West Brom Hips More Pressure On Van Gaal With A Historic Win Over 10-Man United
United came into the contest buoyed by four wins in a row in all competitions, but their task at The Hawthorns was made tougher when Juan Mata picked up his first Barclays Premier League red card with two quick-fire bookings in the first half.
Louis van Gaal’s side responded well to that setback and came close to opening the scoring through Marcus Rashford as they looked to attach on the counter against West Brom, who struggled to carve out meaningful chances despite their man advantage.
Tony Pulis’s men found their breakthrough midway through the second half thanks to Rondon’s clever finish from close range, his fourth goal in six league matches.
Van Gaal’s side pushed for an equaliser, but diligent West Brom defending ensured the win that means United remain sixth and three points behind Manchester City in fourth, having played one more fixture.
United, who welcomed back Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian and Michael Carrick to the starting line-up, started brightly, although the first decent chance went to West Brom’s Craig Dawson, who headed wide Rondon’s teasing cross.
The home side began to look an increasing threat on the break and from set-pieces as United laboured in possession, with belief among the home fans growing further when Mata was sent off for two yellow cards picked up in three minutes. The first for encroachment of a quick free-kick, the second for a foul on former team-mate Darren Fletcher.
United were forced on to the defensive, but, barring a low drive from Saido Berahino that David De Gea saved comfortably, West Brom struggled to make their numerical advantage count.
It was United who came closest to breaking the deadlock just after half-time, as Rashford’s low shot from the edge of the area, after a strong run from Anthony Martial, deflected narrowly wide of Ben Foster’s left post. Then Jesse Lingard clipped the top of the net with a looping drive from 25 yards.
At the other end, Berahino stabbed a cross by substitute Sebastien Pocognoli narrowly over the crossbar. Pocognoli set up the winner, the full-back picking out Rondon in space six yards out and the Venezuelan controlled the ball superbly before drilling low into the corner past De Gea.
Van Gaal threw on Memphis Depay but West Brom held on for a win that takes them to within a point of the top 10 and leaves United facing an uphill battle to keep pace with the challengers for a UEFA Champions League place.
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