Jonas Olsson
Premier League, Old Trafford – Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 (Olsson 64’)
Jonas Olsson deflected Chris Brunt’s free kick into the net to give West Brom a 1-0 victory against Manchester United.
Manchester United had 86% of the possession in the opening stages, and continued to dominate through the rest of the half. What they did with that possession was to pass leisurely in front of West Brom, who were more than happy to sit off and watch United waste their time doing nothing constructive.
Joleon Lescott had perhaps the best chance of the half, heading straight at David de Gea when unmarked, but Robin van Persie also went close, shooting from just inside the box to bring a fingertip save from Boaz Myhill.
In the second half, United tried more of the wretched same and were punished when Brunt’s free kick flicked off Jonas Olsson’s heel and wrong-footed De Gea. United should have equalised when Robin van Persie missed a handball, after Saido Berahino handled in the box. Chances then came in quick succession, but United’s witless approach to the game meant they had little time to play with.
KEY EVENTS
15’ – LESCOTT HEADER – Lescott gets a free header from the penalty spot, but it’s straight at De Gea.
16’ – YOUNG SHOT – Van Persie receives a pass, spins on the edge of the box and brings a diving save from Myhill. He palms it straight to Young, who can’t shoot with his left, and delays his shot with his right for so long that a defender is able to come back to block.
19’ – VAN PERSIE MISS – Young strides down the left wing, and Dawson allows Young to get down the outside. He squares the ball for Van Persie at the near post, but he drills just wide.
45+1’ – VALENCIA SHOT – Rooney drives a ball out wide to Mata. Van Persie then lays the ball off to Valencia, and he shoots from a ridiculously tight angle, which is obviously saved. Awful.
64’ – GOAL! Manchester United 0-1 West Brom – Olsson scores. Brunt strikes a shot straight into the wall, it flicks off Olsson’s heel and into the opposite, near side of the goal.
72’ – PENALTY! Di Maria has space on the corner of the box to cross, and he curls one in with Mata lurking that Lescott neesds to turn behind. Valencia receives the ball from Berahino, and he fires a cross at Berahino’s hand. It’s a tough decision, but not that tough.
74’ – SAVED – Van Persie misses! Myhill dives to his left and gets to the ball easily.
75’ – WEST BROM HOLD ON – Van Persie’s shot is driven at goal and Myhill punches it away, then Mata and Fellaini try to turn it in, but West Brom manage to block.
90’ – MYHILL SAVE – Rooney finds Mata on the left, but Dawson clears the cross. Valencia’s cross is knocked back to Valencia, and he strikes into the corner, and Myhill dives to save excellently.
90+2’ – DI MARIA SHOT – Mata slings the ball left for Di Maria, and he fizzes a swirling shot at goal that Myhill tips away.
KEY STATS
Manchester United have not lost three consecutive games since December 2001.
West Bromwich Albion have won just two of their last 21 league matches against Manchester United (W2 D4 L16).
Man Utd have failed to score in their last three Premier League games. They have not failed to score in three consecutive games since August 2007 until today.
West Brom have scored the highest percentage of goals from set pieces of any team in the Premier League this season.
Darren Fletcher has a 100% success rate when playing against Manchester United.
MATCHCAST: FULL MATCH STATS AND COMMENTARY
TALKING POINT
Manchester United are letting fourth place slip. If United do not beat Crystal Palace at the weekend, and Liverpool beat Chelsea, the game between the sides could be as small as a single points. It has been shown how easy it is to defend against Manchester United: sit back and they won’t be able to break you down with their surfeit of possession. United need to pray for a win at Crystal Palace, or they might find themselves playing Europa League football next year.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Boaz Myhill (West Brom): There can be no complaints about the whole team’s performances, but Myhill commanded his area throughout. Added to that, he pulled off a number of exceptional saves, and many impressive ones. He denied Robin van Persie with three good attempts on goal, and Angel di Maria brought the best of them all with a volley that looked set to dip under the crossbar.
PLAYER RATINGS
MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea 6, Valencia 6, Smalling 6, McNair 6, Blind 6, Mata 5, Herrera 5, Fellaini 3, Young 4, Rooney 4, van Persie 6. Subs: Di Maria 6, Falcao 6.
WEST BROM: Myhill 8, Dawson 6, McAuley 6, Olsson 7, Lescott 7, Brunt 7, Yacob 6, Gardner 6, Mulumbu 6, Fletcher 6, Berahino 6. Subs: Wisdom 6, Baird 6, Ideye 6.
