Welbeck, Golnya Beri Poin Penuh bagi Manchester United
Welbeck Scored on to Win the Game for Manchester United
Editor : Ismail Gani
Translator : Novita Cahyadi
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Norwich (B2B) - Manchester United berhasil meraih poin sempurna setelah mengalahkan Norwich City di Stadion Carrow Road dalam lanjutan Liga Premier Inggris, Sabtu malam (28/12).
Danny Welbeck mencetak gol semata wayang di menit ke-57. Keuletan Danny Welbeck berhasil merebut bola dari lini pertahanan Norwich dan kerja sama apiknya dengan Javier Hernandez berbuah gol.
Danny Welbeck yang berhasil mengecoh John Ruddy untuk memasukkan bola ke gawang Norwich yang sekaligus sebagai penentu kemenangan, seperti dilansir Yahoo News.
Manchester United bertandang tanpa kehadiran Wayne Rooney. Kagawa yang dimainkan untuk mengisi kekosongan yang ditinggalkan Rooney tidak banyak berkontribusi.
Tim tuan tumah justru banyak memberikan kejutan dengan beberapa kali menyerang United melalui serangan balik dari sayap kiri.
Robert Snodgrass menjadi momok tersendiri bagi United, tercatat dua kali pada menit ke-20 dan 23 ia merepotkan lini pertahanan United, namun umpan yang dilesakkan Snodgrass tidak dapat dimanfaatkan dengan sempurna oleh Gary Hooper, penyerang Norwich.
Wesley Hoolahan juga nyaris membuka keunggulan untuk tuan rumah pada menit ke-38 melalui sisi kanan, beruntung bagi United bola tidak masuk ke gawang. Babak pertama berakhir tanpa gol.
Pada babak kedua, David Moyes mengganti Ryan Giggs dengan Danny Welbeck. Pergantian pemain itu membuahkan hasil, pada menit ke-57 Welbeck membayar kepercayaan Moyes dengan mencetak gol.
Tertinggal satu gol membuat Norwich semakin giat menyerang United. Chris Hughton, pelatih Norwich mencoba memasukan Wolfwswinkel dan Murphy. Tembakan Murphy pada menit ke-81 nyaris menyamakan kedudukan namun bolanya masih meleset.
Menjelang akhir pertandingan Norwich juga mendapatkan tendangan bebas tidak jauh dari kotak penalti United namun tidak berbuah gol.
Gol semata wayang Welbeck membawa United naik ke peringkat enam dengan 34 poin dari 19 laga sementara Norwich masih tertahan di peringkat 14 dengan 19 poin.
Norwich - Danny Welbeck came off the bench to maintain Manchester United´s recent revival as his second half goal clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win over Norwich at Carrow Road on Saturday.
United rode their luck at times and Welbeck´s goal had an element of good fortune about it, but the champions held on for their sixth successive victory in all competitions.
The reigning Premier League champions are up to sixth, two points short of a top-four place, although four of the five clubs above them now boast a game in hand.
United boss David Moyes made several changes to the side that fought back to win 3-2 at Hull on Boxing Day.
Wayne Rooney, who scored his 150th United goal in that game, did not travel because of a groin strain and Antonio Valencia missed out through suspension as Javier Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa and Ashley Young started.
Norwich, who beat United 1-0 at Carrow Road last season, also changed their starting line-up following a 2-1 home loss to Fulham, with Wes Hoolahan, Russell Martin and Ryan Bennett coming in.
The struggling Canaries looked nervous and were unable to hold on to possession in the early stages.
United, with Ryan Giggs controlling midfield, tested the hosts on both flanks and Japan midfielder Kagawa saw a shot from a tight angle blocked by Canaries goalkeeper John Ruddy.
The home side calmed their nerves eventually and almost took the lead in the 20th minute when Russell Martin, having played a one-two with Robert Snodgrass, forced David de Gea into a parrying save.
Chris Smalling made a mess of clearing the rebound at the back post but was able to hook the ball away before Wes Hoolahan could pounce.
United had to soak up some intense pressure after that, which saw Gary Hooper´s fierce drive saved by de Gea and Snodgrass twice fail to hit the target.
