Both Liverpool and Manchester United are on the south coast this weekend as the race for the top-five places intensifies. The latter dropped points in controversial circumstances at the Vitality
22:09, 20 Mar 2026Updated 22:34, 20 Mar 2026
Harry Maguire is shown a red card
Manchester United fell to a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on Friday
Liverpool was handed a boost in the race for the Champions League places as Manchester United fell to a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.
The Red Devils led twice at the Vitality but left with just a point following two controversial refereeing decisions. The result means Liverpool can close the gap to United to just three points if it beats Brighton Saturday, while the Reds would overtake fourth-place Aston Villa.
The Villans host West Ham on Sunday, while Chelsea travels to Everton for a first outing at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
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In the four-way battle, it was United up first in this weekend's Premier League action. In an tight fought battle scrap, Michael Carrick's side took the lead via a second-half Bruno Fernandes penalty after Alex Jimenez hauled Matheus Cunha to the ground inside the box.
But that lead lasted just six minutes, with Ryan Christie converting a well-placed right-foot strike following a rapid Bournemouth counter attack.
Just seconds prior, United had appealed forlornly for a penalty as Adrien Truffert placed his hands on in Amad in the box, causing the winger to drop to the turf.
However, referee Stuart Atwell felt the contact was insufficient to award a spot-kick, a decision made even more unpalatable for United given it so quickly conceded.
The Red Devils have shown more guile and durability under Carrick, and they took the lead once again via James Hill, when the ball ricocheted off the center-back and into the net.
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But Bournemouth, the side with the longest unbeaten record in the league, fought back for a second time. Again, it came via a free-flowing move, which saw Evanilison released inside the box.
Harry Maguire's desperate attempts to thwart a shot saw him place two hands on him, with the Brazilian falling to the floor. To United's fury, this time Atwell awarded a penalty and opted to dismiss Maguire, despite his prolonged protestations.
Teenager Eli Junior Kroupi confidently dispatched his strike from the spot, which proved a welcome sight for supporters of Liverpool, Villa and Chelsea.