Cherries fall as Manchester get lucky

Manchester United can count themselves lucky after Marcus Rashford’s injury-time goal sealed a 2-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League yesterday.

The Cherries had been all over their more illustrious opponents from the off and it was no real surprise when the home side hit the front through Callum Wilson after just 11 minutes following a succession of early chances.

Anthony Martial levelled for United in the first half.

David de Gea was kept busy early on, but ultimately made an easy stop from Ryan Fraser before seeing Junior Stanislas fire inches wide – ahead of Wilson’s opener, which he rifled home from close range.

The Red Devils’ fans were being treated to a first-half performance lacking in conviction, certainty and confidence as manager José Mourinho furiously scribbled notes on the sidelines.

There were soon calls for a penalty for the home side for a robust challenge from Luke Shaw on David Brooks, ahead of poor effort from Fred that he side-footed wide.

But some steely determination from Alexis Sánchez saw United level. The Chilean started the attack by winning back a cross field ball from Fred that was initially cut out. He then played a one-two with Ashley Young on the right flank before crossing for Martial, who fired home from inside the box.

Anthony Martial Picture: AP

Only a sharp De Gea save stopped Brooks from back-heeling Bournemouth into the lead again, while Asmir Begovic did well to deny Martial on the edge of his area before making a strong block as Shaw got forward well down the left.

It was certainly Bournemouth’s half – with early second-half signs also pointing in the direction of the home side. Some changes were clearly needed by United, and Mourinho responded by bringing on Ander Herrera for Fred and Rashford for Juan Mata.

Sánchez continued to probe and was thwarted by a calm save from Begovic on the hour mark, as Herrera fired wide from a good Paul Pogba layback.

There were few signs that the tide was turning in United’s favour as Eddie Howe’s charges continued to play with freedom, but that all appeared to change with a superb free kick from Young.

The set-piece caught Begovic flat-footed as the ball smashed off the goal frame, leaving a well-placed Rashford to thrash home from close range. He was denied by a fantastic block from Nathan Aké before Brooks somehow cleared Pogba’s follow-up off the line.

However, it took a moment of composure from Rashford very late on to settle the tie.

The result saw United move level on 20 points with Bournemouth after 11 games, some six points off leaders Manchester City ahead of their clash with Southampton today. – TEAMtalk Media