Stoke City beat Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United at home on Boxing Day to pile even more pressure onto a woeful opposition that were lacking the ingredients normally expected from an offensive and attacking Red Devils side of recent years.
Taking nothing away from Stoke though, who totally controlled the game and starved United of possession. Once again, they proved their ‘titan slaying’ capabilities as they condemned the travelling side to their fourth successive defeat - them their worst record since 1961.
Stoke the Titan Slayers
The Britannia Stadium has now become something of a coveted fortress, with many of the Premier League’s biggest clubs losing out to the Potters - the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and now Manchester United.
Mark Hughes has done a remarkable job in transforming a moderate club into a fearful and competitive challenger for all of Stoke’s opposition. The confidence is back in the team and with confidence, there will always be goals.
Hughes’s three front-line players of Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan are a credit to the Premier League as there strike force is arguably one of the most potent and menacing in the division right now, and as such Stoke see themselves only four points off fifth place in the league.
In contrast to attack, Stoke have found the perfect potion in defence, with goalkeeper Jack Butland on a blinding run of form for the home team. He is one of the main reasons why this side find themselves in the top half as his goalkeeping performances have been inspirational and he must surely be giving England number one goalkeeper Joe Hart food for thought this season. His stalwart position in front of goal has meant that the Potters have kept eight clean sheets in 11 games.
The match
Stoke started the game with attacking intent and constantly penetrated the back line of Manchester United. Their consistent menace in the opposition’s half would lead to United’s £25 million pound signing, Memphis Depay, attempting to head the ball back to United goalkeeper David De Gea, but with nowhere near enough power on the ball, Stoke defender Glen Johnson capitalised on his woeful error to set Bojan up for the first goal.
This was just the beginning for Manchester United’s troubles as Stoke were soon given a free-kick for Ashley Young’s handball. The free kick was smashed into the wall by Shaqiri, only for Stoke's forward Arnautovic to fire the ball into the net for his sixth goal of the season.
The Stoke City frontman once again plagued De Gea’s goal after an impressive run through the fragile United defence, only for his shot to roll just wide of the post.
With the second half came Van Gaal’s captain, Wayne Rooney, who had been dropped from the team for the first time under the Dutchman. However, in a dire and desperate situation, the Red Devils manager had to revert his decision, with his side down at the Britannia.
Rooney’s arrival sparked a revitalised United side, who saw their best chance of the match - Marouane Fellaini’s shot on goal after Rooney’s cross - saved beautifully by Butland, who once more stepped up to the plate to keep his side in control of the game.
Stoke resorted to a much more defensive orientated line up, willing to preserve and maintain their two goal cushion in the match. With a chance to restore at least some dignity, United’s Anthony Martial fired at goal but was once again denied exquisitely by Butland, who had obtained another clean sheet for his team. This is the first time Stoke have achieved this in the Premier League against Manchester United.
Hughes looking good now?
Stoke have consistently looked a menacing side in the past few weeks and have maintained this aura through the Christmas period. Manager Hughes said that his “side was excellent in the first half” as shown by their impressive two goal cushion. Their menace in attack put to shame the self-entitled ethos of Manchester United who looked mediocre at best on Boxing Day.
Stoke “looked positive” in all aspects of play today, their front men were consistently “getting behind (United’s) back four” and “caused all sorts of problems” for the away side.
As the second half began, United “did gain back the momentum”, however Stoke saw it through “comfortably” thanks to their midfield's terrific organisation and their defence’s resolute tactics. The Potters certainly set out to “play on the front foot” and the score line reflects this. They “forced errors” from United as this proved to be their undoing by a side that sit six places below them.
Stoke City now face Everton on Monday, who head into the match off the back of a much deserved last minute win against Newcastle United.