Wayne Rooney gets record 250th goal in sublime style at Stoke City
ByEurosport
Updated 21/01/2017 at 17:18 GMT
bet365 Stadium, Premier League - Stoke City 1 (Mata og 19) Manchester United 1 (Rooney 90+4)
Wayne Rooney went clear as Manchester United's all-time record goalscorer with his 250th goal being a stunning late equaliser at Stoke.
The hosts didn’t have a single shot on target in the first half but led at the break through a Juan Mata own goal. After Erik Pieters received the ball as he burst into the penalty area on 19 minutes, his cross deflected off Mata and past David De Gea at his near post.
Mata's day went from bad to worse later in the half when he astonishingly missed an open goal from six yards, shooting over after being set up by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
United dominated throughout but struggled to find a breakthrough despite creating chances, with poor finishing, the woodwork and the impressive Lee Grant conspiring against them.
However Rooney came to the rescue in the fourth minute of stoppage time, curling a stunning free-kick into the far top corner to go clear of Sir Bobby Charlton.
The result means United missed the chance to go above their city rivals and remain sixth, now with 41 points, but keep alive a run of 17 games unbeaten in all competitions, while Stoke are ninth.
TALKING POINT
Rooney makes history in style. United's all-time record goalscorer couldn't have dreamed of achieving the feat in better fashion, unless it was a winning goal. The quality of the strike and its importance in rescuing a point mean we'd be talking about it even if it were just another goal. What a moment.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Lee Grant (Stoke City): The Red Devils must be sick of the sight of Grant. He was outstanding earlier in the season when Stoke nicked a point at Old Trafford and replicated the feat again today, making a number of impressive saves. He was also commanding at crosses and it’s a testament to Grant that Stoke aren’t really missing Jack Butland.
PLAYER RATINGS
Stoke City: Grant 8, Johnson 6, Shawcross 7, Martins Indi 7, Pieters 7, Whelan 7, Adam 6, Sjaqiri 6, Allen 5, Arnautovic 6, Crouch 6. Subs: Affelay 6, Ngoy 6 Imbula 6.
Manchester United: De Gea 6, Valencia 7, Jones 6, Smalling 6, Blind 6, Fellaini 7, Herrera 6, Pogba 6, Mata 4, Mkhitaryan 7, Ibrahimovic 5. Subs: Rashford 5, Rooney 8, Lingard 7.
KEY MOMENTS
19’ – GOAL! Stoke 1-0 Man United (Mata og). Stoke lead! Arnautovic slips in Pieters who's bursting into the box and his cross deflects off Mata and in at the near post.
31’ – CHANCE! What a miss! Pogba plays Imbrahimovic in behind the Stoke defence and he squares for Mata, who shoots over from just six yards! The ball was bobbling, but that's an incredible miss.
37’ – CHANCE! Herrera and Valencia combine to tee up Mkhitaryan 12 yards out but he gets the shot horrible wrong and sends the ball skywards.
43’ – SAVE! Pogba thunderously volleys Herrera's corner straight at Grant who palms away.
76’ – CHANCE! Rooney's cross somehow finds Rashford at the top of the area, who takes a touch before side-footing inches wide. Was that the chance?
89’ – OFF THE BAR! Lingard turns 20 yards from goal lets fly, seeing his powerful shot skim the top of the crossbar!
90+4’ – GOAL! Stoke 1-1 Man United (Rooney). Rooney has the record! 1-1! He shocks everyone by curling a free-kick beyond Grant into the far top corner! Wow.
KEY STATS
Stoke are unbeaten in their last four home games against Manchester United.
Mourinho’s side are now unbeaten in 17 games in all competitions.
THE MATCH IN A TWEET
Rooney has scored 250 goals for Manchester United, more than any other player.
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