Ruthless Swansea stun Man Utd
Bafetimbi Gomis scored the winner once again as Swansea City triumphed 2-1 to spoil Louis van Gaal’s 50th match in charge of Manchester United.
The France international scored a somewhat fortuitous second when Swansea beat United by the same scoreline at the Liberty Stadium in February to complete a 2014-15 Premier League double over the Old Trafford outfit.
And it was the in-form Gomis, who now has nine goals from 10 top-flight matches, who settled matters in south Wales on Sunday, rounding off a Swansea turnaround in the 65th minute.
Juan Mata had put United in front early in the second half with his 50th goal in English football, before Andre Ayew headed Swansea level - the first time Van Gaal’s men have conceded in the top flight this term.
Swansea’s comeback was inspired by a tactical change from manager Garry Monk, who switched to a 4-3-1-2 formation moments before his side’s leveler.
Having picked up a thigh injury in training, the in-form Jefferson Montero was replaced by Wayne Routledge in the Swansea starting XI. United midfielder Ander Herrera was rewarded for his goal in a midweek Champions League victory over Club Brugge with a starting berth.
A nervy start from the home side saw United win a free-kick on the edge of the Swansea box in the opening couple of minutes, but goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski got down well to keep out Memphis Depay’s curling strike.
Mata then dragged a shot wide from close range when he found himself unmarked two minutes later, before Gomis snatched at Swansea’s first chance to test Sergio Romero.
Swansea should have opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Jonjo Shelvey threaded a freekick into the path of Gylfi Sigurdsson, who pulled his shot wide of the left-hand post.