"It's great to be up there, ahead of the others, as opposed to having games in hand that you have to win in order to climb the table."
– Chris Smalling
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling says it's "nice to be ahead" of the club's top-four competitors after a midweek fixture programme in which Arsenal and Liverpool also registered victories.
Southampton's 0-0 draw at home to West Ham enabled the Reds to reclaim third spot in the table with Wednesday night's 3-1 win over Burnley, in which Smalling made history as the first substitute in Premier League history to score a first-half double.
The centre-back says that while United's performance could have been better, the result could prove vital in the race for a Champions League place come the end of the season.
"I think it's great to be up there, ahead of the others, as opposed to having games in hand that you have to win in order to climb the table," Smalling told ManUtd.com after full-time.
"We did the job, but if you can win when you’re not playing too well, it’s a good sign."
