County make United fight all the way
Report from Mark Vickery
Venue: Rodney Parade
Newport County 2 (Morris 36, Evans 47)
Manchester United 4 (Fernandes 7, Mainoo 13, Anthony 68, Hojlund 90+4)
Attendance: 9,086
Match Rating: ****
Form:
Newport County WDLWDDDWWW
Manchester United LWLLdLWLWD
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
County are unchanged but United have been forced into some changes due to injury so key County get at them and don’t allow them to settle into any rhythm.
CONDITIONS
Mild, partly cloudy with light breeze. Pitch in decent condition considering and played quick
SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Started slowly but showed great spirit forcing game either side of half time before fading.
TURNING POINT
Third United gave them breathing space
THE MATCH
County were forced back in the early stages by a United side comfortable in possession with some patient moves being worked from deep. County struggled for cohesion and had to deal with some well crafted moved left side involving Shaw and Garnacho. On 5 minutes, there was a warning for County when a bright United move right side saw Anthony strong with run right corner of the box. He cut back inside catching County napping a curled his effort from 20 yards just past left post. On 7 minutes, United took the lead with a break left side initiated by Shaw who threaded a low pass to Fernandes who caressed pass left side of the area. Despite Antony looking marginally offside, he was allowed too much room to cut back a pass to Fernandes was left untracked and slotted low into the left corner from 16 yards. County struggled to deal with moves in transition which United built effectively from deep with several neat passes going the centre back Martinez. On 11 minutes, there was another warning for County with right back Dalot advancing high up the pitch. His cross was cut back precisely to Anthony inside the “d” but his shot was scooped just over the bar. County made efforts to test the United defence with some direct play right side using Evans as aerial outlet but made little headway with United quick to mop up the loose ball. On 13 minutes, Dalot was again causing problems right corner of the box, putting Lewis under pressure and with Mainoo inside he picked up the pass and slotted first time into the left corner with Townsend rooted to the spot. County made efforts to pick up their game with some better moves right side but continued to look vulnerable with United attacking in waves left side. On 18 minutes, Shaw flooded forward left side evading another call for offside with linesman behind the play. He cut back a decent low cross which County were able to scramble away with Clarke getting an important block on the shot from Garnacho from 8 yards. Moments later another bright move by United saw Martinez thread a quick pass from deep with County asleep and Garnacho saw his snapshot left side of the area clip the bar. County eased their way into the game with some counter moves right side and were close on 25 minutes. McCloughlin did well with a precise pass to Evans who took up an advanced position inside the United area. His first shot on the turn was blocked but he was quick to drill a low shot from 14 yards forcing Bayindir into a save in the right corner. United continued to cause problems with their efficiency to break from deep with Anthony coming more into the game right side. On 32 minutes, Dalot caused problems when found Anthony with a neat low pass and he cut inside right corner of the box leaving Lewis static but the shot was tipped over by Townsend. On 34 minutes, County kept in the game by a fantastic block by Delaney denying Hojlund from inside the six yard box. County kept plugging away and were back in the game on 36 minutes following a superb piece of opportunist skill by Morris. He killed the headed pass he received from Evans and hit a sweet half volley from 25 yards which went in off the left post. The game was more even as half time approached with County enjoying more possession and territory but United continued to cause problems with their pace and decision making on the break. On 45+3 minutes, Anthony was again causing problems setting up Dalot who drove right side of the area. He cut back an excellent pass to Fernandes inside the “d” who adjusted well but his shot was parried around the left post by Townsend.
County made a small tactical tweak at half time matching United up 4–2–3–1 with Bennett dropped into midfield. United came out on the front-foot forcing County to defend deep inside their own area and they had a half chance on 46 minutes with Antony scooping shot well over from 10 yards. County were level on 47 minutes with a quick break switching play well from right to left. Lewis made the most of the space offered left side of the area with a low searching cross into the six yard box and Evans won the race to poke home ahead of Varane. United went straight back on the offensive coordinating some moves from deep with Martinez orchestrating play and they continued to cause problems left side with their movement. On 55 minutes, United were close to a third goal with Hojlund the architect right side of the area keeping the ball in near the byline and the cut back found Fernandes edge of the area but his first time effort was well saved by Townsend. County buoyed on by the fervent crowd enjoyed a better spell of possession working the ball through midfield and won some free kicks inside the United half. On 60 minutes, County won a free kick right side which Morris whipped and Charsley struck his volley from 10 yards well over under pressure. On 67 minutes, County had a half chance to forge ahead with a bright through the middle and Charsley struck a decent effort from 25 yards just wide of the right post. United continued to cause problems working the ball out from deep with Martinez initiating some good moves. On 68 minutes, it paid dividends with a move left side involving Shaw and Garnacho. Shaw was allowed space to roam inside and strike a decent curling effort from 20 yards which clipped the right post and sat up invitingly for Anthony to stoke home. County made a change soon after with Payne coming in place of Lewis. Payne went right back with McCloughlin switching to left back. County made efforts to raise the bar again with some moves from deep and Charsley was crudely tackled from behind by Casemiro on 72 minutes to get the first booking of the game. County continued to compete well and when they shifted the ball from under their feet, it caused problems for United. On 75 minutes, a slick move won a free kick right side and Morris whipped in a decent cross pinpointing Delaney and despite not getting a clean contact, Palmer-Houlden read the loose ball, only for his header under pressure from 8 yards to drift wide of the left post. County made a triple change on 78 minutes to freshen up things with Waite, Rai and Baker replacing Charsley, Wildig and Bennett. United responded with a double substitution on 82 minutes with McTominay on for Casemiro and Kambwala on for Shaw. Kambwala went right centre back as United adjusted to 3–4–3 in final stages. County created some promise with Rai and Waite getting on the ball but United remained firm limiting the threat inside the area. United made some further changes on 89 minutes with Maguire on for Martinez and Forson replacing Anthony. On 90 minutes, County worked a snappy move through the middle and were inches away from an equaliser with Baker finding Evans and drilled a powerful low effort from 25 yards just wide of the right post. County put some late pressure on the United defence to force a replay winning some corners. On 90+3 minutes, County won a corner right side which McCloughlin directed into the six yard box and Delaney saw his header saved by Bayindir. With County committed to push on they were caught out on 90+4 when United sliced through the middle and Garnacho found Forson and despite his effort from 10 yards being well blocked by Townsend the rebound sat up kindly for Hojlund to thrash home form 8 yards. County put in some useful late crosses with Payne eager right side but United remain vigilant clearing well inside the area. There were a couple of late changes with County bring on Wood for Palmer-Houlden and Evans for Varane to firm up the United defence. County bravely kept plugging away and were close again on 90+9 minutes when they worked a clever short corner left side with Morris finding Waite near the “d” and his crisp shot was tipped over the by the keeper. United held on for deserved win but County got the plaudits at the end for making the result uncertain until well into injury time.
Townsend (7) — stood tall to make some instinctive saves and keep the game alive for County. Kicked and handled well under pressure. Appeared to be unsighted on second goal.
Lewis (7) — forced back by Anthony and allowed him to roam inside too much. Tackled well and got tighter second to effect play and provided excellent cross on the equaliser.
McCloughlin (7) — had to deal with switches of play first half and kept busy tracking Garnacho runs. Recovered well to block and track danger and when got forward his delivery was decent.
Delaney (7) — solid game, dealt with direct play and kept Hojlund relatively quiet winning the first contacts and clearing effectively. Had again several chances inside six yard box which need burying.
Clarke (6) — struggled to deal with slicker moves and slow to get across and cover danger. Made some important blocks inside area and always a threat off set pieces with Delaney closely marked.
Bennett (6) — read game well picking battles to break up play and offered more influence when he went in central midfield holding role. Faded late on and was replaced
Charsley (7) — did well to stifle and limit through the danger through the middle. Had a very good spell either side of half time and was missed when he was replaced.
Morris (7) — saw less of the ball but provided some clever set pieces and corners. Took his goal exceptionally well and kept plugging away with some good runs box to box.
Wildig (6) — never really got into the game and settle into any rhythm. Forced deep to get the ball and found it difficult to get to influence in the final third. Restricted on set pieces.
Palmer-Houlden (6) — quiet game and found little change from Varane who squashed the aerial duals. Kept working well off the ball but only had scraps to feed off inside the box.
Evans (7) — offered strength in the air and despite never really getting on the front-foot to drive and attack he was effective with link play dropping off. Went close a couple of times from distance.
SWOT ANALYSIS (Manchester United)
Strengths — built play efficiently from deep picking holes and made few passing errors. Defenders were switched on to crosses and they worked good combinations final third.
Weaknesses — gambled getting men forward and left themselves exposed several times struggling to recover.
Opportunities — they persisted with moves left side to break the lines which worked well and cut inside to shoot. Went to 3–4–3 later in the game which kept County worked.
Threats — Garnacho was lively left side, Anthony and Shaw cut inside to shoot and Fernandes creativity and shots from in and around the “d”
OFFICIALS
D Coote (8) — one of the better referees this season, didn’t need to get his cards out and used advantage well to keep game flowing.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Bruno Fernandes — County struggled to read his passes but he did a lot of damage in around the edge and quick to get shots in. Linked switches of play well and exploited space.
IF YOU WERE GRAHAM COUGHLAN WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
County gave a bit too much respect to their illustrious opponents in the early stages inviting space in wide areas and too many shots on goal. There was reluctance to press collectively which allowed United to build momentum from deep with Martinez centrally initiating several decent moves. County responded well either side of half time and did for a short time cause problems through better possession and retention, winning some free kicks which United never looked that comfortable on. County needed to sustain this and when United went 3–4–3, you felt County needed to match that putting another striker on, but there options were somewhat limited off the bench. County can be proud of their exploits in the FA Cup this season and during that enduring run they have also built on their league performances at the same time to push up the league. They can build on this form in the league now and thrive as the pitches improve. Next up at home is Swindon Town who are searching for a new manager following the dismissal of former County manager Mike Flynn. Swindon are likely to play 4–3–3 formation with new signing Glatzel right side of Austin with Hepburn-Murphy left side. Swindon can mix up their game with direct play so key County pick up the runners around Austin. County need to get Morris, Wildig and Charsely on the ball and drive influence through the middle of the pitch.
