Match Analysis: Red Devils Relief

Here's a detailed analysis of the Reds' thrilling comeback win over Stoke...

 

The Match: The tone for a frustrating afternoon was set when Peter Crouch inadvertantly knocked in the visitors' third-minute opener, and after Marko Arnautovic quickly negated Robin van Persie's leveller. The champions laid bare their fortitude, however, with a late rally which prompted two goals in three minutes, as Wayne Rooney brilliantly headed in a van Persie corner and substitute Chicharito nodded Patrice Evra's cross in to seal a victory drenched in equal measures of euphoria and relief.

Goals: Van Persie's leveller displayed the Dutchman's predatory instincts, as he pounced to rifle home the loose ball after Asmir Begovic had brilliantly parried out Rooney's header. The Bosnian was unable to keep out Rooney's superb, arcing header from van Persie's corner to level once again, and substitute Chicharito continued his own one-man mission against Stoke with a simple header from Evra's fine cross; his fifth career goal against the Potters.

Star men: David De Gea kept the Reds in the match in the first period, making impressive stops from Jon Walters and Marko Arnautovic, and the home supporters chanted the Spaniard's name as he left the field at the end of the half. Thereafter, with Stoke's attacking ambition curtailed, Rooney came to the fore by dropping deeper and becoming a hub of midfield creativity, before a sublime equaliser to set up the late comeback.

Subplot: Three positive substitutions from David Moyes turned the game's tide. The introduction of Adnan Januzaj promptly yielded two bookings for fouls on the youngster, and the weight of United's building pressure forced Stoke to give way after the subsequent arrivals of Chicharito and Antonio Valencia.

Opposition: Mark Hughes' side have had a tough start to the season, but were clearly up for the task at Old Trafford. Compact and tenacious in defence and midfield - with Stephen Nzonzi and Wilson Palacios outstanding - they hounded United in central areas and doubled up effectively out wide. Far beyond just snuffing out the champions, however, the Potters made a string of chances themselves and were only undone by two well-worked goals from the Reds.

Move of the match: A well-worked piece of play culminated in Evra motoring down the left flank, and he picked out Chicharito with a magnificent deep cross to secure a vital victory.

In the stands: After United's boisterous trial of a home singing section during the midweek win over Real Sociedad, the travelling supporters were restored to their usual spot in the south west quadrant. Events dictated that it was the minority who were cheering loudest for most of the game, but the roar which greeted Chicharito's winner would stand comparison with most great Old Trafford soundtracks.