Jose Mourinho sent off as Manchester United hold on for win at Southampton
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Updated 23/09/2017 at 16:43 GMT
St Mary's, Premier League - Southampton 0 Manchester United 1 (Lukaku 20')
Romelu Lukaku of Manchester United scores the opening goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary's Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Southampton, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Jose Mourinho was sent off at the death as Romelu Lukaku's first-half goal secured a 1-0 victory for Manchester United against Southampton.
Manchester United struggled to find their feet in the first half, and their Belgian striker's quick reactions gave them the lead against the run of play.
Southampton had just one home goal in 725 minutes of play in the league, and struggled to find their way past David de Gea.
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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is sent to the stands by referee Craig Pawson as fourth official Mike Jones looks on
Image credit: Reuters
In the second half, the home team ramped up the pressure on United, and Marouane Fellaini had to head an effort off the line from Oriel Romeu's attempt at goal. Romeu missed two other excellent chances to equalise.
United finished the game with six defenders in their team, but had to make do without Mourinho after he was sent off at the death after creeping on to the pitch. United remain in touch with Manchester City at the top, but fall into second on goal difference.
TALKING POINT
Who will blink first? While Manchester United are now behind on goal difference, they displayed the concentration and focus required to suggest that they are able to grind out victories as well as blast the opposition away. United should be confident of a win against Crystal Palace, and Liverpool are out of sorts – it is tough to see where their or City's first defeat will come from.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Phil Jones (Manchester United): He was at fault against Stoke, but this was another improved performance from Jones. He was at his best when he didn't have to think, and the relentless pressure from Southampton was to his advantage. He played to his strengths and was on hand to provide plenty of blocks and cover in and around the penalty box.
PLAYER RATINGS
Southampton: Forster 7, Cedric 7, Hoedt 6, Yoshida 7, Bertrand 6, Lemina 6, Romeu 6, Tadic 6, Davis 6, Redmond 6, Long 6. Subs: Ward-Prowse 6, Gabbiadini 6, Austin 6.
Manchester United: De Gea 7, Valencia 7, Bailly 7, Jones 8, Young 6, Matic 6, Fellaini 6, Mata 6, Mkhitaryan 6, Rashford 6, Lukaku 7. Subs: Blind 6, Smalling 5, Herrera 6.
KEY EVENTS
5' - FORSTER SAVE - Rashford breaks down the left, is tackled by Hoedt as he overruns it, and the ball runs to Mkhitaryan on the edge of the box. He drills in a low shot that is easily stopped by Forster.
20' - GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Manchester United. Lukaku scores - Young swings in a cross from the left, Lukaku meets it, Forster flaps at it quickly, but Lukaku reacts to tap it in.
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Romelu Lukaku of Manchester United scores his sides first goal past Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary's Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Southampton, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
51' - ROMEU MISS - Long finds Tadic on the right, but the bal is bundled away. The corner is swung in, it drops to Romeu in the six-yard box, and he toes it wide. What a miss.
67' - FELLAINI CLEARANCE - Jones concedes United's seventh corner. Tadic's cross to the back post sees Fellaini head Romeu's effort off the line.
78' - ROMEU SHOT - So close for Southampton. Romeu gets onto the end of Gabbiadini's through ball slips the ball past De Gea, and just wide of the post.
90+5' - MOURINHO IS OFF! Mourinho has been sent off for going onto the pitch to direct his players. Absolutely well worth the sending off that, good job everyone. He takes about two minutes to walk off.
KEY STAT
Southampton have scored in just two of their last 12 Premier League home games.
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