WEST BROM 1, MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Manchester United won a battling encounter at the Hawthorns to beat West Brom 2-1 and close the gap to title rivals Manchester City back to 11 points but lost captain Antonio Valencia to injury.
Two quick first half goals by Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard saw the Reds race into the lead but they couldn’t despatch the Baggies who threatened to undo United’s first half work by pulling a goal back through Gareth Barry late on.
United made three changes to the team that beat Bournemouth in midweek, with Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, and Anthony Martial stepping down.
Ander Herrera, Marcus Rashford, and Ashley Young came into the refreshed United team.
The scoreline might have been close but there was little to worry Jose Mourinho’s men despite a relative lack of chances and excitement until Romelu Lukaku’s opening goal in the 27th minute – his 15th goal of the season with a header from an excellent Rashford cross.
As with his goal against Bournemouth on Wednesday the former West Brom player didn’t celebrate but the Reds were two goals to the good just seven minutes later when United benefited from a slice of luck after Jesse Lingard’s shot went in off Ahmed Hegazi after Juan Mata squared the ball to him.
Lingard was credited for the goal, giving him his seventh of the season, but despite continued United superiority the Baggies restricted chances for the Reds who lost captain Antonio Valencia to a hamstring injury in the second half – victim to the packed Premier League campaign this month.
Gareth Barry came on and steadied the ship for the home side as West Brom improved after the break following a tactical reshuffle.
The former Manchester City midfielder was at hand to score the Baggies’ first goal in four games under Alan Pardew, bundling home from close range following Chris Brunt’s corner with 13 minutes to go.
Nerves almost got the better of United in the final stages as Marcos Rojo sliced the ball wide of his own goal with the Baggies pushing for an equaliser but the Reds managed to hold on for a valuable three points to stay ahead of their top four rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal while condemning the Baggies to a record 16th game in a row without a win.