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Manchester United vs. Southampton |
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Manchester United vs. Southampton
Southampton leapfrogged Manchester United into third place in the
Premier League table after winning 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday. Substitute Dusan Tadic scored with 20 minutes remaining to secure the
three points for Ronald Koeman's side, as a fine defensive performance
from the Saints ensured that United failed to manage a single shot on
target over the course of the 90 minutes. There were injury concerns for both teams, as Toby Alderweireld and
Robin van Persie both limped off at different stages of the contest.
Jose Fonte was arguably the best player on the pitch on Sunday, as he
produced a disciplined and resilient defensive display to leave
Manchester United unable to find the back of the net. Fonte ensured that Robin van Persie had a very quiet night; the
Dutchman was eventually withdrawn after barely an hour had gone, hardly
having made a peep. The striker seemed to be struggling with a slight
injury, but that should not detract from the efficient way Fonte dealt
with one of the best forwards in the world. Fonte's all-round performance was similarly faultless, as he
marshalled the Saints back line and ensured that while United's movement
occasionally forced the back four to bend, it never broke at Old
Trafford. Much has already been written and said about how it was Dejan Lovren,
not Fonte, whom other clubs were looking to steal away from Southampton
in the summer. Once again, Fonte showed that it was a mistake for so
many clubs to overlook his importance and influence on Southampton's
recent form.
Manchester United did not manage a single shot on target during the
course of the 90 minutes on Sunday, and much of that was the fault of Juan Mata.
The Spaniard had the best sights of goal for his side, squandering the
best opportunities to grab an equalizer after Tadic had broken the
deadlock. Two of them came barely a minute apart, both after brilliant crosses
from the left from Daley Blind. The first saw Fraser Forster flap at the
cross, but Mata missed the target with the goal gaping. Then, moments
after, another cross found the ex-Chelsea midfielder at the near post,
but his shot arrowed over the crossbar without challenging Forster. It was a frustrating afternoon for United, but Mata summed up their
problems in front of goal. United signed him from Chelsea for nearly £40
million to make the difference in games like this.
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman wanted to introduce Dusan Tadic
just after half-time. Only problem was, the midfielder had neither a
shirt nor his shin pads with him on the bench.
A staff member headed back to the dressing room to get both items,
and Tadic was belatedly introduced into the fray. The substitution was
worth the wait: He showed his undoubted vision to play Graziano Pelle
into space, and the Italian's shot rebounded off the post and perfectly
into his path to tap home. It was the decisive moment in the match, and Tadic celebrated it
fully: by removing his shirt to show off his rather impressive physique,
as Southampton began to believe an historic result could be on the
cards. So it proved. The defence may have been the backbone of the victory,
but Tadic's moment of inspiration was required for the three points to
be secured. After an inauspicious start, it was a perfect conclusion.
CREDITS:- http://bleacherreport.com |
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