Rashford dropped, yet Man Utd beats Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Manchester United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 to move into Premier League’s top four.
• Manchester City squander chance to go top as they draw 1-1 at home to Everton.
• Third-placed Newcastle United surrender points in 0-0 draw with Leeds United.

Marcus Rashford responded perfectly to being taken out for disciplinary reasons by scoring Manchester United’s winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, propelling them into the Premier League’s top four.

Manager Erik ten Hag benched Rashford when he was late for a team meeting, but he came off the bench to score a 76th-minute winner at Molineux.

Manchester City then squandered an opportunity to put pressure on leaders Arsenal by drawing 1-1 at home to struggling Everton, despite Erling Haaland’s 21st league goal of the season giving them the lead.

Arsenal, who play at Brighton and Hove Albion later in the season, can extend their advantage to seven points with a win on the south coast.

Third-placed Newcastle United also surrendered points at home, as a 0-0 draw with Leeds United denied Eddie Howe’s team a sixth consecutive league victory.

Arsenal has 40 points from 15 games, while City has 36 from 16, Newcastle has 34 from 17, and Manchester United has 32 from 16.

Southampton will end the year at the bottom of the table after losing 2-1 at Fulham, their fifth defeat in a row.

Crystal Palace bounced back from a 3-0 home loss to Fulham on Monday by defeating Bournemouth 2-0 due to goals from Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze.

Rashford has been revived for club and country, netting three goals in three games in all competitions since returning from the World Cup.

However, his day did not begin as anticipated, as manager Ten Hag left him out of the starting lineup as punishment for a minor disciplinary violation.

United were struggling to break down a Wolves backline without him, with his replacement Alejandro Garnacho squandering the visitors’ finest chance to break the deadlock.

Rashford came on for Garnacho at halftime and sealed the points in the 76th minute, holding off Wolves substitute Jonny before lashing home from close range.

“He was bright, he was lively and he scored a goal to give a good reaction,” Ten Hag said. “Everyone has to adhere to the rules and if you react like this, it is the right answer.”

When Haaland grabbed on to Riyad Mahrez’s pass to tap home in the 24th minute, it appeared as if City would cut Arsenal’s advantage to two points.

Everton, who were on a three-match losing streak in the league at the time, had other ideas and startled the hosts after the break when Demarai Gray cut inside and fired a curling attempt from the edge of the penalty box that beat City’s goalkeeper Ederson.

Everton moved two points clear of the relegation zone.

Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United wore a yellow shirt with the number 10 on the back during a minute’s homage for compatriot Pele, who died on Thursday, as the Premier League paid tribute to the great player.

But he was unable to motivate his team to victory against a tenacious Leeds side that clung on for a point.

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