United’s three-goal surge lifts them past Liverpool — Chelsea still rule

Manchester United have found a way to make the race below Chelsea move: score three, climb above Liverpool and leave the champions’ lead untouched. Their 3-0 win over Everton today was the round’s loudest statement, and Fabián Silva supplied its most commanding performance.

Silva struck in first-half stoppage time, his goal arriving at the sharpest possible moment before the interval. José Miguel had already put United ahead on 20 minutes, driving a high shot from outside the box. Rafaël Gaudi completed the score on 54 minutes, driving low and hard through the middle from close range.

The victory lifted United to fifth, on 51 points from 30 matches, one place above Liverpool, who drew 0-0 at Nottingham Forest today and sit fourth on 52 points from 28. Anders Dahlberg was named the outstanding player in that stalemate, where neither side could find a goal. United have played two more matches than Liverpool, but this was a result that made the table feel alive beneath the runaway leaders.

Chelsea have 82 points from 29 games, and their domestic title run is still going after last season’s triumph. Rotherham United are second on 58 from 30. Chelsea’s immediate business is elsewhere: they play Olympique Lyonnais away on Tuesday 11 March in a Champions League last-16 first leg, followed by the Carabao Cup final against Rotherham on 15 March.

Southampton won 1-0 away to Watford on Tuesday 4 March. Pablo Gaona’s ninth-minute goal was a low, hard drive from close range, at mid height, and it proved enough to keep Southampton third on 53 points from 28 matches.

Watford had more of the ball but could not turn it into a goal, and Dimas Maia Costa was their standout in a defeat that left them 15th. The player of the match title went to him despite his side losing: his work included three key passes, seven dribbles and four tackles won. Southampton’s Cole Pierrepont also had a major hand in the afternoon, while Gaona made the decisive contribution.

It was a hard-edged win for Southampton, not a comfortable one. Cristiano Messina went off injured on the hour, and Southampton had to make changes as the match wore on. Watford kept pressing, but their seven shots produced only one on target. Southampton’s five efforts on target and two clear-cut chances gave their narrow lead substance, if not safety until the whistle.

Middlesbrough and Plymouth Argyle drew on Tuesday 4 March, but the point came cruelly late for the home side. Kegan Maston put Middlesbrough ahead on eight minutes with a high shot that found a post; Antonio Segarra levelled for Plymouth in the fifth minute of stoppage time, his low finish rescuing a point. Segarra was the game’s outstanding player, and Plymouth left with a 1-1 draw that keeps them seventh. Middlesbrough are 17th.

Chelsea are clear leaders; Southampton are third and Liverpool fourth, with United now fifth. Aston Villa climbed from 15th to 12th. At the other end, West Ham United are 18th, Wolverhampton Wanderers 19th and Luton Town 20th, all in the relegation zone. There is no mystery about the task facing them: the bottom three go down.

But the day belongs to United, who took their chance and made a direct rival’s draw matter. Silva led them, the goals came at telling moments, and Everton were left with nothing. It is not a threat to Chelsea’s crown. It is a reminder that the places beneath it are still there to be fought over.