Cody Gakpo’s double fired Liverpool into the Europa League last 16 as they routed LASK 4-0, while Brighton advanced to the knockout round with a 1-0 win at AEK Athens on Thursday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side sealed top spot in Group E thanks to Gakpo’s brace and goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah at Anfield.
Second-placed Toulouse’s 0-0 draw against Union Saint-Gilloise in the other group game means Klopp can rest players for his team’s last remaining pool stage fixture.
Europa League group winners go through to the last 16 automatically, while the runners-up play in a two-legged knockout round playoff in February against a team who finish third in a Champions League group.
“The most important thing is that we’re at the head of the group and that won’t change so that’s good,” Klopp said.
“There was some good football but this game should have been put to bed before halftime. We didn’t do that, but it’s fantastic to win 4-0.”
Klopp made nine changes from the side which drew with Premier League champions Manchester City last Saturday, with Salah and Kostas Tsimikas the only players to keep their places.
Rising to meet Joe Gomez’s cross, Diaz netted his first goal at Anfield since August as his header raced past LASK keeper Tobias Lawal in the 12th minute.
Having opened the scoring, Diaz helped set up Liverpool’s second three minutes later when he picked out Salah, who teed-up Gakpo to net from close-range.
Salah killed off the outclassed Austrians in the 51st minute, stroking home a penalty for his 13th goal this season after Gakpo was fouled by Lawal.
Dutch forward Gakpo capped the demolition with a fierce strike in stoppage-time.
Matildas out to finish year on a high | 01:02
BRIGHTON ‘DREAM BIG’ ON DEBUT
Unlike Liverpool’s rich history in continental competition, Brighton are competing in Europe for the first time and the Seagulls’ adventure will continue into the New Year thanks to Joao Pedro’s winner in Greece.
Damian Szymanski fouled Joao Pedro in the 55th minute and the Brazilian striker picked himself up to slot home the penalty.
AEK’s fate was sealed when they were reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute when Mijat Gacinovic earned a second booking for a foul on Joel Veltman.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are second in Group B, one point behind Marseille following the French side’s dramatic 4-3 win over 10-man Ajax.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat-trick for Marseille, including the winner with a penalty three minutes into stoppage-time.
In the midst of a wretched season, Ajax had Steven Berghuis sent off in the 63rd minute and were consigned to elimination by their late defeat.
“Who knows how far we can go?” Brighton captain Lewis Dunk said. “We want to win it and you’ve got to dream big to achieve it.”
Gorry close to finalising new club | 02:24
SOUCEK STRIKES LATE
West Ham moved into the knockout round after Tomas Soucek’s 89th minute goal saw off Backa Topola 1-0 in Serbia.
Second-placed Freiburg thrashed Olympiakos 5-0 to join Group A leaders West Ham in the knockout round.
There is a three-way battle for qualification from Group C after third-placed Sparta Prague beat leaders Real Betis 1-0, while second-placed Rangers drew 1-1 with Aris Limassol.
Atalanta wrapped up top spot in Group D after a 1-1 draw against second-placed Sporting Lisbon, who are also through to the knockout round.
Rennes’ 3-0 win against Maccabi Haifa took the French team to the top of Group F and into the knockout round, with Villarreal joining them after their 3-2 victory over Panathinaikos.
Slavia Prague’s 3-2 win at Sheriff sealed their knockout round place from Group G and Roma also advanced with a 1-1 draw at Servette.
Bayer Leverkusen go through to the last 16 as Group H winners after beating Hacken 2-0.
VILLA WIN AFTER HORROR CROWD CHAOS
In the Europa Conference League, crowd troubled marred Aston Villa’s 2-1 win against Legia Warsaw as three police officers were injured in clashes with Polish fans.
The game was played with Legia supporters kept out of the stadium following the pre-match violence, which included flares and missiles being hurled at police.
Al Hilal are reported to have negotiated a £50 million ($AUD99 million deal for the 28-year-old.
“The club can confirm that Aleksandar Mitrovic has this evening left to join Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League for a club record transfer fee,” Fulham said in a statement.
“The club had reluctantly accepted a revised offer as the player had consistently made his desire to leave known.”
Mitrovic pushed for a move in order to join the growing list of players swapping Europe for a lucrative switch to the Gulf state.
He will be Al Hilal’s latest high-profile signing after their swoops for Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves and Malcom.
Mitrovic has gone to Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Kylian Mbappe’s future at Paris Saint-Germain was in serious doubt on Tuesday after the France superstar told AFP he had never discussed extending his contract with the club beyond next year.
Mbappe and his entourage spoke out the day after he sent a letter to the club confirming he would not take up an option to remain at the French champions until 2025.
That immediately raised the spectre of the 24-year-old forward, one of the most coveted players in world football, following Lionel Messi out of Parc des Princes this summer because if Qatar-owned PSG do not cash in by selling him now, he could leave for nothing at the end of next season.
In a statement to AFP, Mbappe said he had informed PSG “on July 15, 2022” of his decision not to activate an option to extend his contract, which ends after next season, for an extra year “and the only aim of the letter was to confirm what had already been spoken about previously”.
“Kylian Mbappe and his entourage confirm that this matter has not been discussed since over the course of the year, except a fortnight ago to announce the sending of the letter.
“No potential contract extension has been mentioned,” it continued.
“After maintaining publicly in recent weeks that he would be a PSG player next season, Kylian Mbappe has not asked to leave this summer and has just confirmed to the club that he would not be activating the extra year,” Mbappe and his entourage explained.
Mbappe hasn’t discussed extending his contract. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Source: AFP
The statement concluded by saying that the 2018 World Cup winner and those closest to him “regret that the letter was circulated in the media and that these exchanges were made public with the sole aim of damaging their image and the discussions with the club”.
Mbappe’s letter to PSG comes a year after the player signed a new deal to stay at the French champions, turning down an approach from Real Madrid in the process.
According to sources with knowledge of the discussions, PSG do not intend to let Mbappe leave for nothing and were surprised that the letter was leaked.
With the player confirming he will leave when his contract expires in 2024, PSG risk losing a huge asset for nothing in a year’s time, meaning they could now opt to sell him in the current transfer window, which is open until September 1.
Mbappe’s decision not to renew, first revealed by French sports daily L’Equipe, is a major blow to PSG.
It comes as they have been planning to make the forward the focal point of their team after allowing Messi to leave at the end of his own two-year contract.
Having missed out on him a year ago, Real would again lead the suitors. They are in the market for a new striker after reigning Ballon d’Or Karim Benzema ended his 14-year stay in the Spanish capital by moving to Saudi Arabia.
Mbappe is currently with the France squad preparing for Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Gibraltar and Greece.
Mbappe will have the biggest clubs in Europe chasing him soon. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Recently made the new France captain, a smiling Mbappe appeared relaxed as he trained with his teammates at their base near Paris on Monday.
He was still a teenager when he joined PSG on a season-long loan from Monaco in August 2017, just after helping the club from the principality win the Ligue 1 title.
The move turned into a permanent transfer the following year in a 180 million-euro ($195m) deal.
He helped France to World Cup glory in 2018 and has established himself as arguably the leading forward on the global stage.
Mbappe scored a hat-trick in France’s 2022 World Cup final defeat to Messi’s Argentina before helping PSG win a record 11th French title.
He was Ligue 1’s top scorer last season with 29 goals and netted 41 in 43 games in all competitions.
Yet it was a frustrating season, as PSG were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Bayern Munich and lost at the same stage in the French Cup.
Their regularly poor performances in the second half of the campaign persuaded PSG not to offer new terms to Messi, who fell out with the club after missing training to take an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.
Last week Messi announced that he would move to MLS side Inter Miami. Sergio Ramos has also been allowed to leave and the future of Neymar, who is under contract until 2025, is in doubt with the club understood to be keen to part ways with the Brazilian.
PSG are working on bringing in new signings, with Spanish international Marco Asensio from Real Madrid and Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte of Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon both expected to sign soon.
PSG are also expected to bring in a new coach to replace Christophe Galtier.
Arsenal’s prized recruit from the January window continues to prove his signing was a masterstroke, while a rather explosive press conferences proves their neighbours in white won’t be catching them any time soon.
There’s also a sleeping giant sneakily creeping up on the European places while the gap from 12th place to the relegation zone shrunk to just three points.
Review the weekend that was in the latest edition of Premier League Talking Points!
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GUNNERS RESPOND TO PENALTY HEARTBREAK IN PERFECT STYLE
Fatigued and frustrated after their agonising Europa League exit at the hands of Sporting Lisbon in midweek, Arsenal responded with the kind of stylish display that bore all the hallmarks of champions in the making.
Mikel Arteta’s side crashed out on penalties against the Portuguese giants after Gabriel Martinelli missed the crucial spot-kick.
So it was symbolic of Arsenal’s new-found resilience that Martinelli was the man to put the Gunners on course for an easy afternoon at the Emirates by scoring the opening goal.
The Brazilian’s cool finish laid the foundations for a sixth successive league win before Bukayo Saka struck twice either side of Granit Xhaka scoring Arsenal’s third.
January recruit Leandro Trossard also proved his worth once again, assisting a goal in the Crystal Palace rout.
The Belgian winger took his tally to six assists in 10 games since moving to the Emirates in January in a $49m deal.
In comparison, Trossard’s assists figure is twice as many as any other player in the competition since his first game in Arsenal colours.
With Gabriel Jesus working his way back to full fitness and the Martielli-Saka double act continuing to score for fun, Trossard looks likely to be the final piece to the puzzle that could help Arsenal over the line in the title race.
However, defending champions City have a game in hand and host Arteta’s side in April, meaning the London outfit is by no means home and hosed just yet.
Leandro Trossard has proved to be a tidy piece of business for Arsenal. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
FIERY PRESSER SHOWS DEEP SPURS CRACKS
Antonio Conte arrived at Tottenham as the serial winner seen as capable of instilling a winning culture at a club used to underachievement.
Instead the Italian looks set to join a number of Spurs managers to come and go without lifting a trophy.
Conte’s contract expires at the end of the season and the question over his future now is whether he even sees out the remaining 10 Premier League games.
The former Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan boss called his players “selfish”, lacking in heart and too used to not playing under pressure or stress.
Spurs still sit fourth, but are only two points ahead of Newcastle, who have two games in hand.
The question for the Tottenham board is whether his relationship with the dressing room is now beyond repair.
Conte blasts Spurs team after draw | 01:38
THE SLEEPING GIANT SNEAKING UP ON EURO SPOTS
When Steven Gerrard was sacked in October, only goals scored was keeping Villa out of the relegation zone.
Five months on, they are a club transformed under Unai Emery.
Bournemouth were swept aside with ease 3-0 at Villa Park on Saturday for a third win in four games for Emery’s men.
Indeed, only four teams have taken more Premier League points in total since the former Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain boss was appointed.
Manchester United and City’s progress to the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend has increased the possibility that seventh could be good enough for European football, which remains well within Villa’s reach.
“We can add a new step, an objective, looking at the teams in the top 10 now,” said Emery after all but guaranteeing survival.
“They have an advantage over us, we have to fight starting behind them.
“But we are going to play here against Fulham, we are going to play here against Brighton, we are going to play at Brentford, at Chelsea. Of course, it is going to be very difficult, but we are going to try to add a new target in our minds.”
Unai Emery has overseen a stunning reversal of fortunes for Aston Villa. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)Source: AFP
FOUR POINTS, NINE TEAMS: THE SURVIVAL FIGHT IS ON
It feels like it’s been some time since we had a memorable relegation race where, at least at this point in time, no-one is safe.
A measly four points separates last-placed Southampton to 12th-placed Crystal Palace, with the Saints sitting on 23 points.
One win for Southampton and they can climb to safety, although a nightmare goal difference of -23 doesn’t help things.
A crucial comeback against Spurs helped the Saints to a 3-3 draw to keep in touch with the safety.
There were also a handful of other teams milling about in the bottom half who had some major results, too.
Nottingham Forest copped a heartbreaking loss to Newcastle, conceding a penalty in second-half stoppage time in a 2-1 defeat.
Leicester City performed valiantly in a 1-1 draw away to the high-flying Brentford, while Everton came back to secure a vital 2-2 draw at Chelsea.
But the result that perhaps had the biggest impact was Leeds United’s 4-2 triumph over nine-man Wolves.
Well, ten-man Wolves considering Matheus Nunes’ red card arrived in the 10th minute of second half stoppage time.
The win helped Leeds move two points clear from the drop zone while Wolves, who have looked good under new boss Julen Lopetegui, remain on 27 points.
With some teams having as many as 12 games left in the season, this relegation race has plenty of twists and turns left in it.
Arsenal surged eight points clear at the top of the Premier League as Bukayo Saka’s brace inspired a 4-1 rout of Crystal Palace on Monday (AEDT).
Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring in the first half at the Emirates Stadium to put the leaders on course for a sixth successive league victory.
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It was redemption for Martinelli, whose missed penalty condemned Arsenal to Europa League last 16 defeat in their shootout against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday.
Mikel Arteta’s side needed just 45 minutes against struggling Palace to erase the bitter taste of that loss.
Saka followed Martinelli’s goal by doubling Arsenal’s lead before halftime. Granit Xhaka netted the third after the interval and Jeff Schlupp’s reply was no consolation as the influential Saka’s second capped Arsenal’s stylish display.
Arsenal now have a substantial eight-point lead over second placed Manchester City, who took the weekend off from Premier League duty to thrash Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
With a game in hand on Arsenal and a crucial clash with the Gunners looming on April 26, Pep Guardiola’s champions will still believe they can win a fifth title in six seasons.
But heading into the international break, Arsenal have ensured the fate of the title race will be in their hands in the final 10 games.
Bukayo Saka celebrates Arsenal’s big win. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)Source: AFP
“I’m really pleased with the way we reacted after the Sporting game. We showed a lot of determination,” Arteta said.
“It feels very good, especially with the way we have played and the results we have picked up.
“The desire and energy impressed me. They must come back from the international break with the same mindset they had before.”
Arteta reserved special praise for Saka, who is the first player to reach at least 10 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season.
“The whole team did really well but Bukayo was really good today, affecting the result with his contribution,” he said.
“That is what we need. We need our front players firing and making the difference and today they did that again.”
After surrendering top spot with a defeat against City in February, Arsenal have responded impressively, showing a maturity and composure far beyond the Gunners’ teams that routinely underachieved in recent years.
Arteta deserves immense credit for transforming a side that blew their top four place last season.
Less than a year later, Arsenal, the first English side ever to win nine London derbies in a single season, have the look of champions elect.
Arteta had labelled the Palace clash as the most important match of his managerial career and his players once again rose to the challenge.
Granit Xhaka got on the scoresheet for the Gunners against Crystal Palace. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
They had the ideal opponents in a Palace team now without a win in their 13 matches in 2023 and reeling from Friday’s sacking of boss Patrick Vieira.
Vieira was a key member of the last title-winning Arsenal side 19 years ago and Gunners fans chanted his name throughout the game.
Arsenal made the breakthrough in the 28th minute when Saka wriggled free in the penalty area to collect Ben White’s pass and pulled his cross back to Martinelli.
The Brazilian forward took a clever touch to elude Joel Ward before driving a clinical finish past Joe Whitworth from 12 yards for his sixth goal in his last eight appearances.
Saka ensured Arsenal’s relentless pressure paid dividends again in the 43rd minute.
He played the ball back to White and his return pass was perfectly weighted for the England forward, who planted a cool finish into the far corner from close-range.
Arsenal were rampant and Xhaka put the result beyond doubt in the 55th minute. A sumptuous exchange of passes around the Palace area left the visitors bewildered before Xhaka applied a deft finishing touch to Leandro Trossard’s through-ball.
Schlupp stabbed in Palace’s first league goal in nearly seven hours after Arsenal failed to clear a 63rd minute corner.
But Saka had the last word with his 13th goal this season, a fine first-time finish from Kieran Tierney’s 74th minute pass.
Manchester City needed an Erling Haaland penalty 12 minutes from time to see off Crystal Palace 1-0 on Saturday as Liverpool’s resurgence proved short-lived after a 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth.
Victory takes City to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who are not in action until Sunday when they travel to Fulham.
Pep Guardiola’s men dominated for almost the entire 94 minutes at a sodden Selhurst Park, but were headed for another major blow to their title defence until Ilkay Gundogan was chopped down inside the box by Michael Olise.
Haaland kept his cool to roll home his 34th goal of the season from the spot.
Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, celebrate after the team’s victory over Crystal Palace.Source: Getty Images
Earlier, Liverpool were brought back to earth with a bang after inflicting Manchester United’s record-equalling defeat in a 7-0 win last weekend.
Philip Billing scored the only goal for Bournemouth to lift the Cherries out of the bottom three as Mohamed Salah fired a second half penalty wide.
“The game was pretty much the opposite of what we wanted to show and to do today. I think we played for pretty much 95 minutes the game Bournemouth wanted to play,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
“This game was a massive knock and how it is with knocks, you have to take them, you have to have a look how big the scars are and then you go from there.”
Fifth-placed Liverpool are now six points adrift of the Champions League places after Harry Kane ensured a tough week for Tottenham ended on a high by scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
Defensive blunder sends PSG packing | 01:05
– Kane lifts Tottenham –
The England captain’s future has been a source of speculation after Spurs crashed out of both the FA Cup and Champions League in the space a week.
Antonio Conte’s men had failed to score in their previous three games, but Kane ended that drought by rising highest to head in Pedro Porro’s cross.
Kane then coolly slotted home his first penalty since missing a crucial spot-kick in England’s World Cup quarter-final exit to France.
Richarlison made amends for criticism of Conte this week by teeing up Son Heung-min to fire in Spurs’ third.
Joe Worrall pulled a goal back for Forest, who then also had a stoppage time penalty from Andre Ayew saved by Fraser Forster.
Kane ended Spurs’ goal drought.Source: Getty Images
– Lineker sees Leicester lose –
Gary Lineker made the most of his absence from the BBC’s flagship football highlights program Match of the Day to watch his beloved Leicester lose 3-1 against Chelsea.
Lineker was forced to “step back” from his presenting duties after comparing the UK government’s rhetoric towards refugees this week to Nazi-era Germany.
Leicester remain rooted in the relegation battle, just one point above the drop zone after a fifth consecutive defeat.
Ben Chilwell put Chelsea ahead early on against his former club before Patson Daka levelled.
But a sensational pass from Enzo Fernandez and finish from Kai Havertz put Chelsea back in front and Mateo Kovacic’s strike secured a third consecutive win for the Blues, who continue to lift the pressure on Graham Potter.
Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea FC at The King Power Stadium on March 11, 2023 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Everton moved out of the bottom three and up to 15th thanks to a third 1-0 win in four home games under Sean Dyche.
Dwight McNeil smashed in the only goal inside the first minute to end Brentford’s 12-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Leeds remain second from bottom but closed to within a point of safety after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 at home to high-flying Brighton.
Alexis Mac Allister put the Seagulls in front before Patrick Bamford levelled before the break.
Jack Harrison then scored at both ends in the second half to leave Brighton still nine points off the top four, albeit with three games in hand.
Manchester United bounced back from a historic thrashing by Liverpool to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie, while a lucky 2-2 draw away to Sporting Lisbon gave Arsenal work to do to reach the quarter-finals.
United equalled their heaviest ever defeat and worst since 1931 in losing 7-0 at Anfield on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag responded by naming the same starting line-up and was rewarded with a return to form.
Marcus Rashford smashed United into an early lead with his 26th goal of the season, but Betis levelled against the run of play when Ayoze Perez fired into the far corner.
The visitors could even have gone in front before halftime when Perez’s deflected cross came back off the post.
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But it was two of United’s most fiercely criticised stars in recent days who made the difference after the break.
Antony curled a brilliant shot into the top corner before Bruno Fernandes, who Ten Hag named again as captain, headed in Luke Shaw’s corner.
Wout Weghorst then netted just his second goal in 15 appearances for United by pouncing from close range six minutes from time.
Manchester United’s Dutch striker Wout Weghorst (C) appeared to be in tears after scoring – having missed a host of chances during the game.Source: AFP
Premier League leaders Arsenal were forced to come from behind to salvage a draw in the Portuguese capital.
Despite going for a first league title in 19 years, Mikel Arteta named a relatively strong side and William Saliba headed the visitors into the lead.
Sporting equalised shortly after in near identical fashion, with Goncalo Inacio heading home Marcus Edwards’ corner.
Former Tottenham midfielder Edwards then had a role in Sporting’s second as Paulinho reacted quickest to finish inside the area.
Arsenal were level just after the hour mark, though, when Granit Xhaka’s cross deflected off the unfortunate Hidemasa Morita and rebounded into his own net.
A lengthy VAR check followed, but the goal was confirmed despite what appeared to be a clear foul by Saka in the build-up.
“Considering you concede two goals away from home and still escape with a draw you have to take some positives,” said Arsenal boss Arteta.
“But we gave them too much hope by giving the ball away in our own half too many times.”
Juventus will take a narrow lead to Germany next week after the in-form Angel di Maria scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Freiburg.
Jose Mourinho’s Roma are also on course for the last eight after goals from Stephan El Shaarawy and Marash Kumbulla saw off Real Sociedad 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Six-time winners Sevilla may be fighting a relegation battle in La Liga, but are always a threat in the Europa League and will take a 2-0 first leg lead over Fenerbahce to Istanbul next week thanks to goals from Joan Jordan and Erik Lamela.
The game of the night saw Bundesliga surprise package Union Berlin snatch a 3-3 draw against Union Saint-Gilloise despite having trailed three times.
Bayer Leverkusen beat Ferencvaros 2-0 at home, while Shakhtar Donetsk and Feyenoord played out a 1-1 draw.
In the UEFA Conference League, Michael Antonio hit two first half goals to earn West Ham a 2-0 win at AEK Larnaca.
Villarreal were held 1-1 away at Anderlecht, while Nice and Fiorentina took 1-0 leads over Sheriff Tiraspol and Sivasspor respectively.
Manchester United got the better of Barcelona to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League as Antony’s winner secured a 2-1 win on the night and 4-3 aggregate victory on Thursday.
Robert Lewandowski’s early penalty had given Barca the perfect start at Old Trafford.
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But the La Liga leaders were again undone with the step up to the European stage as Fred levelled early in the second period before Antony delivered his biggest moment since arriving in Manchester from Ajax.
The fact that two of the continent’s giants were clashing at this stage of Europe’s second tier competition was evidence that both have fallen on harder times in recent years.
But United are riding the crest of a wave in Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge as the Red Devils remain in the hunt for trophies on four fronts.
United could end a six-year wait for silverware when they face Newcastle in the League Cup final on Sunday.
But they left nothing in reserve to secure their biggest European scalp since dumping Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League last 16 in dramatic fashion in 2019.
United are now unbeaten at Old Trafford in 18 games dating back to September but were forced to come from behind for the second time in the tie.
Bruno Fernandes missed a glorious chance to give the home side the lead inside three minutes when his angled drive was repelled by the foot of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Barcelona were unbeaten in all competitions stretching back to October, when they were dumped out of the Champions League group stage at the hands of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
Despite their rise domestically under Xavi Hernandez to usurp Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, the Catalans again came unstuck in a big European test.
The visitors even failed to take advantage of a gift with the opening goal. Fernandes foolishly stretched out an arm to catch Alejandro Balde and French referee Clement Turpin infuriated Old Trafford by pointing to the spot.
David De Gea got a hand to Lewandowski’s penalty, but the ball rebounded in off the post on 18 minutes.
Barca were without the class and creativity of Pedri and Gavi in midfield due to injury and suspension respectively.
Porto suffer red card and loss to Inter | 00:51
However, Xavi’s men went onto control the remainder of the first half without ever threatening to extend their advantage.
Ten Hag responded by replacing the ineffectual Wout Weghorst with Antony at half-time and got the desired response within two minutes.
Fernandes, restored to his preferred central midfield role, picked out Fred, who fired low past Ter Stegen.
United still needed a big moment by De Gea to prevent the momentum swinging back towards the Catalan giants as he tipped over Jules Kounde’s header from point-blank range.
Antony has flattered to deceive since being reunited with Ten Hag after an £86 million move from Ajax.
However, the Brazilian delivered a moment of quality befitting of that price tag for the winner 17 minutes from time.
After Alejandro Garnacho and Fred saw efforts blocked, the ball sat up nicely for Antony to curl the ball beyond the outstretched arm of Ter Stegen.
FULL EUROPA LEAGUE RESULTS
PSV 2-0 Sevilla (Sevilla win 3-2 on aggregate)
Nantes 0-3 Juventus (Juventus wins 4-1 on aggregate)
Midtjylland 0-4 Sporting (Sporting wins 5-1 on aggregate)
Monaco 2-3 Bayer Leverkusen (Bayer Leverkusen wins 5-5 on aggregate after penalties)
Union Berlin 3-1 Ajax (Union Berlin wins 3-1 on aggregate)
Roma 2-0 RB Salzburg (Roma wins 2-1 on aggregate)
Rennes v Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona (Manchester United wins 4-3 on aggregate)
