Wolverhampton spoils Ferguson's Man U homecoming in EPL

Alex Ferguson was back at Old Trafford for the first time since his serious health scare in May, but Manchester United was unable to mark the occasion with a win as it was held by Wolverhampton to 1-1 on Saturday.

Ferguson, who underwent emergency brain surgery, received a standing ovation from the crowd when he took his seat in the directors' box before the English Premier League game.

It was an emotional moment for the 76-year-old Scot, who reacted with a wide grin and by raising his arms to salute the crowd.

Manchester United's Paul Pogba reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (AP PhotoRui Vieira)

United went in front after 18 minutes as Paul Pogba produced a lovely touch on the edge of the penalty area before steering the ball into the path of Brazilian Fred, who found the bottom corner of the net.

Promoted Wolves spoiled the party, though, by snatching the equalizer in the second half. Raul Jimenez did well well to hold the ball up inside the area before setting up Joao Moutinho for a left-foot drive that gave United goalkeeper David De Gea no chance.

Elsewhere, Riyad Mahrez scored twice as champion Manchester City turned on the goal power with a 5-0 win at promoted Cardiff.

Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez, right, scores against Cardiff City during the English Premier League soccer match at The Cardiff City Stadium, Saturday Sept. 22, 2018. (David DaviesPA via AP)

An own goal from Wesley Hoedt and strikes from Joel Matip and Mohamed Salah pushed Liverpool to the top of the standings following a 3-0 home victory against Southampton, the club's sixth win in as many league games.

Ashley Barnes's double led Burnley to a 4-0 rout of Bournemouth.

Former England striker Jamie Vardy was on target in Leicester's 3-1 win against Huddersfield, while Crystal Palace was held at home by Newcastle to 0-0.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah attempts a back heel near the Southampton goal, during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Southampton, at Anfield, in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (Dave ThompsonPA via AP)

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Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus scored more goals in 53 minutes on Saturday than he had in the previous eight months in the English Premier League.

Becoming the first player in the league to score four goals in one game this season, Jesus led City to a 5-1 thrashing of Watford to open a four-point lead over second-placed Liverpool in the title race.

Liverpool can trim that back to one point with five matches left by beating Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring his fourth goal, his side's fifth, during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Watford at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP PhotoJon Super)

Jesus scored three goals in the league before the arrival of next-to-last Watford for a match that ended up resembling a training exercise.

The Brazil international netted twice in the first half and twice more in the opening eight minutes of the second half — one of which was a penalty to complete his hat trick.

Rodri scored the other goal for City, which used the match to give key players a rest ahead of Real Madrid's visit in the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday.

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes reacts after failing to score from a penalty kick during an English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates stadium in London, Saturday April 23, 2022. (AP PhotoAlastair J. Grant)

While City stayed on course for the title, fierce rival Manchester United likely dropped out of the race for Champions League qualification.

By losing at Arsenal 3-1, United fell six points behind its top-four rival and manager Ralf Rangnick all but called time on his team's season.

“I don’t think it’s very realistic to dream and think of the top four," Rangnick said at the end of a week when United also lost at Liverpool 4-0 and hired a new manager, Ajax's Erik ten Hag, for the start of next season.

Arsenal moved into fourth, three points above north London rival Tottenham, which visited Brentford late.

In other games, last-placed Norwich plunged closer to relegation with a 3-0 loss at home to Newcastle, while mid-table teams Leicester and Aston Villa drew 0-0.

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