It’s no laughing Mata for United
TO THINK that some optimists actually thought Manchester United were emerging as dark horses in this most fascinating of Premier League title races.
West Brom made it look wishful thinking by ending a run of four successive victories in all competitions as Louis van Gaal’s 10 men paid a heavy price for two moments of madness from Juan Mata midway through the fi rst half.
More realistically for United, this fi rst Premier League defeat at the Hawthorns was a body blow to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League .
The writing was on the wall once Mike Dean was left with little alternative but to give the Spain international a second yellow card in the space of three minutes; the fi rst one for needlessly preventing a quickly taken free- kick, the second for swinging his left boot in a frantic attempt to halt former United teammate Darren Fletcher in his tracks.
Their fate was sealed by Albion’s record signing Salomon Rondon, whose stunning fi nish was reward for leading the line so well in an intriguing tussle with Chris Smalling. His eighth goal of the season moved Albion to within a point of a key milestone.
It is Tony Pulis’ mantra to get to 40 points, believing West Brom can then consider themselves assured of another season in the top fl ight, something he has achieved for many years, fi rstly at Stoke, then at Crystal Palace and now at West Brom.
Pulis said: “One more . Forty points is always the target. It’s diffi cult managing teams in the lower half of the Premier League. It is really hard work, mentally and physically. You worry about every result and it can drive you insane.”
While Pulis felt the pivotal moment in the game was somewhat harsh, Van Gaal thought that Mata should have shown more care .
“The decision, for us, was the turning point ,” said United’s manager. “It is a big disappointment for us because we lose contact with the fi rst four or fi ve.
“I ask Mata a rhetorical question. How many red cards? None. I had assumed that. But as a player you also have to know when you have a yellow card, you have to take care.
“We were well organised, but it is diffi cult to create chances when it is 10 against 11. We have played for 60 minutes with 10 men, but we were not uncomfortable and we did not give too many chances away.”
Prior to Mata’s red card , right, Albion carved out two glorious opportunities and had both Craig Dawson and Gareth McAuley got their angles right with headers , they would have gone in front.
United were within a whisker of suffering further punishment after the sending- off when Dawson’s speculative volley had David de Gea grasping at thin air, only for it to drift past the far post . United made a lively start to the second half in which Jesse Lingard was only a fraction high with a dipping shot .
West Brom’s winner then came midway through the second period, Rondon showing composure to bring under control a cross fi zzed into the box by Craig Gardner, before lashing his left- foot shot past De Gea.
“Salomon just never stops,” said Pulis. “He works his socks off .”
Mata looked on forlornly as Albion held onto that lead , a result which means United can forget about any late surge towards the title, while Pulis will welcome a degree of sanity returning to his life .