Premier League: Paul Pogba stars as Man Utd cut City’s lead at the top
New Stoke City manager Paul Lambert watches his side lose 3-0 at Old Trafford
Manchester United 3 Stoke City 0
Manchester United eased past Stoke City last night as they took advantage of Manchester City’s first defeat of the season on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho’s men are now 12 points behind the Premier League leaders. It’s still an intimidating gap, but one that gives a glimmer of hope that all might not yet be lost in the title race.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Asked for his views on City’s 4-3 defeat, Mourinho refused to get carried away with the result. “I didn’t watch Liverpool beat Manchester City,” he said. “It doesn’t change anything. The distance is an important distance [and] I have been there before. They have their destiny in their hands.”
All that United can do is keep winning and hope that their neighbours come apart at the seams in the second half of the season. The Red Devils certainly stuck to their side of the bargain last night.
Paul Pogba was their inspiration. The Frenchman created first-half goals for Antonio Valencia and Anthony Martial, and caused no end of problems to the visitors throughout.
Romelu Lukaku added a third after the break as United pulled three points clear of Liverpool and Chelsea, who are on 47 points.
“He was moving the ball fantastically well, with long passes changing the direction and creating problems for the opponent,” said Mourinho when asked for his assessment of Pogba’s performance.
“I think he is happy with the way the team is playing, and he’s happy because the team is changing the profile and the profile is going more in his direction.”
For Paul Lambert the result was a sobering experience as he looked on from the directors’ box. Appointed earlier in the day to replace the sacked Mark Hughes, the new manager saw the Potters concede three more league goals to take their tally for the season to 50, more than any other side in Europe’s ‘big five’ divisions.
The 48-year-old Scot, who has been jobless since parting company with Wolves at the end of last season, will start work today with the aim of lifting Stoke out of the relegation zone.
Eddie Niedzwiecki, who was in temporary charge of the team last night, said the club required a “foundation”, adding: “Paul Lambert said a few words to the players in the hotel before the game but he showed me the respect and it was my team today.
“I enjoyed the experience but it has been incredibly difficult personally. I will find out my future in the next 48 hours. I know how the game works.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published