West Brom vs Manchester United – as it happened: Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard both find the net
All the action from the Hawthorns as United saw off West Brom
Manchester United secured their second narrow victory in the space of four days with a 2-1 defeat of West Brom at the Hawthorns.
Romelu Lukaku's header and Jesse Lingard's deflected strike gave Jose Mourinho's team a two-goal advantage at the break, and although Gareth Barry pulled one back for the hosts, United clung on for all three points.
The victory still leaves United second in the league, 11 points behind their city rivals, while West Brom's poor run of form leaves them 19th in the table, above only Swansea City.
Follow all the live action below...
What time does it start?
West Brom vs Manchester United kicks off at 2.15pm on Sunday afternoon
Where can I watch it?
Highlights of the game will be broadcast on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday at 22.30
It’s a big game for…
Romelu Lukaku. The £75m man grabbed a goal in midweek after a recent dry spell, and these sorts of games are bread-and-butter stuff for the striker who famously thrives against smaller sides. He has four goals in seven career appearances against West Brom.
The Belgian is remembered fondly in this part of the West Midlands after scoring 17 goals in 35 Premier League appearances as a 19-year-old for the Baggies, and will likely get a warm welcome. But he will need to be at his ruthless best to get through a fast-improving West Brom defence.
Best stat…
No manager has beaten Jose Mourinho in the Premier League more times than Alan Pardew (3 – level with Mark Hughes).
Remember when...
Sir Alex’s 1,500th and final match in charge of Manchester United ended in a goalfest as his side drew 5-5 with West Brom.
On an unusually festive final-day occasion, with the Red Devils already crowned as champions and the Baggies comfortably ensconced in the top half, a Romelu Lukaku hat-trick and goals from forgotten names like Shinji Kagawa and Alexander Buttner ensured that the points were shared.
Player to watch…
Jonny Evans. Against his former club, Evans will be crucial to the Baggies’ hopes of getting anything from this match. The West Brom captain has helped his side keep clean sheets against Liverpool and Crystal Palace in their last three games, and has a habit of chipping in with important goals too.
Evans has recently been linked with a return to Manchester, with both City and United reportedly interested, and the Baggies will surely have to keep hold of the Northern Ireland international in January if they are to have any chance of staying up. Up against the likes of Lukaku and Marcus Rashford, he will be key to West Brom’s chances here.
Previous three meetings…
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 0, Premier League, April 2017
West Bromwich Albion 0 Manchester United 2 (Ibrahimovic), Premier League, December 2016
West Bromwich Albion 1 (Rondon) Manchester United 0, Premier League, March 2016
Form guide…
West Bromwich Albion: DDDLD
Manchester United: WWWLW
Odds…
West Bromwich Albion: 5/1
Manchester United: 3/5
Draw: 11/4
9' - Salomon Rondon does really well on the left touchline to hold the ball up before sending James McClean clear down the wing with his back-heeled pass. The former Sunderland man brings the ball under control before whipping a powerful cross in towards Oliver Burke, only for the youngster's poor touch to allow United to clear the danger.
14' - Ashley Young delivers a superb cross in towards Romelu Lukaku but Kieran Gibbs stays tight to the United striker and heads the ball away.
22' - There's been very little to report on so far as we approach the midway point of the first half. United have dominated possession but Ben Foster is yet to make a save in the West Brom goal.
GOAL! West Brom 0-1 Manchester United (Lukaku)
27' - Great header. Marcus Rashford slips past Oliver Burke on the left wing before crossing for Romelu Lukaku, who nods the ball past Ben Foster and into the top corner.
Just like in midweek against Bournemouth, the big striker doesn't celebrate. Very odd.
31' - Oliver Burke breezes past Phil Jones on the half-way line before driving towards David de Gea's goal. Salomon Rondon makes a good run but the Scot opts to go alone before being dispossessed by Chris Smalling. Decent attack, that.
GOAL! West Brom 0-2 Manchester United (Lingard)
35' - Jesse Lingard collects the ball from Juan Mata 20 yards from goal before shooting past Ben Foster via a deflection off Ahmed Hegazy.
42' - That second goal has really taken the wind out of West Brom's sails. United look to already have this one wrapped up and we're not even at half-time yet.
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