Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers both secured narrow wins away from home in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
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United beat Partizan Belgrade 1-0 in Serbia to stay top of Group L as a win in their next game, at home against Partizan, will seal their qualification to the knockout stage. Anthony Martial’s penalty kick was enough to get the win in Belgrade in a tough environment as an inexperienced United side struggled to get going in attack.
As for Wolves, they fought back from 1-0 down to beat Slovan Bratislava 2-1 in Slovakia as they breathed new life into their Europa League campaign in Group K. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men now have two of their final three group games at home and will fancy their chances of extending their first European journey in almost 40 years.
Here’s a look at both games, with video and analysis of a very decent night for both clubs in Europe.
Partizan Belgrade 0-1 Man United
Man United should have led early but Scott McTominay nodded wide after a great free kick from Juan Mata. Partizan battled their way back into the game as the heavy pitch didn’t suit Martial and others.
Lingard hit the post in the first half as United looked dangerous on the break, but Partizan’s top goalscorer Sadiq also smashed the post as the game developed into an open encounter. Asano went close with an effort which flew wide but Brandon Williams won a penalty kick at the end of the first half which Martial dispatched to make it 1-0.
In the second half Seydouba Soumah went close as Marcus Rashford and Daniel James came on for the final 30 minutes. Williams looked to have handled the ball but the referee waved away calls from the home fans as they continued to appeal for penalty kicks.
Sadiq flashed a shot wide as Partizan pushed a late leveller but Sergio Romero saved Asano’s effort and Bibras Natcho fired just over as a young United side held on for a big win away from home. The win was United’s first victory away from home in 12 games in all competitions.
Slovan Bratislava 1-2 Wolves
Wolves went 1-0 down early as Andraz Sporar put Slovan ahead, as he raced clear and smashed home at the near post past Rui Patricio.
A poor start for Wolves in Slovakia.
¡Adentroooo! Gol del Slovan Bratislava 😰 #EuropaLeague | #Wolves | #RaúlJiménez
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 24, 2019
🔴 En vivo https://t.co/9oRVw5px8b pic.twitter.com/qml6ZN4ngc
The home side were fairly comfortable until the final 30 minutes when Wolves equalized as Romain Saiss had a shot from distance which somehow went in.
Slovan’s goalkeeper Dominik Greif will not want to see this one again.
¡Gol, gol, gol, gol!
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 24, 2019
Lo empataron los Wolves 👏#EuropaLeague | #Wolves | #RaúlJiménez
🔴 En vivo https://t.co/9oRVw5px8b pic.twitter.com/gPmnYFT6RO
After that it was all Wolves and they took the lead from the penalty spot just five minutes after equalizing.
Jimenez was pushed to the ground in the box and the Mexican striker picked himself up to slot home the winner as Willy Boly came close to adding another.
Substitute Diogo Jota was sent off late on as he picked up a second yellow for a foul on Slovan captain Vasil Bozhikov, but Wolves held on for a crucial victory in their quest to reach the knockout rounds.