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Wolves 0 United 5: Evans Breaks His Duck In Rout At Molineux

Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the table to four points after hitting a disjointed Wolves side for five on a bright sunny afternoon at Molineux.

After losing to Bilbao, it was vital that United bounced back this weekend, grabbing the three points, as anything but that would have been a dreadful, handing back momentum to Manchester City ahead of their game on Wednesday against Chelsea.

Before kick-off there was a moment of applause for Botlon’s Fabrice Muamba, who remains in hospital in London after the England Under-21 midfielder had collapsed at White Hart Lane against Spurs on Saturday evening’s FA Cup quarter final tie.

United as expected started the game well and Javier Hernandez was almost picked out at the back-post inside the opening 10 minutes by Rafael but unfortunately the Brazilian’s cross-shot missed the Mexican as well as Danny Welbeck who only needed to tap the ball home.

Wolves to their credit came out of their shell with Kevin Doyle forcing David De Gea into a comfortable save with a shot on the turn from outside the box before Steven Fletcher flicked a header from a Matt Jarvis cross inches wide, although the flag was up for offside anyway.

On United’s next attack they went ahead. A hotly-disputed corner was won when Michael Carrick’s shot deflected of Richard Stearman out of play. Wayne Rooney whipped the ball into the back-post where Carrick knocked the ball down for Jonny Evans to fire home.

It was the Northern Irishman’s first goal for the club in 119 appearances and one that understandably he celebrated in style along with his team-mates, who probably at first were a little bit shocked that the maturing defender had finally broken his scoring duck.

A goal down to the Champions, the last thing that Terry Connor would have wanted was to see his team inexplicably go down to 10 men, which is what happened when Ron Zubar picked up bookings for carless fouls on Rooney and Welbeck.

With a huge hole open at the back, Wolves were always under pressure to not go into half-time more than a goal down. Sadly for them, they went into half-time three down as United took full advantage in a ruthless spell just before the break.

After Evans conceded a corner after good play from Jarvis, Welbeck headed the ball out to Hernandez who played the ball back to Rooney on the right who played in Antonio Valencia who burst down the wing before rifling the ball home from 5 yards.

It was a stunning finish from the Ecuadorian who would have a major part in United’s third. After receiving the ball from an Evans 40-yard cross-field pass, the winger beat this man playing the ball into the area for Welbeck to fire home.

The goal was just what Welbeck deserved. After the break United understandably kept on  attacking want to score as many goals to close the gap on City in terms of goal difference. They got two in the second-half but it could have been so many more.

First Hernandez scored heading in an easy chance at the back post from a Rafael cross before burying a great finish at the back post after a superb team move involving Evans, Valencia, Welbeck and substitute Paul Pogba.

Only good play by Wayne Hennessey in goal for Wolves denied Hernandez from grabbing his first hat-trick for the club as United eased the game out with the hosts threatening to score a consolation late on through Fletcher and substitute Michael Kightly.

United: De Gea, Evra (Fabio), Ferdinand, Evans (Smalling), Rafael, Welbeck, Carrick (Pogba), Scholes, Valencia, Rooney, Hernandez.

Star Man

Whilst United’s front three all impressed as well as Valencia out wide, it would be unfair not to single out the performance of Evans. At the back he is now maturing and isn’t making the mistakes that clouded his form over the last two seasons. He took his goal well and helped set up two goals as his attacking play shone through which shows how confident he is right now.

By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87

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