MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 07:54:30| >> :60:1438:1438:
[monks data]
Sunderland
Premier League
Oct 5, 2013 at 5.30pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

1-2

Gardner (4')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Januzaj (54', 61')

Match Analysis: Sunderland 1-2 Manchester United

Sports Mole takes a closer look at Manchester United's 2-1 win over Sunderland in the Premier League.

Manchester United got back to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday as they came from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.

Craig Gardner gave the visitors an early lead after a mistake by Nemanja Vidic, but 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj brought the visitors level on what was his first league start for the club.

The Belgian youngster then volleyed in a spectacular winner with 30 minutes left to give United the points.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the action between the two teams.

Match statistics:

Sunderland:
Shots 6
On target 2
Possession 37%
Corners 4
Fouls 15

Man Utd:
Shots 13
On target 6
Possession 63%
Corners 4
Fouls 13

Was the result fair?

Overall, Manchester United's patience paid off despite a spirited display from Sunderland. The champions never looked convincing, but they continued to battle away and did not let conceding an early goal affect them.

Sunderland's performance

The hosts were dominant in the first half thanks to a new-found energy in all areas of the pitch. They chased down every ball and mounted attack after attack with little sign of nerves. However, they struggled to keep this up and Manchester United eventually found their way into match before turning it around. That said, caretaker-manager Kevin Ball is sure to be pleased with what he saw.

Man Utd's performance

The champions were well below par during the opening 45 minutes, as demonstrated by the sloppy goal that they conceded to go behind. They looked vulnerable in defence while lacking any decisiveness in the final third. Things changed after the break though as their stamina and determination allowed them to pin Sunderland back, resulting in two goals. David Moyes is still in the process of shaping the side, but this was another example of United making hard work of it.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Adnan Januzaj: Could it really have been anyone else? The 18-year-old Belgian scored two terrific goals on what was his first Premier League start for the club. Fearless, dynamic and gutsy: this was a brilliant performance from the youngster.

Biggest gaffe

Robin van Persie had the chance to wrap up the win late on for Manchester United when he was played through on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat, but the striker somehow poked the ball wide of the post. A poor miss.

Referee performance

Chris Foy was right to book Januzaj for diving in the first half and did little wrong elsewhere as he kept a lid on what occasionally became a feisty encounter.

What next?

Sunderland: The Black Cats return to league action next Saturday when they travel to Swansea City.

Man Utd: The Red Devils continue the defence of their Premier League title next Saturday at home to Southampton.

ID:109411: cacheID:109411:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5057:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United scores his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester United at the Stadium of Light on October 5, 2013
Read Next:
Januzaj double spares United blushes
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!