Man Utd back on track after Fernandes inspires Wolves rout

Wolverhampton, Dec. 10: Ruben Amorim said Manchester United had "improved a lot" after they climbed back into the race to qualify for the Champions League as Bruno Fernandes inspired a 4-1 rout of woeful Wolves on Monday.

Amorim's side recovered from their disappointing draw with lowly West Ham last week thanks to Fernandes' double and goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount at Molineux.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde had cancelled out Fernandes' opener with Wolves' first goal in six games in all competitions and their first in the top-flight since October 26.

But Mbeumo, Mount and Fernandes netted after the interval to clinch only United's second win in their last six matches.

United suffered an embarrassing 1-0 home loss to 10-man Everton on November 24 and 10 days later boos greeted the final whistle following a 1-1 draw with West Ham at Old Trafford.

With Amorim growing increasingly tetchy in recent weeks, it was essential that sixth-placed United avoided an embarrassing result against bottom of the table Wolves as they moved within one point of the top four.

"I really enjoyed how we played the second half. We had good pace, good quality in the decisions. We finished the game and Wolves is in a difficult moment. It was a good evening," Amorim said.

"We had some games against teams in better moments and had many shots. We need to improve the quality of the shots. We need to focus not just on scoring but protecting our goal.

"I think we improved a lot. If you compare last season and this season we are creating so much more chances and scoring more goals and having more real situations of danger, so I'm really pleased with that."

Wolves' eighth successive league defeat equalled their worst top-flight run since 1981-82 and left boss Rob Edwards still waiting for his first victory since arriving from Middlesbrough to replace the sacked Vitor Pereira in November.

Wolves have just two points after 15 games and if they fail to win either of their next two against Arsenal and Brentford they will equal Sheffield United's longest winless start in the Premier League of 17 matches.

Derby's Premier League record low of just 11 points in a single season is also under threat from dismal Wolves.

Pulisic sends Milan top 

USA playmaker Christian Pulisic scored twice in 10 minutes on Monday as AC Milan came from behind to edge Torino 3-2 to move to the summit of Serie A.

Pulisic was a second-half substitute in Turin and turned the game on its head having entered the fray afer 67 minutes.

Milan go above Napoli on goal difference and head to eighth-placed Sassuolo next Sunday.

Nikola Vlasic and Duvan Zapata had claimed an early advantage for the home side, who are now 16th looking for a first win since October 26.

Pulisic, 27, was named on the bench after suffering from flu symptoms, with Milan boss Max Allegri sitting out a touchline ban.

The hosts raced to an early lead as Vlasic converted from the penalty spot and Zapata made it 2-0 after 17 minutes.

Seven minutes later Rabiot halved the deficit with a sublime effort from more than 25 metres out.

With 34 minutes to play Milan's Ruben Loftus-Cheek had a superb chance to equalise but Torino goalkeeper Franco Israel stopped the Englishman's impressive head.

Pulisic then entered the fray and made an immediate impact netting with his first touch from short range.

The 82-time international completed the comeback with 13 minutes left with a superb low half-volley.

During injury-time Pulisic was denied his hat-trick, and his eighth goal of the campaign but Christopher Nkunku was judged to be offside.

It was enough to send AC Milan to the top of the table although those early defence errors are a causefor concern. (AFP)