West Brom vs. Manchester United: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Jose Salomon Rondon scored the only goal of the game as West Bromwich Albion recorded a 1-0 win over the 10 men of Manchester United in Premier League action on Sunday.
The Venezuela international Rondon broke the deadlock after 66 minutes, turning inside the area to fire home substitute Sebastien Pocognoli's cross from the left.
The result snapped the Red Devils' four-match winning run in all competitions.
Their cause wasn't helped by Juan Mata being sent off, as the Spaniard picked up two bookings in a hurry to leave his team-mates to play over an hour with a man down.
The defeat leaves Louis van Gaal's side three points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who also have a game in hand over their local rivals.
Here, Bleacher Report picks out the winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Jose Salomon Rondon
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In a game of few chances, Jose Salomon Rondon seized on the opportunity to break the deadlock during the second half.
It should hardly have come as a surprise that the striker found the net—per the Premier League's official Twitter feed, he has now scored four goals in his last six Premier League outings.
Rondon was able to control Sebastien Pocognoli's cross from the left before firing a left-footed shot beyond goalkeeper David de Gea and into the net.
However, the Venezuelan's performance was about more than just his winning goal.
His physical style made for a wonderful battle with returning Manchester United defender Chris Smalling (more on him to come) as he offered the Baggies a focal point up front.
As Jason Burt pointed out in his match report for the Telegraph, "Rondon was relentless."
Loser: Juan Mata
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Juan Mata experienced something new on Sunday. The former Chelsea player was sent off for the first time in his Premier League career, according to OptaJoe.
The Spaniard managed to pick up two bookings in the space of three minutes. The first of them was for preventing West Brom from taking a quick free-kick.
His second arrived shortly after for a careless trip on former Manchester United player Darren Fletcher, which forced referee Mike Dean to brandish a red after only 26 minutes of the game.
Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal felt Mata's character should have been taken into consideration.
The Dutchman told BBC Sport, "The referee has to know the person who makes the tackle and that Mata never hurts an opponent."
Maybe, but Mata's two moments cost his team in a game they really needed to win in order to keep pace with their rivals in the race to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.
Winner: Darren Fletcher
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West Brom fans should be delighted that Darren Fletcher decided to end his long association with Manchester United in February 2015.
Before facing his old employers, the Scotland international explained to Joe Bernstein of the Mail on Sunday: "I was offered a new contract [at Manchester United] but didn’t feel I would get enough game time. United were heading in a new direction. I could have stayed and been a bit-part player, but I was desperate to play."
On Sunday, Fletcher showed with an outstanding display in midfield why he is one of the first names to go on manager Tony Pulis' team sheet.
Pulis said of his captain after the home victory, per Gregg Evans of the Birmingham Mail: "Fletch is old-school. There aren’t many players left like him."
The Red Devils could have done with Fletcher in their team at the Hawthorns, particularly after Mata's dismissal left them a man light.
Loser: Marcus Rashford
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After a whirlwind start to his Manchester United career, Marcus Rashford drew a blank for a second successive game.
The forward exploded onto the scene with two goals on debut against Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League—then he went and bagged a pair on his Premier League bow against Arsenal three days later.
But, Rashford—who retained his place in the starting XI following the 1-0 win over Watford on Wednesday—found chances at a premium at The Hawthorns.
There was a snap shot with his left foot that was deflected wide, but the teenager's main moment in the match came when he was tripped by referee Mike Dean, as pointed out by Sean Gibson of the Telegraph.
Alan Smith wrote in the Telegraph: "After some comic book heroics marked his first two games for Manchester United, this talented 18-year-old came crashing down to earth. This was the day that was always going to come, the day that every rookie experiences sooner or later at the start of their career."
Memphis Depay replaced Rashford after 75 minutes.
Winner: Chris Smalling
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Chris Smalling's return was a real plus point on an otherwise miserable afternoon for Manchester United.
The England centre-back returned to the heart of the visitors' defence after missing his team's last three outings due to a shoulder injury.
However, Smalling looked like he'd never missed a minute.
The 26-year-old stood firm against the physical challenge posed by West Brom's Salomon Rondon. He also showed his awareness to make a brilliant block on Saido Berahino in the first half.
The Red Devils will need Smalling to be at his best for their upcoming matches—an FA Cup clash against West Ham is sandwiched in between a two-legged UEFA Europa League tie against Liverpool.
After that, Louis van Gaal's squad return to Premier League action with the small matter of a derby game against Manchester City on March 20.
