December 2012 Results Part 2
Most of the tough games are out the way, but let's end the year on a high! We're still chasing rivals City to the top, so hopefully we can close, or at least narrow, the gap between us. We should be able to win most games this month too!
Liverpool FC 0-0 Manchester United
Wednesday 19th December 2012 - Barclays Premier League - Anfield - Att. 45,276
United Starting XI - De Gea, Smalling, Evans, Vidic, Rafael, Fellaini, Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa, Lewandowski, van Persie
SUBS - Adan, Ferdinand, Fierro, Giggs, Welbeck, Jones, Hernandez
SUBS - Giggs, Hernandez
GOALS - van Persie (46)
MOTM - Jonny Evans
Not a bad result. Taking a point at Anfield is always a struggle for Manchester United, so I'm glad we did it. And to make the point a million times better, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard decided to miss a penalty... in the 88th minute! It's great to see Jonny Evans have a good game, his season really starts to be kicking in now. Hopefully we can avoid defeat for the rest of the month now!
Manchester United 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
Saturday 22nd December 2012 - Barclays Premier League - Old Trafford - Att. 74,303
United Starting XI - Adan, Jones, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evans, Fellaini, Kagawa, Carrick, Rooney, van Persie, Lewandowski
SUBS - De Gea, Rafael, Fierro, Giggs, Welbeck, Smalling, Hernandez
SUBS - None
GOALS - van Persie (42) Vidic (69)
MOTM - Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans has done it again, on great form and gets man of the match for two weeks running. He assisted both goals to help get us the three points, over a team who have been on good form recently. An easy win for the boys, and hopefully the form can carry on. Great to see Vidic grabbing another goal too, he's getting a few lately!
Reading FC 1-2 Manchester United
Wednesday 26th December 2012 - Barclays Premier League - Majedski Stadium - Att. 24,161
United Starting XI - De Gea, Smalling, Evans, Vidic, Rafael, Fellaini, Giggs, Kagawa, Rooney, Lewandowksi, van Persie
SUBS - Adan, Ferdinand, Fierro, Carrick, Welbeck, Jones, Hernandez
SUBS - Jones
GOALS - Lewandowski (57) Smalling (85)
INJURIES - Giggs (Strained Knee Ligaments, 5-6 weeks)
MOTM - Jonny Evans
Jonny! Super Jonny! can be heard every week now, as Jonny Evans becomes Man of the Match for the third week running. He got another assist for Lewandowski's late goal, and almost scored the second hitting the post before it fell to Smalling! Another three points, even if we did leave it late. Reading are a side I don't like playing, so I'm happy we've taken maximum points.
Stoke City 1-2 Manchester United
Saturday 29th December 2012 - Barclays Premier League - Britannia Stadium - Att. 27,740
United Starting XI - De Gea, Smalling, Evans, Ferdinand, Rafael, Fellaini, Kagawa, Carrick, Rooney, Lewandowksi, van Persie
SUBS - Adan, Vidic, Jones, Fierro, Welbeck, Hernandez
SUBS - Jones, Hernandez, Fierro
GOALS - Rooney (11) Lewandowski (89)
MOTM - Charlie Adam
Leaving it late for a second week, this time Lewy scoring. We almost got a goal in Fergie Time, something we are determined, but yet, to achieve. Nevertheless, yet another three points, to really put the pressure onto City now. Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney were the highest rated United players, followed by Robert Lewandowski and surprise, surprise, Jonny Evans.
League Table
Finally the gap is closed! We are equal on points with Manchester City, and have exactly the same Win-Draw-Loss ratio, the only difference between goal difference. Our goal difference hasn't been great, but we can find that extra win to put us top! I'm still shocked at how Swansea are doing though, and Norwich!
Player of the Month
Jonny Evans. There's no one who could question this. Man of the match twice, and being one of the best players in the other games can't go unnoticed. He may not have scored, but he's set up some vital goals, the difference between us being level or City being ahead. Hopefully Evans can continue, with fellow defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic also having great months. It's a hard decision on who to start now.