After a slow start to the season in which the Hornets only claimed one point from their first three matches they have now won two games in a row, with the win against Jose Mourinho’s side coming nearly 30 years to the day since their last victory against United, on September 16, 1986.
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Although Marcus Rashford eventually equalised, Watford went on to win through a goal from substitute Camilo Zuniga and then a Troy Deeney penalty. But against Man City you know what happened in minute 55 (when Mourinho felt United should have had a penalty for a challenge by Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo on Rooney), today you know that happened for the first goal, against Feyenoord there was the offside goal. “Heurelho Gomes made a phenomenal save from a Zlatan Ibrahimovic header”.
But it would be Watford celebrating as Walter Mazzarri brought on Zuniga for goalscorer Capoue, and the Napoli loanee needed just seconds to slam home, with Deeney adding the third from the spot in the fifth minute of stoppage time after Zuniga was upended by Fellaini.
Crystal Palace crushed Stoke City 4-1 and Southampton edged Swansea City 1-0.
It was Watford’s first victory over United in 30 years and saw them climb to ninth place.
In Saturday’s late game, Everton earned a fourth straight win after coming from behind at Goodison Park to beat Middlesbrough 3-1 and climb to second – two points behind Manchester City – as Gareth Barry marked his 600th league appearance with a goal. We got the equaliser and, after that, we were the team [pushing for a winner].
“I’m always concerned when we don’t get the result we want so that’s an obvious situation”, Mourinho told BT Sport.
United still had not been at the races but they were level just after the hour mark as Ibrahimovic’s cross was blocked into the feet of Rashford, who reacted quickly to flash home. “But from a collective point of view, I only have good things to say about them”.
He even started the move for his goal, playing a one-two with Ibrahimovic, whose cross dropped to Rashford’s feet for an easy finish from five yards out.
Kane settled the game in the 59th minute, slotting in from close range after Papy Djilobodji miscued an attempted clearance.
Paul Pogba accepts that Manchester United’s results are poor at present, but the Frenchman has hailed the club’s fans for sticking with the team in tough times.
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“I am very happy about this. We hope it’s not a big issue for us”.
