MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 21:24:33| >> :60:967:967:

Match Analysis: Manchester United 3-1 Sunderland

Match Analysis: Man Utd 3-1 Sunderland
© PA Photos
Sports Mole looks at Manchester United's 3-1 win over Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

The pressure was on Manchester United on Saturday when they hosted Sunderland at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

Title rivals Manchester City had cut the gap at the top of the table down to three points with their win at Newcastle United earlier in the day, but United restored their advantage in the standings with a 3-1 victory over the Black Cats.

Robin van Persie, Tom Cleverley and Wayne Rooney fired the hosts into a 3-0 lead before Frazier Campbell set up a nervy end to the match with his goal.

Sports Mole takes a closer look at the action as the Red Devils made it five league wins in a row.

Match statistics:

Man Utd:
Shots 15
On target 6
Possession 50%
Corners 9
Fouls 13

Sunderland:
Shots 13
On target 10
Possession 50%
Corners 9
Fouls 10

Was the result fair?

Without doubt. United were unstoppable at times and cut Sunderland apart frequently with some incisive moves. The visitors made sure that it was a edgy finale when they pulled a goal back with 20 minutes left to play, but they offered very little before then.

Man Utd's performance

Sir Alex Ferguson will be annoyed with his side's sloppy end to the match, but he will only be purring with what came in the previous 80 minutes. Strong performances from Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia in the final third gave Sunderland little hope.

Sunderland's performance

After what was an awful first half, it took a third goal from United before the Black Cats woke up. While they did nothing to warrant a draw, they got the goal that they deserved.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Phil Jones: The 20-year-old was a model of enthusiasm as he chased everything down while linking up well in attack. He's clearly relishing his return to action.

Biggest gaffe

Wayne Rooney had the chance to make it 3-0 towards the end of the first half, but he somehow put his free header wide from all of eight yards.

Referee performance

Chris Foy could have probably booked Antonio Valencia for a foul on Jack Colback, but the official kept the cards in his pocket for the whole afternoon. It was what you want from a referee - an unremarkable display.

What next?

Man Utd: United face a tricky visit to Swansea City in the Premier League next Sunday.

Sunderland: Martin O'Neill will be eager for his side to pick up some points when they travel to Southampton.

ID:59603: cacheID:59603:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5032:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Tom Cleverley congratulates Wayne Rooney after his goal on December 15, 2012
Read Next:
Live Commentary: Man Utd 3-1 Sunderland - as it happened
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!