Robin van Persie celebrates as his late goal seals United's win over West Brom
Image retrieved from the Daily Mail UK
Starting Lineups (Courtesy of Soccerway.com)
Goals of the Game
Manchester United: McAuley (9' OG), van Persie (90')
West Brom: --
Goals from both ends of the game sealed the win for United, who had an edge-of-the-seat match against in-form West Brom.
Manchester United kicked off the game in a lucky strike fashion as they captured the lead as early as the 9th minute. An Ashley Young cross found itself bouncing off West Brom defender Gareth McAuley and into the back of the net. After their defensive mishap, they would toughen up their back line and weather through the whole half stopping United's attack. Close chances from Danny Welbeck, Ashley Young and Michael Carrick were all blocked and taken care off by West Brom's keeper Ben Foster. West Brom, in all of this, placed little pressure on the United defense, as two free kicks from Chris Brunt went nowhere.
West Brom defender Gareth McAuley (second from left) is left in shambles after he puts the ball in his own net
Image retrieved from the Daily Mail UK
Ashley Young's cross proved the pivot that caused McAuley's defensive error
Image retrieved from the Daily Mail UK
Second half saw West Brom clean up their act as they tightened their shape. United tried to close the game early on with half-chances from Danny Welbeck and Ashley Young, to no avail. This prompted Steve Clarke's Baggies to do something about it. Chris Brunt, Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie and Gareth McAuely would all have close chances on goal, but the stellar form of Jonny Evans together with the return of the defensive stalwart Nemanja Vidic proved rock-solid.
Then, at the 90th minute, United get their break.
Paul Scholes' shot got saved by keeper Ben Foster. The ball got deflected towards Danny Welbeck, who smartly passed it to Robin van Persie at the edge of the box. The Dutchman found the crucial space and launched a rocket-blast shot towards the back of the net. Foster had no chance.
The Dutchman's goal sealed the win for United, who maintain their seven-point lead over rivals Manchester City.
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