WRAPUP 2-Soccer-Man City close in on Liverpool, Fulham burst Man Utd bubble
MANCHESTER, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Manchester City cut Liverpool's lead in the Premier League title race to one point as they eked out a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday but neighbours Manchester United had their bubble burst by Fulham at Old Trafford.
Phil Foden's ninth league goal of the season proved enough for champions City to close in on Liverpool although it was not the usual slick display by Pep Guardiola's side.
Fulham won away at United for the first time in more than 20 years with Alex Iwobi's stoppage-time goal earning them a surprise 2-1 victory to dent United's top-four hopes.
United's first loss in six league games left them eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, who bolstered their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with a 4-2 home victory against struggling Nottingham Forest.
Crystal Palace gave new manager Oliver Glasner a dream start with a 3-0 win over 10-man Burnley to ease their relegation fears and push their opponents closer to the drop.
Everton were denied a vital victory in their survival battle as Lewis Dunk headed a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for 10-man Brighton and Hove Albion.
City once again displayed their knack of winning matches in the heat of a title race without being at their best.
Foden struck the only goal in the 21st minute as he coolly slotted in after Erling Haaland's shot had been saved by Neto.
"The players surprise me every time, the character, always competitive when they are tired," Guardiola said after his side's unbeaten league run stretched to 11.
"Winning 0-5 is not a reality. Hopefully we can have a week off soon to rest the legs."
While City are eyeing a fourth successive league title, United's problems re-surfaced at Old Trafford.
Billionaire Jim Ratcliffe vowed to knock City off their perch this week after sealing his 27% stake in the club.
But that looked light years away on Saturday as United remained in sixth place, 16 points behind Liverpool.
Fulham threatened on numerous occasions before halftime and Calvin Bassey eventually put them ahead in the 65th minute with his first goal for the club.
United defender Harry Maguire equalised in the 89th minute with a half volley from inside the penalty area after the ball came back off Fulham keeper Bernd Leno, and the home team looked poised for a smash-and-grab victory.
But Fulham had other ideas and a swift counter-attack ended with substitute Adama Traore's pass was perfect for Iwobi whgo finished with aplomb in the 97th minute.
"We should be awake from the first moment, on the first whistle, but the team showed big character and we could have won this game," United boss Erik Ten Hag said.
Villa cruised into a 3-0 lead at home to Forest with Douglas Luiz twice on target after Ollie Watkins opened the scoring.
But defender Moussa Niakhate replied for the visitors in stoppage time at the end of the first half and Morgan Gibbs-White pulled another one back soon after the break.
Leon Bailey eased Villa's nerves when he made it 4-2 from close range.
Everton looked set for a crucial three points as they held on to a lead given to them by Jarrad Branthwaite after 73 minutes. Brighton had midfielder Billy Gilmour sent off but were rewarded for some intense late pressure when Dunk headed powerfully past Jordan Pickford.
Everton stayed 17th in the table with 21 points from 26 games, one clear of third-from-bottom Luton Town, who have a game in hand. Brighton are seventh with 39 points.
Palace, for whom Chris Richards, Jordan Ayew and Jean Mateta were all on target in the second half against Burnley, moved up to 14th with 28 points.
Burnley are joint bottom with Sheffield United on 13 points and are running out of time to mount a great escape. (Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
