Manchester United returned to their goal-scoring best with a well-deserved 4-2 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road on Tuesday.
Match Summary
Jose Mourinho’s squad showcased their ruthless talent in the first half, storming to a 3-0 lead by the break thanks to a brilliant brace from Ashley Young and a sharp strike from Anthony Martial.
Watford fought back in the second half, with Troy Deeney converting a penalty and Abdoulaye Doucoure narrowing the gap late in the game.
However, Jesse Lingard’s stunning solo goal in the 86th minute calmed the nerves and sealed the win for United, cutting the margin to five points behind league leaders Manchester City.
Full Match Report
Watford started brightly, controlling possession early on but struggled to trouble United’s keeper David De Gea.
Richarlison came close with a dangerous cross in the 9th minute, just missing Andre Gray in the box.
United gradually found their rhythm and opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Ashley Young smashed a half-volley from the edge of the box, after a rebound off Kiko Femenia.
By midway through the first half, United dominated as Young scored a spectacular free-kick from 22 yards, curling the ball into the top-left corner.
Then in the 32nd minute, Martial made it 3-0 with a cool finish after a clever flick from Romelu Lukaku.
Watford might have been further behind, but keeper Heurelho Gomes pulled off a fantastic double save in stoppage time of the first half to deny Lukaku and Lingard.
Richarlison almost got Watford on the scoresheet before halftime, his header clipping the crossbar from a Sebastian Prodl cross.
In the second half, Watford applied pressure to reduce the deficit. Doucoure fired a shot on target around the hour mark but couldn’t beat De Gea.
Richarlison had another header go over the bar, and Mariappa wasted a shot from distance in the 70th minute.
United pushed forward, with Pogba heading just over a free-kick, and Lukaku missing a good chance after a through ball from substitute Rashford was blocked.
Watford capitalised when Marcos Rojo brought down Pereyra, and Deeney converted the penalty with a cool finish to De Gea’s left.
Doucoure added a second for Watford in the 84th minute with a neat finish from a low cross, giving their fans hope.
But Lingard put the result beyond doubt two minutes later, charging from his own half to slot a low shot in the bottom-left corner.
Relive the magic with the goals below!
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