Mata sent off, Man Utd suffers defeat against West Brom

The Old Trafford home team's winning streak was stopped after a 0-1 defeat to West Brom in round 29.

Mata did not believe he received a second yellow card. Photo:Reuters.

The turning point of the match came in the 26th minute when Juan Mata was sent off, receiving two yellow cards in three minutes. Both of the Spanish midfielder's bookings involved Darren Fletcher, once blocking a quick free-kick and then fouling the former Man Utd player. Referee Mike Dean was a bit heavy-handed, giving Mata his first red card in the Premier League.

Thanks to having one more player, West Brom played more leisurely, then took advantage to score the decisive goal of the match.Salomon Rondon scored in the 66th minute, helping Tony Pulis's team secure their place in the Premier League this season. After 32 years, West Brom could finally beat Man Utd at home.

Man Utd's winning streak of four consecutive wins in all competitions has been halted. Louis Van Gaal's young players such as Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard were completely silent at "The Hawthorns".

Man Utd are currently sixth with 47 points, three points behind fourth-placed Man City and having played one game more. Chance to break into the Top 4The Premier League is always difficult, so before this round Van Gaal was right to declare his goalEuropa League Champion.

In midweek, the "Red Devils" traveled to Anfield to play the first leg of the Europa League round of 16. Also in the match on March 6, Liverpool, who were down a man, were lucky to win 2-1 against Crystal Palace.

Rondon scored the only goal of the match. Photo: Reuters.

The Man Utd - West Brom match was quite boring when one team defended, and the other team controlled the ball a lot but did not create many scoring opportunities. The whole match only had three shots on target, of which Man Utd only had one.

Man Utd switched to a 4-4-1 formation when Mata was sent off, pulling Martial up to play as the highest striker. The visitors controlled the game well, not being too outclassed despite playing with one less player. Lingard and Martial tried their luck a couple of times with shots outside the box, but they did not pose any danger.

The red shirt defense played focused until the 66th minute.Pocognoli crossed from the left wing, but neither Daley Blind nor Michael Carrick were marking Rondon, allowing the striker wearing the number 33 shirt to comfortably control the ball and shoot past David De Gea.

Van Gaal brought in Memphis Depay at the end of the match but could not reverse the situation. Man Utd accepted their eighth loss this season.

According to VNE