Sunderland stunned Manchester United on Saturday, as the Black Cats left Old Trafford with a 1-0 win all but securing their status as Premier League team next season.
Man United pressed hard early on but Sunderland took the lead after 30 minutes as Sebastian Larsson finished off Connor Wickham’s cross superbly and the Red Devils never recovered. In the second half United pressed for the equalizer as Nemanja Vidic was twice denied as Sunderland’s defense held on for a huge victory.
With their win the Black Cats relegated Fulham and Cardiff City and they now sit three points above the drop zone and they have two games to go. Sunderland’s safety will be secured if Norwich lose to Chelsea on Sunday… baring an improbable swing in goal differential. As for United, Ryan Giggs’ second game in charge resulted in defeat as his men never really got going and remain in seventh spot in the standings.
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Man United dominated the early proceedings as Juan Mata buzzed around Sunderland’s defense. The closest United came to opening the scoring was when Michael Carrick whipped in a cross from the right and former Untied defender John O’Shea almost shanked the ball into his own net. Soon after Patrice Evra rose highest to head towards goal after some poor Sunderland marking as the Black Cats started slowly.
However as the first half wore on United failed to make their superior possession count and on the half hour mark Sunderland went ahead. Reigning Premier League Player of the Month Wickham ran down the right win and clipped in a pinpoint cross to Larsson, with the Swedish international cushioning a fine volley into the far corner to put the Black Cats 1-0 up.
Old Trafford was stunned as a Moyes-esque performance was playing out for interim boss Giggs with the Red Devils. United continued to have all the play but they just couldn’t engineer any clear-cut chances as Mata smashed a shot on goal just before the interval but Vito Mannone got down well to save.
After the break United continued to have all the play and Vidic really should have done better in the 51st minute but the central defender headed wide from six-yards out, as the Serbian complained about having his shirt held. Soon after a cross from the left saw Mannone flap at it and Vidic almost got in to score at the back post but Sunderland cleared.
Sunderland continued to defend resolutely as plenty of crosses flung into the box and Vidic again was thwarted by a combination of Mannone and Mackems defenders on the line. Manchester United were pushing hard but Sunderland almost sealed the win on the break as U.S. international Jozy Altidore pulled the ball back to Giaccherini but he hit the post and United cleared. Then Danny Welbeck got the ball on the edge of the box but smashed over before Fabio Borini curled an effort against the woodwork as Sunderland came even closer to a second goal.
In the end they held onto their 1-0 advantage to all but secure their PL status.
LINEUPS
Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani (Januzaj, 51′), Carrick, Fletcher, Young (Welbeck, 67′), Mata (Van Persie, 66′), Hernandez
Sunderland: Mannone, Vergini, Alonso, Brown, O’Shea, Cattermole, Larsson (Bridcutt, 74′), Colback, Johnson (Giaccherini , 58′), Borini, Wickham (Altidore, 65′)
Goal: Larsson (30′)
