|
|
Played
April 14, 2013 2:05 p.m. IST
Britannia Stadium — Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Referee: J. Moss
Attendance: 27191
April 14, 2013 2:05 p.m. IST
Britannia Stadium — Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Referee: J. Moss
Attendance: 27191
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Stoke City | 6.00 | 36.00 | 71.00 | 6.00 | 0.00 | 351.00 | 5.50 | 6.50 | 25.00 | 20.00 | 6.45 | 6.00 |
| Draw | 3.75 | 6.50 | 51.00 | 3.75 | 0.00 | 51.00 | 3.75 | 3.80 | 6.00 | 5.83 | 3.83 | 3.65 |
| Man. United | 1.57 | 1.12 | 1.00 | 1.61 | 0.00 | 1.00 | 1.61 | 1.55 | 1.12 | 1.20 | 1.52 | 1.63 |
Top of the Match
Michael Carrick
Manchester United
Manchester United
Wayne Rooney
Manchester United
Manchester United
Flop of the Match
Ryan Shotton
Stoke City
Stoke City
Ryan Shotton
Stoke City
Stoke City
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Stoke City 0-2 Manchester United: Van Persie ends goal drought and sends Red Devils 15 points clear
The visitors strolled to a comfortable victory at the Britannia Stadium to move closer to a record 20th title victory, but the hosts face a struggle to stay in the Premier League
By Rhys Turrell
Getty Images
Manchester United moved a step closer to regaining the Premier League trophy with a comfortable 2-0 win away at lowly Stoke on Sunday afternoon.
An early goal from Michael Carrick and a second-half Robin van Persie penalty wrapped up all three points for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, but they were rarely troubled by a disappointing Potters side who now find themsleves more deeply embroiled in a relegation fight to stay in England’s top flight.
United made four changes to the side that was defeated 2-1 by rivals Manchester City on Monday, with Antonio Valencia, Shinji Kagawa, Chicharito and Nemanja Vidic all coming into the starting XI. Potters chief Tony Pulis also rung the changes after his side were well beaten by Aston Villa last time out, welcoming Charlie Adam, Glenn Whelan and Andy Wilkinson back into the first team.
It took just four minutes for the champions-elect to take the lead, as the Potters failed miserably to clear a Van Persie corner.
After several hacks at the ball by the home defenders, it eventually fell to Carrick, who toe-poked into the corner of the net from the edge of the six-yard box to give the league leaders an early advantage.
That was United’s 100th goal of the season in all competitions, but they did not look like adding to that tally for the rest of the opening period.
In fact, a Robert Huth header from a free-kick aside, neither team created any opportunities of note in what was a flat and uninspiring first 45 minutes.
The second started much brighter, however, with the visitors’ attacking trio of Wayne Rooney, Van Persie and Chicharito forming a dangerous unit and causing several problems to Stoke’s backline.
The home side also improved their intensity and created several half-chances, notably when Jonathan Walters blazed over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box just 10 minutes into the second half.
Strikes from distance from Adam and Kenwyne Jones also forced De Gea into action on the hour mark, but five minutes later the game was up as United were awarded a penalty.
It came after right-back Wilkinson clumsily felled Van Persie in the area, and the Dutch striker stepped to powerful place the spot kick past a helpless Begovic to double the visitors' advantage, and end a personal Premier League barren spell dating back to mid-February.
The game looked to be up for Stoke, but with 10 minutes left they stirred into action, and almost got themselves back into the contest through captain Ryan Shawcross.
The defender found himself free at the far post and launched himself at a Adam free kick, but De Gea reacted sharply to get down to his right and turn his effort around the post.
Pulis threw on Peter Crouch and former United striker Michael Owen in the closing stages in a bid to mount an unlikely comeback, but the Potters failed to muster any real openings for their former England strike partnership, and slipped to a second consecutive home defeat which leaves their Premier League survival hopes in the balance.
An early goal from Michael Carrick and a second-half Robin van Persie penalty wrapped up all three points for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, but they were rarely troubled by a disappointing Potters side who now find themsleves more deeply embroiled in a relegation fight to stay in England’s top flight.
United made four changes to the side that was defeated 2-1 by rivals Manchester City on Monday, with Antonio Valencia, Shinji Kagawa, Chicharito and Nemanja Vidic all coming into the starting XI. Potters chief Tony Pulis also rung the changes after his side were well beaten by Aston Villa last time out, welcoming Charlie Adam, Glenn Whelan and Andy Wilkinson back into the first team.
It took just four minutes for the champions-elect to take the lead, as the Potters failed miserably to clear a Van Persie corner.
After several hacks at the ball by the home defenders, it eventually fell to Carrick, who toe-poked into the corner of the net from the edge of the six-yard box to give the league leaders an early advantage.
That was United’s 100th goal of the season in all competitions, but they did not look like adding to that tally for the rest of the opening period.
In fact, a Robert Huth header from a free-kick aside, neither team created any opportunities of note in what was a flat and uninspiring first 45 minutes.
The second started much brighter, however, with the visitors’ attacking trio of Wayne Rooney, Van Persie and Chicharito forming a dangerous unit and causing several problems to Stoke’s backline.
The home side also improved their intensity and created several half-chances, notably when Jonathan Walters blazed over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box just 10 minutes into the second half.
Strikes from distance from Adam and Kenwyne Jones also forced De Gea into action on the hour mark, but five minutes later the game was up as United were awarded a penalty.
It came after right-back Wilkinson clumsily felled Van Persie in the area, and the Dutch striker stepped to powerful place the spot kick past a helpless Begovic to double the visitors' advantage, and end a personal Premier League barren spell dating back to mid-February.
The game looked to be up for Stoke, but with 10 minutes left they stirred into action, and almost got themselves back into the contest through captain Ryan Shawcross.
The defender found himself free at the far post and launched himself at a Adam free kick, but De Gea reacted sharply to get down to his right and turn his effort around the post.
Pulis threw on Peter Crouch and former United striker Michael Owen in the closing stages in a bid to mount an unlikely comeback, but the Potters failed to muster any real openings for their former England strike partnership, and slipped to a second consecutive home defeat which leaves their Premier League survival hopes in the balance.
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In IST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man. United |
26 | 3 |
|
Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |