Chris Smalling and Romelu lukaku scored as Manchester United earned a routine 2-0 win at Bournemouth on Wednesday to strengthen its grip on second place in the Premier league.
Smalling netted his third goal in six league games by meeting a low cross from Jesse lingard and slotting into an empty net in the 28th minute. lukaku then sealed the win in the 70th after coming off the bench and running onto a through-ball from Paul Pogba and finishing with a first-time shot.
Bournemouth were denied a penalty shortly after the halftime break when luke Shaw held on to Callum Wilson as the striker tried to reach a cross from Josh King, but referee Graham Scott waved away the appeals.
It was a much-needed win for United, which lost 1-0 at home to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday to hand the league title to crosstown rival Manchester City. It keeps Jose Mouinho's team four points above third-place liverpool and rebuilds some momentum going into Saturday's FA Cup semifinal against Tottenham.
"We all knew we weren't good enough against West Brom and we needed to stand up tonight and put on a performance. You could see the lads were up for it," Smalling said. "Our goal for a little while now has been to make sure we get to the FA Cup final. This is the perfect way to lead into the weekend."
Mourinho made seven changes from the West Brom loss with that semifinal in mind, keeping Alexis Sanchez and lukaku on the bench. And he said this performance will give him a selection headache on Saturday.
"It was a good team performance, professional, controlled, good effort, good responsibility," Mourinho said. "I would say that every player on the pitch was positive and put himself available for Saturday."
Alonso gets 3-match ban
Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso will serve a three-match ban for a challenge on Shane long that was missed by officials during Saturday's win at Southampton.
The left wingback stood on the back of long's leg during the Premier league game.
The Football Association says Alonso was found guilty of violent conduct at a regulatory commission hearing.
Alonso was immediately ruled out of the Premier league game at Burnley on Thursday the FA Cup semifinal match against Southampton on Sunday and the league trip to Swansea on April 28.
The 27-year-old Alonso was Chelsea's only representative in the Professional Footballers' Association Premier league team of the year that was announced Wednesday.
Chelsea is fifth in the league, chasing Tottenham for the final Champions league qualification place.
Aguero is recovering
Sergio Aguero is recovering after surgery on his left knee and will start treatment soon, Argentina's football association said on Wednesday amid uncertainty about the player's fitness for this summer's World Cup.
The Manchester City striker suffered from pain in his knee since March 11 and was forced out of action for Argentina in two friendlies at the end of March.
On Tuesday, Aguero underwent surgery in Barcelona and will be sidelined for at least four weeks. Argentina's first game the World Cup in Russia is on June 16 against Iceland.
The AFA said on its Twitter account that Aguero "is recovering correctly after the surgery and tomorrow (Thursday) will begin his treatment."
Earlier, AFA doctor Homero D'Agostino told radio station Radio 10 that Aguero's recovery "should take at least five weeks" and that the striker's condition was "worrisome."
D'Agostino added on sports network TyC Sports that Aguero "is not going to be 100 percent in shape with so little time prior to the World Cup."
Aguero scored 30 goals for Manchester City this season and is considered Argentina's second most important player, behind lionel Messi.