Alexis Sanchez scores first goal as Manchester United see off Huddersfield
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ByEurosport
Updated 03/02/2018 at 19:29 GMT
Premier League, Old Trafford - Manchester United 2 (Lukaku 55, Sanchez 68) Huddersfield Town 0
Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring his first Manchester United goal against Huddersfield
Image credit: Getty Images
Alexis Sanchez scored his first Manchester United goal in a 2-0 Premier League win over Huddersfield at Old Trafford.
The Chilean converted the rebound after having a penalty saved by Jonas Lossl. Sanchez had earned his luck after winning the spot kick to cap a typically enterprising display.
Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring 10 minutes into the second half, calmly converting a Juan Mata cross.
United might have had a penalty before the break when Terence Kongolo flattened Scott McTominay with a barge inside the box, but referee Stuart Attwell gave a drop ball. Concussion could be back on the news agenda, as McTominay played on despite sustaining a heavy blow to the head as he landed.
The home side took time to take hold of the game, with Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial dropped to the bench - though both came on as subs.
But it proved a routine enough win for United who stay second, trimming Manchester City's lead to a still-unassailable 13 points.
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Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku celebrate Lukaku's goal for Manchester United against Huddersfield
Image credit: Getty Images
TALKING POINT
Mourinho’s decision to drop Pogba raises questions – The Frenchman produced a lacklustre performance at Wembley as United fell to a demoralising defeat to Spurs in midweek but few would have predicted he would be dropped for the next match.
Pogba is arguably United’s best player and until his introduction, Jose Mourinho’s side lacked ideas; the central midfield of Nemanja Matic and McTominay lacked invention. He made an immediate impact and within three minutes United were celebrating their second.
United supporters will be praying Pogba and his manager have now kissed and made up. With a hectic schedule forthcoming maybe the rest will have done the 25-year-old some good, because they need him.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Alexis Sanchez (Manchester United): His first instinct is usually to look for the killer pass so it is no surprise that the Chilean gave possession away more than any other player on the pitch. Every time he touched the ball Sanchez looked like he was going to make something happen – and eventually his quality told. He is finally off the mark in a United shirt, but how many will he finish the season with?
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Alexis Sanchez in action for Manchester United against Huddersfield
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Huddersfield: Lossl 8, Hadergjonaj 6, Schindler 6, Zanka 6, Kongolo 6, Smith 6, Van La Parra 6, Billing 5, Hogg 5, Quaner 5, Depoitre 5. Subs: Mooy 6, Ince 5, Hefele 5.
Manchester United: De Gea 6, Valencia 7, Smalling 6, Rojo 6, Shaw 6, Matic 6, McTominay 6, Mata 7, Lingard 7, Sanchez 8, Lukaku 7. Subs: Pogba 7, Martial 6, , Rashford 6.
KEY MOMENTS
8’ - CHANCE! Lingard is enjoying a fine season and he probably should give United the lead here... he charges forward through the centre of the pitch, past Zanka but spurns the opportunity as he rifles a low shot straight at Lossl from just inside the area.
18’ - PENALTY APPEAL! McTominay is flattened by Kongolo inside the penalty area but Stuart Attwell isn't interested in United's appeals. The young United midfielder sustained a heavy blow when landing, but he will continue to play.
55’ - GOAL! Man United 1-0 Huddersfield (Lukaku): He's been starved of service for much of the afternoon but Lukaku only needs an inch to open the scoring for United. He nips in front of Schindler at the near post to convert Mata's delightful first-time cross.
67’ - PENALTY TO UNITED! Sanchez is clipped by Hefele inside the box and Stuart Attwell points to the spot!
68’ - GOAL! Man United 2-0 Huddersfield (Sanchez): Sanchez steps up to take the penalty... but his effort is saved by Lossl. But the Huddersfield goalkeeper can only parry the ball back into his path and the Chilean slots into a gaping net for his first goal in United colours.
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Huddersfield's Terence Kongolo challenges Manchester United's Scott McTominay. Ball not pictured.
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY STATS
- No player has been fouled more often in a Premier League game this season than Alexis Sanchez was against Huddersfield today.
- Sanchez lost possession of the ball more often today than any Manchester United player has in any Premier League game this season.
- This was the first league meeting between the sides at Old Trafford since March 1972, when Manchester United won 2-0 with goals from Ian Storey-Moore and George Best.
- United have won eight of their last nine league and cup matches against Huddersfield, with their solitary loss coming in October's reverse fixture.
- Huddersfield are winless in their last 15 away games in all competitions against United, losing 10, since a 6-0 triumph in September 1930.
- United have lost only two of their last 40 home league matches, with both coming against Manchester City.
- Jose Mourinho hasn't a lost a home league match in February since 2002, when his then-Porto side lost 3-2 to Beira Mar in the Portuguese top flight (W19, D5).Huddersfield have lost their last five league matches and conceded 14 goals in the process.
- Huddersfield are without a win in eight Premier League games and have claimed just two victories from their last 15 matches.
- Huddersfield have taken just nine points from the last possible 45.
- The Terriers have scored in just three of their 13 away league fixtures.
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