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Manchester United vs Leeds LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today

Follow all the fallout from Old Trafford

Emmet Gates
Saturday 14 August 2021 10:46 EDT
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(AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United thrashed Leeds United 5-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League’s early kick-off to make a statement in their season-opener.

After finishing second to rivals Manchester City last season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made no secret that his side are targeting the title this campaign, with his squad bolstered by the high-profile additions of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane. Despite that, though, the manager had to wrestle with several absentees for his side’s curtain-raiser. Varane has not yet been registered due to small details of his contract that remain to be finalised. Sancho only came off the bench in the second half, while Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford and Dean Henderson were all ruled out.

But that did not stop Man United from running riot in front of a returning capacity crowd, with Bruno Fernandes netting a hat-trick as Fred and Mason Greenwood rounded out the scoring for the hosts. Paul Pogba, meanwhile, recorded four assists along the way to rival man of the match Fernandes.

Luke Ayling hit a stunning strike early in the second half to pull Leeds level – very briefly – but it was nothing more than a consolation, with Man United responding immediately with three goals to add to Fernandes’ opener. Fred soon added the final finish for Solskjaer’s side.

Relive all the action below:

Premier League: Chelsea 2-0 Crystal Palace

44 min: A chance for Werner to make it three, as the German tries to divert Alonso’s cross into the bottom corner, but he can’t get enough direction on the effort, and it hits the side netting.

Emmet Gates14 August 2021 15:46

GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Crystal Palace (Pulisic ‘40 ⚽)

Chelsea do eventually double their advantage. A nice give-and-go involving Mount down the right hand side results in his cross being parried out by the Palace goalkeeper, and Pulisic follows in and his effort loops over the Palace defenders and in off the underside of the crossbar.

Thoroughly deserved, a long way back for the away side now.

Emmet Gates14 August 2021 15:44

Premier League: Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace

33 min: Another set piece for Chelsea, but this is in a more central position, so perhaps Alonso won’t take it.

Mount takes the free kick, but it hits the wall.

Emmet Gates14 August 2021 15:35

Premier League: Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace

31 min: Chelsea seeking to double their advantage now, applying the pressure to the Palace defense.

Timo Werner has done a lot of selfless running so far in this half, but it’s taken him further away from goal.

Emmet Gates14 August 2021 15:33

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace (Alonso ‘27 ⚽)

Goal! From the resulting free kick, Marcos Alonso curls the free kick into the top corner of the Palace goal to give Chelsea the lead.

Emmet Gates14 August 2021 15:29

Premier League: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

26 min: Chelsea awarded a free kick in a dangerous area, as they seek to break down the Palace barriers.

Emmet Gates14 August 2021 15:27

Premier League: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

20 min: And weathered the storm they have. Chelsea’s early pressure has subsided, for now.

Emmet Gates14 August 2021 15:22

Premier League: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

15 min: A free kick down the left-hand side from Mount is punched out by Guaita and out for a corner.

Can Palace weather this storm?

Emmet Gates14 August 2021 15:16

Premier League: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

14 min: Chelsea beginning to turn the screw a little, with Kovacic, Mount and Pulisic beginning to see more of the ball in the Palace third.

Emmet Gates14 August 2021 15:15

Premier League: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

10 min: First shot on target from the home side, as Alonso’s cross from the left is headed goalwards by Christian Pulisic, but the header lacks conviction, and easily saved by Vicente Guaita

Emmet Gates14 August 2021 15:12

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