Greenwood rescues Man Utd in Everton draw, Man City crush Arsenal
Updated 15:05, 16-Dec-2019
CGTN
Leighton Baines of Everton tackles Mason Greenwood of Manchester United during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Leighton Baines of Everton tackles Mason Greenwood of Manchester United during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Mason Greenwood came off the bench to rescue Manchester United as the teenage striker's late equaliser secured a 1-1 draw against Everton on Sunday. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side fell behind to Victor Lindelof's controversial first half own-goal after United's appeals for a foul on David de Gea were ignored by VAR.

"It was a clear foul but there's no point me complaining. It (VAR) will be better next year. They'll have to look at it," Solskjaer said.

But Greenwood, introduced in the second half, underlined his vast potential with a clinical strike 13 minutes from full-time.

Mason Greenwood of Manchester United scores their first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 15, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Mason Greenwood of Manchester United scores their first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 15, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The 18-year-old is the third youngest player to score a Premier League goal at Old Trafford after former United forwards Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck.

Bradford-born Greenwood, a product of United's youth academy, now has seven goals in his breakthrough season after netting twice in his previous appearance against Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday.

This was his second Premier League goal after his strike against Sheffield United in November and his rapid progress is a bright spot in a difficult season for Solskjaer's sixth placed team.

It was fitting that Greenwood scored in the 4,000th senior match in succession in which at least one youth graduate was represented in United's first-team or matchday squad, an extraordinary record stretching back over nine decades.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford slides out to gather the ball as Anthony Martial of Man Utd and Seamus Coleman of Everton close in during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 15, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford slides out to gather the ball as Anthony Martial of Man Utd and Seamus Coleman of Everton close in during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 15, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

After their impressive wins over Tottenham and Manchester City in their last two league games, United's frustrating draw reaffirmed how much improvement is still needed under Solskjaer despite Greenwood's ascent.

"Today is not a big step backwards, it's more of a stand still, not improving," said Solskjaer.

United have been linked with a January move for Salzburg striker Erling Braut Haaland and Solskjaer said: "He knows what he wants to do and he knows what he's going to do. So I don't have to give any advice to any other teams' players."

Richarlison of Everton and Harry Maguire of Man Utd compete for a header during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 15, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Richarlison of Everton and Harry Maguire of Man Utd compete for a header during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 15, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Man City crush Arsenal

Manchester City got back on track as the Premier League champions swept to a 3-0 win against woeful Arsenal. 

Kevin De Bruyne scored twice and teed up Raheem Sterling for City's other goal as Arsenal crumbled to another humiliating home defeat.

Victory sees City close the gap on runaway leaders Liverpool back to 14 points and edge to within four of second-placed Leicester, who they host next weekend.

Arsenal, on the other hand, remain ninth on the back of just one win in their last 12 games in all competitions.

City struck in the second minute when Gabriel Jesus's low cross picked out De Bruyne to fire into the roof of the net.

Pep Guardiola's men had been ruthlessly cut apart on the counter-attack in losing to Manchester United last weekend.

But the visitors doubled their lead just 15 minutes in with De Bruyne the creator as he carried the ball forward before squaring for Sterling to slot home his 16th goal of the season.

De Bruyne showed his superior quality to any other player on the pitch again five minutes before half-time as this time he curled into the bottom corner from outside the box.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency