Sesko strike rescues United as Villa beaten by Brentford

Benjamin Sesko rode to Manchester United’s rescue in another thrilling 3-2 win for Michael Carrick’s men over Fulham on Sunday, as Aston Villa’s Premier League title challenge faltered in defeat to 10-man Brentford.

A third consecutive win since Carrick took the reins at Old Trafford propelled United back into the top four at the expense of Chelsea and Liverpool.

A week on from a 3-2 win at Arsenal, it was another throwback to United’s glory days during Carrick’s playing career as they snatched victory in dramatic fashion after a Fulham fightback.

Unbeaten in their last seven league matches, United moved up to fourth place as their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League gathers pace.

Reaching the Champions League would be a significant statement for Carrick, who was sacked by second-tier Middlesbrough last year.

Casemiro opened the scoring from Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick to give United the perfect start on 19 minutes.

The Brazilian then turned provider for United’s second but Matheus Cunha still had plenty to do before lashing high beyond Bernd Leno.

Just a second defeat in nine league games dealt a blow to Fulham’s own hopes of European football next season.

The visitors showed plenty of fight as Raul Jimenez’s penalty halved the deficit five minutes from time before Kevin’s spectacular strike looked to have salvaged a point.

But United went straight down the other end and Sesko spun onto Fernandes’ pass before blasting into the top corner.

Villa’s title dreams fade: Villa were hoping to move back within four points of Arsenal at the top of the table, but their unlikely bid for a first league title since 1981 faltered in a second consecutive 1-0 home defeat.

Brentford inflicted a huge blow on Unai Emery’s men despite playing more than half the game a man down.

Kevin Schade was sent off for kicking out at Matty Cash on 42 minutes.

But in first-half stoppage time, the Bees took the lead when Dango Ouattara blasted in from a narrow angle. Villa laid seige to the Brentford goal after the break but lacked the invention to break the visitors down.

Tammy Abraham did have the ball in the net but was denied a debut goal on his return to Villa after a VAR review found the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.

Nottingham Forest were reduced to 10 men and conceded a penalty to Crystal Palace, but the visitors were still left frustrated after 1 draw that extended their winless streak to 12 matches in all competitions.

Relegation-threatened Forest, 17th in the standings, led after five minutes as Morgan Gibbs-White netted from close range when Palace defenders failed to clear Ola Aina’s long throw.

Palace pushed for the equaliser and their sustained pressure paid off late in the first half, when Jefferson Lerma’s header beat the goalkeeper but Forest defender Neco Williams used his hand to keep it out, leading to a straight red card.

Ismaila Sarr converted the resulting penalty and Palace looked to exploit their numerical advantage after the break. However, they did not take their chances as Will Hughes shot over the bar early in the second half and Brennan Johnson headed wide from a cross after the hour mark.

Christantus Uche also shot wide in the 71st minute as Palace, who had 66% of the possession and more shots, had to settle for a draw.

Forest, unbeaten in their last four league games, moved six points clear of the relegation zone, staying three points below Palace.

Agencies