Jesse Lingard scored his first goal since overcoming a recent hamstring as Seoul claimed a vital in K League 1.
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Lingard scores after injurySeoul FC beat K League 1 leadersTitle challenge within reachWHAT HAPPENED?
Lingard provided the finishing touch with his left foot, firing the ball low across Gangwon goalkeeper Lee Kwang-yeon, who ought to have done better after getting hands on the shot. The former Manchester United talent proceeded to run over to the Seoul fans and engaged in what appeared to be a choreographed celebration with 17-year-old team-mate Kang Ju-hyeon.
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That was Seoul's second goal of the game and was the killer moment in the 2-0 victory. A fifth-consecutive win, it also further blew the K League 1 title race wide open, with Gangwon actually leading the standings. But the result brought Seoul back to within five points of the top, despite being in fifth place. Only six points separate the entire top six. For Lingard, captaining the side once more, it was a third goal in 16 league appearances this season. He had only returned from a month-long absence due to a hamstring injury in the previous game.
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With Seoul looking up the table rather than down, a title charge feels within reach if they can continue to harness the momentum. The capital club were last champions in 2016. Their next three games against Jeonbuk, Daejeon Hana and Daegu are all favourable bottom four opponents.