Sunday, 23 February 2014

Five lessons from Palace 0-2 Man United: Champions find hope in the old and new

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Five lessons from Palace 0-2 Man United: Champions find hope in the old and new

Five lessons from Palace 0-2 Man United: Champions find hope in the old and new

Posted: 22 Feb 2014 02:49 PM PST

Rooney knows how to celebrate a contract Wayne Rooney had gone five successive appearances without scoring or assisting a goal for Manchester United prior to their 2-0 win at Crystal Palace - his longest drought on that front since December 2011, when he went 7 games without an attacking intervention. So it was fitting, therefore, that he would celebrate a shiny new five-year contract with a goal to smash that particular stat and instead provide another one: becoming the second player after Frank Lampard to score 10+ Premier League goals in 10 consecutive seasons (though we doubt there's an award on its way for that). Palace fans had it in for the United striker from the off at Selhurst Park, as they jeered him fiercely and sang "who's the Scouser in the wig" with familiar collective terrace glee. As if Rooney's new deal doesn't make him rich enough, some even threw coins at him as he went to take a corner. The rich get richer and all that. Rooney replied in style with a cracking goal to seal the victory, and he played with customary energy and determination. And restraint, for the Rooney of old might well have had one or two things to say about the kind of abuse he was subjected to throughout. Rooney kept plugging away and often dropped deeper into midfield positions to try to help the team create, but he also offered a goal threat. It was a mature performance from the man once referred to as the White Pele and, as we'll come on to, it looks as if David Moyes has decided Rooney will be the one to lead the new United. There's life in old dog Evra yet FFT feels pretty self-satisfied,having picked out Patrice Evra as a key man before today's game. That preview defended the 32-year-old Frenchman, highlighting how the great responsibilities he accepts as both a defensive and attacking focal point of United's game have at times appeared like more of a burden. Perhaps Evra is a keen follower of these pages, as his performance at Selhurst Park was in some respects a throwback to the glory years, when he was rightly considered one of the world's best left-backs. Although the possibility of a contract extension has been mooted, there's a chance we are witnessing Evra's final few months in a United shirt, after eight years of service and 10 major trophies in the red shirt. Today he showed what he offered on a regular basis during that time: solid defensive work married with an important attacking threat. Evra was decisive on the day, winning the penalty for the opening goal and fizzing in a fine cutback for Wayne Rooney to score United's second. After six months in the job David Moyes gave an interview on MUTV in which he named Evra as the player who had most impressed him since joining, citing his influence in the dressing room as a key reason why. Evra's legs may be growing increasingly weary, but his commitment to the cause can never be doubted. Jedinak is no longer underrated Mile Jedinak seems to have been described as 'underrated' from the first minute he kicked a ball in the Premier League, so it no longer feels appropriate to assign him that particular tag. At one point does one go from being underrated to simply rated? The Australian midfielder has been a revelation for Palace this season, sitting just outside the top 10 for most successful tackles per game in the Premier League. What's more, he is currently the league's best player for interceptions per game, using his intelligence and anticipation to lead the way with 3.5 per game, narrowly ahead of his opponent at Selhurst Park, Michael Carrick. Jedinak again was at the heart of all things positive for Palace here, making more tackles, more interceptions and - perhaps surprisingly - creating more chances than anyone else on the field. He also led the way for fouls as he got stuck into the dirty side of things. From working in his uncle's office in Sydney to captaining the Eagles in the Premier League, the 29-year-old's rise continued with a classy display. Palace need a plan B For 60 minutes the plan was working perfectly for Tony Pulis' side. With their opponents' recent struggles against Fulham in mind Palace sat deep, with a defensive block of 10 men behind ball and minimal space between the lines. United had 70% possession in the first 30 minutes but their passing wasn't incisive enough and easy to defend against. There were no killer through balls or runs in behind and pot shots from distance. Palace looked comfortable. The goal, however, transformed the match. "It was the changing point of the game," Pulis admitted afterwards. "I hate to say it but it was a penalty. It gave them the leg-up they were looking for." Palace pushed up thereafter in an attempt to get back in the game, but when you've sat in the trenches for so long it takes a little while to rub your eyes and adjust to the brightness of daylight and open space. The Eagles' attempt to get back into the game only left room in behind for the likes of Juan Mata, Adnan Januzaj and Robin van Persie to play into and Palace's margin of defeat could have been even wider during this period, with Van Persie hitting the crossbar from a United breakaway after a through ball into the space behind. In Tom Ince, Yannick Bolasie, Jason Puncheon, Marouane Chamakh and now Glenn Murray Pulis has a number of options, but finding the right balance between defensive organisation and switching to the front foot in search of goals is one he needs to get right in their remaining games. "We're in a relegation battle with 12 other teams so it'll go right to the end, I imagine," Pulis stated afterwards. Palace have more important games to come than the bonus ball of a match against the champions, but relegation remains a threat. That said, on today's evidence they look to have the necessary defensive organisation and fighting spirit to stay up, the backing of a brilliantly vocal and passionate home support an added plus point. Rebirth starts here for Manchester United Towards the end of this game a rendition of the famous United terrace chant 'Viva Ronaldo' carried its way through the mild air at Selhurst Park. The chant was poignant - far from boisterous, not too loud; understated and slightly melancholic, if anything. It spoke of what now seems like a bygone era for Manchester United, to the days when Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez fired United to multiple triumphs in the league and Europe. Ronaldo only ever played one game against Crystal Palace, as a substitute in a 0-0 draw nearly nine years ago; from the United team that played that day, only three players remain – Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs. (Julian Speroni was on the bench for Palace, in a game whose only real flashpoint was Vassilis Lakis' sending-off.) That game took place a month after Adnan Januzaj's 10th birthday. Ronaldo is long gone; Phil Neville and Paul Scholes, who also featured, are on United's coaching staff. This is a new era for the Red Devils, led by a manager who looked far more relaxed after the game than he did in a tetchy post-match press conference at Stoke three weeks ago. With Ferdinand and Giggs winding down their careers, Rooney is the figurehead of this new era and in that sense it was fitting that he should get his name back on the scoresheet. He will probably be United's next captain and he has a major part to play in this crucial transition period. Saturday's Premier League analysed • Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester United on Stats Zone

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Moyes delighted with Rooney deal

Posted: 22 Feb 2014 12:43 PM PST

Rooney put pen to paper on a newfive-and-a-half-year deal on Friday before wrapping up Uniteds 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park 24 hours later. Robin van Persie had put the Premier League champions ahead after 62 minutes, before Rooney registered his 10th league goal of the season with a smart finish from inside the area. And Moyes insisted that tying down Rooney - who was linked with a move away from Old Trafford prior to the start of the season, with Chelsea openly expressing their interest - was a vital step for the club, as the Scot seeks to build on what has been a disappointing campaign so far. It is great news (Rooneys new deal). It is a great signing for us. To try and buy a player like Rooney is going to cost you a lot, Moyes told Sky Sports. Hes a really important player, you think about the amount of clubs who wanted to sign him. Wayne is one of the top players, he shows it week in, week out. We never had any intention of letting him go. Wayne has been great since day one. Moyes also urged Rooney to keep on improving and become a key figure in the Scots Old Trafford tenure. The finish (for his goal) was exquisite, he added. Its a bit like Wayne, (having) not much time to think about it and bang, he pulls the trigger. Were on his case and we want him to keep at it.

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Rooney ready to focus on football

Posted: 22 Feb 2014 12:14 PM PST

Rooney struck Uniteds second in their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, having pledged his long-term future to the Premier League champions 24 hours earlier. His goal, an angled strike from inside the area, capped a comfortable performance from David Moyes men, as they moved to sixth in the table. And Rooney was pleased to be able to finally put speculation surrounding his future behind him and get back to doing what he does best on the pitch. The deal was important. It has more or less been agreed for a month just the fine details needed finishing off. Thankfully it is done, he told Sky Sports. I have let my football do the talking. I am happy and settled. United enjoyed plenty of possession against Palace, but up until Robin van Persies 62nd-minute opener it looked as though they would be frustrated by Tony Pulis side. Rooney felt United deserved their victory - a result that sets them up nicely for Tuesdays UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg against Olympiacos, although he insisted that he is now looking to the long term following his new deal. We moved the ball well, maybe could have created more chances. But we controlled the game and knew once we scored the goal we could see the game out. It was a great three points, he continued. Whether I signed a new deal or not, I always give 100 per cent. We all stick together and hopefully we can bring some success in the near future. We have to go on a good run now, hopefully (qualification in the Champions League) will come and if not well look to next year.

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Premier League: Crystal Palace 0 Manchester United 2

Posted: 22 Feb 2014 11:27 AM PST

The England international pledged his long-term future to the Old Trafford club by agreeing a new five-and-a-half-year deal on Friday, and he showed his value to the champions with his 12th goal of the season in all competitions 24 hours later as United ended their three-match winless run. After Robin van Persie had opened the scoring from the spot after 62 minutes, Rooney hit a delightful effort from inside the area that left Julian Speroni helpless. The win moves United into sixth while for Tony Pulis Palace, the defeat ends their run of three straight top-flight wins at home and keeps them firmly in the relegation picture. Adnan Januzaj - part of a forward four that also included Rooney, Van Persie and Juan Mata - threatened early on for the visitors, dragging a shot wide of Speronis left-hand post. United enjoyed the better of the opening 15 minutes, keeping the ball well but failing to get in behind Palace until Januzaj jinked past Joel Ward - with the help of an arm - before firing home a strike that was ruled out by referee Michael Oliver. Despite their array of attacking talent, Moyes side struggled to break down a Palace side who came into the game unbeaten at home in the league this year. Rooney saw his delivery cleared off the line by Damien Delaney before Nemanja Vidics follow-up flew over the crossbar. At the other end, David De Gea was called into action just before the half-hour mark, getting down to his right to save Wards deflected header. Marouane Fellaini, making his first appearance since December, wasted an ideal opportunity to hand Moyes men a half-time lead but he curled his effort over the crossbar after a burst into the penalty area. Jason Puncheon could have done better with Glenn Murrays knockdown after the break - with the former Southampton man only managing a tame effort that De Gea easily smothered. Murray then went close with an acrobatic effort just before the hour, but when Van Persie coolly fired home from the spot after 62 minutes - it took the wind out of Palaces sails somewhat. The Dutchman swept home his spot-kick, after Marouane Chamakh had clumsily taken out Patrice Evra in the area, before Rooney doubled Uniteds lead with 22 minutes remaining. After Evras cross sat up nicely for him, Rooney cut across the ball, diverting it past Speroni and into the Argentinians top left-hand corner. Rooneys goal put the gloss on a much-needed United victory and sets Moyes men up nicely for their UEFA Champions League clash with Olympiacoson Tuesday.

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Saturday Analysis: Lessons in passing, persistence and penetration - plus goals aplenty

Posted: 22 Feb 2014 11:12 AM PST

A goal-filled day in Europe's leading, erm, TV-revenue-collecting league - although in the final analysis, the key results may be the 1-0 home wins for Chelsea and Manchester City. Elsewhere, Arsenal needed - and got - a reaction after Wednesday's home humbling, while Hull had a happy away day and the champions' first road win in 2014moved them into sixth position. At the bottom, Fulham almost did themselves a big favour but West Brom's late equaliser means none of the bottom seven won - not that that's any concern for West Ham, after four league wins on the bounce in February. Chelsea 1-0 Everton The kind of win that titles are made of? Certainly Chelsea never said die, firing in 25 shots to Everton's 8. The Toffees, for all their laudable composure on the ball, only bothered Petr Cech twice. Eden Hazard completed the most passes in the final third, ranging all across the pitch in typically fluid style. Everton's main final-third passer was Leighton Baines; they lacked the same penetration through the middle, Leon Osman spending more time helping out Gareth Barry and James McCarthy behind him. Chelsea 1-0 Everton: check it yourself with Stats Zone Arsenal 4-1 Sunderland As on Wednesday night, the Gunners started brightly. Unlike against Bayern, they took their early chances and put the game to bed by half time: in the first half, five players (Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Lukas Podolski) completed more attacking-third passes that Sunderland's combined combatants. After the break, Arsenal slapped on the anchors, and although Laurent Koscielny nodded in the fourth (unmarked), Sunderland outshot their hosts 7 to 3 in the second half – after registering no attempts at all before half-time. Arsenal 4-1 Sunderland: check it yourself with Stats Zone Cardiff 0-4 Hull A penny for Malky Mackay's thoughts as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suffered his fifth defeat in seven league games. Cardiff piled up 23 shots from their 56.3% possession, but only 5 of them were on target. Hull, by contrast, got 6 of their 12 on target – of which brace-scorer Nikica Jelavic contributed 4 (from 8 attempts). Cardiff fired a frightening 43 crosses (including corners) into the box, creating 6 attempts on goal. Hull only tried it 8 times and it created 3 shots, including a goal. Cardiff 0-4 Hull: check it yourself with Stats Zone Man City 1-0 Stoke Functional if slightly fraught, the home side were certainly rattled by former manager Mark Hughes's Stoke but certainly dominated the statistics. They used their 74% possession to rattle up almost 700 passes, completing 616 (89%) to Stoke's 158 of 230 (69%). In the attacking third, the hosts piled up 238 out of 289 passes compared to Stoke's 35 of 74. Indeed, David Silva, Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure each completed more final-third passes than Stoke's entire side. For all Mark Hughes' laudable intent to turn Stoke into a short-passing team, they certainly tried to catch their hosts on the break with the early lob forward. Of Stoke's 230 attempted passes, 45 (19.6%) were long, compared to Man City's 27 of 692 (3.9%). Man City 1-0 Stoke: check it yourself with Stats Zone West Brom 1-1 Fulham The Felix Magath era looked like starting with a win, but the Cottagers were second best. With 63.9% possession, West Brom compiled double Fulham's passing totals (383 of 495 completed to 184 of 282) and were particularly dominant in the attacking third – although Magath may say his side, ahead for most of the match, didn't need to press. Baggies' ascendancy is perhaps best shown by the number of clearances Fulham had to make - 68, compared to Baggies' 15 and Southampton's 42 - the next-highest total in today's Premier League fixtures. West Brom 1-1 Fulham: check it yourself with Stats Zone West Ham 3-1 Southampton An efficient performance from West Ham. Saints had 68.9% possession and completed 469 of 543 passes (86%) to the Hammers' 140 of 220 (64%). The Saints also totted up 25 shots to the hosts' 10 but each side got 5 on target… and Adrian made four saves to Artur Boruc's two. West Ham 3-1 Southampton: check it yourself with Stats Zone Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester United Although Palace rattled into Manchester United, the champions had much more of the ball: their 66.4% possession was reflected in the sides' passing totals. United completed 598 of 665 (90%), Palace 239 of 322 (74%). United fielded Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj but the man who completed most final-third passes was Michael Carrick, with 31 of his 35 hitting the spot. In all, Carrick amassed 135 completed passes of 143. Crystal Palace 0-2 Man United: check it yourself with Stats Zone

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