Bournemouth stun Manchester United; Manchester City edge past Swansea

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After last week’s defeat of Chelsea, arguably the best result in Bournemouth’s history, the upbeat Cherries hosted a beleaguered Manchester United side, left reeling after a shock exit from the Champions League. It took the home side less than 100 seconds to take the lead after Junior Stanislas whipped in a corner which found its way right into the top corner, largely thanks to a gush of wind and an uncharacteristic lapse of concentration from David De Gea. The goal scorer kissed the black armband that he was wearing, in tribute to Harry Arter, who played 85 minutes of the game, despite his wife having a miscarriage on Thursday.

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The visitors, however, grew into the game as it progressed and leveled terms in the 24^th minute, when Michael Carrick played a mouth watering forward pass to Memphis Depay who made a run behind Adam Smith’s shoulder and controlled with his chest, shot the ball as it came down but was denied by Artur Boruc, only to fall kindly to Marouane Fellaini, who managed to bundle it home after his initial shot was deflected. Jesse Lingard joined the list of injury-hit United players, when he came off holding his hamstring at the half hour mark.

Both goalkeepers made a string of saves to ensure that both sides went level into half-time.

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In the 54^th minute, the hosts restored their lead after a well rehearsed set piece routine came off, when Matt Ritchie’s low corner deceived every player in a white shirt and Joshua King slipped past his marker and slotted it past a rock of bodies and David de Gea.

Eddie Howe’s men almost made it 3-1, when substitute Glenn Murray did extremely well to roll the ball past Paddy McNair, with only the De Gea to beat but scuffed it over as he couldn’t keep the shot down with his weaker foot. United pressed for an equalizer but Bournemouth defended bravely, as the game ended 2-1 and Eddie Howe’s men must be on cloud nine, after defeating two English giants in the span of a week. Meanwhile, Louis van Gaal will be under immense pressure, after his side are winless in the last 5 games in all competitions.

After an extremely poor run of performances by Swansea, the board members sacked club hero Garry Monk and Alan Curtis was the interim manager at the daunting trip to Manchester City. Swansea were denied the lead in the 5th minute of the game, when Ki’s through ball, intended for Ayew, fell to Wayne Routledge who shot on goal but Joe Hart was equal to it.

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The three time champions took the lead after Jesus Navas drilled in a cross from a corner and Wilfred Bony headed it in to give the hosts the lead. The Ivorian, respectfully, didn’t celebrate, as he spent three seasons at the Welsh side before making a bumper move to the northwest. The visitors seemingly snatched a point in the 90^th minute, when an inch perfect pass by Federico Fernández to substitute Befetimbi Gomis saw the Frenchman muscle past Eliaquim Mangala and thump a shot into the roof of the net, much to the irk of the home supporters.

However, more drama ensued, when Yaya Toure’s left-footed shot in the box bounced off his own teammate Iheanacho and over the hapless Fabianski to win the game for City a minute into injury time.
Following the victory, the Citizens move to the top of the table, while Swansea loom dangerously close to the relegation spots.

Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Odion Ighalo scored his 10^th goal of the season in Watford’s 1-0 win at Sunderland, while West Ham and Stoke played out a goalless draw at Upton Park. Yohan Cabaye’s goal was enough to clinch all three points for Crystal Palace against struggling Southampton, while Wes Hoolahan cancelled out Romelu Lukaku’s opener in Norwich’s 1-1 draw with Everton.

Barcelona failed to protect a two-goal lead against Deportivo La Coruna, as the Catalans failed to win at Camp Nou for the first time this season. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 38^th minute, with a gorgeous free-kick and before providing the assist for Ivan Rakitic’s thunderous strike in the 61^st minute. Lucas Perez reduced the deficit in the 77^th minute after a clever piece of play and Alex Bergantinos made matters level with a brilliant first-time hit into the top corner.

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Meanwhile, the draws for Euro 2016 were announced and hosts France have a relatively easy group, with the likes of Romania, Albania and Switzerland. England and Wales are in group B, while World Cup winners Germany are joined by Ukraine and Poland in Group C. Reigning European champions Spain drew a tricky Group D with Turkey and Croatia. Group D, is the Group of Death, with top-ranked side Belgium, face Italy, the Republic of Ireland and Zlatan Ibrahimovic-led Sweden, while Portugal should top an easy Group F.

Group A

France

Romania

Albania

Switzerland

Group B

England

Russia

Wales

Slovakia

Group C

Germany

Ukraine

Poland

Northern Ireland

Group D

Spain

Czech Republic

Turkey

Croatia

Group E

Belgium

Italy

Republic of Ireland

Sweden

Group F

Portugal

Iceland

Austria

Hungary

• About the Author

About Sahil Bhinde

"I eat football, I sleep football, I breathe football! I'm not mad, I'm just passionate," said by one of the legends of the game, Thierry Henry, apt description for Sahil Bhinde. Aside from being a football admirer since a very young age, the 17 year old is pretty fond of British rock bands, Oasis, Beatles, Radiohead to name a few. All opinions are his own.