamble backfired badly, as his team lacked creativity and cutting edge throughout.
United have now gone eight games without a win and sit 16th in the table, one point above the relegation zone. The supporters sang Carrick’s name during the game, and he looked emotional at the final whistle as he walked around the pitch to thank them.
Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 at Anfield to give Andoni Iraola his first Premier League win at the ground as manager. Pascal Gross turned Florian Wirtz’s low shot into his own net on 17 minutes, and Alexander Isak doubled the lead four minutes later, converting Bradley Barcola’s cross after the winger sprinted onto a long pass from Alisson. Isak has scored six times in seven league games, and the win lifts Liverpool to fourth and ends Brighton’s eight-match unbeaten run.
Newcastle won 2-0 at Crystal Palace after a goalless first half in which the hosts dominated. William Osula broke the deadlock on 47 minutes, latching onto Jacob Murphy’s cross, and Joe Willock had a second goal ruled out by VAR for offside. Harvey Barnes made sure on 58, sweeping home Amar Dedic’s low cut-back, and the defeat leaves Palace one point above the drop zone and puts manager Pierre Sage under fresh pressure.
Hull City and Brentford drew 1-1 at the MKM Stadium. Oli McBurnie put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot on 24 minutes after Aaron Hickey’s foul, scoring his first Premier League goal of the season. Dango Ouattara equalised on 63 from close range after Igor Thiago’s flick, and Brentford pressed late without finding a winner. Hull stay winless in six league games, while Brentford move to sixth.
