LONDON – Newcastle United and Manchester United won their battles in the English Premier League season 2022/23 make-up games, to stand in third and fourth place in the EPL table.
In the make-up game of matchday 7 on Wednesday night, Newcastle crushed West Ham United 5-1 in the away game, securing their number three position with the same 53 points as Manchester United but with better goals difference.
Double scores from Callum Wilson and Joelinton plus another goal from Alexander Isak helped the Magpies to hail four consecutive wins in the domestic league, holding a steady position to end as the top four at the end of this season.
The Hammers are on the edge of falling into the relegation zone after the loss, with 27 points, the same as number 18’s Bournemouth.
Tough recovery from the Red Devils
Meanwhile, Manchester United performed a recovery in a tough process by beating Brentford 1-0 at Old Trafford on the same day in the make-up game of matchday 25.
The Red Devils ended their no-winning streak in the EPL for three matches, thanks to the precious goal by Marcus Rashford in the 27th minute, through an assist from Marcel Sabitzer.
The English attacker’s score was also United’s only goal in their last four league games, showing their weakness in attack and the necessity to sign a powerful forward this summer.
Erik ten Hag’s squad had also exposed their tiredness of competing in three competitions, along with the FA Cup and UEFA Europa League.
Some more, they are lacking manpower in their first team, resulting in over-dependence on key players such as Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Casemiro who is in suspension.
Upcoming: Man United Vs Everton
On Saturday, the Red Devils will play against Everton at home, challenging their team’s stamina to put them into another battle within 72 hours.
On the same day, Newcastle will visit Brentford to seek to keep their third position.
Manchester City will meet Southampton in an away game, which expects three points easily from the bottom team.
Arsenal has a huge challenge to maintain their leading advantage with eight points, by visiting Anfield in the clash of the giants against Liverpool on Sunday.
Lampard is Chelsea new manager
On Thursday, Chelsea announced Frank Lampard as their new club manager, to coach the team until the end of the season.
The club’s legendary midfielder was once managing the Blue Lions from 2019 to 2021, he has returned to the London giants after Graham Potter was sacked last week.
The 44 years old Englishman has a great responsibility to bring the club back to the track, as they are now in eleventh place in the Premier League standings, 14 points away from number four’s Manchester United.
If Lampard failed to lead Chelsea to complete this season as top four, they will miss the UEFA Champions League next season, unless they won the UCL title in May.
However, it is another arduous task for the Blue London, as they will meet Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter final this month.