Saturday in the Premier League saw Aston Villa win 4-2 win against Nottingham Forest as they strengthened their grip on the last UEFA Champions League spot in the top four. Elsewhere, Oliver Glasner enjoyed a winning start in England as Crystal Palace beat Burnley 3-0, and Brighton had Lewis Dunk to thank for an injury-time equaliser against Everton on the south coast.
Aston Villa defeated Nottingham Forest 4-2 to tighten their grip on the Premier League’s top four, while Crystal Palace beat Burnley 3-0 in Oliver Glasner’s first game in charge.
Villa – who are now five points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham – were ahead after just four minutes, when Ollie Watkins scored his fifth goal in five games.
A brace from Douglas Luiz took them three goals clear, as the Brazilian made it two just before the half-hour, and then added another 10 minutes later as he headed home when Forest failed to properly clear a corner.
Moussa Niakhate gave Forest hope with a goal just before the end of the first half.
The deficit was then halved three minutes after the restart as Morgan Gibbs-White broke the offside trap to slot home.
Winger Leon Bailey calmed the home side’s nerves as he scored just after the half-hour mark to make it 4-2.
Meanwhile, Glasner took charge of his first match in the Premier League after replacing Roy Hodgson, who left the club after Palace struggled for form in the current campaign.
VIncent Kompany’s men are also enduring a difficult season, which became tougher when Josh Brownhill saw red on 35 minutes as he pulled back Jefferson Lerma who was threatening a goal.
The advantage told in the second half when Craig Richards headed in at the back post for his first Premier League goal, and three minutes later Jordan Ayew slotted in at the opposite post to make it two.
Jean-Philippe Mateta then scored from the spot on 79 minutes to wrap up victory.
Everton were denied all three points as Brighton grabbed a stoppage-time goal to claim a 1-1 draw at the Amex.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s excellent finish in the 73rd minute looked to have given Sean Dyche’s team the chance to claim a vital three points, before defender Lewis Dunk headed in an equaliser in the 95th minute.
In the afternoon’s other match, Manchester United lost 1-2 at home to Fulham after a 97th-minute Alex Iwobi strike.
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