MX23RW : Monday, March 31 06:43:44| >> :120:25355:25355:

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.





WARNING! This article contains strong language and/or content that some readers may prefer to avoid.





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.

ID:60792: cacheID:60792:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5442:
Written by
Liam Apicella
Restore Data
Share this article now:
United's Patrice Evra jumps highest to open the scoring against Swansea on December 23, 2012
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Michu pegs back Man United
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!