Romelu Lukaku joined the Premier League 100 club as Manchester United comfortably beat Swansea City 2-0 this afternoon for a fourth successive top-flight victory.
The Belgian striker brought up a century of goals in the English top flight with a deflected shot past Lukasz Fabianski five minutes into the encounter at Old Trafford.
United were well on their way to victory after just 20 minutes as Alexis Sanchez scored for the first time in eight games with a sweeping finish into the bottom corner.
The Red Devils took their foot off the gas in the second half and needed David de Gea to twice thwart Tammy Abraham around the hour mark to avoid a nervy finish.
Relive how the action unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
After the conclusion of the international break, the Premier League run-in is upon us and while Manchester United would have been hoping to be in a title challenge at this stage, their neighbours' excellence means that they are fighting for second as they entertain Swansea City at Old Trafford today.
LATEST: Crystal Palace are currently doing United a big favour by holding Liverpool 1-1 at Selhurst Park, where there is still 15 minutes plus stoppage time remaining. As it stands, the Red Devils would be a point clear of Liverpool in third place, and have two games in hand.
MAN UNITED: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Lindelof, Young; Matic, Pogba; Mata, Lingard, Sanchez; Lukaku
Subs: Pereira, Shaw, Bailly, Herrera, McTominay, Rashford, Martial
Subs: Pereira, Shaw, Bailly, Herrera, McTominay, Rashford, Martial
SWANSEA: Fabianski; Naughton, Van der Hoorn, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson; Dyer, Ki, King, Clucas; Andre Ayew
Subs: Nordfeldt, Bartley, Roberts, Carroll, Narsingh, Routledge, Abraham
Subs: Nordfeldt, Bartley, Roberts, Carroll, Narsingh, Routledge, Abraham
Jose Mourinho makes five changes from the side which beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 in the FA Cup a fortnight ago, recalling Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba, whose form has been a major concern for United in recent weeks, although he did score for France against Russia on Tuesday.
After being rested for Sergio Romero in the cup, David de Gea takes his rightful place back in the United goal. Ashley Young is back on the left of the defence after Luke Shaw was hooked at half time against the Seagulls to raise further questions over his relationship with Mourinho.
United's other change sees Victor Linedlof preferred to Eric Bailly at centre-back, with the Ivorian's fitness still being managed after three months out with an ankle injury. Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones have returned to first-team training but seemingly aren't deemed ready to return yet.
Only three games after his two-goal heroics against Liverpool, Marcus Rashford is back on the bench with Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard favoured in the attacking-midfield three. Ander Herrera also makes a league squad for the first time since January after a difficult period with injury.
As for Swansea, they are still missing main man Jordan Ayew, who is serving the final game of his three-match suspension for his red card against Huddersfield Town. In his absence, brother Andre is the lone striker as Carlos Carvalhal sticks with his successful 5-4-1 formation.
The Swans also changed goalkeeper for FA Cup quarter-final weekend and after conceding three against Tottenham Hotspur, Kristoffer Nordfeldt drops out for undisputed number one Lukasz Fabianski. Captain Federico Fernandez also returns to the back five in place of Kyle Bartley.
January signing Andy King makes his third successive start in midfield as he is restored in place of Tom Carroll. Both the Welshman, on loan from Leicester City, and Andre Ayew were cup tied for the visit of Spurs and take their places back from Tom Carroll and Tammy Abraham.
RESULT: Ahead of kickoff, United have the extra motivation of having been leapfrogged into second by Liverpool. Mohamed Salah, of course, came up with a late winner for the Reds against Palace this lunchtime to lift them above the Red Devils, for a couple of hours at least.
United have already beaten Swansea twice this season - 4-0 in the league way back in August and 2-0 in the EFL Cup. However, the Welsh outfit are a changed outfit under Carlos Carvalhal, who studied for his UEFA Pro Licence alongside Mourinho when the Portuguese duo were a little younger!
Carvalhal has lifted Swansea from rock bottom - they were five points adrift at the foot of the table when he took over - to three points above the relegation zone within only a couple of months. While United will be disappointed with today's lunchtime result, Palace's defeat keeps the Swans 14th in the table.
One of many improvements that Carvalhal has engineered is making Swansea a lot more difficult to beat away from home. They have only suffered one defeat in eight games on their travels since the former Sheffield Wednesday boss arrived, although that has included six draws and just one win.
However, the Swans have yet to implement that improvement against the league's better sides. The Welsh outfit have earned only two points out of a possible 21 in away fixtures against teams currently in the top half of the table this season - draws at Leicester City and Tottenham.
Having said that, Swansea do have a pretty good record at Old Trafford in recent years. They have only lost on two of their previous five visits, winning twice and drawing the other.
Andre Ayew is yet to score in four outings since returning to the Liberty Stadium, but has previously scored against United in Swansea white in a 2-1 home win back in 2015. The Swans have not lost in any of the nine matches in which the Ghana captain has found the net for them.
His opposite number today - Romelu Lukaku - is one goal away from 100 in the Premier League, which would make him the first Belgian to hit that milestone. Lukaku scored two on international duty and has nine goals in his last 10 matches for the Red Devils in all competitions.
Lukaku scored in the reverse fixture between these two sides at the start of the season, and Pogba also has a good record against the Swans having notched on both of his Premier League appearances against them. Another goal today would help quieten his detractors for a week or so.
Mourinho has never lost in nine matches as a manager against Swansea with seven wins and two draws. It would be a big surprise if that were to change today with City and Sevilla the only teams to win at Old Trafford this season.
While they have been second best to Manchester City in almost every department this season, one area where United can at least match their neighbours is league clean sheets. Their tally of 15 is the joint most in the top flight alongside Pep Guardiola's side.
Mourinho lives and breathes clean sheets but that alone is not going to satisfy the United fans who are looking for more expansive football. The Red Devils have won three consecutive league fixtures by a single-goal margin.
United have scored 18 goals from set pieces this season, which is unsurpassed in the Premier League and again only Man City can equal that tally. Swansea's three centre-backs are all good in the air and might help them deal with United's threat from dead-ball situations.
The Red Devils have scored in all 15 of their home league matches against Swansea, but never more than two in one game since the Welsh outfit returned to the top flight back in 2012.
Ten minutes until kickoff now at Old Trafford. Sports Mole also have minute-by-minute updates of the Premier League encounters between Newcastle and Huddersfield and Brighton and Leicester this afternoon, and we will bring you Everton vs. Man City from 5.00pm.
Jesse Lingard will be hoping to continue the fine form which has seen him displace Dele Alli in the England lineup, a move which he vindicated with the winner against Netherlands last week. He will play in the No.10 role today with Juan Mata accommodated on the right flank.
Carvalhal has endeared himself to the media and Swans fans with some cracking one liners since taking charge.
This is what he told BBC Sport this week: "For this game 99.99% of people will see [United] as favourites. But the 0.01% - me and my team - think we can achieve points."
PREDICTION: Unfortunately for Carvalhal, I am in the 99.99%. Without Jordan Ayew, Swansea don't carry too much of an attacking threat and they will have little choice but to sit back and try to frustrate United, but there is enough quality in this side to clinch a 2-0 victory.
A nice touch from United prior to kickoff as the former England captain fights for his life in hospital after suffering a heart attack. Needless to say we all hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.
The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Ray Wilkins and his loved ones right now – we're all with you, Ray. pic.twitter.com/rf4O3DBXHH — Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 31, 2018
KICKOFF: We are underway at Old Trafford, where Bobby Madley is our referee today...
The hosts have started very brightly and are stroking the ball around nicely in midfield. Mata could be the key man today as without the pace of Rashford or Martial it could be his guile which is needed to pick holes in this five-man Swansea defence.
GOAL! MAN UNITED 1-0 SWANSEA (ROMELU LUKAKU)
United take only five minutes to break down the Swansea rearguard, and it is a landmark goal for Lukaku! Lingard and then Sanchez shift the ball inside to the Belgian, whose left-footed strike from 15 yards out takes a slight deflection on its way past Fabianski for his 100th Premier League goal.
Lukaku is the 28th player to reach that milestone, and I wouldn't bet against him adding to it quickly with the mood that United seem to be in today. Swansea are on the ropes already and Mata's pass, which should have been into the feet of Lukaku, triggers a wild clearance from Mawson.
There is no need for Swansea's game-plan to change too much yet as they will be happy to take this one-goal deficit deep into the match, if they can. Keeping the ball has been a problem so far though with Andre Ayew completely isolated because United have forced the visiting midfield back.
SAVE! That would have been a second for Lukaku, and a 27th of the season, had it not been for a great save from Fabianski, who dives low to his right to push away a shot from the striker after he had been released by Lingard's through ball. Lukaku might have buried that on his left foot.
Swansea have an injury concern with Clucas rolling around on the floor clutching his ankle, which was caught on the follow-through after Lindelof had made a strong tackle to take the ball.
Clucas is fine to continue on the Swansea left, but it is down the opposite flank that the visitors make their first attacking venture. King gets to the byline but Smalling comes across to knock him off the ball and usher it behind safely for a goal kick.
CHANCE! A perfectly-weighted cutback from Valencia is dragged wide by Lingard, who really should have been doing better in that much space at the edge of the penalty area.
Swansea are enjoying their best period on the ball thus far, with Van der Hoorn bringing the ball out and finding Clucas in the box, but the Swans are quickly forced backwards again.
GOAL! MAN UNITED 2-0 SWANSEA (ALEXIS SANCHEZ)
The Red Devils are making easy work of Swansea here and have a second inside 20 minutes. Lingard's through-ball goes under the foot of Fernandez, which wrong-foots Van der Hoorn and Sanchez swoops in to apply a sweeping finish into the bottom corner for a much-needed confidence booster.
LATEST: There has been plenty of goalscoring action early on in the Premier League's 3pm kickoffs. West Ham also hold a 2-0 lead over Southampton - a win-win situation for Swansea, while Watford and Burnley are up on Bournemouth and lowly West Brom respectively.
We are only a quarter into this match but I cannot see any way back for Swansea from here. They have been pushed so deep that Ayew, their most advanced player, is 40-50 yards from goal when he is receiving the ball. Jordan Ayew is Swansea's best out ball and a big miss.
Sanchez nearly gets through down the left channel but is hacked down by Van der Hoorn, who escapes without a card. Mata's free kick is cleared by the first man King but there is little respite for Swansea's defence at the moment.
Young was an injury doubt for today with a back problem picked up on England duty, and is in the wars again head by taking a blow to the head. Mourinho will be hoping that the converted full-back will be able to shake that one off, otherwise God forbid he might have to bring on Luke Shaw.
SHOT! There is a really good understanding between Lingard and Lukaku, who turns the ball into the path of his teammate who skips by a couple of Swansea defenders on his way across the box but then slices his shot wide. The midfielder must have left his shooting boots in Amsterdam.
A Swansea comeback is made all the more improbable by the fact that they average only 2.5 shots on target per league game this season. Their total tally of 235 shots is the lowest in the division.
Pogba is enjoying himself in this midfield two with Matic, who is happy to simply sit and feed the Frenchman the ball whenever possible. It works for United at home against Swansea but the Frenchman is not always disciplined enough to perform the same role against more adventurous opposition.
Goal difference is something that might come into Swansea's mind this afternoon, considering how close the relegation battle promises to be. They currently stand at -19, which is the same as Crystal Palace and West Ham and fine margins such as these might be what decides their fate.
Although his arrogance is a part of his best game, Pogba sometimes does not help himself with his decision making. Here, 40 yards from goal, he attempts to scoop the ball over the top of the Swansea defence when much better options were available. Naughton makes a simple clearing header.
Ayew requires treatment after taking a knock from Smalling but should be okay to continue.
CHANCE! A deep Lukaku cross is kept alive at the back post by Young, whose clever header tees up Sanchez for a left-footed swing which he completely misses, at a tight angle six yards out.
Dyer delivers a decent ball into the box, with left wing-back Olsson the only runner into the area. Valencia stands strong in the centre of the goal to head clear under pressure from the Swede.
There will be TWO minutes of stoppage time at the end of what has been a very one-sided first half. United have had it way easier than they could have imagined against the in-form Swans.
HALF TIME: MAN UNITED 2-0 SWANSEA:
United's fans haven't always been pleased with their team's home performances this season but they can have nothing to complain about after that opening 45 minutes in which they were completely dominant against Swansea, and played some decent stuff to boot. Lukaku and Sanchez with the goals.
There has been a lot of talk about Harry Kane breaking the all-time Premier League scoring record of 260 - held by Alan Shearer - but with Lukaku now only two behind the Spurs star - should his name be whispered in the same breath? He too is only 24 years old and has his best years ahead of him.
Welcome to the #PL 💯 club, @RomeluLukaku9! 🙌#MUNSWA @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/fJRg4tvzLD — Premier League (@premierleague) March 31, 2018
In stark contrast, Swansea do not look like scoring if they played until the end of Lukaku's career. They have yet to register a shot on target and Ayew has been completely isolated. The Ghanaian is not as effective as his younger brother as a lone striker as he doesn't run the channels as much.
All in all, that might be the worst half of football that Swansea have played under Carvalhal, and they were well beaten by Spurs a fortnight ago too. The Portuguese will be hoping it is simply a matter of being outclassed rather than a dip in form, as West Brom and Everton are up next.
LATEST: Speaking of West Brom, they appear to be heading to the Championship at high speed, as they trail Burnley 1-0 at half time. Elsewhere, West Ham are 3-0 up against Southampton, while Watford and Bournemouth are level at 1-1, and the matches at Brighton and Newcastle still deadlocked.
KICKOFF: The action is back underway at the Theatre of Dreams, with Carvalhal making two half-time changes, bringing on Tammy Abraham and Tom Carroll for Dyer and Ki.
United are playing with a swagger about them today, but will they be ruthless enough to put Swansea to the sword? Not since November have they scored four in a league match, having done so five times previously in the early season.
Clucas, who shook off a knock in the first period, is down again and requires further treatement. This will be a concern for Carvalhal with two substitutions having already been made.
The Swans are temporarily down to 10 with Clucas having made his way down the tunnel. The versatile midfielder is a key man for Swansea so Carvalhal will hope it's not too serious.
Mawson makes an important defensive header to prevent Lingard from getting on the end of Lukaku's cross.
CHANCE! United's two goalscorers nearly combine for a third, with Lukaku heading Mata's delivery back across goal towards Sanchez, who cannot direct his own header down.
SUBSTITUTION: The visitors are back to full capacity as Wayne Routledge trudges on to replace Clucas.
CLOSE! Pogba picks out an excellent pass to Mata, lifting it over the top of the Swansea defence, and the Spaniard has space to turn towards goal to try to steer his volley under the crossbar. It is a difficult technique though and he cannot keep the shot on target.
SAVES! This is why David de Gea is the best goalkeeper in the world. He has had nothing to do all game and is suddenly called into action twice in quick succession, denying Abraham with two reflex saves, the first of which is one for his highlight reel after a great turn by the striker.
Olsson is penalised for a push in the back of Valencia before he smashes home with his right foot. Carroll had floated a hopeful ball into the box, but it was a blatant foul by the defender.
Pogba is teed up for a 25-yard drive which is blocked by Mawson, who would have been disappointed not to get an outing for England on the international break after his first senior call-up.
Swansea have been better in this second half with Carroll getting on the ball in decent positions in the United half. Ki may have been weary after his travels and exploits with South Korea.
Lindelof makes his way forward with real pace and purpose and Sanchez would have been through on goal had the pass from the Swedish defender had a little bit more juice on it.
Lukaku attempts to take Sanchez's pass in his stride but Mawson comes across to make a vital tackle.
Abraham chests the ball down for Routledge, who skilfully shoots across De Gea with the outside of his right foot, forcing the Spaniard into a decent save before the offside flag is raised.
SUBSTITUTIONS: A double change from Mourinho as Sanchez and Lingard are replaced by Lingard and Herrera, whose introduction will give Pogba more midfield freedom.
Herrera has gone and sat on Carroll, which is a sign that Mourinho was uncomfortable with how much of the ball he was seeing in midfield. It is hardly the gung-ho approach of Sir Alex Ferguson, but it is an approach which is about to serve up a fourth successive league win.
SAVE! Fabianski makes a brilliant save from point-blank range to deny Lukaku a second, after the Belgian has brought down a Pogba pass on his chest and wriggled free of Van der Hoorn.
Carroll swings in a really good cross but for some reason Abraham tries to cushion it back across goal rather than take on the volley himself. That is what a run of 16 league games without a goal does to your confidence.
The Red Devils have been more than content simply to keep possession in the last five minutes or so. This victory really should be more emphatic on the scoreline but that is not really Mourinho's way.
LATEST: Vicente Iborra appears to have snatched Leicester a late win at Brighton, and Ayoze Perez might have done the same for Newcastle againsrt Huddersfield, dragging the two promoted clubs firmly back into the relegation mix.
Although Abraham has made a difference for Swansea in this second half, Carvalhal will be relieved to have Jordan Ayew back next weekend as he really is the one who makes things happen for them.
SUBSTITUTION: Mata gets a warm ovation as he leaves the field to give Scott McTominay a brief cameo.
FULL TIME: MAN UNITED 2-0 SWANSEA
A routine home win for United then as goals from new Premier League centurion Lukaku and Sanchez lift the Red Devils back above Liverpool into second. Swansea did improve in the second half but never threatened a comeback, and they remain only three points above the relegation zone.
You can read our match report from Old Trafford here, and catch up with the rest of this afternoon's Premier League scores here. The live action is far from over yet though as the soon-to-be champions Manchester City travel to Everton in the late kickoff. Thanks for joining me today. Goodbye!
Written by
Joe Fish
Joe Fish
