English Premier League: Van Persie, Rooney inspire Man United victory

Red Devils beat Crystal Palace 2-0 to hand David Moyes first home win.

MANCHESTER:

Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney sealed a 2-0 win over 10-man Crystal Palace as David Moyes recorded his first home victory as Manchester United manager in front of his predecessor Alex Ferguson yesterday.

Van Persie’s first-half penalty and Rooney’s late free-kick ended the champions’ run of two matches without a win.

It was Van Persie who settled United’s nerves following an edgy first-half by scoring from the penalty spot in the 45th minute, although the award and goal were not without controversy. England winger Ashley Young had been cautioned midway through the period for diving under a challenge from Kagisho Dikgacoi as he surged into the area.

But in the final minute, following a dreadful pass from Mile Jedinak, the pair again collided as Young collected the errant ball and sprinted into the area where he was brought down by Dikgacoi.

Palace players appealed that the challenge was fair but referee Jon Moss disagreed, awarding the spot kick and sending off Dikgacoi.

Van Persie compounded Palace agony when he converted the kick, low to the right of goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

After the restart, Moyes gave Marouane Fellaini, the £27.5 million deadline day signing from Everton, a second-half debut in the 63rd minute. The Belgian afforded a rapturous welcome from United supporters, many of whom were wearing comedy wigs in honour of his vibrant haircut. It was also little surprise when Moyes also replaced the inconsistent Young with promising youngster Adnan Januzaj.

The two replacements combined as United almost added a second goal after 67 minutes with a Januzaj shot being saved by Speroni and Fellaini following up with a 25-yard shot which the keeper blocked.

Finally, after Adlene Guedioura was penalised for a foul on Januzaj nine minutes from time, Rooney was given another chance to cap his return with a goal and he did just that with a superb, right-footed 20-yard free-kick which sailed over the wall and past Speroni.

Rooney was great in everything he did: Moyes

Moyes praises Rooney’s performance, while adding that the side needed to score more goals.

“Rooney tired a bit in the second-half but I thought he was great in everything he did,” said Moyes of Rooney.

“I wanted him to get 90 minutes under his belt which is important with the busy week we have coming up.

“I thought we played well but we needed to score a few more goals with the build up play we managed.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2013.

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