Mourinho vows to fight on as Liverpool returns to top four
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho vowed his side would “fight until the last match” after they moved back to within 11 points of Premier League leaders Manchester City by holding on to beat West Brom.
Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring with a header – his second goal in as many games – against the team he played for during the 2012-13 season.
Jesse Lingard doubled United’s lead before the break with a shot that deflected off Albion’s Ahmed Hegazi.
The Red Devils appeared to be heading for a comfortable win until Albion substitute Gareth Barry poked home from close range with 13 minutes left.
Baggies boss Alan Pardew’s two other substitutes almost combined for an equaliser – Jay Rodriguez shooting wide from a Chris Brunt cross.
But, despite finishing strongly, the Baggies could not add to their first goal in four games under Pardew, remain second from bottom and are on a club record run of 17 games without a win.
“Every match we try to win,” said Mourinho. “I know the questions are always coming in the same direction and I keep saying the same.
“Last match in the Premier League, Watford at Old Trafford, mid-May… until then, every match we go.”
Mourinho said on Wednesday he would be on holiday if he felt the chance of catching City had gone, and his team must keep grinding out the wins while hoping their local rivals falter.
“We don’t want to go on holidays,” he added. “We want to play until the last match.”
Also, Liverpool produced a dominant performance to beat Bournemouth and move up to fourth in the Premier League table.
Philippe Coutinho, who had earlier hit the post with a free-kick, put the visitors ahead with a fine individual goal and Dejan Lovren headed in a second six minutes later.
Jermain Defoe hit the post for Bournemouth, but Mohamed Salah made it 3-0 before half-time after an excellent jinking run.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also hit the woodwork before Roberto Firmino headed in from Coutinho’s cross to seal the impressive win for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The victory extends Liverpool’s unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 matches, while Bournemouth have not won in six games.
Liverpool took only 20 minutes to break down Bournemouth, and it came from a piece of magic from Coutinho as he scored his fifth goal in as many games.
