Stoke City vs. Manchester United - match first half report
Manchester United ended the first half against Stoke City one goal to the good, but 1-0 lead in the first half has not always resulted in a win for the Red Devils this season. The goal though came from a unique header from the Mexican striker Javier Hernandez,
who got his 2nd league goal in his 2nd start.
There was some early possession for Man United, but their every touch was greeted by boos from the Stoke fans, who cheered every time one of their own players got on the ball.
Darren Fletcher after retaining his place in midfield was looking good. He slipped a pass through for Dimitar Berbatov, but Thomas Sorensen raced quickly off his line to thwart the Bulgarian. United were indeed looking lively in the early exchanges.
Moments later Stoke had a corner, it was cleared and Man United broke three-on-two. Nani clipped a cross to the back post, but Javier Hernandez could not head it back into the path of Dimitar Berbatov, who threw his arms up in disgust. A good chance went
begging.
Dimitar Berbatov had been accused of not caring before, but he seemed furious about everything going on in the first half. United were playing some lovely stuff and they were certainly on top.
There was a moment that could have made it 2 embarrassing moments in 2 weeks for Edwin Van der Sar. United keeper raced to the right of his box to keep the ball in and prevent a corner - but his clearance directly to Rory Delap, 40 yards out. The midfielder
had to hit it first time and it was quite a bit wide in the end. Van Der Sar had a look of utter relief on his face.
Stoke always thrive on set pieces and Rory Delap launched a long throw in from the right but Robert Huth got there first with no-one marking him, only to head wide of the left-hand post. Stoke though were coming into the game little bit more.
United continued to have their chances, Javier Hernandez laid the ball off for Dimitar Berbatov 25 yards out and Abdoulaye Faye went crunching through the back of the Mexican, dumping him to the floor. He was not booked, which was a surprise. Nani got on
top of the ball for the free kick but smashed it straight into the wall.
After a period of hits and misses, United finally got their goal and it was the Mexican wonder kid. Hernandez somehow managed to score a goal from almost nothing. Nani swung over a cross from the right and after Nemanja Vidic had done superbly to head it
back across goal, Javier Hernandez - with his back to goal – headed it with the back of his bone into the Stoke net from five yards. it sure was a unique and a stunning finish.
Stoke respond as they normally do, following a counter and a throw in there was a massive throw into the United penalty area courtesy of Rory Delap. The visitors dealt with more pinball inside their area very well under some pressure.
Last 10 minutes saw United put more pressure on Stoke goal, but Hernandez and Berbatov both missed a chance each to double the lead. United ended the half at 1-0, but considering how Manchester United have conceded goals this season one would not bet against
Stoke getting level before the end.
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