Manchester United missed the chance to go fifth in the Premier League as they drew 4-4 with Bournemouth in a thrilling game at Old Trafford.
Amad Diallo and Casemiro’s goals either side of Antoine Semenyo’s solo goal saw United go in at half-time but the Cherries went in front early in the second half through Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier’s free-kick.
Bruno Fernandes returned the favour with a brilliant free-kick of his own before Matheus Cunha thought he had scored the winner 10 minutes from time, but Eli Kroupi Junior’s finish levelled a crazy game once again in the 84th minute.
The draw leaves in sixth in the Premier League, two points off the top four, while Bournemouth stay in 13th as their winless run extended to seven games.
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Man Utd impress in first half
Ruben Amorim had hinted he would change his formation from his favoured 3-4-2-1 system but that was confirmed not to be the case once the game kicked off.
Still, the hosts made a decent start in their familiar set-up, with a dangerous inswinging corner from Amad just lacking a touch from a red shirt as it flashed across goal. Mason Mount then forced a good stop from Djorgje Petrovic from close range before a Casemiro shot was blocked.
United got their reward for a strong start was rewarded when Amad had the simplest of tasks to nod into an empty net after Diogo Dalot’s cross evaded the head of Matheus Cunha, which bamboozled Petrovic who could not parry the ball away.
Bryan Mbeumo forced another stop out of Petrovic before Marcus Tavernier kept opposing keeper Senne Lammens busyas he burst into the box for a header which was parried away.
Semenyo hits back
But for all their good work, the sense of growing optimism at Old Trafford was stifled when Semenyo raced clear down the right before firing a brilliant finish into the box off the post.
But the Ghanaian winger, who won’t be going to AFCON, was arguably lucky to escape a red card after raising his hand at Dalot’s neck after the full-back had nudged into him in the air, with a yellow card brandished to both players.
The Cherries sparked into life after the goal, with a 20-yard drive from Tavernier having to be tipped past the post by Lemmens.
But Casemiro ensured the hosts did go in at the break in front when the midfielder rose highest at the back post to head home, with Petrovic sure to be disappointed he let the ball slip through his hands.
Evanilson ends goal drought as Cherries stun Old Trafford
But barely 30 seconds into the second half, Bournemouth were right back in the game through another clinical finish as Evanilson took advantage of some disorganised defending from United’s youthful defending to beat the last man before firing a finish past Lemmens.
It was the Brazilian striker’s second goal of the season and first since all the way back in August – and the Cherries weren’t done there after a huge improvement early in the second half.
Tavernier then drove forward towards goal with support before being brought down by Casemiro on the edge of the box. The winger dusted himself down before curling a brilliant free-kick into the bottom left corner to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the game.
It was United’s turn to chase the game and they responded well, with a Mount cross just evading Cunha before the striker’s wayward cross was tipped onto the bar by the goalkeeper. Mbeumo then couldn’t keep a close-range shot from going well over the bar.
Fernandes and Cunha restore United’s lead
Just when it looked like United could be heading for another home defeat, up stepped Fernandes with a stunning curling free-kick into the top corner.
And just a few minutes later United were ahead once again when substitute Benjamin Sesko took the ball off Mbeumo’s feet before his pass was picked up by Cunha, who stroked the ball into the bottom corner to put the hosts in command once again.
Old Trafford silenced… again
But this game was not done there as Old Trafford was silenced once again by the spirited Cherries, who made it 4-4 thanks to a great finish by substitute Eli Kroupi Jr.
The striker was picked out by a Alejandro Jimenez pass before the youngster steadied himself with his first touch and beating Lammens with his second.
David Brooks was inches away from heading in an astonishing winner at the Theatre of Dreams but his header was met by Lemmens who managed to get it clear.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
