Manchester United suffered another blow with captain Bruno Fernandes picking up a hamstring injury.
London: Morgan Rogers scored two sensational solo goals as Aston Villa cemented its status as a genuine title contender with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday, ensuring Arsenal will spend Christmas Day at the summit of the Premier League.
The result at a rocking Villa Park marked a 10th consecutive victory in all competitions for Unai Emery’s side, who moved within three points of the league lead. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s frustrations deepened as captain Bruno Fernandes was forced off with a hamstring injury, further depleting a squad already reeling from Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) absences.
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Rogers Double Sinks United; Fernandes Injury Blow
In a high-octane encounter, Morgan Rogers proved to be the difference-maker. The 23-year-old opened the scoring in the 45th minute, cutting in from the left and unleashing a curling drive into the top corner. United responded in first-half stoppage time through Matheus Cunha, who pounced on a defensive lapse from Matty Cash to level the scores.
However, the momentum shifted during the interval when Bruno Fernandes failed to reappear due to a soft-tissue injury. Rogers struck again in the 57th minute, mimicking his first goal with another precise strike beyond the reach of United keeper Senne Lammens. The win keeps Villa in third place, just behind Manchester City and Arsenal, while United slides to seventh.
Also Read: EPL 25-26 MAtchweek 17 Day 1 Recap
Arsenal Clinch "Christmas Number One" as City Keep Pace
Arsenal will enter the holiday period as league leaders following a gritty 1-0 win over Everton at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium. A 26th-minute penalty from Viktor Gyökeres was enough to secure the points, marking the third consecutive year the Gunners have topped the table on December 25.
Manchester City remains hot on their heels after a clinical 3-0 demolition of West Ham. Erling Haaland was the protagonist once more, netting a brace to take his season tally to 19. His opening goal made history, as he became the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals, shattering the record previously held by Alan Shearer. Tijjani Reijnders added a third to ensure City stayed within one point of the top.
Published: 22 Dec 2025, 08:35 am IST
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