Sesko strikes to rescue Man Utd, Villa beaten by Brentford
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.
Manchester United's Slovenian striker #30 Benjamin Sesko (C) celebrates his team's third goal just before the end of time during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on February 1, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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MANCHESTER — 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.
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.
Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder #18 Casemiro (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on February 1, 2026.
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.
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.
Crystal Palace also failed to make the most of a man advantage amid fears of being dragged into a relegation battle in a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
Morgan Gibbs-White's early strike put Forest in front, but Neco Williams' decision to punch the ball clear off his own goal-line just before half-time was the break the visitors needed.
Ismaila Sarr netted from the penalty spot after Williams was shown a red card.
However, Palace failed to end their 12-game wait for a win and remain just three points above Forest and nine clear of the bottom three.