Manchester City held by Southampton, Rashford lifts MU into fourth

Aymeric Laporte spared Manchester City’s blushes as the Premier League leader was held to a 1-1 draw at Southampton, while Manchester United moved into fourth place after Marcus Rashford’s last-gasp goal sealed a 1-0 win against West Ham on Saturday.

City was rocked by Kyle Walker-Peters’ first ever top-flight goal in the opening minutes.

After a poor first half by the team’s high standards, Pep Guardiola’s side kicked into gear after the break.

Spain defender Laporte headed the equalizer, but City could not extend its winning streak in a onesided finale that saw the visitors lay siege to the Southampton goal.

The champion team had to settle for a result that left it 12 points clear of second-placed Liverpool, which has two games in hand and faces Crystal Palace on Sunday.

For the first time since it was beaten 2-0 by Palace on Oct. 30, City finished a league game without all three points.

“Why should we lose belief in what we have done? It was a good performance. We are going to drop points, but the way we behave is very good,” Guardiola said.

“People will say the Premier League race is not over, but that is good for this side.”

At Old Trafford, Ralf Rangnick’s side was kept at bay until the third minute of stoppage time.

Edinson Cavani crossed for fellow substitute Rashford to score his second goal in successive games.

After a VAR check for offside, the goal was awarded as interim boss Rangnick celebrated consecutive wins for the first time in charge.

It was a crucial victory for United in their fight to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top-four finish.

United moved one point above West Ham, knocking David Moyes’ men out of the top four.

Tottenham and Arsenal would both go back above United if they win their matches on Sunday against Chelsea and Burnley respectively.

“If you score in the last second of the game, that is the best type of win, a clean sheet. I think in the end we deserved to win,” Rangnick said.

“Bearing in mind we played a few days ago against Brentford, the team looked physically good.”

Drone delay

Jonjo Shelvey’s second-half free-kick clinched third-bottom Newcastle’s much-needed 1-0 win at Leeds.

Shelvey curled home from 20 yards in the 75th minute, giving Eddie Howe’s side only its second victory of the season.

Newcastle was under pressure for long spells, but the team held on to climb to within a point of safety with a game in hand on fourth-bottom Norwich.

Leeds is now only seven points above the relegation zone after the team’s damaging defeat.

Everton’s change of management did not result in a change of fortunes as Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard enjoyed a winning return to Merseyside with a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.

Emiliano Buendia’s header in first-half stoppage time separated the sides to leave the Toffees just four points above the relegation zone in 16th place.

Duncan Ferguson took temporary charge of Everton following the sacking of Rafael Benitez last weekend after a run of just one win in 13 league games.

Ferguson was unbeaten in three matches as caretaker boss against Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal before Carlo Ancelotti took charge just over two years ago.

But he could not replicate that success as former Liverpool captain Gerrard got one over on his old rivals.

Wolves won 2-1 at Brentford in a bizarre game that was delayed after a drone flew over the Community Stadium in west London.

Both teams had to leave the pitch after what was announced as an “unofficial drone” hovered above the stadium, with confused Wolves captain Conor Coady asking referee Peter Bankes, “What's happening?”

The players eventually reemerged, and the match resumed after a delay of almost 20 minutes.

Joao Moutinho’s curler put Wolves ahead four minutes into the second half before Ivan Toney equalized with a 71st-minute volley.

Ruben Neves clinched the points for Wolves in the 75th minute.