United 2 - 1 Southampton

DDG

Jones Smalling(Rio) Vidic Evra

Kagawa(Nani) Carrick Anderson(Rafael) Welbeck

Rooney RVP

So we have regained our 7 point lead at the top of the table. Our first half performance was decent but we were very poor during the second period. Our players were put under constant pressure throughout the game, so credit goes to Southampton who had a very good game plan. In fact, Southampton managed 20+ shots, the first team to do so at OT since we were humbled 6-1 by City.

Carrick and De Gea combined to make sure that we do not keep a clean-sheet. Two minutes into the game, Carrick played an under-hit pass to De Gea with the latter not really doing anything to distract the Saints' striker. To all the vultures ready to feast on De Gea's involvement in Southampton's first goal, I'm glad to say that it was mostly Carrick's fault, not De Gea's. Although, having said that, our Spaniard probably could have done something better. Anyhow, David looked a tad nervous in goal today and spilled what should have been a simple catch during the second half. He did produce a good save in the second half. Not his best of games though. 

Rooney scored two goals and could have grabbed a hat-trick. I don't know whether it's just me, but Roo looks like he lost a yard of pace. Nonetheless, he put a good performance and his tackle at the end of the game summed up what this player is willing to do for his team. He is constantly involved in the game while the other striker, RVP, is only alive on very few occasions. Granted, the few things Van Persie does are world class. Robin forced an excellent save out of Boruc and had a goal disallowed. Although the Saints had the most chances during the second half, United still had the best chances. 

Kagawa played well and was unlucky when he hit the post. He provided Roo with a good assist for the first. Smalling had a nervy game and was subbed off when Fergie saw that he was going to cost us the game. Another bad performer was Anderson. He was very poor today. I lost count of the amount of wayward passes he made. If I had to choose a man of the match, it would probably be Evra. He had a good game and also got an assist to his name. 

7 points clear. Away to Fulham next. Could be a tricky game...all away games seem to be tricky! Let's hope some of our underperforming players rediscover their form. We look like we have a couple of players experiencing rough patches. It's not a very good time to be out of form. Come on United! 

FACTS

• Wayne Rooney has now scored 27 braces in the Premier League, only Shearer (46) and Henry (34) have more. 
• Patrice Evra now has five assists in the Premier League this season, as many as David Silva has managed in 2012-13. 
• Manchester United have become the first team to win 300 Premier League home games. 
• Man Utd's total of 27 comeback points in 2012-13 is bettered by only one team in PL history (Newcastle 34 in 2001-02)