Fernandes lifts Man Utd gloom, Frank suffers first league loss with Spurs

Fernandes lifts Man Utd gloom, Frank suffers first league loss with Spurs
Manchester United’s Cameroonian midfielder Bryan Mbeumo celebrates scoring their second goal during their English Premier League match against Burnley at Old Trafford in Manchester, on Aug. 30, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 30 August 2025

Fernandes lifts Man Utd gloom, Frank suffers first league loss with Spurs

Fernandes lifts Man Utd gloom, Frank suffers first league loss with Spurs
  • United were on the brink of another damaging result after promoted Burnley twice came from behind at Old Trafford
  • “I was frustrated like any Man United fan, we had chances to score more goals. But today we were the better team,” Amorim said

LONDON: Bruno Fernandes eased the pressure on Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim as his last-gasp penalty sealed a 3-2 win over Burnley, while Thomas Frank suffered his first Premier League defeat as Tottenham manager to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Just days after a humiliating League Cup second-round loss at fourth-tier Grimsby, United were on the brink of another damaging result after promoted Burnley twice came from behind at Old Trafford.

Amorim had admitted after the Grimsby debacle that he sometimes thinks about quitting and often “hates” his players.

His mood would have been even darker before United captain Fernandes came to the rescue seven minutes into stoppage time.

United’s first win in three league games this season will give Amorim some much-needed respite heading into the international break, although questions will still be asked of the Portuguese coach after his side’s latest erratic display.

Luck was on United’s side when they took the lead in the 26th minute.

Casemiro’s header thumped off the crossbar and hit Burnley captain Josh Cullen on the back, ricocheting over the line before Martin Dubravka could claw it away.

Lyle Foster hauled Burnley level with a 55th-minute finish from Jacob Bruun Larsen’s cross.

Bryan Mbeumo put United back in the lead just 15 seconds later when he slammed in Diogo Dalot’s cutback for his first league goal since his summer move from Brentford.

United’s frailties were punished again as Jaidon Anthony equalized in the 66th minute.

But in the final moments Anthony pulled Amad Diallo, with a lengthy VAR check concluding the foul continued inside the area, conceding a controversial penalty that Fernandes gratefully tucked away to Amorim’s immense relief.

“I was frustrated like any Man United fan, we had chances to score more goals. But today we were the better team,” Amorim said.

Tottenham were beaten 1-0 by Bournemouth to end Frank’s strong start since he arrived from Brentford to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou in the close-season.

Spurs had won their first two league games under the Dane without conceding a goal, including a 2-0 win at Manchester City last weekend.

But Evanilson struck in the fifth minute with a deflected shot as Bournemouth left north London with their second win this term.

Jack Grealish starred as Everton beat Wolves 3-2 at Molineux.

Beto headed Everton in front from Grealish’s flick after seven minutes before Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan levelled in the 21st minute.

Iliman Ndiaye restored Everton’s advantage in the 33rd minute, applying the finishing touch to a flowing move involving on-loan Manchester City winger Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Dewsbury-Hall bagged Everton’s third, blasting home from Grealish’s pass in the 55th minute before Rodrigo Gomes reduced the deficit in the 79th minute.

Newcastle again badly missed the presence of a striker in their second 0-0 of the season away to Leeds.

New club record signing Nick Woltemade watched on from the stands after joining from Stuttgart on Saturday, which could see the wantaway Alexander Isak get his wish of a move to Liverpool.

Newcastle remain without a win this season.

Sunderland staged an impressive fightback to beat Brentford 2-1 at the Stadium of Light thanks to Wilson Isidor’s stoppage time header.


Villarreal stunned in 1-0 Champions League loss to Pafos

Villarreal stunned in 1-0 Champions League loss to Pafos
Updated 11 sec ago

Villarreal stunned in 1-0 Champions League loss to Pafos

Villarreal stunned in 1-0 Champions League loss to Pafos
The Spanish club may be riding high in third place in LaLiga, but remain on one point in Europe
Pafos move on to five points

KOLOSSI, Cyprus: Villarreal fell to a humbling 1-0 defeat away to Pafos on Wednesday, as their dismal Champions League campaign continued after Derrick Luckassen scored to give the Cypriot side their first win of the competition.
The Spanish club may be riding high in third place in LaLiga, but remain on one point in Europe, while Pafos move on to five points.
Given both clubs’ campaigns so far, a goal fest was never likely. Villarreal scored twice in three games, both coming in a 2-2 draw with Juventus, while Pafos had netted only once, which came in a 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich.
The hosts created an early chance with Quina making a mazy run into the area and curling a shot just over the bar before Villarreal wasted a couple of opportunities to take the lead.
Georges Mikautadze completely missed the ball when Ayoze Perez squared a headed pass to him all alone in front of goal and Pape Gueye put his effort straight at the keeper when sent through on goal.
The visitors were rocked in the opening minute after the break when Pafos won a corner and unmarked defender Luckassen powered a header into the net.
Villarreal’s search for an equalizer lacked any real conviction to leave the home fans celebrating a famous win.