MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Substitute Scott McTominay scored two goals in second-half stoppage time on Saturday as Manchester United rallied to beat Brentford 2-1 in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag's struggling team looked set to lose a third straight game after Mathias Jensen's first-half goal.
But McTominay came off the bench in the 87th to score in the third and seventh minutes of stoppage time and send Old Trafford wild.
“Everyone knows we are in a difficult period at the minute, but we have fighters in the group that want to keep going right until the end," the Scotland midfielder said. "At this football club, it is demanded that you never throw the towel in, for me I have been brought up here since I was five. I know that better than anyone,”
Ten Hag's own relief was evident after McTominay's winner as he joined in the celebrations on the sidelines after avoiding a third straight defeat.
United was on the brink of losing for a seventh time in 11 games in all competitions in a troubled season as it struggled to find a way back after Jensen's goal in the 26th.
Ten Hag threw on a host of substitutes to try to turn things around and finally called for McTominay.
“It was very loud, the fans were roaring us on so I couldn’t hear fully," McTominay said. "He probably said something like: ‘Go on and score,’ which is what I did.
"That might be one of my favourite moments on a football pitch. Two goals at the death was incredible, but I am just happy to be able to contribute and show people that I can do it.”
McTominay, who has been out of favour this season, scored from close range after Diogo Dalot's initial shot was saved.
But he wasn't finished there.
Just four minutes later he rose to head in a winner that caused an eruption of noise from the home fans.
The much-needed victory came at the end of another troubling week for Ten Hag after back-to-back losses against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray.
The manager described the midweek 3-2 defeat by Galatasaray in the Champions League as “the story of our season so far” and admitted it was “concerning.”
“This has been a very difficult period for us all,” he said in his pre-game program notes to fans. “We are currently far from the levels and expectations we set for ourselves going into the new season, and none of us will attempt to hide from that fact.”
United’s players seemed intent on making a point by forcing Brentford into retreat early on as Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount drove forward from midfield.
But that bright start was undermined when Brentford went ahead.
Once again United was again guilty of making life hard for itself as Casemiro’s errant pass in his own half gave possession away. Victor Lindelof then had the chance to clear from inside the box as Brentford advanced, but his effort was weak.
Even then, the defender could have blocked Jensen’s shot, while there was more questionable goalkeeping from Andre Onana, who was beaten despite getting a touch on the ball before it crossed the line.
In response, Rashford had an effort saved at the near post by Thomas Strakosha before the break and Ten Hag brought on Christian Eriksen for Casemiro at halftime.
Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Anthony Martial were sent on later in the match as Ten Hag tried to salvage something.
But it looked like it was another disappointing day until McTominay's introduction.
Chelsea 4, Burnley 1
In Burnley, Chelsea rallied to rout the home side 4-1 in the Premier League on Saturday and continue its revival under Mauricio Pochettino.
Trailing to a goal from Wilson Odobert in the first half, the Londoners responded with four goals to record back-to-back league wins for the first time since March and a third straight victory in all competitions.
An own-goal from Ameen Al Dakhil evened the score at halftime and Chelsea took the lead through Cole Palmer's penalty after the break. Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson also struck to complete the rout.
On the back of Monday's 2-0 win against Fulham, Chelsea was looking to build on only its second victory in the league this season.
But it was trailing to Odobert's goal in the 15th when he shot between Marc Cucurella and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea equalized when Sterling’s cross took a deflection off Al Dakhil to loop into the net in the 42nd.
Sterling was fouled by Vitinho on the edge of the box at the start of the second half and referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot. After a lengthy check from VAR, Palmer converted the penalty for his first Chelsea goal.
Chelsea extended its lead in the 65th when Conor Gallagher picked out the run of Sterling and he finished confidently.
Burnley fans started to head for the exits in the 74th when Sterling crossed to Palmer, who found substitute Jackson. He skipped away from Dara O’Shea in front of goal before scoring.
Fulham 3, Sheffield United 1
In London, Willian rolled back the years as Fulham cruised to a 3-1 win against Sheffield United.
The 35-year-old Brazilian produced a stunning display, cementing his side’s victory with a third goal following Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s strike and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham's own goal. Sheffield United’s only goal also came when American defender Antonee Robinson put into his own net.
Play halted for an extended period after Blades skipper Chris Basham suffered a serious ankle injury which saw him carried off on a stretcher with the score at 0-0.
Fulham wasted its chances in a goalless first half but in the 53rd minute, the Cottagers took a deserved lead through De Cordova-Reid. A splitting pass from Andreas Pereira set the Jamaica international through before he held his nerve to convert past Foderingham.
But in the 67th minute, Sheffield United forced an own goal to level the score at 1-1. Fulham’s Issa Diop went down injured but the Blades refused to kick the ball out and Yasser Larouci’s dangerous cross cannoned off Robinson into his own net.
Substitute Tom Cairney's long shot hit the crossbar and the ball bounced onto the back of the well-beaten Foderingham and into the net, as Fulham took a 2-1 lead in bizarre circumstances.
Willian got the goal he deserved in the eighth minute of stoppage time with a powerful shot that beat Foderingham and settled the game.
American defender Auston Trusty made his first Premier League start for Sheffield United after a pair of substitute appearances. Another American defender, Tim Ream, was captain of Fulham in his 300th appearance for the club.
Everton 3, Bournemouth 0
In Liverpool, Everton scored more than once at home for the first time in almost a year as Goodison Park finally celebrated a victory after a 3-0 win over struggling Bournemouth.
The last time Goodison witnessed a game with multiple goals for the hosts was on Oct. 22, 2022, when Crystal Palace lost by the same scoreline.
On-loan Leeds winger Jack Harrison, who departed to a standing ovation late on, marked his full home debut with a brilliant lob over goalkeeper Neto in the 37th to double the advantage given to them by James Garner’s early strike.
Abdoulaye Doucoure, whose goal against the Cherries in May secured the club’s top-flight survival here on the final day of the season, made the game safe on the hour with an altogether more simple close-range finish.
After four successive home defeats, Everton avoided a record-worst start to a season at Goodison but was fortunate to come up against Bournemouth, which remained in the relegation zone.
Nottingham Forest 0, Crystal Palace 0
In London, a week after shocking Manchester United, Crystal Palace was held to a 0-0 draw at home to Nottingham Forest.
In Palace manager Roy Hodgson's 400th Premier League, his team could not mark the occasion with a win, while injuries to Jeffrey Schlupp and Jairo Riedewald were a concern.
Morgan Gibbs-White came closest to scoring for Forest at Selhurst Park when he clipped the inside of the post in the first half and Jean-Philippe Mateta could have scored for Palace after the break.
Palace had won 1-0 at United the previous week, but could not add another three points against Forest.
Forest should have taken the lead after 20 minutes when Gibbs-White’s side-foot volley beat Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and caught the inside of the post, but did not cross the line.
Palace came close in the second half when Tyrick Mitchell found Odsonne Edouard, who picked out Mateta on the right edge of the area and his effort rolled just wide.
Forest was denied later when Joachim Anderson stuck out a leg to prevent substitute Gonzalo Montiel from scoring from close range and Johnstone saved from Nicolas Dominguez.
