Man United nip Brentford 1-0 to return to top 4

Sports Desk, Apr 5 (EFE).- Marcus Rashford’s first-half goal was enough Wednesday for Manchester United to beat Brentford 1-0 for their first Premier League win since Feb. 19 and grab fourth place from Tottenham Hotspur.

The Red Devils went level on points with third-place Newcastle United at 53. But the Magpies, who beat West Ham 5-1 Wednesday, have a goal difference of 26, compared with five for the Manchester side.

Brentford, with 43 points, remain ninth in the table, ahead of west London neighbors Chelsea.

Playing only their second season in the Premier League, the Bees routed United 4-0 in London earlier this season and also beat defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad.

But they struggled to generate much of a threat going forward at Old Trafford, where the hosts monopolized the ball in the first half and would end the game with 66 percent possession.

Marcel Sabitzer sent a free-kick into the Brentford wall, Scott McTominay fired over the cross-bar and Antony was just wide before Rashford broke the deadlock in the 27th minute.

It was the England international’s 15th Premier League goal of the season and his 22nd in all competitions.

Rashford nearly made it 2-0 in the 44th minute, but goalkeeper David Raya made a fine save to keep the deficit to one goal. missed.

United keeper David De Gea almost gifted an equalizer to Ivan Toney in the 49th minute and Gaya came up big on several occasions to deny the hosts a second goal, but the Red Devils claimed all 3 points. EFE msg/dr