LONDON • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows a thing or two about impact substitutions, but even Manchester United's former supersub extraordinaire must have been pleasantly surprised to see Romelu Lukaku step off the bench and score within 38 seconds on Wednesday.
Until then, Solskjaer had seemed outwitted by Rafael Benitez's contain-and-counter tactics. But, by the end of a bitterly cold night, Marcus Rashford had added a second to seal a 2-0 win over Newcastle.
It makes the Norwegian the first United manager since Matt Busby in 1946 to win his opening four games. He acknowledged it would be "hard" for him to relinquish the role and return to his "day job" at Molde in Norway in May.
"Of course I won't want to leave," the 45-year-old said, semi-teasingly. "I don't want to."
His smile suggested he knows he will almost certainly have to, although much more of this and all bets will be off.
If United's flight to the warmth of Dubai tomorrow for a mid-season training break should be a happy one, Newcastle remain far too close to the relegation zone for comfort.
Things certainly appeared to have changed since the last time Solskjaer patrolled the away technical area at the St James' Park in 2014.
1946
The only other year a Manchester United manager in Matt Busby won his first four league games, a feat matched by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Back then, Alan Pardew was in charge of a home team whose 3-0 win confirmed Cardiff's relegation from the Premier League.
Not that Jose Mourinho's interim successor could afford to relax, even with a new-found sense of creative liberation, that was cowed and cramped by his predecessor, leading to 12 goals before the game.
Indeed, United could easily have conceded early when Phil Jones' poor back pass played Salomon Rondon onside. In the end, the defender recovered superbly to rescue the situation.
"Finally we kept a clean sheet," Solskjaer told Sky Sports. "A very professional performance. We didn't hit the heights that we can do, but we were in control, kept plugging away and got the goals."
At the other end, Paul Pogba, the chief beneficiary of the regime change with four goals and three assists, regularly advanced down the inside-left channel with destructive intent but the final ball was not quite coming off against the hosts' five-man defence.
Yet this was also very much a collective effort, a masterclass in the art of assiduous closing down. With less than half an hour left, the time had come to liberate Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez from the bench.
Lukaku scored with his first touch when Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka uncharacteristically spilled Rashford's dipping 25m free kick. The forward reacted with alacrity, responding faster than Jamaal Lascelles to drive the rebound home from six yards.
Said Solskjaer: "A good first touch from a sub. When you see big Romelu Lukaku running towards you, as a 'keeper you might take your hands away."
All that remained was for an unmarked Rashford to slide a shot through Dubravka's legs at the end of a move he had started. It involved Lukaku cueing up Sanchez, who marked his return from hamstring trouble with an assist that rekindled hopes of a top-four spot.
"Marcus has a great hit," said Solskjaer. "He must have been watching Cristiano (Ronaldo) practising. Without hitting the heights, it was a very professional performance."
THE GUARDIAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Football: Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says
The new stadium will also host Spurs' Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City on 9 April. Tottenham, who have played homes games at Wembley this season, were scheduled to
Paul Merson makes a big statement about Spurs' first match in
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 03, 2019, with the headline 'Spurs must drop Lloris for top 4, says Jenas'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Spurs must drop Lloris for top 4, says Jenas, Football News
Football. Home football Neymar hits half-century as PSG are held by Nice -time penalty as Paris St Germain continued their stuttering end to the season with a 1-1 Ligue 1 draw at home to
Neymar hits half-century as PSG are held by Nice | Football
Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton 1-0 win at Brighton. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored the goal as Southampton withstood a second-half onslaught from Brighton & Hove Albion to secure a vital 1-0
Football: Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton 1-0 win at Brighton
From Rivals Jan. 8: Kessler has now taken three of his five official visits, but maintains he's still wide open in the process. Virginia fans should be excited about the impression Tony Bennett and his program made on the Georgia native this weekend. The Hoos have as good of a shot as anybody right now to sign Kessler in the 2020 class.
Jose Mourinho offers advice to Jurgen Klopp on how to beat
Find Harrah's hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and more locations around the country. Join the fun, come out and play.
Harrah's Philadelphia Racetrack - Harness Racing
Liverpool's Salah, Firmino ruled out of Barcelona game Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Liverpool - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - May 4, 2019. Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after sustaining an injury.
Mohamed Salah doubtful for Liverpool vs Barcelona second leg
For the first few minutes of Tuesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg between Barcelona and Manchester United, it looked like the Red Devils might just be able to recapture the magic that allowed them to overcome a two-goal loss at home last month and upset Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
A Genius in Full Bloom, Lionel Messi Lifts Barcelona
Dec 18, 2018 · Manchester United are hopeful of announcing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their caretaker manager after the sacking of José Mourinho on Tuesday morning, with the club intent on appointing a permanent
Football | Manchester United sack Jose Mourinho - THE SEASON
LYON (France): Barcelona were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Olympique Lyonnais in their Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday as both sides remained undefeated in this season's
London: Andre Gray came off the bench to fire Watford into the FA Cup semi-finals with the late winner in their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday. Javi Gracia's side took the lead
Football: Super-sub Gray sends Watford into FA Cup semis
Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 21, 2018 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their first goal wit
Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk sink
0 comments:
Post a Comment