STOKE DEALT WITH

 

 

Well we'd already faced Stoke in the Premiership and gotten ourselves our first Premiership win of the season at the Britannia Stadium. The score was 2-1. Since then, well many were saying going into tis match at Old Trafford that we were nowhere near top form. Well if we're nowhere near top form then what about everyone else. Stoke weren't doing too badly themselves though. Still, the game was on our turf and it looked to be pretty straightforward. Kusczcak in goal, Rafael right back, Vidic(captain) and Smalling central defence, Evra left back, Fletcher and Gibson centre mid, Berbatov and Hernandez up front. Another three points please.

The early stages of the match proved to be pretty straightforward. United cruised their way all over the park, Stoke didn't really know what to do about it other than do just about enough to keep us out. Everyone knew what was coming though. In the 27th minute Nani crossed to Hernandez who reverse flicked the ball into the net before the Stoke goalie knew what had hit him. After that well business as usual was all that was needed. Business as usual admittedly does not seem to be United on top class form right now which is less than ideal. Still, one half of football to go and only one goal up, plenty of time and motivation for the Reds to step it up.

Slight problem, after half time it was Stoke that had the bigger ideas. In the 50th minuted they drew level when Tuncay Sanli crossed to Dean Whitehead who had buzzed through our defence and stuck the ball in the net. That strike certainly didn't help United's nerves but still, we retook the lead in the 62nd minute when Hernandez set up Nani who slammed in a shot from long range into the bottom corner. Subs came on and the game in the end wound up cruising to a halt though United could have got a third. As it was, well it wasn't quite vintage United but it's not like Fergie is complaining at the moment. He's still getting results, after all.

Elsewhere, Arsenal faced Man City at the Emirates Stadium. Which of these two teams fancied their chances of the title more. Certainly not Roberto Mancini's crew on the evidence of this game. Arsenal had the vast majority of the attacking and Robin van Persie alone could have grabbed two early goals. As it was the Gunners couldn't break their way through a rather negative looking City and the game finished 10 a side anyway. If Mancini thinks that this is how you win a Premiership title then us United fans will continue to laugh at him and his team. United not only remain top of the Premiership but increase our lead over 2nd placed City to two points. And we still have two games in hand.

A timeout for some Cup football next.

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