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Premier League: Manchester United ease past Stoke City

The Red Devils weren’t at their best, but were still too good for the relegation-threatened Potters!

Premier League: Manchester United ease past Stoke City

Manchester United winger Anthony Martial celebrates after scoring his side's second goal (Photo: AFP)

Manchester United brushed off a torrential downpour to ease past Stoke City 3-0 on Monday night at Old Trafford to reduce the deficit between themselves and league leaders Manchester City to 12 points.

After City had been edged by Liverpool on Sunday, United knew they had to secure a win against a side that had just sacked their manager.

Paul Lambert had agreed terms to manage the struggling Potters earlier in the day and he was watching from the stands as his side took on a team that had just enjoyed a warm weather training camp in Dubai.

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Antonio Valencia, playing his first game of 2018, would give the Red Devils the lead in the 8th minute itself, cutting inside from the right and sending in a left-footed curler past Jack Butland. The Ecuadorian, who rarely uses his weaker foot, was returning from a hamstring injury but never looked off the pace, even if most of his teammates did.

Stoke began to grow in the game and had a few chances of their own, with David de Gea coming to United’s rescue on a number of occasions.

Stephan Ireland, back in the starting XI after a long while, was guilty of sending a gilt-edged chance wide and United would then put some distance between themselves and the visitors courtesy of a fine goal from Anthony Martial. 

Paul Pogba, who had supplied the assist for the first goal, showed the presence of mind to lay the ball into the path of Martial and the winger sent in a first-time shot from the edge of the box that curled into the far-corner in the 38th minute.

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United looked home and dry at that minute, but Xherdhan Shaqri conjured a chance for himself seemingly out of nowhere, turning Phil Jones on a dime before placing the ball towards the bottom corner only for de Gea to deny the winger with a sprawling one-handed save.

Stoke, despite ending the first-half strongly, faded after the interval and allowed United to take control of the tie.

United were camped in the Stoke half for the most part and while they had plenty of chances to extend their lead, a third goal didn’t look on the cards until Romelu Lukaku scored a contentious strike to finally put the game beyond the visitors’ reach.

Shackled by Kevin Wimmer, the Belgian forward managed to control Martial’s drilled pass with his hand and turned to shoot past Butland with less than 20 minutes to play.

Mame Diouf would give United a scare at the other end as the Red Devils switched off, but de Gea came to his side’s rescue with a fine double-save and United would hold on to their clean-sheet and their 15th league win of the season.

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A trip to Turf Moor on Saturday to take on Burnley is next on the cards for Jose Mourinho’s men, who even if they can’t challenge City for the title, are still favourites to finish in the top-four.
For Paul Lambert, it’s a far more grim situation as the former Aston Villa man has the unenviable task of revitalising a side that are languishing in relegation zone. The 18th-ranked Potters host Huddersfield Town on Saturday and will strive to return to winning ways.

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