London [UK], May 4: Kobbie Mainoo celebrated his new deal in style as the homegrown Manchester United star sealed a helter-skelter 3-2 victory against arch-rivals Liverpool and Champions League qualification.
Sunday's eagerly-anticipated Premier League encounter pitted third against fourth at Old Trafford, where the Red Devils roared out of the blocks as Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko struck inside the opening 14 minutes.
But United gifted Arne Slot's stumbling side a way back just after half-time, with substitute Amad Diallo's misplaced pass punished by Dominik Szoboszlai before Cody Gakpo levelled the scores following a Senne Lammens blunder.
Play continued at a frenetic pace before academy graduate Mainoo settled things in the 77th minute, slamming home in front of the Stretford End just days after committing his future to the club until 2031.
United's victory ensured they did the league double over Liverpool for the first time since 2015-16 and secured Champions League football with three games to spare as boss Michael Carrick furthered his case for the long-term role.
Bournemouth boosted their European hopes with a thumping 3-0 Premier League win over woeful Crystal Palace.
A calamitous own goal from former Cherries midfielder Jefferson Lerma and Junior Kroupi's 32nd-minute penalty set the in-form hosts on course to climb to sixth place in the table.
Brazilian winger Rayan completed the scoring 13 minutes from time as Andoni Iraola's side stretched their remarkable unbeaten run to 15 top-flight games in convincing fashion.
Palace's visit to the Vitality Stadium was sandwiched between their two-legged Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk, which they lead 3-1 on aggregate.
Eagles manager Oliver Glasner made five changes for the match and watched his 15th-placed side contribute to their own downfall during a wretched display.
Substitute Ismaila Sarr, who opened the scoring against Shakhtar on Thursday, almost claimed a late consolation but his volley bounced back off the left post.
Tottenham looked like a team destined to secure Premier League survival after they beat a dire Aston Villa 2-1 to move out of the bottom three.
Spurs put in their best performance of the season to claim three crucial points at Villa Park, thanks to first-half goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison.
They look a different side under Roberto De Zerbi, registering back-to-back league victories for the first time since August, and are now favourites to beat the drop.
The north London club leapfrogged West Ham in the table and with a home game to come against Leeds, after the Hammers host Arsenal, their position could be even rosier next week.
Source: Qatar Tribune
