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SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 2019

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City cruise back top of

Leicester win to mark late owner’s birthday

LONDON: Manchester City’s English defender Kyle Walker (L) vies with Fulham’s Cameroonian midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (R) during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Manchester City at Craven Cottage in London yesterday. — AFP

LONDON: Manchester City cruised back between them and history, but there will with just the Fulham goalkeeper to beat, with eight games in a 25-day period to from Ben Chilwell’s 11th minute shot. to the top of the Premier League as rele- be far tougher tests in wait than a dispir- while the Spaniard also parried Ilkay come in April. Kyle Walker came closest An entertaining match saw both teams’ gation-bound Fulham were swatted aside ited and dishevelled Fulham, who played Gundogan’s effort from the edge of the to adding to their advantage with a top strikers, Vardy and Callum Wilson, by the champions 2-0 at Craven Cottage a huge part in their downfall. box. A second City goal seemed only a thumping shot off the outside of the post. miss chances but Leicester, increasingly yesterday. Bernardo Silva and Sergio Sixty points now separate the sides at matter of time, though, and again Fulham Meanwhile, Leicester City marked an dominant, deserved the spoils when Aguero ensured the game was won in the opposing ends of the table and the hosts’ made it easy for their visitors by cough- emotional day for the club on what would Vardy headed home his fifth goal in five first 27 minutes, but the final margin of inability to play simple passes highlight- ing up possession close to their own have been the birthday of their late own- games eight minutes from time. victory could have been far greater had ed why they are set for the drop after goal. er Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha by beating It felt a fitting way for Leicester fans City chosen to click through the gears. just one season back in the top flight. This time the roles were reversed as Bournemouth 2-0 at home in the Premier to honour Srivaddhanaprabha, their Pep Guardiola’s men now lead Aguero had already seen an effort Silva slipped in Aguero who expertly League yesterday. much-loved Thai owner who died in a Liverpool by a point with seven games cleared off the line before Silva opened found the top corner for his 29th goal of Goals from captain Wes Morgan, only helicopter accident after a game in remaining for both sides, but Jurgen the scoring just five minutes in. Kevin de the season. So calamitous was Fulham’s playing because of Harry Maguire’s sus- October, on what would have been his Klopp’s side can retake top spot with Bruyne, on his return from a month-long retention of the ball that every completed pension, and Jamie Vardy inspired the 61st birthday. Before the game, his image victory over third-placed Tottenham injury absence, intercepted a loose pass pass was met with loud cheers from the Foxes as they continued their bright start flashed up on the big screen at the King today. Fulham, by contrast, remain 13 deep inside the Fulham half and fed home fans at stages in the first-half. under new manager Brendan Rodgers Power Stadium along with the words points adrift of safety with just 18 left to Aguero, who in turn played the ball to However, the hosts nearly had an unlikely with a third straight league win. ‘Always in our hearts’ and play for. City remain on course for an Silva to curl into the far corner on his route back into the game when Joe Central defender Morgan scored in Srivaddhanaprabha’s son, club chairman unprecedented quadruple of Premier favoured left foot. De Bruyne should have Bryan’s shot flashed across Ederson’s consecutive games for the first time in his Aiyawatt, was introduced to the crowd. League, Champions League, FA Cup and scored for just the second time in an goal just before the break. City were Leicester career, although there may In the 61st minute of the match, the fans League Cup, which they retained last injury-plagued Premier League season happy to canter through the second peri- have been a touch of fortune about his also rose to applaud his memory, singing month. A potential 14 games now stand when he fired too close to Sergio Rico od without expending too much energy deflection which went in off the post ‘Vichai had a dream.’ — Agencies

made sure of the points with Martial’s strike in the 72nd Man United moved minute. Substitute Jesse Lingard’s low cross from the right saw Martial and Foster tangle for the ball, which fell kindly for the Frenchman who hooked home up to fourth with United’s second. Watford got some reward for their positive win over Watford approach when Abdoulaye Doucoure slotted home in the 90th minute after an exchange of passes with Isaac Success. Norwegian Solksjaer, handed a three-year LONDON: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated his first contract on Thursday, has led United to 15 wins in 20 game as permanent Manchester United manager with a matches in all competitions since taking over as care- 2-1 Premier League win over Watford at Old Trafford taker manager in December. yesterday. It was a far from impressive performance Meanwhile, Huddersfield Town were relegated from from United but goals from Marcus Rashford and the Premier League yesterday after a 2-0 defeat by Anthony Martial earned the victory which moved them Crystal Palace and results elsewhere meant they could up to fourth in the table, level on points with third- not survive in the top flight. placed Tottenham Hotspur. Victories for Burnley at home to Wolverhampton United took the lead in the 28th minute when Luke Wanderers and Southampton away at Brighton & Hove Shaw played a delightful through ball into the path of Albion ended Huddersfield’s two-year stay in the Rashford who clipped it past advancing Watford keep- Premier League. er . With six games still left to play this season, they MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s French forward Anthony Martial (R) is tackled by Watford’s Zaire-born Belgian Watford enjoyed plenty of possession in United’s become the second team ever to be relegated from the defender Christian Kabasele (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and half and looked dangerous when breaking but United Premier League before the end of March. — Reuters Watford at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, yesterday. — AFP