Matic sees red but United hold firm to end Watford’s winning run
watford 1 Gray (65) manchester united 2 Lukaku (35), Smalling (38)
Jose Mourinho saw his Manchester United side win back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season, despite Nemanja Matic’s late red card. United edged Watford at Vicarage Road and had David de Gea to thank for a stoppage-time save from Christian Kabasele as the Hornets pushed for a leveller. The hosts had won all four of their league outings before encountering United, who ended that 100% start thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling. The reply came from Andre Gray. Lukaku’s point-blank finish with his midriff opened the scoring in the 35th minute and three minutes later Smalling had the Red Devils roaring. Former United keeper Ben Foster made a string of saves to keep the scoreline down and Watford gave themselves the chance of salvaging a result through Gray’s second goal of the season. They came up short though in their quest for an equaliser, despite going close after Matic was dismissed in the final moments. Mourinho could not call on the suspended Marcus Rashford – a player about whom he launched a lengthy defence during his prematch press conference. And, while Hornets boss Javi Gracia named an unchanged team for the fifth time, Mourinho opted against playing Luke Shaw – the left-back rested completely after suffering concussion when playing for England. His replacement, Ashley Young, played his part. De Gea made the first telling stop of the evening, tipping a Troy Deeney shot over the bar after Smalling was caught out by a long ball. The visitors thought they had taken the lead at the midway point of the first half, but Alexis Sanchez was flagged offside as he controlled and finished Matic’s cross. The Chile forward came close again on the half-hour mark, testing
Foster with a drive, and United hit the front soon after. After a free-kick had finally been cleared by the hosts, Young collected the ball and crossed for Lukaku who was free to guide the ball home from close range. And United didn’t have to wait long for a second as Young sent a corner deep into the box. Marouane Fellaini’s knock-down was skilfully controlled on the chest by Smalling, with the defender then arrowing the ball past Foster. Mourinho’s men should have been toasting a third goal on the stroke of halftime, but Foster threw his body in front of Paul Pogba’s strike. The hosts responded well after the interval and halved the arrears as Gray was left free in the middle of goal to turn home Abdoulaye Doucoure’s low cross with 25 minutes left. Watford were the livelier of the two sides, but were leaving gaps – Foster and Craig Cathcart combining to prevent Sanchez tapping in a third for United. De Gea kept hold of a well-struck Doucoure effort as the game headed into stoppage time, where Matic collected a second yellow card for fouling Will Hughes. From the resulting freekick De Gea had to be at his best to turn away Kabasele’s header as United held on to claim the points.