Patrick Rees
A brilliant header by Romelu Lukaku coupled with Jesse Lingard’s deflected goal restored Manchester United’s three-point lead over Chelsea in the Premier League standings. However, United still trail Manchester City by 11 points.
Mourinho’s men added 2 goals within 8 minutes and despite the Baggies fighting back hard, the Red Devils managed to hold on to their lead. It all started in as early as the 27th minute when Romelu Lukaku’s towering and precise header found the back of the net from a Marcus Rashford cross. The Belgian’s celebration, furthermore, seemed more of a shushing towards his critics as he did not even move a muscle.
Lingard then added United’s second with a long-ranger, which deflected in off West Brom’s Ahmed Hegazi. However, West Brom know how to spoil a party and they did the same with United. The Baggies are one impressive unit while bombarding from set pieces and that is how United conceded. A muddle-up into United’s danger area allowed Gareth Barry to tap the ball in from close range and BANG! they were back in it. It was the first ever goal for West Brom under Alan Pardew.
“West Brom can score a goal in a set-play against anyone. They are really strong and aggressive. They can put teams under pressure. We had so much possession though,” Mourinho was quoted as BBC after the game.
“We knew a situation [of them scoring] can arrive. That came and lifted the stadium and gave them belief they didn’t have until then. We had the ball well and finished the game without any pressure.
Pardew eventually made his substitutions and threw the likes of Jay Rodriguez and Chris Brunt on the field. The substitutes almost gave the Baggies a reason to cheer, but the former’s shot went wide. West Brom seemed positive enough and the fact that they had more shots on goal (12) compared to United (8) and even had more shots on target (5) perfectly underlines that fact.
A win, however, is a win, no matter how or by how many, and this is what actually matters at the end of the day. Twitter was a busy place after United’s nervy win and here’s how the fans reacted to the win.
We’re struggling ffs! fix it up
— ⚡ (@FinessePogba) December 17, 2017
What ever happened to Playing Football the Busby Way.
And why is Lukaku not celebrating his goals.
♂— Robbie Maguire (@MaguireRobbie) December 17, 2017
I just don’t get Herrera… What does he actually bring to the team? He is shocking at tackling, probably has the worst shooting accuracy in United history, falls over to easily #mufc
— Kε̲̣и̣̣и̣̣¥ sharp™ (@iam_kennysharp) December 17, 2017
Thank goodness! We are still shit!
— Paul (@Mj2Fr3ak) December 17, 2017
Matic MOTM
— Gary (@MinimumMensah) December 17, 2017
Weak way to end, but if that gets the points in an away game, fine. Hope United can stick in second (20 more matches, Ibra recovering)
— Dr. Roy Schestowitz (罗伊) (@schestowitz) December 17, 2017
This game proved that ManUtd never going to win the league under Jose park the bus tatics
— Nasteu Ghimire (@leon_pukar) December 17, 2017
SACK MOURINHO
— Máckin (@SiIkyMarcus) December 17, 2017
Pogba is back lads, December just got even better #mufc
— Kε̲̣и̣̣и̣̣¥ sharp™ (@iam_kennysharp) December 17, 2017
Can’t wait for the reunion of Matic & @paulpogba then we can get back to taking care of our biz
— Lorenzo (@Roug3_D3mon99) December 17, 2017
We still haven’t gotten that winning spirit. We settle for less. Congratulations Romelu Lukaku, keep up the struggle.
— รtєקђєภร๓คllร (@EllanSteve) December 17, 2017
I’m not one of those United fans who pretend our attack couldn’t be better with this same squad… I just find some tend to be bit overly critical on Jose… I believe he was counting on Lukaku and Mkhitaryan to both deliver better seasons
— Jervel Amedee (@JervelA) December 17, 2017
