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Premier League round-up: Rashford resurgence ramps up

Marcus Rashford struck his first Premier League goal for Aston Villa to set his side on course for a comprehensive 3-0 win over fellow European hopefuls Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

The on-loan Manchester United forward added to his brace in Saturday's 3-0 FA Cup quarter-final success away to Preston by bobbling home a 51st-minute finish after Villa countered from a Seagulls corner.

In-form Marco Asensio doubled the lead 12 minutes from time with his eighth goal in his last seven appearances before fellow substitute Donyell Malen’s maiden goal for the club sealed victory in the 10th minute of added time.

Albion were frustrated to be denied a quick-fire equaliser after Rashford’s milestone goal when winger Simon Adingra’s close-range effort was disallowed following a VAR check due to an adjudged handball by Kaoru Mitoma in the build-up.

Fabian Hurzeler’s hosts also hit the woodwork through Yasin Ayari’s first-half free-kick before slipping to eighth place – a point and a place below Villa – on the back of a first top-flight defeat in two months.

Sandro Tonali blasted Newcastle firmly into the race for Champions League qualification with a stunning strike to seal a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brentford.

On a night when Alexander Isak became the first man to score 20 Premier League goals for the Magpies in consecutive seasons, it was Italy international Tonali, who found the back of the net twice against the Bees in the Carabao Cup fifth round, who snatched the headlines with a superb winner 16 minutes from time.

Isak had given the hosts, playing for their first time since their Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool, the lead in first-half stoppage time with his 24th goal of the season and 20th in the league.

Bryan Mbeumo equalised with a penalty before Tonali lit up St James' Park and eased his side into fifth place with a game in hand on the teams above them.

Nathan Broadhead scored his first ever Premier League goal as Ipswich beat faltering Bournemouth 2-1 to breathe new life into their survival bid.

Bournemouth, bidding to bounce back from Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Manchester City, were boosted by the return from suspension of defenders Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez.

Ipswich were without Leif Davis and Omari Hutchinson while former England midfielder Kalvin Phillips was fit enough only for a place on the bench.

Broadhead fired Fermanagh manKieran McKenna’s men into a shock lead after 34 minutes.

Enciso breezed past a cluster of defenders before playing in Broadhead, who sat down Dean Huijsen before poking home through the legs of the luckless Kepa Arrizabalaga.

It looked like game over when Liam Delap doubled Ipswich’s lead on the hour mark, with a well-taken 11th Premier League goal of the season.

The Cherries got a goal back 23 minutes from time when Evanilson pounced from point-blank range after Palmer could only parry Cook’s initial effort.

Matheus Franca's stoppage-time goal for Crystal Palace denied Southampton only a third Premier League win of the season and left them on the brink of an unwanted record.

Substitute Franca’s late header, to secure a 1-1 draw for the Eagles, means Saints will be relegated at the weekend if they lose at Tottenham and Wolves beat Ipswich.

If relegation is confirmed on Sunday, Southampton will be the first team to be consigned to the drop with seven matches still to play.

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