‘Robin’ magic keeps United at helm
30 Nov 2012 8:09 AM IST
Robin van Persie’s ninth league goal of the season kept Manchester United one point clear at the top of the Premier League as Alex Ferguson’s side beat West Ham 1-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
United’s £24 million ($39 million) pre-season signing scored inside the opening minute, his 12th goal in all competitions this season, to continue an impressive start to his career with the club.
Having fallen behind 13 times already this season, United were acutely conscious of the importance of taking the lead for a change and van Persie responded with the fastest goal of the Premier League campaign in a mere 32 seconds.
Michael Carrick threaded an accurate pass through a crowded midfield to van Persie who, back to goal, took out his marker Winston Reid with a devastating flick.
The Dutch international then enjoyed a large slice of fortune as his first-time shot deflected off James Collins and looping over luckless goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
If the shot was fortunate, van Persie had earned it with that sublime piece of build-up skill but if United thought the outcome was secured by that early lead, they were in for a rude awakening.
West Ham responded with Kevin Nolan audaciously back-heeling a Matt Taylor free-kick into Anders Lindegaard’s side-netting while a dangerous cross from Matt Jarvis forced the United goalkeeper into a desperate clearing punch.
Collins almost made amends for his role in the United goal when he came within a whisker of diverting a long shot by Taylor past Lindegaard, who dived to smother the attempt.
Just before the hour, Rooney, becoming increasingly influential in his by-now customary, deeper role, unleashed a superb strike from the edge of the area which Jaaskelainen turned around his post.
Rooney placed a 69th minute shot well over while Anderson fared better from 18 yards but saw Jaaskelainen deal impressively with a viciously swerving shot.
Manchester City were uninspiring for much of the contest, but a two-minute double in the second half ensured the visitors kept up the pressure on rivals Manchester United at the summit of the Premier League.
Wigan more than held their own for large parts of the game, but an error from the otherwise highly-dependable Ali Al-Habsi midway through the second half was ruthlessly punished by the visitors, who then saw out the contest with ease.
Gareth Bale inspired Tottenham to a 2-1 win over Liverpool at White Hart Lane on Wednesday that lifted his side up to fifth place in the Premier League and ended the Reds’ recent revival.
RAFA’S CHELSEA DRAW AT HOME YET AGAIN
Rafael Benitez was still searching for his first win since his controversial appointment as Chelsea manager after they were held to a goalless draw by Fulham in a west London derby at Stamford Bridge.
United’s £24 million ($39 million) pre-season signing scored inside the opening minute, his 12th goal in all competitions this season, to continue an impressive start to his career with the club.
Having fallen behind 13 times already this season, United were acutely conscious of the importance of taking the lead for a change and van Persie responded with the fastest goal of the Premier League campaign in a mere 32 seconds.
Michael Carrick threaded an accurate pass through a crowded midfield to van Persie who, back to goal, took out his marker Winston Reid with a devastating flick.
The Dutch international then enjoyed a large slice of fortune as his first-time shot deflected off James Collins and looping over luckless goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
If the shot was fortunate, van Persie had earned it with that sublime piece of build-up skill but if United thought the outcome was secured by that early lead, they were in for a rude awakening.
West Ham responded with Kevin Nolan audaciously back-heeling a Matt Taylor free-kick into Anders Lindegaard’s side-netting while a dangerous cross from Matt Jarvis forced the United goalkeeper into a desperate clearing punch.
Collins almost made amends for his role in the United goal when he came within a whisker of diverting a long shot by Taylor past Lindegaard, who dived to smother the attempt.
Just before the hour, Rooney, becoming increasingly influential in his by-now customary, deeper role, unleashed a superb strike from the edge of the area which Jaaskelainen turned around his post.
Rooney placed a 69th minute shot well over while Anderson fared better from 18 yards but saw Jaaskelainen deal impressively with a viciously swerving shot.
Manchester City were uninspiring for much of the contest, but a two-minute double in the second half ensured the visitors kept up the pressure on rivals Manchester United at the summit of the Premier League.
Wigan more than held their own for large parts of the game, but an error from the otherwise highly-dependable Ali Al-Habsi midway through the second half was ruthlessly punished by the visitors, who then saw out the contest with ease.
Gareth Bale inspired Tottenham to a 2-1 win over Liverpool at White Hart Lane on Wednesday that lifted his side up to fifth place in the Premier League and ended the Reds’ recent revival.
RAFA’S CHELSEA DRAW AT HOME YET AGAIN
Rafael Benitez was still searching for his first win since his controversial appointment as Chelsea manager after they were held to a goalless draw by Fulham in a west London derby at Stamford Bridge.
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