Manchester United’s Alexis Sanchez scored his first goal for the club while Romelo Lukaku was also on target as the hosts defeated Huddersfield Town 2-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the result meant the Red Devils closed the gap at the top of the English Premier League (EPL) to 13 points.
After Burnley had held league leaders Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor in an early kick-off, the pressure was on Manchester United to take advantage.
But they struggled to find any rhythm in the first half as Huddersfield stood firm.
However, 10 minutes into the second half the hosts went in front when Lukaku met Juan Mata’s cross to score his fourth goal in his last six appearances.
Sanchez was then given the chance to cap his home debut 21 minutes from time when he was brought down just inside the area by Michael Hefele.
And much to his relief, he tapped home the rebound after Jonas Lossl had saved his initial effort from the penalty kick spot.
The Chilean opened his Manchester United account after joining from Arsenal on reportedly the biggest ever contract in Premier League history.
Struggling Huddersfield offered little as an attacking force in the game and Manchester United saw out the victory with ease to at least put some pressure on rivals Manchester City.
Huddersfield dropped to second-bottom after a fifth successive league defeat.
After winning promotion last season, it was the first time this season that Huddersfield had found themselves in the relegation zone.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was satisfied with having broken down the visitors’ defensive wall on a day when they commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
Eight players had died in the crash.
“We had to be patient but had to keep the intensity high and the pressure,” Mourinho said.
“We had to break down the Berlin wall organised so well by (Huddersfield manager) David Wagner.”
“It was nice for Alexis Sanchez to win a match, the first at home,” added Mourinho. “It was not the goal of his dreams, but it is a goal.”(Reuters/NAN)
