EPL Gameweek 19: United and City pull off narrow victories

Norwich City 0-1 Man United:

Danny Welbeck (C) of Manchester United celebrates scoring their first goal during the Barclays Premier League matche between Norwich City and Manchester United at Carrow Road on December 28, 2013 in Norwich, England.

An impressive performance from the defensive duo of Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans helped Manchester United pull off a narrow 1-0 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Danny Welbeck, on rich vein of goal-scoring form off late, made an immediate impact after being introduced in the second half in place of Ryan Giggs. Norwich defender Ryan Bennett’s clearance was deflected off Javier Hernandez into the path of Welbeck, who slotted it past the goalkeeper in the 57th minute of the game.

Despite having much of the possession in the first half, Manchester United failed to create any chances to show for it. They were helped by the fact that Ashley Young looked more positive than he has ever been this season. As the clock ticked by, Norwich City grew into the game and set-off a series of attacks from which they could have easily taken the lead, if not for the goalkeeper David De Gea.

Robert Snodgrass was at the centre of things in those attempts and continued to pose several problems for Patrice Evra. Towards the end of the first half, Hernandez, picked out by Young, produced probably the best chance of the first 45 minutes for the travelling team only to be parried by the home keeper John Ruddy.

Team line-up:

Norwich: Ruddy, Martin, Ryan Bennett, Bassong, Olsson, Johnson, Fer, Snodgrass, Hoolahan, Redmond, Hooper. Subs: Whittaker, van Wolfswinkel, Bunn, Elmander, Garrido, Becchio, Murphy.

Man Utd: De Gea, Smalling, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Young, Cleverley, Carrick, Giggs, Kagawa, Hernandez. Subs: Anderson, Lindegaard, Welbeck, Fabio Da Silva, Fletcher, Zaha, Januzaj.

Man City 1-0 Crystal Palace:

Edin Dzeko of Manchester City is congratulated by his team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on December 28, 2013 in Manchester, England.

Eden Dzeko’s 66th minute goal was all that separated the two teams at the Etihad stadium as Manchester City warded off a spirited defensive defensive performance from Crystal Palace.

The home side completely bossed the first half with 73% possession but failed to convert any of their chances, as Palace’s 10-0-0 formation managed to keep them at bay and on occasions where they managed to split the defence up, the finishing was not of highest quality. David Silva was at the heart of attack in every telling home team move of the first half.

As the second half begun, Marouane Chamakh had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, only to head wide from five yards out. Jason Puncheon then followed it up with drawing a fine save from Joe Hart, who despite suffering a bad gash to his eye while attempting to stop Cameron Jerome towards the end of the first half continued to get on with the game. Joe Ward would have scored the equaliser but Hart was again spot on with his judgement to deny him.

Team line-up:

Man City: Hart, Boyata, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy, Fernandinho, Javi Garcia, Jesus Navas, Silva, Milner, Dzeko. Subs: Lescott, Nasri, Negredo, Kolarov, Rodwell, Pantilimon, Toure.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Delaney, Mariappa, Gabbidon, Parr, Puncheon, Ward, Bannan, Jedinak, Bolasie, Jerome. Subs: Campana, Phillips, Gayle, Jonathan Williams, Moxey, Chamakh, Price.