Manchester United's Paul Pogba (L) celebrates scoring his team's third goal during their Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park, Birmingham, England, July 9, 2020. /VCG
Manchester United were given a controversial helping hand by VAR in their 3-0 win at Aston Villa, while Tottenham suffered fresh frustration at the hands of the review system in their 0-0 draw at Bournemouth on Thursday.
United were far too strong for lowly Villa, but their opening goal came from a dubious penalty that left the hosts fuming. In the 27th minute, United midfielder Bruno Fernandes spun into Ezri Konsa before tumbling in the area despite little evidence of a foul by the Villa defender.
The penalty stood after a VAR review and Fernandes slotted home his eighth goal since joining from Sporting Lisbon in January. United doubled their lead in first half stoppage-time when 18-year-old Mason Greenwood scored his fourth goal in three games with a fierce finish.
Paul Pogba got the third in the 58th minute, the France midfielder bagging his first goal of an injury-hit season with a low curler from 18 yards.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's fifth placed side move to within one point of fourth placed Leicester in the race to qualify for the Champions League. United, unbeaten in their last 17 games in all competitions, are the first team in Premier League history to win four consecutive matches by a margin of three or more goals.
Second bottom Villa are four points from safety and haven't won in six games since the restart.
Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Moura (R) in frustration after their Premier League draw with Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium, England, July 9, 2020. /VCG
There was more VAR controversy at Dean Court, with Tottenham left in danger of missing out on European competition for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
Jose Mourinho's side were off-key for long periods, but could feel hard done by after Josh King's push on Harry Kane in the penalty area went unpunished despite a VAR review in the first half.
On course for their lowest points total since 2011, this has been a season to forget for Tottenham, who have yet to see any significant improvement since Mourinho replaced the sacked Mauricio Pochettino in November.
Just a year after reaching the Champions League final, they sit in ninth place in the Premier League, 10 points off the top four and far from certain to make next season's Europa League.
"The performance was not good enough. There was a lack of sharpness in the attacking areas," Mourinho said.
Third bottom Bournemouth thought they had won it in stoppage-time, but Callum Wilson's overhead kick clearly hit King's hand on its way past Hugo Lloris and their celebrations were curtailed by VAR.
Eddie Howe's men, without a win in nine matches, are three points from safety with just four games left to avoid relegation.
At Goodison Park, Southampton held Everton to a 1-1 draw as Danny Ings boosted his bid for the Premier League's Golden Boot.
Inter's Romelu Lukaku (L) is challenged by Marash Kumbulla of Hellas Verona during their clash at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, Italy, July 9, 2020. /VCG
In Italy, Inter Milan were held 2-2 by Hellas Verona on Thursday as Antonio Conte's side failed to move into third place in Serie A. Inter, stunned by 10-man Bologna 2-1 at the weekend, were a goal down after just two minutes when Darko Lazovic scored.
The Serbian winger got the better of the recalled Milan Skriniar to hit the target from a tight angle. It was almost 2-0 for the team only promoted to the top flight last season when Miguel Veloso saw a shot come back off the post.
Inter, however, were level after 49 minutes through Antonio Candreva who was quickest to the loose ball after Romelu Lukaku's drive hit the woodwork.
Six minutes later, they were 2-1 ahead when the unfortunate Federico Dimarco - on loan at Verona from Inter - deflected a shot from Candreva into his own net. Verona, whose last win over Inter was 28 years ago, grabbed a point four minutes from time thanks to Veloso.
Inter stay fourth in the table, comfortably on course for the Champions League, but 10 points behind leaders Juventus. Verona are ninth, eight points from the Europa League spots.
In Spain, Sevilla stayed firmly on course to earn a berth in next season's Champions League after two quickfire goals gave them a comeback 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.
The result left Sevilla fourth on 63 points from 35 games, six more than fifth-placed Villarreal with three matches left. Bilbao stayed ninth on 48 points after a blow to their hopes of clinching a Europa League berth.