UNITED SEE OFF STOKE

 

Last time round, United started out by beating Stoke 2-1 at the Brittania Stadium. The Reds opened the scoring in the first half only for Stoke to seemingly get an equaliser late on but ultimately United had the last laugh to secure what was our first away win of the season. Then we beat them 2-1 at Old Trafford. Once again the Reds opened the scoring before half time and the Potters equalised early in the second half only for United to once again hit the winner. When the dust settled at the end of the season, United claimed the title while Stoke finished midtable and went on to claim a Europa League spot due to their run to the FA Cup final.

This time around, well United had already drawn 1-1 with Tony Pulis's crew at the Brittania Stadium. Since then the Potters have done a pretty solid job this season both domestically and in Europe. United in the meantime, still had a title to defend and now being out of both domestic cups, this Premiership match at Old Trafford was crucial in terms of a morale booster and as always, keeping up with the noisy neighbours. United went 4-4-2 with Amos making his Premiership debut, Smalling right back, Rio and Evans central defence, Valencia right mid, Scholes and Carrick centre mid, Park left mid, Hernandez and Berbatov up front.

Well United were certainly attacking from the start but Stoke's defence proved to be stubborn with the Reds able to make few real breakthroughs, luckilly Stoke's attack wasn't up to much at the other end so if any side was going to score it would be the reigning champions. United gradually turned up the heat but it wasn't till United claimed a 38th minute penalty much to Stoke's annoyance. Hernandez slotted the kick though. United could have gotten another pen just before half time but Stoke dodged a bullet on that occasion. It wasn't looking like our most spectacular win of the season but if we kept it up it would still be mission accomplished.

As it was it wasn't long before United got another pen, in the 53rd minute to be precise and it was Berbatov's turn to slot it in. As the match went on Stoke's performance started to look increasingly weak and that forced Tony Pullis to try and freshen things up. The guy he brought on, Cameron Jerome did come up with his side's first shot on target but ultimately Fergie was able to give some of the young guns some Premiership experience as we cruised to the finish. Solid enough display from the Red Devils and just a relief to see them win after what happened in the Cup. Tougher tests are to come in the league though so hopefully we can still go up a few gears.

Elsewhere, Everton beat Man City 1-0 at Goodison Park, a brilliant result from a team with a lot of United connections, one of them hitting the winner in the second half and asking big questions of City's ability to secure a title. Swansea drew 1-1 with Chelsea at the Liberty Stadium with the Swans taking the lead before half time. It wasn't till late on that the Blues were able to grab the equaliser and that was due to a Swnsea og. That means that United remain 2nd in the Premiership and on course for a spot in the Champions League group stages next season. They are level on points with leaders Man City but with a -6 goal difference deficit and twelve points ahead of Chelsea and a detour through the playoffs.

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