LONDON: Manchester United eased the pressure on beleaguered boss Ruben Amorim with a chaotic 2-1 win against Chelsea as both teams finished with 10 men at Old Trafford.

Fighting to avoid the sack after a woeful start to the season, Amorim received a welcome boost when Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off after just five minutes of Saturday’s clash.

Bruno Fernandes quickly put United ahead with his 100th goal for the club in all competitions in his 200th Premier League appearance.

Casemiro doubled United’s lead before the Brazil midfielder was dismissed for a second booking in first-half stoppage time.

Trevoh Chalobah’s late reply for Chelsea set up a tense finale, but United held on for just their second win in six matches in all competitions this term.

Having kicked off languishing just above the relegation zone, Amorim’s side climbed to ninth place to give the Portuguese coach a little breathing space.

Earlier on Saturday, first half strikes by Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike helped Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 to maintain their flawless Premier League start this season

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur came back from two goals down to draw at Brighton and Hove Albion while Crystal Palace beat West Ham United to leave Graham Potter’s side in the relegation zone.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool were 2-0 up inside half an hour but had to withstand an impressive fightback from their Merseyside rivals.

The victory means Liverpool are five points clear of second-placed Tottenham while Everton are still without a win at Anfield in front of a crowd in the 21st century.

Liverpool were quickly out of the blocks and took the lead in the 10th minute when Mohamed Salah’s lifted cross dropped into the right-hand side of the penalty area.

Gravenberch allowed the ball to bounce before hooking a rasping shot over Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

France international Ekitike finished off a silky move in the 29th minute with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister combining before Gravenberch slid through an inviting pass.

Ekitike controlled the ball and finished coolly through Pickford’s legs.

Liverpool have not made things easy for themselves this season, relying on a series of late winners, and an improved Everton made them sweat again when Idrissa Gueye pulled a goal back in the 58th minute.

But Slot’s men held on to make it six wins out of six in all competitions as they hunt for a record 21st English title.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have started the season brightly under new manager Thomas Frank and rescued a point on the south coast.

Goals from Yankuba Minteh and Yasin Ayari gave Brighton a cushion before Richarlison pulled one back shortly before half-time and Jan Paul van Hecke’s own goal made it all square.

At Molineux, Leeds United recovered from conceding the first goal to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1, leaving the Midlands club without a single point from their five matches.

In Saturday’s other matches, Tyrick Mitchell scored the winner for Palace at the London Stadium to lift the London club to fourth in the table, while Burnley and Nottingham Forest shared a 1-1 draw.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2025