Man Utd struggled to escape defeat at West Brom

It was thanks to Daley Blind's goal in the 87th minute that Man Utd equalized 2-2 and earned a point in the late match of round eight of the Premier League yesterday, October 20.

Man Utd's equalizer came in a beautiful move that showed an unpredictable change. With the ball about 23 meters from the West Brom goal, Blind quickly observed and executed a beautiful and absolutely accurate curling shot, driving the ball into the low corner, leaving goalkeeper Boas Myhill helpless.

Yesterday's 2-2 tie was Blind's first goal for Man Utd. Photo: Reuters.

This individual brilliance saved Man Utd from a certain defeat, where they were twice behind in the eighth and 66th minutes. Fellaini was the one to equalize 1-1, also from a very individual move. The Belgian midfielder received a cross from the wing, took a touch, found an angle and fired a cannonball into the near top corner.

2-2 draw atThe Hawthorns means Man Utd are yet to win away from home in a competitive game under Louis Van Gaal, extending their winless run away from home in the Premier League since beating Newcastle in April. They, despite extending their unbeaten run to three games, have only picked up one point and have dropped out of the top four, one point behind Liverpool, who are fourth with 13 points from eight games.

Because Falcao had just returned from South America and was still tired, coach Van Gaal decided to leave him on the bench and for the first time let Adnan Januzaj start. Man Utd still theoretically played in a 4-3-1-2 formation with Januzaj playing alongside captain Van Persie up front. But in reality, yesterday, they tended to play 4-1-4-1 with Januzaj and Di Maria spread out to the wings, Herrera - Mata in the center, and Daley Blind dropping back to play as a shield in front of the defense.

However, that arrangement proved ineffective against a very well-organized West Brom side with Joleon Lescott dominating the defense, neutralizing a somewhat isolated Van Persie in the Man Utd striker position, and very dangerous in counter-attacks thanks to the speed and clever movement of Berahino.From a clever run from Berahino, West Brom opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Wisdom crossed from the right wing into the middle for Sessegnon to finish powerfully, past De Gea.

Man Utd responded positively to this goal and made the home defense, especially goalkeeper Myhill, work hard in the following minutes. But Di Maria twice and Van Persie once could not beat the goalkeeper who was starting the match for the first time since December last year. It was not until the beginning of the second half that the breakthrough Man Utd were waiting for came when substitute player Fellaini shone with a neat handling, equalizing 1-1.

But the hope that Man Utd had just kindled was once again doused by West Brom. The red shirt defenders seemed to forget Berahino, allowing him to escape to receive a pass from Chris Brunt and then comfortably watch, curl the ball past De Gea in a face-to-face situation, restoring the lead for the home side.

The lead and the stalemate forced Van Gaal to make further adjustments in the second half, with Falcao and Young coming on. The pressure that Man Utd created finally paid off with Blind finishing to tie the score at 2-2 in the 86th minute. But they also missed a good chance 12 minutes earlier when Van Persie's shot from outside the box was denied by the post.

Returning to Manchester after this draw, Man Utd will have six days to prepare for the big match with Chelsea in round nine, Sunday, October 26. Compared to Van Gaal's team, Chelsea is at a slight disadvantage because they have to play the Champions League midweek - hosting Maribor in round three of the group stage today.

The return of the best central defender Phil Jones still cannot help Man Utd improve their defense. Photo: Reuters.

Line-up:

West Brom(4-2-3-1): Myhill - Wisdom, Dawson, Lescott, Pocognoli - Gardner, Morrison - Dorrans, Sessegnon, Brunt; Berahino.

Unused Subs: Daniels, Blanco, McAuley, Mulumbu, Gamboa, Anichebe, Ideye.

Scorers: Sessegnon 8, Berahino 66

Yellow card: Morrison

Man Utd(4-3-1-2): De Gea - Rafael, Jones, Rojo, Shaw - Herrera (Fellaini 46), Blind, Di Maria (Young 76)- Mata (Falcao 72) - Van Persie, Januzaj.

Unused subs: Lindegaard, Smalling, Fletcher, Carrick.

Scorers: Fellaini 48, Blind 87

Yellow card: Blind

Referee: Mike Dean

According to VnExpress.net