Stoke left a little pea'd off as super-sub Chicharito rescues reds in 3-2 win.
Manchester United's third consecutive match at Old Trafford yesterday came after a mid-week win against Real Sociedad in the Champions League. Their focus now switched to the Premier League, where they were hoping to finally find some form against Stoke City, the League's lowest scorers. Stoke, on the other hand, were looking to take something from the game after United had already dropped points at home during the campaign.
Robin Van Persie returned to United's starting eleven as did Tom Cleverley and Nani whilst Shinji Kagwa earned his second consecutive start after a good performance in mid-week. United, who had scored inside two minutes on Wednesday after they had forced an own goal, were less fortunate in this match as Stoke were the side to take an early lead.
United could have been the first to score after Van Persie dragged a shot across the box but Stoke managed to get it away, unlike at the other end moments later when Pieters easily got in between Nani and Cleverley and evaded Smalling on the left wing to cross dangerously for Crouch. The striker hit his shot first time and De Gea made a fine save to keep it out but Evans' attempted clearance hit Crouch and rebounded into the net.
It was the worst possible start for United and it could have been worse on 13 minutes when Crouch went close to doubling Stoke's lead after a Walter's header down in the box allowed the front-man to volley from close range. Luckily for the home side he couldn't keep his effort down and it sailed over the bar.
United had their share of possession but it was Stoke who looked more likely to score again as they always seemed threatening on the attack. United's defence found it difficult to deal with Crouch and if it wasn't for De Gea in goal they could have conceded more in the opening half hour. The young Spaniard was vital for United again when N'Zonzi's cross found Crouch, who chested down in the area for Walters. Walters then hit it first time from close range but De Gea somehow managed to get his hands to it and parried it away, whilst Evans then made a good block that denied Walters the chance to test the keeper again with the rebound.
Walters then turned provider minutes later as his cross found Arnautovic in the box, however his shot was tame and saved easily by De Gea. United finally began to mount some pressure and Rooney tested Begovic with a lovely curling effort from 30 yards that the Bosnian tipped over. Just as it looked like the score would remain 1-0 until the second half, United cut out a Stoke attack and broke well. Van Persie gave Nani the ball on the right who swung in a cross that Rooney headed goalwards from the far post. Begovic got his left hand to it but could only clear the ball as far as Van Persie, who had ran 35 yards to get into the box and was able to get on the end of the rebound and fire it in to put United back on level terms.
Unfortunately for David Moyes, United failed to make it into half time level as Jones gifted Stoke a chance on the edge of United's area right before the break. His foul on Arnautovic was unnecessary and it was the Austrian who took the resulting free-kick, a fantastic hit into the top left corner that left De Gea with no chance. Arnautovic's first Premier League goal meant Stoke deservedly went into half-time ahead whilst United had it all to do to avoid dropping points yet again.
United looked more determined in the second half and were boosted by some attacking substitutions made by Moyes. First he replaced the misfiring Nani with talented youngster Januzaj who had helped them turn the game around at Sunderland three weeks ago. He then replaced Cleverley with Hernandez, who has an impressive scoring record against Stoke.
Hernandez was involved almost immediately for all the wrong reasons as Stoke believed his late challenge on Huth should have warranted more than just the yellow card given by Referee Lee Mason. It would have been harsh on the Mexican, who only looked to be closing the ball down. United then made their final substitution, another attacking move as Valencia replaced Smalling at right-back. He made a difference immediately as he got forward and forced a throw in with a tricky cross into the box. Seconds later the pressure forced a corner which Van Persie sent in from the left. It was met by Rooney who curled a magnificent looping header over Begovic and into the far corner of the net to equalise for United for the second time with 12 minutes to go.
United had found some momentum and capitalised less than two minutes later as they scored the winner through a Hernandez header. The home side moved the ball around more quickly in midfield and got the ball out to Evra on the left wing who made it to the byline and sent in the perfect cross for Hernandez. The Mexican displayed his usual superb movement and evaded his marker with ease to head in past Begovic. It was a turnaround worthy of Sir Alex Ferguson himself who watched on from the stands with delight. Whilst United were poor in many areas, Moyes will be pleased they showed some of the fighting spirit they often displayed when Ferguson was manager. Stoke will be disappointed to have conceded two so quickly and so late on but they can be proud of their performance as they scored two goals away, half of what their whole goal tally was in the League before the match began.
United next face Norwich City in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday in another game at Old Trafford before they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham and ex-player Dimitar Berbatov in the League. They will be hoping to secure another three points, perhaps in a less dramatic fashion, to set them up for a home clash against League leaders Arsenal in two weeks' time.
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