United, Chelsea rely on strokes of fortune in EPL
LIVERPOOL, England — Manchester United and Chelsea needed fortunate goals to maintain their status as the closest challengers to rampant leader Manchester City in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Ashley Young’s long-range shot looped up off a defender and spun into the far corner to earn second-place United a 1-0 win over Brighton, for its eighth consecutive victory at Old Trafford.
Chelsea claimed only a point from a 1-1 draw at Liverpool in the day’s standout game and again there was luck involved, substitute Willian’s attempted cross to the far post soaring into the top corner for an 85th-minute equalizer.
Still, it was another good day for City, even though the leader wasn’t playing until Sunday at Huddersfield.