West Brom overcame 10 men United as Rondon’s low drive in the 67th minute was enough for the Baggies to claim their first ever win against United at the Hawthorns in the Premier League.
Juan Mata’s first red card of his career came in the 26th minute of the first half after his rash challenge on former United man Darren Fletcher earned him a second yellow of the game. That turned out to the deciding factor as United struggled to create any significant opportunities eventually losing to the solitary goal.
Squads:
West Bromwich Albion
Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Chester, Olsson; Yacob, Gardner, Fletcher; Berahino, Sessegnon, Rondon.
Manchester United
De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Carrick, Herrera, Lingard, Mata, Martial; Rashford.
First Half: Mata Red sees United go down to 10 men
Louis Van Gaal made four changes to the side that beat Watford in midweek. That side was the youngest the Dutchman has fielded this season. But United are slowly getting their players back with Smalling starting at the back. Tony Pulis named an unchanged side as he went in search for his first ever victory over the Red Devils in 13 games.
Van Gaal had won his last two games and was looking to put the pressure on City and Arsenal in a chase for Champions League qualification. The game began both sides playing cautious football. The first shot of the game came from Martial as he tested Foster’s alertness but it didn’t trouble the keeper.
United kept the ball for most periods in the first quarter of the game but West Brom looked the more dangerous in attack. The Red Devils were finding it very difficult to break down a well-drilled West Brom who are generally solid in defence
The complexion of the whole game changed though in the 26th minute. Juan Mata of all players made a rash challenge on Darren Fletcher and having already being on a yellow card Mike Dean had no option but to send him off. United were down to 10 men.
West Brom started to dominate possession with the man advantage but were unable to do anything with the ball. United defended admirably with Smalling in particular, impressing in defence.
United had a chance at the end of the half with Lingard driving into the box but it came to nothing as the referee blew the whistle to end the first half.
Second Half: Rondon makes the difference
United started the half the brighter and threatened the West Brom goal on several occasions. Martial once again looked the most likely in a red shirt to create something. Using his burst of pace he beat two defenders on the left-hand side, got in the box and cut a ball back for Rashford whose shot was deflected just wide
The away side threatened once again as Martial was fouled right on the edge of West Brom’s penalty area. But without their free-kick specialist, Mata Herrera stepped up. Sadly his shot was a disappointing one as it went straight into the wall.
Pulis in a forced move brought on Pocognoli for the injured Dawson but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The left back had an immediate impact as his first contribution was to deliver a great ball for Berahino but his instinctive left-foot shot was just wide of the crossbar.
But five minutes later Pocognoli finally did get an assist for his efforts. Another wonderful low ball found Rondon in the box who took his shot first time which squeezed past De Gea low into the right-hand corner.
It left United with a tough task of trying to find an equalizer with a man disadvantage. The game went started to peter out after that as West Brom were able to deal with anything United threw at them. At the same time they did not allow United to have all of the ball winning their fair share of possession.
The Red Devils couldn’t create too much as their main creative force disappeared with Mata’s dismissal. West Brom saw the game out comfortably to further dent United's hopes of a top four finish.
