United Red Devils stand
City extend 100% clean start away at Selhurst Park
ANTHONY Martial introduced himself to Manchester United fans with a superb goal to complete a 3-1 win over bitter rivals Liverpool and cap a much-improved performance from Louis van Gaal’s side yesterday.
Martial, a £36-million signing from AS Monaco, danced past three defenders in the 86th minute and sidefooted the ball home on his debut to put the finishing touches to a welldeserved victory.
After a dire first half that would have dampened the enthusiasm of even the most die-hard fan, a fired-up Red Devils emerged after the break to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Daley Blind curled them ahead from the edge of the area four minutes after the restart before Ander Herrera slammed a penalty into the roof of the net after Liverpool’s 18-year-old fullback Joe Gomez clumsily felled the Spaniard.
Liverpool hit back with six minutes remaining when Christian Benteke pulled off an acrobatic overhead kick but he was upstaged when Martial, a second-half substitute, had the United fans drooling in anticipation of his potential.
AIRBORNE: Daley Blind celebrates after scoring the first goal for Manchester United against Liverpool yesterday
The result gave secondplaced United 10 points from five Premier League matches, five adrift of city rivals and leaders Manchester City.
Liverpool are three points further back after a match that exposed some familiar defensive flaws as well as a lack of attacking spark.
Nigerian teenager Kelechi Iheanacho pledged to create more headlines in the future after scoring his first City goal to secure a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace yesterday.
Making only his second senior appearance, the 18-yearold forward scored moments after coming on in the 89th minute at Selhurst Park, prodding home the rebound after Alex McCarthy saved from Samir Nasri.
Iheanacho’s goal preserved The Citizens’ 100% start to the season and left coach Manuel Pellegrini’s side five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
“I am happy to score a goal like that,” Iheanacho told Sky Sports. “Palace are a great team, but we are also a strong team. I am hoping to do great for the team.
“It is not easy because there are great players here, but I have to work hard and I will get there. We are much stronger this season and we are going to go all the way.”
Iheanacho, who wears the No 72 shirt for City, has been capped by Nigeria at under-17 and under-20 level.
Pellegrini said: “Kelechi is a very important striker and just 18 years of age. He has a lot to improve.”
Odion Ighalo scored the only goal of the game against Swansea City yesterday to earn 10-man Watford their first win at the fifth attempt since promotion to the English top flight.
The Nigeria international celebrated signing a new five-year contract on Friday when sweeping home in the 59th minute after goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes’ long punt upfield with Troy Deeney’s headed knockdown setting up unmarked Ighalo to finish the move in style.