Chester's own goal ensures that it's a Christmas cracker at the KC Stadium as United come from 2-0 down to secure 3-2 victory against Hull.
United travelled along the M62 in hope of securing their fifth win in a row on Boxing Day, whereas hosts Hull were without a win since their impressive victory over Liverpool at the start of the month. Steve Bruce's side have been tough to defeat at home though, with Crystal Palace being the only team to take home three points from the KC Stadium so far this season.
Darren Fletcher made his first start for a year in the centre of United's midfield as Phil Jones picked up a knock in the win over West Ham. Michael Carrick also made a return on the bench but Robin Van Persie was left out again. Hull were unchanged for the fourth consecutive Premier League match with Warrington-born centre-back James Chester facing his former side after spending four years in the youth team at the start of his career.
Chester could not have believed his luck when Hull made the early breakthrough inside four minutes as he was allowed space in the box to volley home from a corner. United felt aggrieved that the corner was even given as it appeared that Elmohamady had put the ball out of play rather than Cleverley. It could not excuse their poor defending though, as Bruce rose to beat Evra to Huddlestone's ball in and was allowed to head it down for Chester. Chester was then given time to volley it in unmarked from a couple of yards for his first goal of the season and only his fifth during his time at the KC stadium.
It was the perfect start for former United Captain Bruce's side and it got even better when less than ten minutes later they doubled their lead after more poor defending from United. Meyler showed skill to get the ball out to the left to Sagbo whose ball in then fell back to Hull's number 7. He hit it poorly but Evans failed to clear, giving Meyler a second opportunity to hit it. He did and it took a slight deflection off the Northern Ireland defender to wrong-foot De Gea and put Hull two goals ahead. It was scrappy but was no more than they deserved as United looked sluggish and sloppy throughout the opening stages.
In the 18th minute David Moyes suffered more bad news as he was forced to make an early substitution when Rafael was unable to continue after sustaining a knock. He was swiftly replaced by Januzaj as Valencia took up the Brazilian's spot in defence. The change actually helped to improve the away team though, as Januzaj caused Hull problems with his quick feet. United certainly looked more impressive after the change, putting their poor showing from the first twenty minutes behind them and attempting to get an early goal back before half time.
It didn't take long either, as Januzaj won a free kick that Rooney swung in from the right for Smalling to head past McGregor. It looked a routine set piece from the England pair as Smalling got above Davies to nod in with ease. United then began to press for the equaliser and went close through efforts from Welbeck and Cleverley. The first was another header off a Rooney free kick that was well blocked by Chester. Cleverley's effort was a curling shot from outside the box that had to be palmed behind by McGregor.
The Hull stopper couldn't keep out United's next chance though as Rooney got the equaliser moments later with a fabulous strike. The move started with a lofted ball upfield from Evans that was controlled by Rooney and flicked ahead to Welbeck. Welbeck held the ball up before it came back to Rooney, who tee'd himself up with his knee before smashing it home from 25 yards out with a volley that looped over the head of McGregor and into the net to put United back on terms.
It was a thoroughly entertaining first half and the second 45 minutes provided more of the same with both sides looking to get a third goal and go ahead in the tie. Hull made two changes at half time as McGregor and Meyler went off to be replaced by Harper and Koren. Hull's best opportunity in the second half came when manager's son Bruce headed against the underside of the bar following a corner. United were let off though as the rebound fell for Evra in the box and he acrobatically cleared the ball to safety.
Hull were left to rue that golden chance when United then went up the other end and got the winner. What started off as a brilliant day for Chester turned into a miserable one as he couldn't deal with Young's cross in from the right and he headed past Harper to give his old club the lead for the first time in the match.
To the host's credit they never gave up and after United got their third they kept going looking for the equaliser and caused some dangerous moments amongst the United defence. One mix-up saw De Gea way out of position as he came out to collect a dropped ball from a punch out, Graham got it round the keeper but the defence crowded him out before De Gea finally got a foot on it to clear.
Hull then had a one man advantage going into injury time as Valencia received a needless second yellow card for kicking the ball away inside United's half following his foul on Huddlestone. Hull capitalised on United's lack of cover in the right back position and created their final chance to end the game level deep into injury time when Boyd put Chester in with a through ball on the right inside the box. The defender's touch was poor but he still should have found the net with his shot but unfortunately for him his miserable afternoon continued when De Gea made a brilliant save with his stomach to keep the effort out.
United showed great resilience to come back from 2 goals behind to win the match but Hull impressed throughout and can take many positives from this performance before their next game, again at home, to Fulham on Saturday. Moyes' men travel to Norwich where they will be without Valencia through suspension and Jones through injury. It is not known whether Rafael will miss the trip after limping off in the first half of this match but one thing's for sure, United need another three points in their final game of the calendar year if they are to continue to rise up the table and secure a top 4 spot in May.
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