Ruben Amorim reassured Manchester United fans “everything can change” in the balance of Premier League power after rivals Liverpool emulated his club’s record 20 top-flight titles.
While Arne Slot’s runaway leaders were on the cusp of being crowned champions with victory over Tottenham at Anfield, 14th-placed United required an added-time equaliser from Rasmus Hojlund to scrape an unconvincing 1-1 draw at 10-man Bournemouth.
United looked set to suffer a 16th defeat of their worst Premier League campaign when Cherries forward Antoine Semenyo was gifted a 23rd-minute opener.
But Evanilson’s disputed 70th-minute red card for a challenge on Noussair Mazraoui shifted the momentum, prior to Hojlund pouncing in the sixth of nine added minutes.
United supporters sang of their 20 titles in the south coast sunshine before head coach Amorim insisted adding to that tally, which last increased in 2013, remains his long-term objective.
“The first thing is to focus on ourselves, not on the other teams,” said Amorim.
“The next thing is to be really honest. We (United and Liverpool) are in different levels in this moment. But everything can change.
“And I remember when I started (watching) the Premier League, it was the opposite, so everything can change.
“We need to focus on step by step, not trying to think too far ahead.
“We have an ultimate goal, which is winning the Premier League. I’m not crazy, I know that is not going to be next year.
“We need to improve next year. But I know it is important for the fans.
“We know that but we need to be honest with them and work hard every day.”
European hopefuls Bournemouth looked to have done enough to complete a first league double over United after Semenyo benefited from a calamitous United free-kick to claim the opener.
But, with time ticking away, Luke Shaw’s low cross was turned goalward by Manuel Ugarte, allowing Hojlund to instinctively divert the ball beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga.
“The start of the game was hard for us; high pressure from the opponent, we lose some possession in our build-up and their goal is like that,” said Amorim.
“If you look at our games, it’s always a little bit our fault the way we suffer goals and then everything is so much harder to do.
“We managed to score one but I feel we lost two points today.”
With four games to go, the result leaves Bournemouth 10th – a point adrift of both Fulham and Brighton.
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola was critical of the pivotal red card, which was upgraded from yellow following a VAR review, and rued a major setback in his side’s quest for continental qualification.
“I’m frustrated, for us it’s two points that are massive, big consequences,” he said.
“Now the repercussions are bigger because you don’t have time to recover these points and it’s two points that for us are very costly.”
On Evanilson’s dismissal, he said: “It’s common sense, he slips. Everyone sees that he slips.
“Even if you consider it doesn’t matter if he slips, he doesn’t catch him with the leg that goes high; he catches him with the leg that goes down on the floor.
“The referee referees the play and (for) the VAR (to intervene), supposedly it has to be something super clear, super obvious.
“I want to see the process, if they have showed him (referee Peter Bankes) a still image or if they have showed him all the play in real speed. It’s very difficult to accept.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot chanted the name of his predecessor Jurgen Klopp after guiding the Reds to a record-equalling 20th top-flight title on Sunday.Slot’s side secured the Premier League crown with four games to spare as they came from behind to thrash Tottenham 5-1 on a sunny afternoon at Anfield.The Dutchman had a tough act to follow after replacing the hugely popular and successful ...
Pep Guardiola admitted winning the FA Cup will not be enough to call Manchester City’s season a success on the day his side reached the final but were dethroned as Premier League champions.Rico Lewis scored after just 109 seconds against Nottingham Forest at Wembley before Josko Gvardiol extended City’s advantage in the second half.City then rode their luck when Forest struck the woodw...
Rico Lewis scored after just 109 seconds to send Manchester City on their way to a third consecutive FA Cup final following a 2-0 defeat of Nottingham Forest at Wembley.Josko Gvardiol extended City’s advantage after 51 minutes before they rode their luck when Morgan Gibbs-White hit the crossbar, and then the post, as Forest attempted a comeback.Taiwo Awoniyi struck the City woodwork for a th...
Chris Davies believes Birmingham’s new League One points record will not be broken after their 4-0 victory over Mansfield took their tally to 105.Goals from Keshi Anderson, Willum Willumsson, Kieran Dowell and Tomoki Iwata, gave Birmingham their 32nd victory of the league campaign and saw them move past Wolves’ record of 103 set in 2013-14.The hosts were presented with the trophy after...
Liverpool clinched the Premier League title in style as they came from behind to thrash Tottenham 5-1 at Anfield.First-half strikes from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo all but wrapped up a record-equalling 20th top-flight title before Mohammed Salah’s 28th goal of a prolific campaign and a Destiny Udogie own goal made the scoreline emphatic.Spurs briefly threatened to spoil a ...
Stevenage manager Alex Revell felt his side’s 1-1 draw against Rotherham was “a nice way to finish” – but he wanted more.Sam Nombe had put the Millers ahead in the eighth minute and that seemed to be enough until centre-half Dan Sweeney, thrown on as a makeshift striker after 88 minutes, snuck in to head the ball over goalkeeper Dillon Phillips two minutes into stoppage tim...
Birmingham set a new League One points record with a 4-0 hammering of Mansfield to reach 105 with two games remaining.First-half goals from Keshi Anderson and Willum Willumsson, followed by strikes in the second from Kieran Dowell and Tomoki Iwata, saw Chris Davies’ side pass the previous best of 103 set by Wolves in the 2013/14 season.The League One champions now need two more points to bre...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Liverpool draw level with arch rivals Manchester United on a record 20 top-flight titles Good Job Arne Liverpool EPL Champions 2024/25 Hojlund is back Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd Toshiro Rudigaya after 120 mins Inter in April Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, BleacherReportFootball)...
Nkunku informs Chelsea of desire to leave amid Bayern interestChristopher Nkunku wants to leave Chelsea, having struggled for minutes under Enzo Maresca this season, but his hope of joining Bayern Munich could hinge on Mathys Tel's future.Bayern showed interest in Nkunku during the January transfer window before ending their pursuit, but a back-up striker to Harry Kane is still on their wishlist a...
Carlo Ancelotti will meet with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in the coming days to discuss the coach's departure from the club, a source told ESPN.Madrid were beaten 3-2 after extra time by Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday, a defeat that followed their 5-1 aggregate Champions League elimination by Arsenal in the quarterfinals earlier this month. The team remains four points...
- 1 Phoenix Patterson and Zech Medley on target as Fleetwood defeat Newport
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Omar Sowunmi earns Bromley dramatic draw at Barrow
- 4 Jimmy Thelin praises Kevin Nisbet’s moment of magic as Aberdeen beat Hibernian
- 5 Andy Carroll and girlfriend put on loved-up display on holiday
- 6 Ancelotti in Brazil job talks
- 7 Steve Bruce bemoans ‘worst penalty decision’ as Blackpool held by Wigan
- 8 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 9 Dimitri Payet breaks silence on claims made by his ex-lover
- 10 Malik Mothersille’s missed penalty proves costly for Peterborough