LONDON: Manchester United went three points clear at the top of the English Premier League table after a 2-1 win over Stoke. Javier Hernandez broke the deadlock in the 27th minute at Old Trafford with a stylish flick behind his legs from Nani’s cross.
However, Stoke were level five minutes after half-time when Dean Whitehead scored their first goal. But just after the hour mark United regained the lead thanks to Nani’s sublime left-footed curler from 20 yards out.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made several changes to his side and was delighted by the way his new-look team performed against the Potters. Ferguson was especially pleased by the performance of Hernandez, saying he did not mind having a selection dilemma when Rooney was fit again. “That’s the kind of problem you want and, over the years, the strikers I’ve had have always given me that problem,” Ferguson told Sky Sports. “If Hernandez keeps sticking the ball in the net, it does give you a problem.”
Stoke manager Tony Pulis added, “Whichever team United put out, they’ve got players who can hurt you. They can make four or five changes and they are very similar to the ones Sir Alex has left out. You need that if you are going to be title-contenders and they’ve shown that again.”
Meanwhile, Fulham climbed out of the relegation zone with a 3-0 victory at home to West Bromwich Albion while Birmingham also exited the bottom three following a 2-1 win away to Blackpool.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2011.
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