- Jose Mourinho's men beat AFC Bournemouth 2-0 to send a warning message to Tottenham Hotspur ahead of their FA Cup semi final clash this weekend
- Goals from Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku ensured the Red Devils emerged victorious after the game
- They also remain second on the log with four points over liverpool while they have just games to play in this league season
Manchester United bounced back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth at the Dean Court on Wednesday, April 18.
Having suffered a 1-0 disappointing defeat to relegation threatened West Bromwich Albion in Sunday’s English topflight encounter, the Red Devils ensured they avoided another loss to one of the mid-table teams.
A goal each from Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku in either half of the game handed the Red Devils maximum points in the game.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 28th minute after tapping into the net a Jesse Lingard’s square play to hand his side the lead.
READ ALSO: Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo reveals his girlfriend is from Argentina (video)
However, credit must be given to Ander Herrera, who opened the attack up by finding Lingard from the wing before taking the lead two minutes before the half-hour make.
Despite playing on their home turf, the Cherries could only command 40% of the ball possession in the first 30 minutes of play.
Meanwhile, they also made advances towards United’s goalpost through a Jordan Ibe’s cross just 2 minutes after Smalling’s goal, but David De Gea was in the right position to protect the ball from getting into the wrong hands.
The host tried all they could to equalize before the half time whistle was blasted, but a few of their efforts that were directed at goal were being saved by the Spanish national team goalkeeper, De Gea.
Both sides returned to the pitch to resume hostilities for the second half but the better side on the night, Man United were the first to register a ball on target barely 60 seconds after the resumption of the remaining half.
France international, Anthony Martial tried to double his side’s lead in the 46th minute but he couldn’t dribble his way into the 18-yeard box of their hosts.
Four minutes before the hour mark, Jordan Ibe tried another cross into United’s danger zone but Callum Wilson wasn’t clinical enough as he wasted the effort of his teammate in the 56th minute.
Eddie Howe’s men weren’t just trailing by a goal after 56 minutes; they were also not at par with their guests in the area of ball possession as Mourinho’s men kept 59% of the possession.
In the 70th minute, the host had another chance to level up after Matteo Darmian tripped Callum Wilson, but what was meant to be an attack for the hosts turned out as a counter attack for the Red Devils.
And Paul Pogba, after receiving a loose ball from Bournemouth’s free kick sent a through pass to Lukaku, who carefully tucked the ball in the goal post to give his side insurance in the game.
After scoring the second goal, Jose Mourinho removed Herrera for a more defensive player, Nemanja Matic in the 72nd minute.
Paul Pogba was also substituted for the rest of the game as Daley Blind was introduced to keep the back line ready for any form of attack from the home team.
However, Manchester United maintain their second position after the game with a four point advantage over Liverpool, who have a match at hand.
Who is the better coach, Mourinho or Conte? - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng
