The Sunday News
Manchester United suffered only their second Premier League defeat since November as Bafetimbi Gomis’s late goal gave Swansea victory.
Ander Herrera’s low strike put United ahead, but the hosts responded immediately as Ki Sung-yueng flicked in from Jonjo Shelvey’s cross.
Louis van Gaal’s side dominated the second half but failed to score.
Shelvey’s 75th-minute shot deflected off Gomis to give the Swans a first league double over United.
Defeat is a setback for United’s Champions League hopes.
Having lost only one of their last 19 matches in all competitions, United made three changes from their FA Cup win at Preston, with fit-again Robin van Persie the most notable player recalled.
There was a more radical alteration from Swansea, as manager Garry Monk switched to a midfield diamond for the first time in what might have been a ploy to contain their illustrious opponents.
It was the hosts, however, who made the stronger start.
Gomis had managed only one league goal before this match, but the French international striker could have scored twice in the opening 10 minutes.
His header from a Gylfi Sigurdsson corner was cleared off the line by Herrera, while he nodded over from Ki Sung-yueng’s flick on moments later.
United threatend sporadically as Van Persie’s close-range effort grazed the crossbar and Wayne Rooney had his first shot on target of 2015, albeit a weak effort easily held by Lukasz Fabianski.
When the visitors’ plethora of attacking talent finally clicked, they took the lead in fine fashion.
After Luke Shaw’s burst down the left wing, a neat exchange of passes between Wayne Rooney and Angel Di Maria set up Herrera, whose low drive went in off the post.
But the lead lasted less than two minutes, as Shelvey’s excellent cross was guided in by Ki.
After an open, fluid first half in which both sides marauded forward, United sought to control the contest after the interval by dominating possession.
Swansea dropped deeper as a result, seemingly inviting pressure, and there were scares for the hosts such as Marcos Rojo’s missed free header.
Their resilience was rewarded with 15 minutes left, as Shelvey’s 25-yard shot deflected off Gomis to seal Swansea’s second win of the season over United. — AP
