Martial showed a glimpse of the talent that saw United make him the most expensive teenager in history, scoring a goal with his first shot in the Premier League. PHOTO: REUTERS
MANCHESTER/ LONDON: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hopes that his side’s 3-1 home victory over arch-rivals Liverpool will signal the end of their early-season difficulties.
United endured a testing start to the campaign, struggling for goals and facing criticism over their transfer dealings, and went into the international break on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Swansea.
But Saturday’s win over Liverpool blew off the cobwebs, with David de Gea back in goal following the collapse of his proposed move to Real Madrid and Anthony Martial netting a clinically taken debut goal following his £36 million move.
“I think we have managed that [difficult period] very well. We have 10 points from five matches,” said van Gaal, whose side climbed to second in the table. “That is a good record. There is only one club better.”
Liverpool, meanwhile, have conceded six goals in two games, following their 3-0 home defeat by West Ham United. “We haven’t created anywhere near as much as we would like,” said Liverpool manager Brendon Rodgers. “We have to go away with the coaches and the staff and see how we can find ways to be much more creative.”
Pellegrini excited by Iheanacho’s prospects
Manuel Pellegrini expects Kelechi Iheanacho to play a significant role in Manchester City’s title challenge after the Nigerian teenager’s first goal for the club secured a dramatic 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
Iheanacho, who has the appropriate middle name of Promise, burst onto the Premier League stage with a 90th minute winner at Selhurst Park.
“He’s a very important player for us. He’s just 18 and started working with our squad last season,” said Pellegrini.
Walcott can deliver: Wenger
Arsene Wenger is convinced Theo Walcott can become a prolific striker after the England international scored the opener in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Stoke.
Olivier Giroud came off the bench to grab the Gunners’ decisive second goal five minutes from time as Stoke suffered an eighth consecutive defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
But Wenger was most encouraged by the way Walcott netted his first goal of the campaign when he latched onto a long ball forward from Mesut Ozil and fired home in the 31st minute.
“Theo can find little pockets of space, which he did against a very organised, compact Stoke defence,” said Wenger. “He scored a very good goal which needed technical quality. I believe he can become a prolific goalscorer because every game you see how many chances he gets.”
Tottenham claim first win
Ryan Mason scored and was then stretchered off as Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0 at Sunderland on Sunday to record their first victory of the Premier League season.
Sunderland were on top for three-quarters of the match at the Stadium of Light, hitting the post through Tottenham old boy Jermain Defoe, but it was Spurs who prevailed when substitute Erik Lamela teed up Mason for an 82nd-minute winner.
The England international left the fray moments later after hurting his knee, but his goal proved enough to lift Mauricio Pochettino’s side up to 12th place and leave Dick Advocaat’s Sunderland bottom of the table.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2015.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ