Wednesday January 30, 2013 Day 24 Finished Old Trafford

Manchester United 2 - 1 Southampton

  • Rooney 8’, 27’
  • Rodriguez 3’

153 comments | Write your comment

  1. Premier League - Rooney hits brace as United go seven points clear

    Premier League - Rooney hits brace as United go seven points clear

    A brace from Wayne Rooney saw Manchester United beat Southampton 2-1 at Old Trafford and go seven points clear at the top. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Manchester United
    • Southampton
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Thursday morning (UK only).
    • 90+3' The full-time whistle goes at Old Trafford, and a brace from Wayne Rooney sees Manchester United beat Southampton 2-1 and go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Thanks for joining us.
    • 90+2' Evra does very well to clear under pressure from Lambert and Lallana, and that could be it.
    • 90+1' The travelling supporters are in full voice as their side continue to do themselves enormous credit with their second half performance.
    • 90' There will be three added minutes at the end of the second half with Southampton continuing to press forward incessantly.
    • 89' Evra and Rooney combine to clear, and van Persie is the only United player looking to play forward.
    • 88' Southampton are keeping the ball in confident fashion inside the United half, and it's very nervy stuff from the hosts.
    • 87' Another long ball is pumped into the United box by Yoshida, but Vidic is on hand to volley away dismissively.
    • 86' Lambert again tries his luck from 25 yards, but this time De Gea holds on without a problem.
    • 85' Southampton continue to pile on the pressure, and United are defending desperately deep inside their own half.
    • 84' It's a very nervy finale for United, and Lambert and Schneiderlin both blast efforts over the bar from the edge of the box!
    • 83' Carrick finds himself in trouble on the edge of the United box, and he dallies before losing the ball to Rodriguez. Rafael steps in to clear.
    • 82' Lallana drives a free kick to the back post from distance, but United eventually clear through Jones.
    • 81' Rooney is put through by van Persie, but he dallies in front of goal with just Boruc to beat, and his final touch is overhit as the goalkeeper is able to smother the ball and save!
    • 79' United are playing on the counter-attack now on the most part, and Southampton are giving it everything in the final stages.
    • 78' Southampton are ensuring that it is a very nervy finish to the match, with the home fans far from settled.
    • 77' De Gea denies Lambert with a fine save down low to his left, and the forward was half-celebrating as his free kick drifted perfectly over the wall and was heading towards the corner of the net!
    • 76' Vidic is booked for hauling down Lallana 25 yards out, and that was a cynical challenge from the defender.
    • 75' Van Persie has a goal disallowed as he heads beyond Boruc this time from inside the six-yard box from Rooney's cross, but the offside flag goes up!
    • 74' What a save from Boruc! Van Persie heads on target from close range, and somehow Boruc manages to keep it out with a fine save down low to his right!
    • 73' Van Persie turns past Clyne with a neat piece of skill, but the defender gets back to challenge as the forward is unable to create a clear-cut chance.
    • 72' Nani replaces Kagawa now as Ferguson makes his third and final change, and United need to put this game out of sight.
    • 71' Davis has made a difference for Southampton since coming on, and he is providing real drive for his side from midfield.
    • 70' STAT: Manchester United have seen 16 different players score a Premier League goal for them this season; more than any other side.
    • 69' Rooney twists and turns outwide on the left and fires a low shot on target, with Boruc able to cling on to the ball.
    • 68' Clyne, who looked so troubled in the first half, continues to thrive down the right in the second as he attacks at every opportunity.
    • 67' Hooiveld clears from inside the Southampton box in the nick of time with Rooney closing in as United counter again at pace through Kagawa.
    • 66' Ferguson makes his second change now as he replaces Anderson with Rafael, and Southampton continue to be very much still in this match.
    • 65' Evra takes a high ball down in his stride and releases Rooney, but he is quickly crowded out. United have not played with the same fluency in the second half as they did in the first.
    • 64' Anderson intervenes superbly to challenge Cork, and he almost slips in van Persie with a through ball, only for Yoshida to get a foot on the ball.
    • 63' Ferguson continues to stride around in his technical area with his side not looking at all assured at the moment.
    • 62' Ferguson moves to shore up his defence as he replaces Smalling with Rio Ferdinand.
    • 61' Lambert hits the target with a fierce strike from the free kick, and De Gea cannot hold the effort as he spills the ball out, and only just manages to clear with Lallana flying in!
    • 60' United commit their sixth foul of the match as Lallana is tripped by Jones, and the visitors will have a free kick 25 yards out.
    • 59' Ferguson is suddenly concerned with his side's recent play as he moves to the edge of his technical area.
    • 58' United cannot clear from inside their own box, and the ball finally breaks to Davis on the edge of the penalty area, and he drives his shot just wide!
    • 57' Now Rodriguez wins another corner down the right with a pacy run, and this is a good period of play from Southampton.
    • 56' Welbeck does well to race back and defend to concede a corner as Clyne gets to the right byline and looks to whip over a cross into the box.
    • 55' Southampton have enjoyed 57 per cent of the possession in the second half, but without really testing the hosts.
    • 54' Cork and Fox combine for Southampton, who are keeping the ball down the left to good effect, but are not troubling United in their half.
    • 53' Lambert tries his luck from 25 yards with a fierce drive, but it drifts well wide in the end with De Gea uninterested.
    • 52' Jones almost picks out van Persie with a through ball down the right, but the forward is caught just offside as he mistimes his run.
    • 51' STAT: Manchester United have currently won 299 home games in the Premier League; more than any other side. /// @ScottTridge says that De Gea is a terrific goalkeeper and Ferguson will continue to back him. He is going nowhere, he says. What do others think?
    • 50' Rodriguez tries an effort from the edge of the box but Vidic blocks it away, and Southampton are very frustrated at the moment.
    • 49' Van Persie chases a long ball from Anderson and keeps the ball in as Hooiveld is put under real pressure. /// @HasanSacranie thinks United will end up winning 4-1, and they are very much on the front foot at the start of this second half.
    • 48' STAT: Schneiderlin has made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League this season (90) and only Sandro (80) has made more interceptions than the Frenchman (72).
    • 47' Two interesting changes from Pochettino, who was clearly very unhappy with the shape of his side in the first half. What do you make of the changes?
    • 46' The second half is under way at Old Trafford, and Steven Davis and Adam Lallana come on for Southampton in a double change with Ramirez and Puncheon making way.
    • - Do you see a way back for Southampton in this game, and what do you predict the full-time result will be? Also, do you believe that United should give up on De Gea at the end of the current campaign after another blunder? Carrick was also very much at fault, it must be said. You can get in touch via Twitter - @Dan_Eurosport
    • 45+2' The half-time whistle goes, and United lead 2-1 courtesy of two well-taken goals from Rooney before the half-hour mark after Carrick and De Gea contrived to gift Southampton with the lead in just the third minute. It's been fairly comfortable for United since the horrendous opener for the visitors.
    • 45+1' Southampton keep the ball at the back in the first minute of stoppage time without any real urgency to put late pressure on United.
    • 45' Schneiderlin is booked for a cynical tug on Carrick's shirt after he loses the ball to the United midfielder in the Southampton half. There will be two further minutes in this first half.
    • 44' Kagawa is having a very good match as he makes darting runs down the left and provides good support for Rooney and van Persie.
    • 43' Ferguson is not at all happy with his goalkeeper - unsurprisingly - as he continues to have a poor match, this time blasting a goal kick out of play down the right.
    • 42' Vidic takes a safety-first approach as he heads behind for a corner to Southampton, under no real pressure from Puncheon.
    • 41' Lambert does very well to hold the ball up for his side in the final third, but he has to turn back and find Cork, who provides very belated support.
    • 40' STAT: Southampton have lost none of their last six Premier League matches, but five of these have ended in a draw. They are looking at a defeat this evening, as things stand, however.
    • 39' United pile forward once more, and Welbeck is almost presented with a clear shot at goal before Yoshida manages to turn the ball away as the shot comes in.
    • 38' Pochettino is imploring his players to press up the field with more urgency as Puncheon is again without options in the final third.
    • 37' Anderson looks to release van Persie with a first-time pass from deep on the counter-attack, but he overhits the delivery and Southampton can build.
    • 36' Puncheon does well to get in behind the United back four with a pacy run, but he mistimes it slightly as the offside flag goes up.
    • 35' There's a lull in proceedings as Southampton keep the ball in their half, enjoying the brief respite from their hosts.
    • 34' Lambert can only head over from 15 yards as the deep corner comes over from Ramirez, and his shirt is ripped up at the top - he's been scrapping with the United defenders again, clearly!
    • 33' Rodriguez falls over as he attempts a shot from the edge of the United box, but he wins a corner as it takes a deflection off Smalling.
    • 32' Rooney attempts to release Welbeck, who makes a pacy run in behind the Southampton back four, but the pass is slightly overhit on this occasion.
    • 31' Van Persie should make it three as he beats Hooiveld and creates space for a left-footed shot, only to blast his effort over the crossbar!
    • 30' It's all United as Southampton sit back and attempt to soak up the pressure, but to little avail at the moment.
    • 29' Rooney has now scored seven goals in his last six Premier League appearances and has five goals in his last four league games against Southampton.
    • 28' The delivery from van Persie was perfect to pick out Evra at the back post, and the move came straight from the training ground with Rooney able to ghost in for a simple finish.
    • 27' GOAL! Van Persie drifts a deep free kick to the back post where Evra heads across the six-yard box, and Rooney is on hand to turn the ball in from all but a yard out to put United in front! It has not taken long for the hosts to complete their recovery from falling a goal behind, with two well-worked goals.
    • 25' Another very slick move from United culminates in van Persie sliding the ball through to Kagawa, but Yoshida does brilliantly to hurry back and intervene in the six-yard box!
    • 24' Lambert is suddenly looking more isolated as he loses the ball to Smalling with no options, and United are dominating the possession.
    • 23' The corner kick is wasted from United with van Persie's delivery overhit, but the hosts are quickly back on the ball.
    • 22' Van Persie comes very close once more, this time thanks to a deflection as he curls an effort towards the far post from the edge of the box, with the ball coming off Yoshida and clipping the top of the netting.
    • 21' Rooney is furious with referee Mason as he goes down on halfway under a challenge from Cork, before van Persie draws Boruc into a save to his right as he tries his luck from the edge of the box.
    • 20' Manchester United have now scored in 26 of their 28 previous Premier League games against Southampton.
    • 19' Evra makes an impeccable challenge on the edge of the United box to recover the situation after Anderson very sloppily gives the ball away to Ramirez.
    • 18' United suddenly slow the game down quite considerably with some patient possession in their own half.
    • 17' Ramirez takes the free kick, but he cannot control his effort as he picks out a cameraman in the stands.
    • 16' Vidic comes clattering into Puncheon, who wins a cheap free kick 25 yards out - it's a reckless challenge from the defender, and now Southampton have another set piece.
    • 15' Rodriguez continues to look dangerous with his runs down the left, and Jones does not look at all comfortable against him early on.
    • 14' Lambert takes the resulting set piece, with the free kick taking a deflection off the wall and running out for a corner on the left.
    • 13' Southampton press forward through Ramirez, who wins a free kick 30 yards from goal as Carrick, who has made a very poor start to the match, trips the forward.
    • 12' STAT: The Red Devils have dropped just two points in 13 Premier League home games against Southampton (W12 D1).
    • 11' Rooney almost got in there to put home the rebound after Kagawa's initial effort hit the post. United are rampant.
    • 10' Kagawa gets in down the left and manages to cut inside, beating Nathaniel Clyne all too easily, before hitting the near post with an effort which leaves Boruc helpless! United could easily be in front already.
    • 9' The weight of the pass was just perfect there from Kagawa, and Rooney's finish was very comfortable.
    • 8' GOAL! Kagawa slides a precise ball in behind Jos Hooiveld, and Rooney produces a tidy finish as he slides the ball under Artur Boruc - United are back level within five minutes of falling behind! It's such an easy goal for United, with Southampton's back four carved apart.
    • 7' United are pouring forward once more, and they are in control of the possession despite being a goal behind.
    • 6' OPTA STAT: Eight of Manchester United's 18 Premier League wins this season have seen them come from behind. Nothing to worry about, then.
    • 5' United immediately fly up the other end through Rooney and Kagawa, and the hosts have a very attacking line up with which to recover from this poor start.
    • 4' That really was an awful mistake from Carrick, and De Gea was equally at fault with a hesitant reaction to the dismal back pass.
    • 3' GOAL! What a catastrophe for United as Carrick stabs the ball back towards De Gea in what is a dreadful back pass, and the goalkeeper is beaten to the loose ball by Jay Rodriguez, who keeps his composure to turn the ball into an empty net! Southampton lead!
    • 2' Smalling, wearing bright lime green boots, gets down the right with a pacy run, but he has to check back inside and the move peters out.
    • 1' The first half is under way, and Southampton are in their change strip of yellow shirts and blue shorts.
    • 19:55 Ferguson spends a good minute chatting with Pochettino before both managers make their way to their respective dugouts. We're all set for kick off now at Old Trafford.
    • 19:50 The referee for this evening's match is Lee Mason. We're just 10 minutes from kick off now, and there's already been a goal in the Arsenal-Liverpool match. Click here to check out what's happened at the Emirates
    • 19:45 So to confirm, Robin van Persie returns to the United starting line-up with Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa all included in a very attacking line-up; Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, makes two changes for his second match in charge with Jay Rodriguez and Daniel Fox both recalled.
    • 19:40 This is how the satchel swingers are pricing the match - Manchester United 1/4, Draw 11/2, Southampton 13/1. What do you think the score will be this evening? Do you fancy Pochettino's side to get anything? You can get in touch via Twitter @Dan_Eurosport
    • 19:35 Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino has hailed the professionalism of evergreen Manchester United duo Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand as he prepares to face the former England men again, more than a decade after tackling them on the pitch with Argentina at the 2002 World Cup. Neither start this evening, however. This is what Pochettino has had to say on United
    • 19:30 Sir Alex Ferguson is demanding Manchester United steer clear of the "rubbish attitude" of believing they are entering a Premier League comfort zone, with their commanding current position in the table. "Let's not fool ourselves into believing that we are now entering a phase against the lower teams that will present us with easy pickings," he said. Full story
    • 19:25 The teams are in - Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Kagawa, Rooney, Welbeck, Van Persie. Subs: Lindegaard; Rafael, Rio Ferdinand, Valencia, Nani, Buttner, Cleverley. /// Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fox, Puncheon, Cork, Schneiderlin, Ramírez, Lambert, Rodriguez. Subs: K. Davis, S. Davis, Lee, Lallana, Richardson, Shaw, Chaplow.
    • 19:20 United can capitalise on the fact that rivals Manchester City could only draw at QPR on Tuesday evening, with Sir Alex Ferguson's side able to go seven points clear with a win against Mauricio Pochettino's Saints.
    • 19:15 Welcome to live text commentary of the Premier League clash between leaders Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford.

  • Summary

    • 81' Rooney is put through by van Persie, but he dallies in front of goal with just Boruc to beat, and his final touch is overhit as the goalkeeper is able to smother the ball and save!
    • 77' De Gea denies Lambert with a fine save down low to his left, and the forward was half-celebrating as his free kick drifted perfectly over the wall and was heading towards the corner of the net!
    • 74' What a save from Boruc! Van Persie heads on target from close range, and somehow Boruc manages to keep it out with a fine save down low to his right!
    • 61' Lambert hits the target with a fierce strike from the free kick, and De Gea cannot hold the effort as he spills the ball out, and only just manages to clear with Lallana flying in!
    • 31' Van Persie should make it three as he beats Hooiveld and creates space for a left-footed shot, only to blast his effort over the crossbar!
    • 27' GOAL! Van Persie drifts a deep free kick to the back post where Evra heads across the six-yard box, and Rooney is on hand to turn the ball in from all but a yard out to put United in front! It has not taken long for the hosts to complete their recovery from falling a goal behind, with two well-worked goals.
    • 25' Another very slick move from United culminates in van Persie sliding the ball through to Kagawa, but Yoshida does brilliantly to hurry back and intervene in the six-yard box!
    • 10' Kagawa gets in down the left and manages to cut inside, beating Nathaniel Clyne all too easily, before hitting the near post with an effort which leaves Boruc helpless! United could easily be in front already.
    • 8' GOAL! Kagawa slides a precise ball in behind Jos Hooiveld, and Rooney produces a tidy finish as he slides the ball under Artur Boruc - United are back level within five minutes of falling behind! It's such an easy goal for United, with Southampton's back four carved apart.
    • 3' GOAL! What a catastrophe for United as Carrick stabs the ball back towards De Gea in what is a dreadful back pass, and the goalkeeper is beaten to the loose ball by Jay Rodriguez, who keeps his composure to turn the ball into an empty net! Southampton lead!
    • 19:25 The teams are in - Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Kagawa, Rooney, Welbeck, Van Persie. Subs: Lindegaard; Rafael, Rio Ferdinand, Valencia, Nani, Buttner, Cleverley. /// Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fox, Puncheon, Cork, Schneiderlin, Ramírez, Lambert, Rodriguez. Subs: K. Davis, S. Davis, Lee, Lallana, Richardson, Shaw, Chaplow.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.7 5
      Defenders
      6.9 6
      Substitution Out63′ 6.3 6
      Yellow Card 7.5 7
      8 7
      Midfielders
      5.5 5
      Substitution Out68′ 5.4 6
      5.4 6
      Substitution Out73′ 7.2 7
      Strikers
      Goals ×2 8.2 8
      7.8 6
      Subs
      Substitution In63′ 5.6 6
      Substitution In73′ 5.7 6
      Substitution In68′ Yellow Card 5.8 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.7 7
      Defenders
      3.9 7
      4.7 7
      4.2 6
      Substitution Out78′ 4.6 6
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 4.4 7
      4.7 7
      Substitution Out45′ 4.8 6
      Substitution Out45′ 5 6
      Goal 5.7 7
      Strikers
      5.6 7
      Subs
      Substitution In45′ 6.1 7
      Substitution In45′ 6 7
      Substitution In78′ 4.4 6

Comment 133 - 153 of 153

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  1. NIce Match

    From Gokula Krishnan, on Fri 1 Feb 5:42

  2. Just Keep it up and try better than what you have done!­ Up MAN U. Essien Okoi

    From Essien Okoi, on Fri 1 Feb 3:10

  3. unlucky boys, we almost got something. we will stay up­ playing like that! COYR

    From SEXYSAINT, on Thu 31 Jan 12:11

  4. United one love

    From Uche Osita, on Thu 31 Jan 11:31

  5. SUPERMAN I see all the ' creme de la creme' of­ United pundits are on this page how great to put some­ points straight to the ' narrow-minded, prejudiced­ and bird-brained blinkered spectators ', whether at­ the ground or at home in front of the­ TV..............YOUR TIME IS COMING WHEN THINGS­ DON'T GO RIGHT , WHEN REFS. ARE NOT BULLIED AND­ ROONEY , VAN PEE , EVRA , RAPHAEL OR VIDIC LOOSE THEIR­ COOL AND GET SENT OFF OFF OFF OFF THEN YOU WILL SEE­ FERGIE HURRICANE VERDICT .......OFF ONES ROCKER , BEING­ SENT TO A SANATORIUM?

    From Stanislaw, on Thu 31 Jan 10:24

  6. congratulations rooney-kun ..

    From Haruna Aimi, on Thu 31 Jan 8:39

  7. It wasn't a good performance to be honest. Too many­ mistakes made.

    From Eoghan, on Thu 31 Jan 0:31

  8. It was nervy. Yes. But United won 2-1. QPR Vs Man City­ was nervy too. Chelsea Vs Reading was nervy too. When­ will it ever stop been nervy. This is the second half­ of the season. Everyone is fighting for something. We­ took our 3 points. Fulham next. Hopefully we can get­ another 3 points.

    From MICROGEN, on Wed 30 Jan 23:48

  9. David...what does that even mean??? but they scored,­ didnt they? That's what makes them a team...what­ an idiot you are....if you make a statement..make sure­ it makes sense at all

    From Oleg, on Wed 30 Jan 23:38

  10. I thought United were brilliant in first half should­ have got in at half time 3-1. BUT even though RVPs goal­ to me wasn't off side I just thought we were far­ too casual and was frustrating to see. But fair PLAY TO­ Southampton I thought they were brilliant and did­ deserve to get a result today. I still think United­ will win the league I am confident about that but if we­ keep playing casual football its going to be a­ stressful end of the season. I hope Southampton do stay­ up they played some great football tonight.

    From Stu, on Wed 30 Jan 23:35
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    SUPERMAN THE MIGHTY MOUSES did it without much­ conviction , the longer United struggle and just make­ it in Fergie-time , the more stressed and shattered­ that Scotsman Fergalsson is , and his wife is getting­ concerned at his physical and mental­ condition............its heart-breakiong for her to see­ the deterioratioon in his health ........poor dipstick­ of a man?

    From Stanislaw, on Wed 30 Jan 23:09

  12. If the other 15 players apart from r.v.p, hadn't­ scored the other 41 premier league goals for manu, ­ they would be in the bottom half now.

    From DAVID, on Wed 30 Jan 22:33

  13. Man U should sell Kagawa to a team that knows how to­ play him! It's disgusting seeing them play him on­ the wing. Hes suited to playing in behind the­ strikers!! It's annoying. Non the less a fine­ assist from the little genius!!

    From Davey, on Wed 30 Jan 22:27

  14. southampton? full of illegal imigrants fighting, bring­ some to the home games, everyone else wont, go back to­ div lower ha ha

    From sidewaysbomber, on Wed 30 Jan 22:25

  15. Turd Back to school in the morning

    From Stocko, on Wed 30 Jan 22:24

  16. Bad L.up Mr.Fergie Have to lose Welbeck and Kagawa­ from the flanks if not from the team What a big diff.­ to Fulham's game on the w.end to day Man.U. were­ rubbish + They did'nt deserve anything from the­ game

    From murphy, on Wed 30 Jan 22:10

  17. OK it was a very poor performance in the second half by­ Manchester United, Southampton were unlucky as the­ amateur pundits say. Never mind. Whats' on the­ scoreboard ! - MANCHESTER UNITED 2 SOUTHAMPTON 1. That­ is the result and it cannot be argued. Keep moaning­ pundits !!

    From QUEEN_BLACKLOVER, on Wed 30 Jan 22:03

  18. not a convincing win

    From Jude Nosakhare, on Wed 30 Jan 21:59

  19. Worst performance for goodness knows how long, too many­ players far too casual on the ball,if they play like­ this against sides with a bit more nounce they are­ going to get trounced

    From big bri, on Wed 30 Jan 21:59
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    So much for your high scoring game utd. you were lucky­ to have one that game.

    From MARK, on Wed 30 Jan 21:57
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