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Swansea City frustrate Manchester United

The spoils are shared as Swansea City and Manchester United play out a 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium in Wales.





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Michu's 13th goal of the season earned Swansea City a share of the spoils from their home encounter with Manchester United at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon.

Having dominated the early exchanges, United eventually broke the deadlock with 16 minutes on the clock. Michel Vorm initially turned Ashley Young's shot from the edge of the area around the post but when the resultant corner was whipped in by Robin van Persie, Patrice Evra rose highest to glance the ball into the left hand corner of the net.

Swansea rallied after falling behind though and they levelled up proceedings 13 minutes later. Jonathan de Guzman's shot from the right of the box was parried by United goalkeeper David de Gea, but Michu reacted quickest to convert the rebound from close range.

United's Patrice Evra jumps highest to open the scoring against Swansea on December 23, 2012© PA Photos

De Guzman had another chance with 35 minutes played, but his effort from a narrow angle was held by a retreating De Gea.

In the closing stages of the half Evra picked out Wayne Rooney from the byline, but the striker's effort was lacking in power and Vorm was able to collect.

The hosting Swans began the second half brightly but for all their possession, they very rarely called De Gea into any telling action.

Swansea forward Michu celebrates his goal against Manchester United on December 23, 2012© PA Photos

As the half went on United started to impose themselves on the encounter and with 66 minutes gone they struck the woodwork. Rooney sent over an inswinging cross from the left for Van Persie, who sent an instant looping volley against the crossbar and over.

The away side went on to hit the bar again 13 minutes from time. Michael Carrick made a near post run to meet Van Persie's corner from the left, but his goalbound header was turned onto the bar by Vorm.

Just two minutes later United had further chances to claim a winning goal, but Ashley Williams first got in the way of a low effort from Van Persie, before Ben Davies got back on the line to block Ashley Young's rebounded effort.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side continued to push forward in search of the winner in the closing stages, but they were unable to break Vorm's net for a second time.

The result means that their lead at the top of the table has been cut to four points this weekend.

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United's Patrice Evra jumps highest to open the scoring against Swansea on December 23, 2012
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