Casemiro overhead goal strengthens United’s top four hopes

• Casemiro scored the game’s only goal to give Manchester United a 1-0 victory against Bournemouth.
• The victory has put the fourth-placed Red Devils three points ahead of Liverpool in the standings.

Casemiro scored the game’s only goal to give Manchester United a 1-0 victory against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League.

With Liverpool in fifth place after their 1-1 draw at Anfield against Aston Villa, the victory has put the fourth-placed Red Devils three points ahead of them in the standings with 69 points.

How the game unfolded

In the fifth minute, Casemiro found room outside the penalty area to give the visitors their first half-chance of the game. However, Casemiro’s strike never threatened to worry Neto in the Bournemouth goal, and Bruno Fernandes subsequently blasted a shot over the crossbar from a distance.

United players join Casemiro to celebrate his goal.Photo/Sky Sports

However, Man United did manage to break through in the ninth minute, and it was a fantastic finish from Casemiro. Christian Eriksen had played a pass to his teammate, which Marcos Senesi had failed to clear, and Casemiro managed to acrobatically turn the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Although Bournemouth had their chances, the Red Devils maintained possession throughout the first quarter as Jadon Sancho saw a lot of the ball travel down the left.

In the 20th minute, Eriksen was the next to try his luck for the visitors, but his long-range shot kept soaring past Neto’s crossbar.

Dominic Solanke had Bournemouth’s first opportunity of the game in the 27th minute when he wriggled free inside the penalty area and fired at goal, but David de Gea was there to make a superb stop.

In the 37th minute, Anthony Martial missed a shot at the goal of the home team, and three minutes later, Casemiro’s low shot was stopped by Neto.

Christie’s deft shot was then stopped by De Gea in the 42nd minute, and Solanke then headed just wide of the crossbar to end the opening period with Man United up 1-0.

The second half

Early in the second half, De Gea was once more called upon to tip a Brooks shot over the crossbar before Lewis Cook made a good save at the opposite end of the field to save a lethal low cross from Martial.

Wout Weghorst’s shot was deflected wide by Neto in the 63rd minute, and 20 minutes from time, replacement Alejandro Garnacho’s low cross found the side of the opponent’s net.

In the 76th minute, Neto made a spectacular stop on a volley from Fernandes, and Man United appeared to be the more likely team to score again at the Vitality Stadium, effectively ending the game for the Cherries.

The results see De Gea secure the Premier League Golden Glove award.Photo/Goal

In the 83rd minute, De Gea made a deft stop to deny Kieffer Moore, and in the next free spell of play, Fernandes’ long-range attempt down the other end went wide of the goal.

Man United are scheduled to play on Thursday against Chelsea before wrapping up the league season with a match against Fulham at Old Trafford the following Sunday. Bournemouth’s season will come to a close with a trip to relegation-battling Everton.