Manchester United 1-0 Bournemouth
Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal of the game to take all three points in a match in which Bournemouth will wonder how they lost.
Red Devils fans must keep the faith after defeat to Manchester City left them 11 points off the pace. There are 21 football games still to play; and sports betting fans and pundits fully expected Jose Mourinho’s side to see off the Cherries.
But betting tips don’t always tell the whole story and, for much of the game, Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth was the better side. United only had two shots on target while the Cherries threatened throughout. The speedy Junior Stanislas stretched the United defence, while Charlie Daniels played with energy and purpose, but it was United who took the lead.
And it was a moment of real quality, when Juan Mata delivered a beautiful cross for Lukaku to power his header into the net on 26 minutes.
That didn’t seem to inspire United or dishearten the Cherries, who pressed well into the second half. Mourinho brought Marcus Rashford on after 66 minutes to try to inject some impetus, and it almost came off immediately as he hit a 30 yard scorcher which crashed against the woodwork.
As the clock ran down Bournemouth continued to come forward in search of some reward and substitute Jermain Defoe was denied by another brave David de Gea save before Benik Afobe headed over.
It was harsh on Bournemouth who sit just two points above the drop zone. But for Jose and United it’s another three points, a clinical performance…and that’s just fine.
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