The reigning Premier League champions came from two goals down to become only the second side to win at the KC Stadium this season, with James Chester scoring at both ends
Manchester United overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Hull City 3-2 at the KC Stadium on Thursday afternoon thanks to an inspired performance from Wayne Rooney, who netted his 150th Premier League goal for the club.
Steve Bruce's side raced to an early lead, with former United defender James Chester volleying in Alex Bruce's knock-down from close-range, before the home side doubled the lead through David Meyler, his limp shot taking an unfortunate deflection off Jonny Evans and trickling in.
But United came roaring back with Rooney instrumental. The forward's inch-perfect free kick was headed into the back of the net by Chris Smalling and moments later the 28-year-old saw his stunning volley fly past Allan McGregor to level the scores.
The Tigers regrouped at half-time and could have re-taken the lead when Bruce smashed the crossbar. However, having opened the scoring, Chester went from hero to zero as he headed past his own keeper to give the Red Devils the lead and the victory - despite Antonio Valencia receiving a red card late on.
Hull named the same side for the fourth straight match, while David Moyes included Darren Fletcher in the United starting XI for the first time in over a year. Michael Carrick, meanwhile, was fit enough for a place on the bench after overcoming injury.
The hosts stormed into the lead as early as the fourth minute. Tom Huddlestone's corner was headed back across goal by Bruce and Chester was on hand to volley home from close range. However, replays suggested a corner should not have been awarded as Ahmed Elmohamady had kicked the ball straight out of play.
Hull doubled their advantage just nine minutes later to leave the home supporters in dreamland. A bout of pinball in the United box resulted in Meyler's goalbound effort deflecting off Evans and deceiving goalkeeper David de Gea.
United needed a swift response and duly delivered after 19 minutes; substitute Adnan Januzaj tricked his way past Maynor Figueroa to win a free kick and Rooney's testing set-piece was powered into the back of the net by Smalling.
The visitors twice came close to levelling with a Danny Welbeck header and Tom Cleverley's long-range strike and the pressure was rewarded when Rooney played a one-two with Welbeck before teeing himself up for a volley that he rifled into the top corner from 25 yards.
Hull were forced into a change at half-time with goalkeeper Allan McGregor - who was involved in a first-half collision with Ashley Young - being replaced by Steve Harper.
The hosts twice forced good opportunities in the early stages of the second half. First Yannick Sagbo had an effort beaten away be De Gea before Curtis Davies glanced Huddlestone's corner wide. Bruce came even closer just after the hour mark when his header rebounded off the crossbar.
The visitors punished Hull for their profligacy in the 66th minute, though, as Young got past Figueroa and whipped a ball into the box that Chester headed past substitute goalkeeper Harper when under pressure from Rooney.
Hull pushed for a leveller in the closing stages and Danny Graham should have done better with a tame back-post header.
Valencia added to the tension in injury time when his petulance in kicking the ball away earned him a second yellow card, and Chester almost redeemed himself but saw his late toe-poked effort smuggled to safety by De Gea.
0 comments:
Post a Comment