EPL: Romelu Lukaku eases Manchester United past Burnley

Manchester United recorded a routine win over Burnley while Arsenal defeated Cardiff City and Watford overcame Tottenham.

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku scores his second against Burnley. Picture: AFP

Manchester United recorded a routine 2-0 English Premier League victory yesterday over Burnley while Arsenal defeated Cardiff City and high-flying Watford overcame Tottenham.

Romelu Lukaku’s first-half double put United in control at Turf Moor before the second half briefly took a dramatic turn when Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart saved Paul Pogba’s penalty and substitute Marcus Rashford was sent off for violent conduct only 11 minutes after coming on.

“Even with 10 men for 15 minutes, the team was the team that had the chances to score,” United manager Jose Mourinho said.

Tottenham, who set alarm bells ringing at Old Trafford by winning 3-0 there six days ago, were unable to carry that momentum to Watford, who came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets have won all four league matches this season and join Liverpool and Chelsea with a maximum total of 12 points at the top of the table. Arsenal, meanwhile, joined United on six points as they secured a first away victory under Unai Emery with an entertaining 3-2 win at promoted Cardiff. The only dramas for United concerned Pogba’s penalty miss and Rashford’s red card but Mourinho wasn’t critical of either.

After Rashford was fouled in the box, Pogba — who has already scored two penalties this season — had his spot kick saved.

“I never blame a player for missing penalties,” Mourinho told BBC Sport. “I blame the ones who refuse to go up there. Paul’s scored some good ones for us.”

Rashford saw red when he reacted to an incident involving Burnley defender Phil Bardsley by pushing his forehead into the former United players’ face. “I would say it was naive,” Mourinho said.

“It was a kid and a very experienced man. Bardsley’s been in the game for 20 years and Marcus is a naive boy.”

The home win for Javi Gracia’s Watford was made all the more impressive due to Spurs taking the lead shortly after halftime, as Abdoulaye Doucoure found his own net as he attempted to clear Lucas Moura’s cross.

The usually reliable Spurs defence was undone in the simplest fashion with Troy Deeney and Craig Cathcart both heading in set pieces in the space of seven minutes to turn the match around.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both started for Arsenal and both scored at Cardiff City Stadium. Shkodran Mustafi gave the Gunners an early lead before Victor Camarasa levelled for Cardiff in first-half stoppage time.

Aubameyang restored Arsenal’s lead, courtesy of a Lacazette assist, however the hosts responded through Danny Ward to equalise with 20 minutes remaining. The inspired Lacazette hit an unstoppable effort in at the near post with nine minutes remaining to finally see off Cardiff.

AP