Played
October 1, 2011 3:00 PM BST
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee: S. Attwell
Attendance: 75514
October 1, 2011 3:00 PM BST
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee: S. Attwell
Attendance: 75514
Anderson and Danny Welbeck were the saviours for Manchester United, as the Premier League champions endured a nervy 2-0 win over Norwich at Old Trafford.
The Premier League newboys defended solidly for much of the game, and caused the home side plenty of trouble on the counter attack, both early on and in a period midway through the second half as the match was finely poised.
The Canaries probably should have taken all three points back to East Anglia, but their finishing in front of goal was far too wasteful at a ground where mistakes go punished more frequently than most.
United came out on top after Anderson's goal from a corner gave the home side the lead before it was doubled late on with a breakaway goal finished off by Welbeck.
For all of United's strength in attack, they almost came unstuck early on in defence when Patrice Evra was left flummoxed by a quick one-two from Elliot Bennett, who stole in behind and would have found an unmarked Steve Morison at the far post but for the intervention of Phil Jones.
As the first half progressed Norwich looked fairly assured, though United were getting more and more time on the ball and looking to find gaps in the Canaries' defence with Nani, Wayne Rooney and Anderson the playmakers in chief, though they were failing to find a way through Norwich's defence.
Chances were certainly at a premium in the first half though. The closest the home side came to opening the scoring was from corners, yet both Darren Fletcher and Rooney both failed to find the target.
A shot from Nani flashed wide from distance on the stroke of half-time, though Norwich's resolute defending and counter-attacking were serving them very well as they went into the break all square.
The visitors could perhaps be worried with the amount of time United were spending on the ball, with no real outlet up front to hold the play up and give their defence some respite.
The second half began as the first had finished, with United on the attack. Evra overlapped Nani on the left before putting in a dangerous cross, before Anderson dragged an effort wide after being well found by Rooney.
But in the 52nd minute, Norwich almost took the lead as Morison held off a challenge from Jonny Evans before charging goalwards. As he got towards the byeline, Jones made a fabulous effort to get across and block the attempted cross, although leaving space in the penalty box.
Two minutes later and goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard was finally tested, as Anthony Pilkington cut inside of Jones to shoot, but a deflection from Evans meant the reserve stopper gathered the ball comfortably at the second attempt.
The game was becoming far more open and with half an hour to play Wes Hoolahan hit a shot from distance that flew close to goal, though Lindegaard had it covered.
The United players' frustration was clear to see, and Sir Alex Ferguson made the first move of the match, with Ryan Giggs and Welbeck replacing Nani and Chicharito, who had both been disappointing.
Yet almost straight after the substitution it was Norwich who really should have been in front.
A quick break from the Canaries led to Pilkington chasing down Antonio Valenica in his unfamiliar right-back position, and the Ecuadorian player made a hash of his clearance, gifting the ball to the winger, who bore down on goal, only to slot it wide as the Norwich bench seemed ready to explode.
Then only minutes later, they were made to pay a heavy price as United found the lead through Anderson.
A Giggs corner was headed back in at the far-post by Rooney, and the Brazilian midfielder rose unmarked to nod the ball past John Ruddy and two defenders on the goal-line.
It was a touch harsh on the visitors who had defended soundly for over an hour, but no more than United deserved for their barrage on the Norwich goal.
With 15 minutes to go, Pilkington came close to finding an equaliser, his driven shot after a corner took a deflection off Anderson and bounced high off the inside of the post and back down into the arms of the grateful Lindegaard.
It truly was a 'heart in your mouth' moment for every United fan inside Old Trafford, and sparked another change from Ferguson, who brought on Rio Ferdinand for Anderson which meant shifting the exposed Valencia up the pitch and moving Jones out to right-back.
It almost worked immediately as Jones went on a barnstorming run down the right to be found by Rooney, only for his cross to evade the outstretched leg of Welbeck by mere inches.
Rooney was the next player to go close with 10 minutes to go, taking on the Norwich defence and hitting a shot just wide of the far post from a tight angle following a beautiful sweeping pass from Giggs.
And as Norwich pushed more men forwards in search of an equaliser, it was almost inevitable that the champions would find gaps in the defence.
With two minutes to go, United broke through Rooney, and his pass put Ji-Sung Park clear, before the Korean unselfishly squared for Welbeck to apply the finishing touch.
