Soccer

Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd stagger into Christmas on back of heavy Bournemouth loss

The Cherries won at Old Trafford by the same scoreline last season.

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United were well beaten by Bournemouth
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United were well beaten by Bournemouth (Martin Rickett/PA)
By PA Sport Staff

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United staggered into Christmas on the back of a chastening 3-0 Premier League loss at home to Bournemouth.

A year on from securing their first victory at Old Trafford, Andoni Iraola’s impressive Cherries triumphed by the same scoreline as they inflicted the biggest blow of the Portuguese head coach’s short reign.

Dean Huijsen became the latest player to capitalise on United’s lax set-piece defending, before a Justin Kluivert penalty and Antoine Semenyo strike sealed a stunning win that brought boos from the home fans at full-time.

The result leaves the Red Devils marooned in 13th and marked an alarming drop in performance and spirit from last Sunday’s 2-1 derby win at Manchester City, while Bournemouth soared to fifth.

New Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira enjoyed a dream start thanks to a thumping 3-0 success at fellow strugglers Leicester.

Three days after Pereira succeeded the sacked Gary O’Neil, first-half goals from Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha earned a resounding victory over Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s hosts.

A welcome win for Wanderers moved them within two points of the 17th-placed Foxes, who suffered a second-successive thrashing following last weekend’s 4-0 hammering at Newcastle.

New Southampton manager Ivan Juric watched from the stands as the division’s bottom side battled to a goalless draw away to Fulham.

Following the dismissal of Russell Martin last Sunday, the Craven Cottage stalemate secured a first point in four top-flight matches for the beleaguered south-coast club.

Saints sit eight points from safety ahead of Croatian Juric, who signed an 18-month contract on Saturday, taking the reigns from interim boss Simon Rusk.

Second-placed Chelsea missed the chance to move top of the table after being held to a goalless draw by Everton at Goodison Park.

Sean Dyche’s side became the first team since Newcastle in October to prevent Enzo Maresca’s men from scoring as they brought their opponents’ eight-match winning run in all competitions to an end.