Sebastian Larssons first-half goal was enough to give Sunderland - TopicsExpress



          

Sebastian Larssons first-half goal was enough to give Sunderland their first win at Old Trafford since 1968 and take them to the brink of safety. Barring an unlikely set of results, a single win from their remaining two games will be enough to preserve the Black Cats top-flight status. And it will be all but confirmed if Norwich lose on Sunday, after Sunderland condemned Manchester United to their seventh home league defeat of the season. Norwich are three points adrift of Gus Poyets men and must also overturn a 13-goal deficit in matches against Chelsea and Arsenal. Sunderland, for whom this was a third successive victory, conclude their season with home games against West Bromwich Albion and Swansea. But defending champions United have their own concerns. Defeat brought interim United manager Ryan Giggss winning start to an abrupt end, with Louis van Gaal rumoured to be on the verge of being given the job of rebuilding a club now virtually certain to miss out on European football next season. Great form Connor Wickham has scored five goals and assisted one in his past four Premier League games Giggs made five changes to his starting line-up, which was lacking striker Wayne Rooney because of a combination of illness and injury, and selected two wingers. Yet any hope of the performance being a throwback to thrilling days past soon stalled as Nani and Ashley Young made precious little headway. Nani did fire a long-range effort over and Patrice Evra had a close-range header saved by Vito Mannone, who also kept out a speculative strike from Juan Mata. But, even with John OSheas sliced clearance flashing over, it was a paltry return on their dominance of possession, particularly as Sunderland looked as though they could score every time they advanced. Marcos Alonso smashed a volley wide before Larssons opener, a goal which exposed the defensive failings United have struggled with this season. Darren Fletcher should have prevented Connor Wickhams cross given he had the striker trapped by the corner flag. Then Michael Carrick lost Larsson completely as the Swede speared into the area before sweeping home an impressive finish.
Posted on: Sat, 03 May 2014 19:06:21 +0000

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