Van Persie substitution was planned, claims Moyes |
- Van Persie substitution was planned, claims Moyes
- Premier League: West Brom 0 Manchester United 3
- Saturday analysis: Moyes finally gets the dominant midfield display hes waited for
- Moyes: Players are behind me
| Van Persie substitution was planned, claims Moyes Posted: 08 Mar 2014 09:27 AM PST Van Persie was on the periphery of matters throughout Uniteds routine 3-0 victory at The Hawthorns on Saturday, and appeared fortunate to escape a red card when he seemed to let his frustrations get the better of him early in the second half. The Dutchman was first cautioned for scything Morgan Amalfitano down from behind, before then making a crude, late challenge on Steven Reid a matter of moments later with United still only one goal to the good. Referee Jonathan Moss opted for a stern talking-to instead of producing a second yellow card, and Moyes substituted the striker soon after. However, Moyes said Van Persies withdrawal had been decided upon pre-match and did not feel his tackle on Reid was worthy of another caution. I thought it was a foul, but it did not warrant a yellow card, the Scot told MUTV. I was always taking him off anyway because he played 90 minutes for Holland in midweek. I actually told him in the hotel that Id try to get him off at the right time in the game, so it made the decision easy. I couldnt afford him to have another challenge and give the referee a decision to make. Uniteds much-vaunted front four of Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj all started at The Hawthorns, and produced a more cohesive display as they continue to gel as an attacking unit. Rooney followed up Phil Jones first-half opener with his 11th Premier League goal of the season, before then setting up substitute Danny Welbeck - who came on for Van Persie - to round off the scoring late on. Moyes was happy with the performance of his forward line, while also reserving words of praise for his defence. I thought Robin and Wayne were excellent - Mata and Adnan too, he added. But we also needed a good defensive performance as well, so, all round, Im pleased. The pitch was very lively; it was drying out a little bit and it wasnt that easy to pass the ball, but we looked much more potent going forward and looked more likely to score than we have in other games. I made the point about us trying to attack more and have better play going forward and I think we did that. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Premier League: West Brom 0 Manchester United 3 Posted: 08 Mar 2014 06:41 AM PST Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney and substitute Danny Welbeck found the net to ensure Mels wait for a first win in charge of the Midlanders was extended to seven games, with the victory lifting United to sixth in the Premier League above Everton and leaving West Brom deep in the relegation mire. Mels United counterpart David Moyes denied his players were not fully behind him in the build-up to the game, and the champions backed that up with a clinical display to keep their slim hopes of UEFA Champions League qualification alive. West Brom began the game on the front foot, but United showed menace on the counter-attack. Their much-vaunted front four of Mata, Adnan Januzaj, Rooney and Robin van Persie showed more cohesion than in previous games, but it was Chris Brunt who almost put United ahead after 16 minutes. The West Brom captain inadvertently diverted Marouane Fellainis 16th-minute header goalwards before Youssouff Mulumbu came to his rescue by clearing off the line. The hosts then had former United goalkeeper Ben Foster to thank for keeping them level just before the half-hour mark when he kept out Rafaels powerful back-post header. There was nothing Foster could do about the 33rd-minute opener, however, as Jones glanced Van Persies free-kick past the keeper from eight yards for his first Premier League goal of the season. West Brom should have drawn level five minutes later when Claudio Yacob nodded over from three yards, before Victor Anichebe outmuscled Jones with his back to goal only to drag wide from 12 yards. Foster appeared fortunate to escape punishment just before half-time as he seemed to handle outside his area, with referee Jonathan Moss waving play on despite vehement protests from Moyes. Mels side came began the second period as they started the first, and created a clear opening after 52 minutes only for Zoltan Gera to shoot tamely straight at David de Gea after a neat one-two with Anichebe. Moss was again in the spotlight shortly after, as he deemed Van Persies second wild lunge in the space of five minutes unworthy of a second booking. The referee cautioned the Dutchman for his first poor tackle on Morgan Amalfitano, and could easily have dismissed him when he went in late on Steven Reid shortly after, but opted instead for a stern warning. Moyes, perhaps mindful of his strikers fortune, substituted Van Persie for Welbeck just after the hour mark. United were struggling to contain Anichebes physicality, and the former Everton man almost created the equaliser when he fired across goal after once again shrugging off the attentions of Jones, but Rafael was on hand to clear before Brunt could tap in to an open goal. Despite West Broms promising start after the interval, they were undone by a moment of real quality from the visitors as Rooney doubled their advantage after 65 minutes. Slick interplay between Rooney, Mata and Rafael ended with the Brazil defender finding the unmarked England striker with a pinpoint cross, and he made no mistake with a simple back-post header. Welbeck then made sure seven minutes from time when he latched on to Rooneys perfectly weighted throughball and produced a smart finish. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Saturday analysis: Moyes finally gets the dominant midfield display hes waited for Posted: 08 Mar 2014 04:37 AM PST West Brom 0-3 Man United Analyse this game with Stats Zone This was certainly more like it from Manchester United. Three points, three goals and a clean sheet is just what David Moyes and his side needed - and they were good value for it after a strong second half at The Hawthorns. By half-time they led through Phil Jones' super header from a Robin van Persie free-kick, even if their first-half showing wasn't exacly vintage. In an end-to-end 45 minutes, the Red Devils enjoyed the lion's share of possession, but were often found wanting with a lack of ideas in the final third. There were the familiar desires to get it wide, which rarely troubled a West Brom side who were more than willing to hit the visitors on the counter. Van Persie combined with Wayne Rooney just twice across the first 45 minutes. After the break, things improved. Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini were consistent throughout, with the latter enjoying one of his best displays in a United shirt. The Belgian finished as the game's top passer with 64/71 completed, dug in with 4/5 tackles (all in key areas), made 5 interceptions, 8 clearances and won all of his 4 aerial duels. Fellaini's defensive game came up trumps - but a word of praise to West Brom's Youssouf Mulumbu, who made an incredible 18 recoveries in midfield, completed a game-high 3/4 take-ons and 55/60 passes. Rafael was also a driving force behind United's big win; the Brazilian right-back was an ever-present attacking threat and set up Wayne Rooney's header with a fine cross. His dribbling wasn't so successful (2/6 take-ons completed), but the intent was there and defensively he came out on pole with 7/8 tackles won and 8 clearances. An all-round impressive display from the 23-year-old. Cardiff 3-1 Fulham Analyse this game with Stats Zone Breathing room for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - but surely the result that all but relegates Fulham. The Bluebirds saw Steven Caulker's opener cancelled out by Lewis Holtby on the hour mark, but bounced back impressively eight minutes later when Caulker grabbed his second. The former Tottenham man has four league goals this season - as many as Mesut Özil and Fernando Torres - with three coming against the hapless Cottagers. It was game over when Sascha Riether put into his own net after Maarten Stekelenburg had saved from Jordon Mutch. Mutch was Cardiff's creative hub; he crafted 8 scoring chances for his team-mates - three from corners, one of which was the source of Caulker's second goal. In general the Welsh side's shooting was decent - they got 9 of their 19 efforts on target, compared with just 6 from 14 for Fulham. Cottagers new boy Kostas Mitroglou made his debut in south Wales, but endured a frustrating afternoon. He was virtually anonymous in the first half, and by full-time he'd attempted 7 efforts without success. Judging by his passes received, though, the Greek hitman will be used by Felix Magath as the focal point of his side's attacking ventures in weeks to come. They'll need him on song - the west Londoners are bottom of the league and four points from safety, effectively five thanks to their abysmal goal difference. Magath's men have conceded 15 more goals than the next worst defence - Cardiff's. Crystal Palace 0-1 Southampton Analyse this game with Stats Zone You won't find a more typical Southampton display than this - a possession-based, professional away win with their flying English contingent were at the heart. Jay Rodriguez's first-half sitter (and no, not likethat) was enough for maximum points at Selhurst Park, to leave Crystal Palace just two points above safety and staring nervously over their shoulders. By half-time the Saints had made almost four times as many passes as the hosts, who had recorded dreadful 54% accuracy. By full-time the Eagles had reduced the numbers to 380-150, but their pass-completion rate still dwindled below the 60% mark. Simply, it was a case of get it wide (3/31 cross completed) or pump it long (as nearly 20% of their passes went) for the south Londoners, who made life difficult for their lone striker Glenn Murray. Southampton were forced into a hefty 64 clearances, which was almost double that of Tony Pulis' men. That the Saints also won the aerial battle 22 to 17 didn't help matters. Mauricio Pochettino's men kept things neat, turned to Adam Lallana for inspiration once again, and got their rewards with the England man carving out 5 opportunities. Midfield minder Morgan Schneiderlin made one block, with game-high ball recoveries (12) and tackles (5/6). It's another three points in the awfully exciting battle to finish eighth or ninth, but plunges Palace into peril leaving them without a win in three. Next up are Everton away. Norwich 1-1 Stoke Analyse this game with Stats Zone Norwich will be disappointed not to have seen out a win after taking the lead through Bradley Johnson, but a point isn't horrendous against notoriously prickly Stoke. Jon Walters' penalty earned the Potters a point, before the Republic of Ireland international was sent off for a high challenge on Alex Tettey. Cardiff's win against Fulham leaves Chris Hughton's side four points clear of the drop zone, with a better goal difference (6) than their Welsh rivals. As has often been the case, it was left to Robert Snodgrass to provide inspiration. Nathan Redmond was lively on the opposite wing, with a game-high 5/7 take-ons completed, but the England U21 man created nothing and put in only one cross all afternoon. Scot Snodgrass provided the assist for Johnson's opener from a free-kick, flung in nine crosses and won 4 free-kicks for his team - 3 of which were in dangerous positions. Oddly, he was also used as an aerial outlet from goal-kicks and won 7 of his 15 duels. He might not have been stunning, but his dead-ball quality was valuable here. Stoke struggled to turn possession into meaningful danger. They completed just 15 attacking-third passes in the first half, improved that tally after half-time but attempted only one shot - the penalty from which Walters scored. Mark Hughes will certainly be the happier manager. Chelsea 4-0 Tottenham Analyse this game with Stats Zone Michael Oliver won't be the most popular man in the white half of north London tonight - but then neither will Jan Vertonghen. It was the latter's blunder, when Spurs were looking more than comfortable at Stamford Bridge, which gifted Samuel Eto'o the opening goal. When Younes Kaboul was adjudged to have brought down the Cameroon striker three minutes later, the Frenchman was sent off and a penalty awarded to the hosts for their troubles. Eden Hazard scored, and the game was over. The defeat will hurt Spurs more than usual. Their away record against the Blues is historically awful, but they spent the first 45 minutes in west London defying the norm and setting out their stall with a confident display of possession football. The game was poor, but Spurs didn't give their hosts an inch - indeed, they failed to notch a shot on target before the break. Hazard and last weekend's hero, Andre Schürrle, were muted. Tottenham's attacking threat was wiped out after Kaboul's red card The north Londoners' first-half display was made all the more impressive on the back of a surprising team selection from Tim Sherwood, who was without the injured Mousa Dembele and left Paulinho on the bench in another midfield reshuffle. Kaboul returned to partner Michael Dawson at the back, and Kyle Walker was named in midfield. It shouldn't have been much of a surprise - the England man is excellent going forward and would have been useful in keeping the threat of Hazard Co. to a minimum. This was a classic game of two halves for Tottenham, though. The floodgates opened once Kaboul was sent off, and another two defensive howlers twice let in Demba Ba to compile the misery. Chelsea go seven points clear; Tottenham sulk off after a hideous collapse. There'll be fingers pointed - and plenty of people who deserve them. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 08 Mar 2014 02:30 AM PST Moyes has endured a difficult first season at Old Trafford since being charged with the task of replacing the legendary Alex Ferguson and this week wrote to season-ticket holders to thank them for their support. United are seventh in the Premier League ahead of Saturdays trip to West Brom and face a battle to stay in the UEFA Champions League after losing 2-0 at Olympiacos in the first leg of their round of 16 tie. It has been suggested that Moyes players are not playing for the Scotsman, but the United boss rejectedthat notion. He said: I dont know if its the right thing (to state) that theyre not playing for me. I think they definitely do, so I dont accept that. Ive been honest with the players and the media, Ive tried to be straight as I can. Ive done it with the supporters. We need to play better. I think Olympiacos was the poorest weve played. That was disappointing but we will improve from that and we will be better. We had a bad night and we all take responsibility for that. But I refute that was the worst night or all those sort of things. We didnt play well, we said that honestly and we know we have to do much better. The players are aware of that and we will have to do better in the coming months. Former Netherlands internationalRonald de Boer this week claimed that Van Persie may leave Old Trafford if United fail to strengthen their squad at the end of the season, but Moyes played down such claims. I couldnt reply to that and I wouldnt know how Ronald de Boer would know that, added Moyes. I travelled back from the (Netherlands) game (a 2-0 defeat against France on Wednesday) with Robin the other night. I went to the game, watched them play and travelled back with him. I hardly feel I need to answer the question. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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