Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj was the difference as the Premier League holders came from behind to take all three points against a much-improved Sunderland. The hosts took a deserved lead inside of five minutes through midfielder Craig Gardner. United defender Phil Jones dealt with a cross put in by Emanuele Giaccherini, but Jones' pass to Vidic bounced off the Serb and fell to Gardner in the box who finished with aplomb into the bottom corner. Nani may have felt he should have equalised minutes later, after hitting a fierce strike just past the post, and putting another chance wide after being unmarked inside the area from a free kick. Against the run of play, Sunderland were inches away from doubling their lead. Giaccherini headed goalwards from a cross which was well saved by United 'keeper David De Gea. The very same man had another glorious opportunity to score after Adam Johnson set him up inside the area. However, the former Juve man volleyed over the bar from a few yards out just minutes before the break. United then equalised 10 minutes after half-time through Adnan Januzaj. The 18-year old superbly side-footed home from a Patrice Evra cross. He then put United ahead just minutes later with a magnificently struck volley from inside the penalty area. Nani's original cross was headed clear, and Januzaj hit a first-time volley into the bottom corner. The visitors started to take control of the second half, and created a number of opportunities - most notably Wayne Rooney shooting over the bar from a few yards out following a neat move with Nani & Van Persie. Van Persie also missed a great chance to put the game beyond doubt late on, after good work from Valencia saw the Dutchman through on goal, but Van Persie shot wide of the post. The victory sees United with 10 points from seven games, and in 9th place in the league. Sunderland remain bottom of the table, but can take great heart after pushing the title holders close in an industrious performance.
Crippy Cooke, 23, is a freelance Football Writer contributing to What Culture. He's had work featured on Zoo, MSN, London 24, The Telegraph, The Huffington Post, and was recently named Writer of the Year on FTBpro - while also a nominee for Best Male Blog in the Football Blogging Awards.
