Having set his team on a war footing with an eve-of-the-game attack on the 'compulsive liars' on the punditry couches, Jose Mourinho sent out his heavy artillery.
Manchester United were big and they got bigger with every change Mourinho made, as they dug in, determined to avoid the fate of Tottenham at Vicarage Road.
Spurs had been beaten at set-pieces having been softened up by Watford's direct style but not United.
Manchester United centre back Chris Smalling scores their second goal of the game against Watford in the 38th minute
Smalling celebrates doubling United's lead over Watford in the first half of the Premier League clash with his team-mates
Smalling turns away to celebrate scoring United's second goal of the match against Watford on Saturday evening
They were up for this one, fired up by the boss and his perceived injustices and were two up at half-time, both goals from set-pieces and heavily influenced by the aerial prowess of Marouane Fellaini.
Mourinho may be accused of many things but rarely the failure to make a plan.
Romelu Lukaku scored the first and Chris Smalling the second with a fabulous flash of skill, twist and volley in a tight area.
Forward Andre Gray pulls one goal back for the hosts against United in the second half of the Premier League encounter
Watford's Gray celebrates scoring their first goal of the game in the 65th minute of the match against United on Saturday
Gray celebrates after getting his side back into the Premier League contest in the second half on Saturday evening
Andre Gray pulled one back and Watford went in search of an equaliser with United reduced to 10 men in the final seconds when Nemanja Matic tripped Will Hughes and collected his second yellow card of the game.
David de Gea sprang to his left to make a splendid late save from Chrsitian Kabasele and Mourinho’s side celebrated the victory.
Three points to the haul and, in his own mind at least, another point proved. His team is fighting for him.
United's Nemanja Matic was sent off for two bookable offences during stoppage time as the visitors won 2-1 at Watford
United's Romelu Lukaku (centre) scores his side's first goal of the game during the Premier League encounter on Saturday
Lukaku beats Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster to open the scoring for United in the 35th minute of the Premier League match
Lukaku celebrates putting United ahead in the first half of the match against Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday
Lukaku is surrounded by his team-mates after breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute of the Premier League encounter
After such an impressive start to the campaign there was no surprise to find Gracia named an unchanged team for the fifth Premier League game.
Watford’s win against Tottenham on their previous outing hinged on aerial strength at set-pieces and Mourinho required little encouragement to send out his giants.
United were without Marcus Rashford, suspended after a red card at Burnley, and Luke Shaw, not fit enough even for the bench after his injury on England duty.
Fellaini prowled around on the toes of Smalling and Victor Lindelof, often deep enough to be mistaken for a third central defender.
Foster makes a save against United's Paul Pogba in the first half of the match which ended with United two goals to the good
United manager Jose Mourinho issues instructions on the touchline during the first half of the Premier League encounter
Just ahead, either side of Fellaini, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba clocked up the miles. These five six footers worked hard to ensure they were in the air-drop zone when Watford sought to deliver crosses from the full-backs.
United were sharp and a positive from the start with Shaw’s replacement Ashley Young, regularly jeered on his latest return the club where his career began, effective in attack on the left as the visitors gathered momentum, kicking down the Vicarage slope.
Young’s early pass to Lukaku forced Ben Foster into action. The goalkeeper smothered at Lukaku’s feet and saved again from Pogba’s crisp drive from the fringes of the penalty area.
David de Gea’s first contribution was to deny Will Hughes from a similar distance. His second was smart reflex save to push over Troy Deeney, teed-up by Roberto Pereyra, before they were overwhelmed.
Watford's Troy Deeney and Jose Holebas protest with referee Mike Dean after United's Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring
Watford's Andre Gray (left) and United's Nemanja Matic battle for the ball during the Premier League clash at Vicarage Road
Watford striker Deeney unleashes a shot as Smalling tries to block the effort during the match on Saturday evening
Alexis Sanchez saw a strike ruled out for offside and Foster saved again from the Chilean but the home team yielded to the pressure when Lukaku found the breakthrough, 10 minutes before the interval.
Watford failed to clear a free-kick completely after it was headed square across the goalmouth by Fellaini.
The ball found its way to Young on the left, and his cross was deflected, skipped up off the turf and evaded everyone except Lukaku who was able to make contact with his hip and divert it beyond Foster.
It was certainly scruffy, bobbling into the far post before spinning over the line, and Watford found something to argue about. Their protests were led by left-back Jose Holebas, but replays showed there was no offside offence.
Deeney and United's Smalling challenge for the ball in the air during the league fixture at Vicarage Road on Saturday
The goal would stand, Lukaku’s fourth of the season, and Manchester United refused to ease off. Foster was forced into two more fine saves to keep Pogba out, one either side of the second goal, scored after more chaos caused by Fellaini at a set-piece.
This time it was Young’s corner swung deep towards the tall Belgian who nodded the ball towards Smalling, the centre-half who received it on his chest with Daryl Janmaat for company, swivelled and hooked a volley past the ‘keeper from close range.
Mourinho scrambled from his seat to celebrate, pumping his fist. Until this point, he had preferred to stay mostly out of sight as the travelling fans sang his name.
A second goal for his team seemed significant, although Watford summoned a spirited response in the second half and found a way back into the contest when Gray pounced for his second goal of the season.
Watford's Will Hughes (left) shoots towards goal during the Premier League match at Vicarage Road on Saturday evening
Abdoulaye Doucoure, far more influential in midfield after the interval, forged through an inside left channel and cut a low cross towards the penalty spot. Gray was first to arrive in the vacant space to and applied a firm side-footed finish which faded away from De Gea’s reach.
The home crowd were revived by the prospect of another thrilling comeback. Gracia’s team poured forward, taking risks at the back.
Manchester United wasted good opportunities on the break and centre-halves Kabasele and Craig Cathcart made key challenges.
This time there was no sting in the tail.
Link articlehttps://hienalouca.com/2018/09/15/watford-1-2-manchester-united-first-half-goals-from-lukaku-and-smalling/
Main photo article Having set his team on a war footing with an eve-of-the-game attack on the ‘compulsive liars’ on the punditry couches, Jose Mourinho sent out his heavy artillery.
Manchester United were big and they got bigger with every change Mourinho made, as they dug in, determined to avoid the...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Sport HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1/2018/09/15/18/4309398-6171653-image-a-9_1537031896784.jpg
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