West Brom vs. Man United: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League Game
Daley Blind scored a late equaliser to give Manchester United a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Monday night in an enthralling Premier League match at the Hawthorns.
Searching for their first home league win over Manchester United since 1984, West Brom twice took the lead, first through Stephane Sessegnon's stunning first-half curler and a second time via Saido Berahino's breakaway strike.
But twice United equalised, with substitute Marouane Fellaini pulling his side level moments after entering as a half-time substitute before Blind secured a point three minutes from time.
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A win would have sent United into the top four, but instead the Red Devils remain in sixth place on 12 points. Louis van Gaal's side still has not won a league match away from home this season, and the schedule looks daunting in the coming weeks.
First, United host leaders Chelsea on Sunday, needing a win to cut into the 10-point gap that separates the sides. Then the Red Devils travel across town to play defending champions Manchester City on Nov. 2.
West Brom, who moved on to nine points with the draw, host Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Still looking for that first away win of the season, Manchester United quickly found themselves under siege as West Brom started the match brightly. With the home crowd urging them forward, the Baggies took the lead in the eighth minute with a blistering attack down United's left flank.
The sequence started with a simple clearance from goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, with the ball finding Andre Wisdom on West Brom's right-hand side. Wisdom powered down the touchline before crossing into the middle for Sessegnon, who dispatched a curling first-time shot into the top corner.
Trailing 1-0, United slowly gained a foothold without creating many clear-cut chances. Myhill saved low from an Angel Di Maria shot in the 19th minute and punched clear again 12 minutes later as the Argentinian hit a swerving blast on target.
In the 38th minute, Robin van Persie dispossessed West Brom defender Joleon Lescott deep inside the home side's box, but his shot was blocked and United went into the break still behind by a single goal.
Van Gaal made a change during the break, introducing Fellaini into the midfield for Ander Herrera. Less than two minutes after the restart, the move paid off.
In the 48th minute, Di Maria swung a towering cross toward the edge of the box from United's left flank. Holding off Lescott, Fellaini chested down expertly before sidestepping Sebastien Pocognoli with a deft touch.
The Belgian still had work to do from there, but Fellaini made it seem easy, rocketing his shot into the top corner at Myhill's near post.
It was a superb equaliser, and it filled United with confidence as they pushed forward for more. But the next strike came at the opposite end, with Berahino doing the honours for West Brom.
Chris Brunt created the chance, rolling a pass through the centre of Manchester United's high line. Played onside by Rafael, Berahino ran on to the ball to set up a one-on-one with David de Gea. As he raced into the box, the England striker curled a cool finish past in at the far post to put West Brom in front for a second time.
Van Gaal made his second change moments later, bringing on Colombian striker Radamel Falcao for Juan Mata. Falcao involved himself in the attack quickly, heading down a 74th-minute cross into the path of Van Persie, who volleyed off the post. The ball rebounded invitingly to Adnan Januzaj, but the Belgian skied his shot well off target.
United's final substitution followed in the 76th minute, Ashley Young replacing Di Maria, who had been his side's most consistently dangerous attacker all night. Marcos Rojo headed wide from a corner in the 81st minute. Fellaini bounced a weak volley on target in the 85th minute, but he had already been ruled offside.
Time was running short for United, but Blind popped up with a fine equaliser in the 87th minute. Falcao played a part again, knocking down a cross for Blind to curl in tidily at the bottom corner.
United were level once again, but although the visitors pushed hard for a late winner, West Brom held on to secure a share of the points.
Grades
| Boaz Myhill | 7.2 |
| Andre Wisdom | 7.0 |
| Craig Dawson | 8.0 |
| Joleon Lescott | 6.5 |
| Sebastien Pocognoli | 6.4 |
| Craig Gardner | 7.4 |
| James Morrison | 6.1 |
| Graham Dorrans | 6.6 |
| Stephane Sessegnon | 7.6 |
| Chris Brunt | 7.2 |
| Saido Berahino | 7.0 |
| Youssouf Mulumbu (for Sessegnon, 86') | 6.0 |
| David De Gea | 5.5 |
| Rafael | 6.8 |
| Phil Jones | 7.0 |
| Marcos Rojo | 7.8 |
| Luke Shaw | 6.3 |
| Daley Blind | 8.1 |
| Adnan Januzaj | 6.5 |
| Juan Mata | 6.1 |
| Ander Herrera | 6.0 |
| Angel Di Maria | 7.1 |
| Robin van Persie | 7.2 |
| Marouane Fellaini (for Herrera, 46') | 8.1 |
| Radamel Falcao (for Mata, 72') | 6.0 |
| Ashley Young (for Di Maria, 76') | 6.3 |
Post-Match Reaction
