Manchester United, City held in frustrating draws

Wayne Rooney
Rooney

City rivals, Manchester United and Manchester City, dropped vital points in their respective Premier League matches on Sunday.

A stunning free-kick from Gylfi Sigurdsson gave Swansea City a draw against United at Old Trafford, which could be crucial in their battle to stay in the Premier League.

The Swans had the better of the first half, with Fernando Llorente and Jordan Ayew forcing saves from David De Gea, but Jose Mourinho’s men  took the lead through Wayne Rooney’s penalty in first-half stoppage time, after Marcus Rashford was fouled by Lukasz Fabianski.

United, who lost Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly to injury during the match, improved after half-time but Swansea claimed a point when Sigurdsson fired into the top corner with 11 minutes to go.

Swansea remain in the bottom three but are now two points behind Hull City with three matches to go.

Fifth-placed Manchester United are one point behind Manchester City, who drew with Middlesbrough later in the afternoon.

Gabriel Jesus scored with an 85th-minute header to claim a 2-2 draw for City at the Riverside Stadium.

He rose highest to head home Sergio Aguero’s cross just eight minutes after Calum Chambers had given Middlesbrough a 2-1 lead when he pounced on a loose ball in the area.

Middlesbrough’s former Man City striker, Alvaro Negredo, put the home side ahead on 38 minutes with a shot that went in off the post.

City made it 1-1 on 69 minutes, Sergio Aguero scoring from the penalty spot after Leroy Sane was fouled by Marten de Roon.

The result leaves fourth-placed City level on points with Liverpool in third while Middlesbrough remain in 19th place, six points from safety with three matches left to play.