NEWCASTLE UNITED 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 4
Mata 39’, 50’, Hernandez 64’, Januzaj 90’
Juan Mata struck in each half as Manchester United swamped Newcastle 4-0 with the Spanish attacking midfielder on target with a fine free kick for the opener.
Shinji Kagawa was influential throughout and he helped set up Mata’s second, before being heavily involved as Javier Hernandez continued the rout at St James’ Park.
Newcastle kept pushing forward, enabling United to claim a fourth goal through Adnan Januzaj.
ASTON VILLA 1
Holt 70’
FULHAM 2
Richardson 61’, Rodallega 86’
Fulham climbed off the foot of the table when Hugo Rodallega pounced for a late winner in a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa.
With just four minutes remaining, Lewis Holtby floated in a cross that was met by Rodallega’s glancing header for his first Premier League goal in 15 months.
Kieran Richardson had nudged Fulham into a 62nd-minute lead with a super strike, only for Grant Holt to capitalise on poor defending to equalise.
Fulham would have won by more but for some sloppy finishing and despite securing the three points, they still remain five points adrift of safety.
CARDIFF CITY 0
CRYSTAL PALACE 3
Puncheon 31’, 88’, Ledley 71’
Two goals from Jason Puncheon enabled Crystal Palace to take another giant stride towards Premier League survival by triumphing 3-0 at Cardiff.
Puncheon and Joe Ledley gave the Eagles a comfortable two-goal cushion, but Puncheon saved his best for last with an outstanding late strike.
The victory, which comes a week after Chelsea were humbled at Selhurst Park, nudges woeful Cardiff closer to the Championship.
NORWICH CITY 0
WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1
Amalfitano 16’
West Brom put a troubled week behind them with a 1-0 win at struggling Norwich to boost their Premier League survival hopes.
Saido Berahino was left on the West Brom bench and James Morrison started in midfield as Pepe Mel’s side showed a united front following reports of dressing room unrest after last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Cardiff.
There was no late drama in Norfolk though, where a fine goal from Morgan Amalfitano on 16 minutes proved enough to settle what was for most a scrappy affair, although Norwich did twice hit the woodwork in the second half.
HULL CITY 1
Boyd 39’
SWANSEA CITY 0
Hull began their Wembley celebrations a week early with a 1-0 win against Swansea.
The Tigers will play in their first FA Cup semi-final since 1930 in the capital next weekend and will do so with their Barclays Premier League status almost certainly assured following George Boyd’s first-half header.
They were, however, made to hang on in a second half when Swansea might have equalised but for a lack of cutting edge as the Tigers appeared guilty of prematurely casting their minds ahead to Wembley.
sports@thenational.ae
