Paul Pogba strike puts Man Utd top of the Premier League ahead of Liverpool showdown
3 min read
Manchester United top the Premier League table after New Year’s Day for the first time since they last won the title in 2013, with Paul Pogba’s second-half strike securing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side victory at Burnley on Tuesday night.
Referee Kevin Friend ruled out a headed goal from United captain Harry Maguire in a VAR-dominated first half and the visitors were beginning to look frustrated before Pogba’s volleyed effort deflected in off Matt Lowton’s leg with 19 minutes remaining at Turf Moor.
James Tarkowski fluffed a golden chance to equalise for the Clarets before Anthony Martial had a shot denied by Nick Pope at the death and the Red Devils held onto their advantage to come away with all three points.
Solskjaer’s men are riding a outstanding run of form, having won nine of their last 11 matches, and the hard-fought win means they are unbeaten in their last 15 games away from home.
The result also ensures the Red Devils climb to the summit ahead of their crunch match with second-placed Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.
It’s the first time United have claimed top spot in January since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as manager.
Speaking to Sky Sports shortly after the final whistle, United’s matchwinner, Pogba said: ‘We know that the game today was very hard, very difficult and obviously we wanted to win.
‘We know it’s not easy to play here and we got the three points and we are happy for that.
‘But it’s still a long way and now we’re going to have to focus again until the end of the season.’
The France midfielder felt United were robbed of a goal before the break after Maguire was adjudged to have shoved Erik Pieters in the back.
‘It’s not what I feel, it was a goal. For sure,’ Pogba said.
‘He just jumped before, he headed it and it was a beautiful goal. Then the referee decided that which was kind of strange.
‘But we got the result we wanted so we have to be happy.’
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