Thursday 14 December 2017 00:02, UK
Romelu Lukaku got a much-needed goal as Manchester United moved on from their galling derby defeat by beating Bournemouth.
Runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City brought an untimely end to United's club record-equalling 40-match unbeaten home run on Sunday, when Pep Guardiola's men opened up an 11-point cushion over their second-placed rivals.
Jose Mourinho's Reds rallied after that potentially season-defining defeat by securing a hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Bournemouth through Lukaku's first-half header.
It was just the Belgium striker's third United goal in 15 matches - a poor run that has led the summer signing to come under scrutiny, especially in the wake of Sunday's derby defeat.
Lukaku played an unwitting role in both of City's goals and missed a great chance to level, yet there was no sign of relief after hushing the naysayers with a fine first-half header to open the scoring.
The striker had been guilty of a poor challenge on Bournemouth's Nathan Ake by that point but produced a decent overall display, providing a second-half cross that Anthony Martial somehow failed to convert before Marcus Rashford hit the crossbar.
David De Gea needed to produce some fine saves to prevent Eddie Howe's Cherries from ending a promising display with a positive result as United held out for a solid, if unconvincing, win.
Hit the video at the top of the page for match highlights.
