Manchester United 2-1 Southampton
Last updated on .From the section Football
Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the Premier League with a comeback victory over Southampton.
Rooney's first-half double put United in control after calamitous defending had led to Jay Rodriguez's third-minute opener for the visitors.
Although the hosts threatened to overrun the Saints before the break, Mauricio Pochettino's side recovered well in the second half, pressing their hosts from the front.
Rickie Lambert could even have equalised as his accurate shooting twice tested David de Gea, although Robin van Persie was also denied by Artur Boruc and had another effort ruled out for offside.
An open and intriguing contest, this was another example of United being saved by their attack and, while they ultimately took advantage of neighbours Manchester City's failure to win at QPR on Tuesday, there will again be questions about their defending, particularly with Real Madrid visiting soon in the Champions League.
Defeat for Southampton ended a six-game unbeaten run, although there were signs of a tactical adjustment to the team from Argentine coach Pochettino, in his second game since replacing Nigel Adkins.
The 40-year-old was certainly true to his pre-match word in going for a win at a venue where Saints have not succeeded in 25 years.
Having earned a draw and a clean sheet in his first game against Everton, Pochettino's start to Premier League life looked even rosier within three minutes as Rodriguez capitalised on Michael Carrick's poor backpass and nipped in ahead of the stranded De Gea to put the Saints in front.
It was a shocking goal to concede and the 12th Premier League game in which United have gone behind this season.
But, as on the eight other occasions when they have turned a deficit into victory, they recovered quickly. Within six minutes they were level.
The ball fell to Kagawa 35 yards from goal and he threaded a pass to Rooney, who calmly passed the ball into the net past Boruc.
It was a breathless start to the game, with United committed to attack in a 4-2-4 formation, and they could easily have scored twice before they finally got their second goal before the half-hour mark with Kagawa also hitting the post.
Van Persie returned to the side after sitting out the FA Cup win over Fulham and caused havoc with a succession of fizzing free-kicks. From one of them, just before the half-hour, the Dutchman sent the ball to the back post where Patrice Evra nodded it back for Rooney to tuck in from a yard out.
Danny Welbeck and Van Persie could have added further goals before the interval, and with Southampton also throwing men forward, there was no shortage of space.
The introduction of Adam Lallana and Steven Davis brought a measure of control to the visitors' midfield after the break and Lambert, quiet to that point, twice gave De Gea something to think about with long-range shots.
The hosts endured a slack spell, giving the ball away several times and De Gea fumbled another Lambert effort.
It was enough to get Ferguson off his seat and he eventually brought on Rio Ferdinand to replace the struggling Chris Smalling.
Van Persie might have had cause for complaint after his header from Rooney's cross was ruled out for offside, but the hosts and their supporters were relieved enough to hear the final whistle as Southampton ended the game strongly.
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson told BBC Sport: "[Winning] is the name of the game at this stage of the season.
"For the first 30 minutes I thought we were fantastic, we played really well. But in the second half Southampton have been the best team to play here this season.
"We were fortunate to win the game. They pushed on top of us and didn't give us any time on the ball."
Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino, speaking through a translator, told BBC Sport: "I'm very proud [of Ferguson's praise]. It's very important for my players to hear. But we leave with no points. We did play well but I'm upset at not getting a draw at least. It doesn't console me.
"I think in the second half we played as we should have done for the whole game. I think it's important for the team to know we can play that well."
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Utd… skin of your teeth
Just now
I heard the broadcast and SAF was glowing in his praise of Malcolm. He was not a reporter I knew but SAF and he went back over 40 years. SAF is like that, he always has time for things like that, he is the first person offering support to managers who have been wrongly sacked, or helping new managers when they phone him. People conveniently forget that side to him
why do you expect city to win at o/t they didnt win in the desert stadium
with the arabs watching on , if results on saturday go as i expect united should be 10 points ahead.
that being said , i worry about the real madrid games
Yup, I agree with you they are spending in a desperate attempt to buy out of it. How much have they wasted on players?
As opposed to this example at mid table and safe Swansea.
Michel Vorm £1.5 m. & Michu £2m
For me, that is spending wisely.I think having a blank cheque book is a dangerous thing. Sparky and 'Arry are good spenders!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20278530
Because we don't lose many games being Manchester United I had to scroll down a fair bit in our results to find out latest loss but when I eventually found the report for the Norwich game and looked at the report, low and behold... Fergie praises John Ruddy!
Keep your head up you jealous small minded man ;)
Are you really having a go at Sir Alex Ferguson for being gracious in victory, for applauding the opposition's efforts?
You acknowledge his impact on football but still find time for an ad hominem attack (whilst admitting most managers are the same as him) and simultaneously admire him.
What is your point precisely?
Tough game and we were fortunate to get the points. A long way to the finish line and we still need to address the problems in defense and midfield.
For all those who say United are a one man team please review the number of players who have scored for us this season.
The7 point gap is a bonus really, how many thought City would drop points last night? It is looking good but is far from over and after the boost Liverpool got tonight maybe they can do City too
Another game, another poor decision goes against us and still the refs are apparently biased....
#245
It's a number of factors by all accounts. Weather was garbage over christmas, 2 home games in three days, lack of light getting to the pitch etc.
You can have all the money in the world but you can't beat mother nature unfortunately!
You make a good point. How many potentially good England players are sitting on the benches of the big clubs, being paid very well. As opposed to actually playing the game and developing at a smaller club.
The answer is simple .........Money. :-)
They would rather have the money, than actually play regularly. Most, but not all.
If Southampton raised their game it will be because they are playing for the shirt with a new manager. They won't fear United. I'm sure they remember the grey shirts and the 6-3 from 1996.
Wrong, what it proves is that MU are not as invincible as you think they are. To many teams, every game is a cup game, particularly when you are fighting for PL survival at the bottom. Don't get so carried away with your high and mighty position, and show some respect to the other teams. There are more teams than MU in the PL, that may surprise you.
It doesn't take genius to work out the difference between the current top 3 but I'll spell it out anyway, Sir Alex Ferguson.
It's raining in this part of South West London...
"Sun and Rain"
Even Fergie is a Saints Fan now. COYR