Man Utd in battle for survival as losing run goes on

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said the English giants are in a battle for Premier League survival after Newcastle cruised to a 2-0 win at Old Trafford to inflict a fourth consecutive defeat on the hosts.

Just two months into his tenure, Amorim conceded this week that his job is on the line unless results begin to improve.

The Portuguese has won just two of his first eight league games to leave United languishing down in 14th, just seven points above the relegation zone.

“That is really clear, so we have to fight,” said Amorim on United being dragged into a relegation battle.

“It is a really difficult moment, one of the more difficult moments in the history of Manchester United and we have to address it with honesty.”

Alexander Isak and Joelinton struck inside the first 19 minutes as a fifth consecutive win lifted the Magpies into fifth.

Amorim stood aghast at what he was witnessing in the first half as Newcastle cut through the home side at will.

“They are a better team and they started very strong,” added Amorim.

“When we suffer a goal it is really hard to turn around because of all the losses we had before and we don’t have the base of work behind to cope with the difficult moments.”

Just over three minutes were on the clock when Isak was afforded space inside the six-yard box to head in Lewis Hall’s cross and score for the sixth consecutive Premier League game.

United badly missed the presence of suspended captain Bruno Fernandes as the Newcastle midfield three of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton played around the ageing duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen with ease.

Isak blew a huge chance to double the visitors’ lead when he fluffed an attempted dink over Andre Onana and the Swedish striker also had a goal ruled out for offside.

However, it was just a matter of time before Newcastle added a second and it arrived when Joelinton burst in to meet Anthony Gordon’s cross.

Zirkzee hauled off to cheers 

Amorim responded by replacing Joshua Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes – a move greeted with cheers by the frustrated Old Trafford crowd.

Tonali should have made it 3-0 when he hit the post at the end of a flowing Newcastle move through the heart of the United defence.

However, United did have chances to get back in the game before half-time as Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro failed to hit the target with just Martin Dubravka to beat.

Amorim’s half-time pep talk did at least muster some response as United began the second half far better.

Harry Maguire’s header came back off the post before Hall blocked Matthijs De Ligt’s goalbound follow-up effort.

Marcus Rashford had been restored to the United squad for the first time in five games but remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes as Amorim turned to another outcast in Alejandro Garnacho to make a difference.

But the Argentine international was introduced just as Newcastle had ridden the storm and began to assert their control once more.

A third consecutive home league defeat for the first time since 1979 is the latest in the list of sorry statistics that have marked United’s decade of decline.

The fear for Amorim is that the losing run only looks set to continue into 2025.

A daunting trip to runaway league leaders Liverpool awaits on Sunday before United travel to Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.

Chelsea’s title hopes rocked by shock defeat at Ipswich

Enzo Maresca admitted Chelsea should not think about challenging for the Premier League title after lowly Ipswich beat the Blues 2-0 at Portman Road on Monday.

Maresca’s side were rocked by Liam Delap’s early penalty and a second-half goal from former Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson.

Chelsea’s second successive defeat after their Boxing Day loss against Fulham left them without a win in their last three matches.

The west Londoners had emerged as surprise title contenders after an eight-match winning run in all competitions.

But Maresca had insisted throughout that spell that Chelsea’s inexperienced squad do not have what it takes to win the title in his first season after arriving from Leicester.

And the Italian’s prediction looks spot on after a shock result in Suffolk that leaves Chelsea in fourth place, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

“We focus game by game. We are not focused on title race or those things,” Maresca said.

“It was a strange game. We had many chances but we could do many things better, defend better in some moments.

“Now we’ve finished the first part of the season, no one expected us to be where we are. It’s a long race.”

Third-bottom Ipswich climb within one point of safety after winning for the second time in their last four matches.

Kieran McKenna’s side have renewed belief they can avoid relegation back to the Championship thanks to their first top-flight home win in 22 years.

“Special night for the club. First home win in the Premier League at Portman Road for 22 years and to do it against Chelsea was fantastic,” McKenna said.

“Everyone involved with Ipswich can enjoy a glass of sparkly stuff tomorrow night and think about some of the moments we’ve had over the last couple of years.”

Delap domination 

Ipswich took the fight to Chelsea right from the start as Delap bullied the visitors’ defence in pugnacious fashion.

Delap raced onto Leif Davis’ inch-perfect pass in the 12th minute and went to ground after the faintest of kicks by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

Referee John Brooks awarded the spot-kick and Delap drilled into the bottom corner for his seventh goal of the season.

Cole Palmer almost levelled immediately when his free-kick from 22 yards smacked against the post.

Palmer’s superb left-footed cross was converted by Joao Felix midway through the first half but the Portugal striker’s powerful finish was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR check.

Just before half-time, Palmer’s superb 20-yard curler looked destined for the top corner after Felix’s lay-off, only for Christian Walton to brilliantly parry onto the crossbar.

Felix’s header was cleared off the line by Wes Burns early in the second half before Walton thwarted Noni Madueke’s low effort.

Chelsea’s profligacy came back to haunt them as Ipswich doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.

Axel Disasi carelessly passed straight to Delap on the halfway line and he ran at Levi Colwill before passing back to Hutchinson.

Intelligently working a yard of space, Hutchinson drilled into the bottom corner.

It was a special goal for Hutchinson against a club that released him twice from their youth team.

Chelsea were unable to muster a response as Ipswich inflicted a painful defeat with repercussions at both ends of the table.

Villa frustrated as Lamptey rescues Brighton

Unai Emery insisted Aston Villa are still in the race to finish in the Premier League’s top four after Tariq Lamptey’s late equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Brighton on Monday.

Villa striker Ollie Watkins celebrated his birthday with a goal and an assist for Morgan Rogers, putting his side ahead after Simon Adingra’s early opener for Brighton.

But Emery’s men allowed Lamptey to level with just nine minutes left at Villa Park.

Villa’s hopes of finishing in the top four for a second consecutive season are in danger of being extinguished well before the spring after the latest erratic display in an inconsistent season.

Ninth-placed Villa are six points adrift of the top four, while 10th-placed Brighton’s winless run has reached seven games.

Emery remains upbeat about their chances after a year in which Villa returned to the Champions League in impressive style.

“We played a fantastic match. The first 20 minutes we started lower than we were planning and we conceded one goal. But we reacted and came back with 2-1,” he said.

“I have to accept it but I am a little bit frustrated. The table is very tight but we are in the race for the second part of the season.

“We have to be proud of the year. We have to try to accept it and be happy with the results we had in 2024.”

Lamptey to the rescue 

The Seagulls took a 12th-minute lead with a goal that encapsulated Villa’s sloppy form.

Ezri Konsa failed to deal with Lewis Dunk’s long ball over the top and it fell to Adingra, who fired into the bottom corner.

Villa could have been two down before the half-hour as Emiliano Martinez was forced into a full-stretch save to keep out Julio Enciso’s shot before Jan Paul van Hecke put a free header wide from the resulting corner.

The hosts finally came to life and levelled after a frantic period which saw two VAR checks for penalties.

The first came after Rogers appeared to be chopped down by Van Hecke, but VAR official Stuart Attwell did not think there was enough evidence to overrule referee Craig Dawson’s on-field decision.

From the corner there was more drama as Rogers was kicked by Joao Pedro after Seagulls goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen flapped.

Dawson initially did not award a spot-kick but eventually changed his mind after viewing the pitchside monitor.

Watkins stepped up to convert the spot-kick for his eighth goal of the season.

Villa needed just 72 seconds in the second half to go in front as Rogers grabbed his sixth goal of the campaign.

Watkins turned provider as his lofted pass from a recycled corner played in his England team-mate, who fired into the bottom corner.

But Villa couldn’t press home their advantage and paid the price in the 81st minute.

Lamptey started the raid with a lung-bursting run before collecting Kaoru Mitoma’s pass to fire home in emphatic style.

Watkins had two opportunities to win it but wasted both, leaving Emery holding his head in frustration after he lashed over in the final seconds.