Football Update: EPL News- Manchester United beat Stoke City 2-1
Manchester United almost did it again, the Red devils once again let a fist half lead slip but thanks to a late winner by Javier Hernandez, also known as Chicharito, Manchester United managed to go home with their first away win. It was almost Turkish delight
for Stoke City as Tuncay Sanli came off the bench and curled in a screamer to get them on level terms and also got Stoke their first league goal against Manchester United. But still they could not complete their first win against the former Champions.
The first half was a mixed bag, United did dominate most of it but it was ingenuity and creativity of Javier Hernandez who knocked in the first goal with the back of his head that gave the visitors the lead. Rest of the first half Manchester United toiled
hard but could not make much headway, at the half time break there were nerves for sure among United faithful considering how many times their team has let a lead slip this season.
As soon as the 2nd half began, Gary Neville came out lined up in his right-back position and looked on with amazement at the touchline as Wes Brown stripped off and got ready to come on in his place before the half even started. Fergie smiled
at his full-back, and Neville looked at him like he could not believe it.
Finally as the half got underway, Jermaine Pennant whipped in a free-kick from the Stoke right and after a flick-on, Ryan Shawcross's attempted overhead kick was blocked by a defender
United got their first attack of the half going. And inside the Stoke half, Danny Collins picked up a booking for a crunching challenge on Nani.
Patrice Evra who was playing in the midfield for this match, went surging through the middle, chasing on to a pass from the United midfield, and he went to ground theatrically inside the Stoke box. It looked to be a clear penalty as Delap had pushed the
French full back but the referee was unmoved.
There were some boos from the crowd as Nemanja Vidic appeared to shove Robert Huth into Edwin van der Sar, but the referee ruled in favour of United. Stoke were trying to have a go, but their lack of quality in the final third is letting them down.
Finally, Stoke made a change and Turkey striker Tuncay came on for Jonathan Walters. Just after the change, Rio Ferdinand was down for Man United and Ferguson had a look of concern but after a minute or so he was ready to continue much to the relief of the
manager.
With 15 minutes or so remaining in the game, it was almost game over at Stoke. United broke down their left and Dimitar Berbatov played a lovely cross to the far post for Javier Hernandez, who stretched and got away a brilliant volley from the corner of
the six-yard box, but from a tight angle could not get his shot on target and the ball went just wide and across the goal.
Hernandez must have rued missing that chance, as moments later following a misplaced pass from Paul Scholes Stoke were level. It was a wonder goal from the superbly talented Tuncay, Schole gave the ball away and Stoke got it quickly down the right to the
Turkish star. He cut into the box, easily beat Patrice Evra and curled in a glorious left-foot shot into the top corner of Edwin van der Sar's net. It was game on and almost Déjà-vu for Manchester United.
However, unlike the 5 other draws this season, Manchester United did manage to hit back. As soon as the goal went in, Man Utd did up the tempo and got their noses back in front. Dimitar Berbatov clipped a cross into the box and Paul Scholes flicked it on
and Patrice Evra fired an acrobatic volley goal-wards.the shot was deflected and fell straight to probably the perfect man for the job, it was Javier Hernandez from six yards and he poked it in for his brace. Hernandez’s 3rd goal in 2 games and
that earned Manchester United a well earned hard fought win and of course their first away win of the season.
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