Liverpool and Man City stunned by late goals. Cunha rescues Man United but Amorim unhappy with club
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Liverpool and Manchester City were stunned by late goals to drop points in the Premier League on Sunday.
Harrison Reed’s spectacular strike in the seventh minute of stoppage time earned Fulham a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Craven Cottage. And Enzo Fernandez poked home an equalizer in the 94th at the Etihad to seal a 1-1 draw for managerless Chelsea that dented City’s title hopes.
Second-placed City led through Tijjani Reijnders at halftime, but is now six points behind leader Arsenal, which beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday.
Defending champion Liverpool is fourth in the standings and 14 points adrift of Arsenal after substitute Reed let fly from around 25 meters (yards) to beat Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
Liverpool fans were still celebrating after Cody Gakpo had scored what looked like a late winner in the 94th. But they were left stunned by Reed’s near instant response once play resumed.
Fulham led 1-0 at halftime through Harry Wilson, who burst through and fired low into the far corner. Florian Wirtz leveled in the 57th.
The result saw defending champion Liverpool drop yet more points in what has been a difficult second campaign for coach Arne Slot.
Man United unsettled after Amorim’s post-match comments
Matheus Cunha rescued a point for Manchester United in a 1-1 draw at Leeds.
The Brazil forward equalized for United after U.S. international Brenden Aaronson put Leeds in front in the second half at Elland Road.
Aaronson opened the scoring in the 62nd, but Cunha leveled three minutes later. Cunha was close to firing a winner late in the match with a curling shot from outside the box that struck the outside of the post.
United has lost just two of its last 14 games in the league, but six draws during that run have seen Ruben Amorim’s team struggle to keep pace with the top three in the standings.
“This year I think we are in control of the games more often than last year,” Amorim told TNT Sports. “So it was a good game, but of course (I am) a little bit frustrated not to win.”
But it was other remarks by Amorim about his job and future that dominated the headlines.
“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United,” Amorim said. “And that is clear. I know that my name is not (Thomas) Tuchel, it’s not (Antonio) Conte, it’s not (Jose) Mourinho but I’m the manager of Manchester United. And it’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decides to change.”
Leeds is unbeaten in seven games and went ahead when Aaronson raced past United defender Ayden Heaven to shoot low into the far corner.
Cunha scored his third goal in his last five games when latching onto a pass from substitute Joshua Zirkzee and sliding a shot past Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
United has had to cope without injured inspirational captain Bruno Fernandes over the festive period as well as key forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, who are playing at the Africa Cup of Nations. Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo are also out with injuries.
But Amorim suggested Fernandes and Mount could be close to returning.
Thiago hat trick
Igor Thiago hit a hat trick in Brentford’s 4-2 win at Everton.
The Brazilian forward has scored 14 goals in the league this season, behind only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
Newcastle beat Crystal Palace 2-0 and Tottenham was denied victory at home to Sunderland when Brian Brobbey scored an 80th-minute equalizer for a 1-1 draw.
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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