Premier League: Man United defeats Sheffield, and Everton undermines Liverpool’s chances of winning the championship

In a thrilling 2-0 home win against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday, Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton may have ended the visitors’ fading Premier League championship chances.

Everton’s first derby victory at Goodison Park in almost 13 years kept Liverpool from overtaking Arsenal atop the league standings. With four games remaining, Juergen Klopp’s team trails the Gunners (77) by three points.

Holders Everton’s win has eased their pressure, as they are now eight points above the relegation zone in 16th place, while Manchester City, with 73 points, is still in the lead with two games remaining.

“Very disappointed in so many ways and I think everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performances, did they give everything and do they really want to win the league?” Virgil van Dijk, captain of Liverpool, said.

“Obviously, there are still games to play after today, but we won’t have a chance to win the championship if we continue to play like we did. It’s a difficult one, and we must undoubtedly perform much better against a team that is fighting for relegation.”

Manchester United is rescued by Fernandes
Just as further difficulty seemed for struggling manager Erik ten Hag, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes saved his team’s bacon on Wednesday, scoring twice in a 4-2 home win against the Premier League’s worst team, Sheffield United.

Both times that United trailed against a team that seemed certain to make a swift return to the Championship, Jayden Bogle and Ben Brereton Diaz scored goals for the guests, but Fernandes saved the day once again.

In the 61st minute, he equalized from the penalty spot after a foul on Harry Maguire, who had previously scored United’s first equalizer.

After that, Fernandes sent home a powerful left-footed shot to put his team ahead, and he then set up Rasmus Hojlund to ultimately bring their struggling opponents to heel.

“We returned at the conclusion. We placed ourselves in a situation where winning games is difficult. However, it also has some personality,” the Portuguese remarked.

We’re winning a lot of games. It all comes down to the team’s demand for compactness.”