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David de Gea came up with yet another life-saving performance and Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata registered on the scoresheet to give Manchester United a 2-1 victory against Stoke City in the Premier League mid-week clash on Tuesday night.
The United midfield looks to be growing in confidence and cohesion with every match, and superlative performances were again turned in by Michael Carrick, Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young.
Ander Herrera’s cross from the left flank was headed in by the resurgent Fellaini from close range to put the Manchester team ahead in the 21st minute. Soon, however, Stoke City’s Bojan Krkic made a dazzling run to create an opening out of nowhere, and Steven N’Zonzi blasted a first-time shot from the resultant chance to put the teams back on level terms.
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United launched a series of offensives in the last 5 minutes of the first half, but were unable to find another headway.
Juan Mata lit up Old Trafford in the 59th minute with a looping free-kick that dipped wickedly to go into Stoke’s goal, leaving keeper Asmir Begovic stranded out of position. United had taken the lead again.
Academy-product James Wilson started the match for United in place of their regular captain Wayne Rooney to much consternation among fans, and almost got his first goal of the season with a solo run on goal in the second half, but was taken off for the returning Radamel Falcao for the last 10 minutes of the match.
The last few minutes of the match saw Stoke City mount a desperate attempt to score a goal, and compelled some heroic saves from David de Gea and a goal-line clearance by Ashley Young to see out the danger.
With their fourth win on the trot, United have now consolidated their position in the top 4, and are placed only two points below 2nd placed Manchester City, who however have a game in hand.
Manchester United 1-0 Stoke City: Fellaini (21’)
Manchester United 1-1 Stoke City: N’Zonzi (39’)
Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City: Mata (59’)
