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Premier League Wrap: Solskjaer's full-time reign off to shaky winning start

Manchester United marked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment as permanent manager with an unconvincing 2-1win over Watford on Saturday.

By Opta
anthony martial - cropped

London, March 30: Manchester United marked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment as permanent manager with an unconvincing 2-1 victory over Watford on Saturday.

Premier League Fixtures | Premier League Results | Premier League Table

Goals in each half from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial got the Red Devils back to winning ways after losses to Arsenal and Wolves in the Premier League and FA Cup, despite Abdoulaye Doucoure's late strike.

It was a mostly uninspiring performance from United at Old Trafford, but the result moves them back into the top four at the end of a week in which Solskjaer was confirmed as their next full-time boss on a three-year deal.

Doucoure dragged a shot wide from inside the United box as the home side endured a strangely sluggish start in the Manchester sun, but they took the lead 28 minutes in, with Rashford clipping a clever finish over Ben Foster after Luke Shaw won back the ball on the edge of his own area and sent his England team-mate through on goal.

Foster made a smart save with his legs to deny Martial before half-time, as United began to dictate proceedings thanks largely to Solskjaer's decision to shift Juan Mata from the right wing into a number 10 role.

Watford were the better side after the break once more, though, with David de Gea saving well from Roberto Pereyra and Will Hughes curling a shot wide after Nemanja Matic lost the ball in his own area.

Martial struck 18 minutes from time, scooping the ball into the net after he reacted quickest following a tangle with goalkeeper Foster, and it proved just enough for the victory despite Doucoure slotting past De Gea after a clever link-up with Isaac Success and Troy Deeney.

What does it mean? United turn up pressure on Arsenal

Back-to-back losses to Arsenal in the league and Wolves in the FA Cup seemed to be on United's minds at times as they played largely risk-free football, but Solskjaer will be pleased enough to emerge from this game with three points.

The win lifts them back into fourth place in the table, a point above the Gunners, who play Newcastle United on Monday, and level with Tottenham in third.

Watford drop to ninth, but you sense their focus is already on next Sunday's cup semi-final with Wolves at Wembley.

Jones the unexpected hero

Making his first league start since February 9, Phil Jones had an excellent game at the heart of United's defence. The fact he was so involved in the match reflects how generally poor his side were further forward.

Pogba goes missing

Nobody in the United midfield stood out, but Pogba was particularly anonymous. He offered little to link with the attack and rarely tracked the forward runs of Hughes.

What's next?

United head to Wolves on Tuesday, when Watford host struggling Fulham.

Eagles win to send Terriers down

Crystal Palace eased their own relegation fears with 2-0 win at Selhurst Park - a result that condemned Huddersfield Town to the Championship.

The Eagles have found goals hard to come by at home this season but were gifted the chance to break the deadlock when Juninho Bacuna carelessly fouled Wilfried Zaha in the 75th minute.

Luka Milivojevic converted from the spot for his 10th goal of the season, easing the concerns of the home fans after an otherwise frustrating performance from their side.

Palace secured all three points in the 88th minute, Patrick van Aanholt showing his team-mates how to finish by slotting a low drive underneath goalkeeper Ben Hamer.

With Burnley and Southampton both winning on Saturday, Huddersfield now know they will drop down a level at the end of their second season in the top flight.

The Terriers' future was confirmed with six games remaining, meaning they join Derby County as the only clubs to be relegated from the Premier League before the end of March.

Story first published: Saturday, March 30, 2019, 22:52 [IST]
Other articles published on Mar 30, 2019