Played
October 20, 2012 10:00 AM EDT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee: A. Taylor
Attendance: 75585
October 20, 2012 10:00 AM EDT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee: A. Taylor
Attendance: 75585
Top of the Match
Wayne Rooney
Manchester United
Manchester United
Wayne Rooney
Manchester United
Manchester United
Flop of the Match
Rio Ferdinand
Manchester United
Manchester United
Peter Crouch
Stoke
Stoke
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Manchester United 4-2 Stoke City: Rooney recovers from own goal to fire hosts to victory
Red Devils bounce back after going behind early as England international strikes for the first time this season while Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck also find the net
By Simon Sinclair
Getty Images
Wayne Rooney made up for an own goal with a double as Manchester United bounced back after going behind early to register a 4-2 victory over Stoke City at Old Trafford.
Striker partners Robin Van Persie and Danny Welbeck add a goal each in the Red Devils victory while Michael Kightly scored for the Potters
Sir Alex Ferguson made two changes to the side that beat Newcastle with Antonio Valencia and Paul Scholes coming into the side for Shinji Kagawa and Tom Cleverley. Tony Pulis made just one change from his Potters team that drew with Liverpool with Dean Whitehead replacing Glenn Whelan.
Stoke took the lead when Rooney nodded the ball into his own net from a Charlie Adam free kick. United rallied and Rooney was on hand to get it back into the game with a thumping header.
Every time Stoke pushed forward it threatened and De Gea had to make two good saves to stop first Adam and then Walters doubling the visitors after Kightly and Peter Crouch had combined to set the striker one-on-one with the Spaniard.
The Potters were made to rue these missed opportunities as United equalized through Rooney as he rose highest in the penalty area to head Van Persie’s cross into the right net this time for his first league goal of the season.
United upped the ante before the break as Scholes and Welbeck went close before it took the lead through Van Persie as he turned Valencia’s pinpoint cross past Begovic at the near post with a lovely finish taking the ball first time with his left-foot.
Immediately after halftime the Red Devils made it three as Welbeck headed sublimely past Begovic with a diving effort, as he latched onto Rooney’s cross getting in between two defenders to nod into the bottom corner.
The Potters had shown earlier they weren’t going to be pushovers and they regained that attitude as they equalised through Kightly with a great individual effort as he ran through the United defense and shot past De Gea with the aid of the post.
Stoke’s hopes of getting back into the game further was dented in the when Rooney struck again from close range as he reacted first to a scramble in the penalty area from a Van Persie corner and side-footed into the net at the back-post.
The Potters tried desperately to fight their way back into the game again while United had chances of their own to extend their lead but neither could find a way through again as Ferguson’s side sealed the three points.
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Striker partners Robin Van Persie and Danny Welbeck add a goal each in the Red Devils victory while Michael Kightly scored for the Potters
Sir Alex Ferguson made two changes to the side that beat Newcastle with Antonio Valencia and Paul Scholes coming into the side for Shinji Kagawa and Tom Cleverley. Tony Pulis made just one change from his Potters team that drew with Liverpool with Dean Whitehead replacing Glenn Whelan.
Stoke took the lead when Rooney nodded the ball into his own net from a Charlie Adam free kick. United rallied and Rooney was on hand to get it back into the game with a thumping header.
Every time Stoke pushed forward it threatened and De Gea had to make two good saves to stop first Adam and then Walters doubling the visitors after Kightly and Peter Crouch had combined to set the striker one-on-one with the Spaniard.
The Potters were made to rue these missed opportunities as United equalized through Rooney as he rose highest in the penalty area to head Van Persie’s cross into the right net this time for his first league goal of the season.
United upped the ante before the break as Scholes and Welbeck went close before it took the lead through Van Persie as he turned Valencia’s pinpoint cross past Begovic at the near post with a lovely finish taking the ball first time with his left-foot.
Immediately after halftime the Red Devils made it three as Welbeck headed sublimely past Begovic with a diving effort, as he latched onto Rooney’s cross getting in between two defenders to nod into the bottom corner.
The Potters had shown earlier they weren’t going to be pushovers and they regained that attitude as they equalised through Kightly with a great individual effort as he ran through the United defense and shot past De Gea with the aid of the post.
Stoke’s hopes of getting back into the game further was dented in the when Rooney struck again from close range as he reacted first to a scramble in the penalty area from a Van Persie corner and side-footed into the net at the back-post.
The Potters tried desperately to fight their way back into the game again while United had chances of their own to extend their lead but neither could find a way through again as Ferguson’s side sealed the three points.
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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 |
