Manchester United 2 Watford 0: Juan Mata and Anthony Martial extend Utd's unbeaten league run to 16
The first 60 minutes were business. The last 30 were pleasure. And as Manchester United gently wound down their last league engagement in almost a month, there was a sensation of ties being removed, of top buttons being undone, belts being loosened. If it was not quite party time at Old Trafford, then it would certainly do until the party arrived.
United begin their triple cup assault next week, and they do so on the back of an unbeaten league run that they have now extended to 16 games. More importantly, there is a sense that the various pieces of the jigsaw may finally be falling into place. Two goals was a modest return for their supremacy, but against a Watford side that so embarrassed them back in September, nobody was complaining.
It was the shambolic 3-1 defeat at Vicarage Road back in September that finally convinced Jose Mourinho to reconfigure this side from the defence upwards. Now, finally, the goals are beginning to come as well. And as United continue to fight on four fronts, enough of their attacking players are kicking into form for them to feel reasonably optimistic. The one exception appears to be Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a curiously obstructive presence up front here, whose form - a nifty assist for Martial’s goal notwithstanding - remains as enigmatically quixotic as ever.
The key has been a subtle shift in the dynamic between Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Mata may have scored the opening goal, a deserved reward for some fine work in the final third, but you could make a case that Mkhitaryan was actually the more influential presence. He may not quite have Mata’s refinement or vision. But his speed of running, speed of thought and speed of pass seem more in tune with what Mourinho demands from his midfield.
Increasingly, then, it is Mkhitaryan around whom United are building their attacks, and Mata fluttering at the fringes: gilding, sanding, finishing. Behind them, Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba patrolled with intent, shielding an excellent back four. It is turning into a tasty little cocktail, and even if the title is beyond them this season, a strong top-three finish should not be.
Man Utd 1 - 0 Watford (Juan Mata, 32 min)
You can always tell when Mourinho is pleased with himself: he has a subtle dig at Pep Guardiola, often without even naming him. “Fabulous football,” he enthused. “It’s the kind of football that, if instead of being a Mourinho team it was somebody else’s team, you would say: art! But because it was my team, they just say: ‘very good’. But that’s fine. It was very good.”
Watford fought hard and began well, but the strain of playing the game constantly on the turn, constantly off-balance, constantly at full stretch, inevitably began to take its toll: not just physically, but mentally. No sooner had they dealt with one attack than the next would be upon them. Overstimulated and overcome by the red mist of imminent chaos, Watford took leave of their positions and their gameplan, retreating to a place of greater safety, only to find it even more fraught with danger. “For five of 10 minutes, we lost a bit of focus,” manager Walter Mazzarri admitted.
Put it this way: a five-man defence should not really be getting overrun down the flanks. But time and again United managed to attack Watford down their left. If Ibrahimovic should have converted from close range on the half-hour, two minutes later Mata made no mistake. Mkhaitaryan slipped the ball to Anthony Martial, Ibrahimovic wisely stepped over the cross and Mata tucked it home.
Watford switched from a back five to a four in the second half, buying themselves a brief period of respite. But United were not retreating, merely hibernating, and on the hour Martial finished smartly at the near post after Herrera had won the ball in midfield. It was a welcome boost for a player who has often looked bereft of confidence this season.
If there was any small criticism, it was the way United tried and failed to lock down the game. Indeed, Watford enjoyed some fleeting chances to pull a goal back in the last 20 minutes, but United were already easing down by that stage. St Etienne visit next in the Europa League, a competition that offers United a back-door passage into next season’s Champions League. But if these 90 minutes taught us anything, it is that the front door remains very much available to them.
Full time: West Ham 2-2 West Brom
It's all over at London Stadium.
Average touch positions (full time)
Average touch positions (full time) 4:55PM
GOAL!
2-2! Gareth McAuley has popped up with a late equaliser for West Brom.
West Ham 2 - 2 West Brom (Gareth McAuley, 90 + 4 min) 4:53PM
Full time: Stoke 1-0 Crystal Palace
The referee has seen enough at bet365 Stadium and blows the final whistle.
Average touch positions (full time)
Average touch positions (full time) 4:52PM
Full time: Sunderland 0-4 Southampton
The final whistle blows at Stadium of Light.
Average touch positions (full time)
Average touch positions (full time) 4:51PM
Full time: Man Utd 2-0 Watford
It's all over at Old Trafford.
Average touch positions (full time)
Average touch positions (full time) 4:51PM
Full time: Middlesbrough 0-0 Everton
The referee has seen enough at Riverside Stadium and blows the final whistle.
Average touch positions (full time)
Average touch positions (full time) 4:50PM
GOAL!
A goal from Shane Long for Southampton makes the score 0-4.
Sunderland 0 - 4 Southampton (Shane Long, 90 + 2 min) 4:49PM
It's been a mismatch at Stadium of Light so far
It's been all Southampton, with the visitors racking up 15 shots so far - Sunderland have managed just five in reply.
Sunderland vs Southampton shots on goal 4:47PM
OWN GOAL!
Jason Denayer scores at the wrong end to make it 0-3
Sunderland 0 - 3 Southampton (Jason Denayer, 89 min) 4:46PM
GOAL!
Surely West Ham have won it now! Manuel Lanzini pops up to make it 2-1 right at the end.
West Ham 2 - 1 West Brom (Manuel Lanzini, 86 min) 4:45PM
It's been a mismatch at London Stadium so far
West Ham are dominating this game, firing in a total of 15 shots compared to six from West Brom so far.
West Ham vs West Brom shots on goal 4:38PM
Man Utd need no invitation to shoot so far
The hosts have fired in 20 shots with ten of them on target
Man Utd vs Watford shots on goal 4:25PM
GOAL!
Joe Allen finally gets the breakthrough for Stoke - it's 1-0.
Stoke 1 - 0 Crystal Palace (Joe Allen, 67 min) 4:24PM
GOAL!
1-1: Sofiane Feghouli scores the leveller for West Ham.
West Ham 1 - 1 West Brom (Sofiane Feghouli, 63 min) 4:18PM
GOAL!
Man Utd have doubled their lead, and it's Anthony Martial with the goal to make it 2-0.
Man Utd 2 - 0 Watford (Anthony Martial, 60 min) 4:05PM
It's been a mismatch at Old Trafford so far
Man Utd are dominating this game, firing in a total of 15 shots compared to three from Watford so far.
Man Utd vs Watford shots on goal 4:04PM
Second half: West Ham 0-1 West Brom
The second 45 has begun at London Stadium.
Second half: Man Utd 1-0 Watford
The second 45 has begun at Old Trafford.
Second half: Middlesbrough 0-0 Everton
The second 45 has begun at Riverside Stadium.
Second half: Sunderland 0-2 Southampton
The action restarts at Stadium of Light.
Second half: Stoke 0-0 Crystal Palace
The second 45 has begun at bet365 Stadium.
Half time: West Ham 0-1 West Brom
The teams head in at the break at London Stadium.
Average touch positions (half time)
Average touch positions (half time) 3:48PM
Half time: Middlesbrough 0-0 Everton
The teams head in at the break at Riverside Stadium.
Average touch positions (half time)
Average touch positions (half time) 3:47PM
Half time: Sunderland 0-2 Southampton
The half-time whistle blows at Stadium of Light.
Average touch positions (half time)
Average touch positions (half time) 3:47PM
Half time: Man Utd 1-0 Watford
The first 45 minutes is up at Old Trafford.
Average touch positions (half time)
Average touch positions (half time) 3:46PM
Half time: Stoke 0-0 Crystal Palace
The teams head in at the break at bet365 Stadium.
Average touch positions (half time)
Average touch positions (half time) 3:46PM
GOAL!
Manolo Gabbiadini has doubled Southampton's lead - it's now 0-2.
Sunderland 0 - 2 Southampton (Manolo Gabbiadini, 45 min) 3:45PM
More on the Special Juan's goal
Juan Mata has scored in successive Premier League games for Man Utd for the first time since September 2015.
Furthermore, that's Anthony Martial's fourth assist of the season - second only to Wayne Rooney (5) for Man Utd in this campaign.
Nearly half-time.
The shot count is similar
Stoke have attempted four shots so far, compared to three for Crystal Palace.
Stoke vs Crystal Palace shots on goal 3:40PM
The shot count is similar
Middlesbrough and Everton are evenly matched in attack so far - the home side have fired in two shots to the visitors' two.
Middlesbrough vs Everton shots on goal 3:39PM
Watford attack yet to make much of an impression
Watford are yet to pose a significant threat in the final third.
GOAL!
1-0! The opening goal goes the way of Man Utd and it's Juan Mata who scores it.
Man Utd 1 - 0 Watford (Juan Mata, 32 min) 3:32PM
The home side needing no invitation to shoot so far
Man Utd have been peppering the Watford goal with 11 shots, with five of them on target
Man Utd vs Watford shots on goal 3:31PM
GOAL!
Manolo Gabbiadini scores for Southampton to make it 0-1!
Sunderland 0 - 1 Southampton (Manolo Gabbiadini, 30 min) 3:30PM
Everton respond
The visitors have their first shot of the game, in reply to two so far from Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough vs Everton shots on goal 3:30PM
Man Utd 0 Watford 0 - 27 mins
Paul Pogba goes close for the hosts, forcing a fine, low save from Gomes.
27' - Close! Pogba forces another good save from Gomes after the #MUFC midfielder steers Valencia's cross towards goal. #MUNWAT
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 11, 2017
Man Utd enjoying plenty of touches of the ball so far.
Man Utd have had 275 touches of the ball compared to 185 by Watford.
West Ham can't make their domination of the ball count
For all their possession, the hosts still trail to West Brom.
Man Utd 0 Watford 0 - 21 mins
The visitors have had the better of the chances so far. De Gea saves from Zarate after Holebas had fired just wide.
It's been a shot-shy start to Sunderland v Southampton
Tense opening quarter of an hour at Stadium of Light, as Sunderland and Southampton struggle to get shots on goal
Sunderland vs Southampton shots on goal 3:19PM
Southampton respond
The visitors have their first shot of the game, in reply to two so far from Sunderland.
Sunderland vs Southampton shots on goal 3:18PM
Crystal Palace have their first sight of goal
Crystal Palace respond to the earlier Stoke effort with their first shot of the game.
Stoke vs Crystal Palace shots on goal 3:15PM
It's been a shot-shy start to Middlesbrough v Everton
Not much to do for either keeper at Riverside Stadium - Middlesbrough and Everton keeping each other at bay.
Middlesbrough vs Everton shots on goal 3:14PM
Everton enjoying plenty of touches of the ball so far
Everton have had 167 touches of the ball compared to 77 by Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough vs Everton 3:12PM
Watford respond
The visitors have their first shot of the game, in reply to two so far from Man Utd.
Man Utd vs Watford shots on goal 3:11PM
Tributes paid to Busby Babes at Old Trafford
7' - Fans inside Old Trafford rise to their feet and applaud in tribute to the Busby Babes lost at Munich. #FlowersOfManchester#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 11, 2017
GOAL!
0-1! Nacer Chadli strikes to give West Brom the early lead.
West Ham 0 - 1 West Brom (Nacer Chadli, 6 min) 3:06PM
West Brom have their first sight of goal
West Brom respond to the earlier West Ham effort with their first shot of the game.
West Ham vs West Brom shots on goal 3:02PM
Kick off: Man Utd vs Watford
We're under way at Old Trafford.
Kick off: Sunderland vs Southampton
We're under way at Stadium of Light.
Kick off: Stoke vs Crystal Palace
They're off and running at bet365 Stadium.
Kick off: West Ham vs West Brom
The action gets started at London Stadium.
Kick off: Middlesbrough vs Everton
They're off and running at Riverside Stadium.
All set and ready for the off
Anthony Martial is back in the Manchester United team as Jose Mourinho looks to build on last week's win over Leicester City.
We'll bring you live goal updates here throughout the five 3pm games.
Middlesbrough and Everton teams
Middlesbrough: Valdes, Chambers, Bernardo, Gibson, Da Silva, de Roon, Clayton, Forshaw, Traore, Negredo, Stuani.
Subs: Ayala, Leadbitter, Guzan, Downing, Ramirez, Guedioura, Gestede.
Everton: Robles, Coleman, Ashley Williams, Funes Mori, Baines, Davies, Gana, Schneiderlin, Lookman, Lukaku, Barkley.
Subs: Jagielka, Kone, Lennon, Barry, Valencia, Stekelenburg, Holgate.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
West Ham and West Brom teams
Andy Carroll misses out because of a groin injury.
West Ham: Randolph, Kouyate, Fonte, Reid, Cresswell, Feghouli, Noble, Obiang, Snodgrass, Antonio, Lanzini.
Subs: Nordtveit, Adrian, Collins, Byram, Fletcher, Calleri, Fernandes.
West Brom: Foster, Nyom, Dawson, McAuley, Brunt, Fletcher, Livermore, Phillips, Morrison, Chadli, Rondon.
Subs: Olsson, Robson-Kanu, Yacob, Evans, Marc Wilson, Myhill, McClean.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
Sunderland and Southampton teams
Sunderland: Mannone, Denayer, O'Shea, Kone, Jones, Ndong, Gibson, Larsson, Oviedo, Januzaj, Defoe.
Subs: Borini, Khazri, Mika, Lescott, Pienaar, Manquillo, Honeyman.
Southampton: Forster, Cedric, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Davis, Redmond, Gabbiadini, Tadic.
Subs: Gardos, Long, Rodriguez, Hojbjerg, McQueen, Sims, Hassen.
Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire)
Stoke and Crystal Palace teams
Stoke: Grant, Bardsley, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters, Whelan, Adam, Sobhi, Allen, Arnautovic, Crouch.
Subs: Muniesa, Johnson, Berahino, Afellay, Diouf, Imbula, Given.
Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Ward, Tomkins, Delaney, Van Aanholt, Milivojevic, McArthur, Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend, Christian Benteke
Subs: Speroni, Flamini, Remy, Campbell, Schlupp, Sakho, Cabaye.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)
Manchester United and Watford teams
Man Utd vs Watford preview
What is it?
It's Manchester United vs Watford in the Premier League.
When is it?
Saturday February 11 - ie today.
What time is kick-off?
This one starts in the traditional 3pm slot, along with four other Premier League matches.
What TV channel is it on?
It's not, unfortunately, because of the TV blackout at this time on a Saturday. However, it's sure to feature well on Match of the Day tonight on BBC One at 10.30pm.
Which other games are at 3pm?
Middlesbrough vs Everton
Stoke vs Crystal Palace
Sunderland vs Southampton
West Ham vs West Brom
Quickest players to 100 Premier League goals
What is the team news?
Man Utd
Phil Jones will again be absent when Manchester United host Watford in the Premier League on Saturday.
The defender missed last weekend's win at Leicester with a foot injury and remains out but Marcos Rojo is available after picking up a knock at the King Power Stadium.
Jose Mourinho confirms he has no new injury concerns, with Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial pushing for game time while Wayne Rooney is back from illness.
Provisional squad: De Gea, Romero, Henderson, Darmian, Fosu-Mensah, Valencia, Young, Rojo, Tuanzebe, Smalling, Bailly, Blind, Shaw, Carrick, Mata, Fellaini, Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Pogba, Lingard, Martial, Mkhitaryan, Rooney, Rashford, Ibrahimovic.
Pick you Man Utd team to play Watford
Watford:
Watford duo Valon Behrami and Miguel Britos are struggling to be fit for Saturday's Premier League match at Manchester United.
Midfielder Behrami and centre-back Britos are both still recovering from knocks and are unlikely to play at Old Trafford, while defender Juan Zuniga has come down with a fever and is unavailable.
Nordin Amrabat is also out with an ankle problem and Christian Kabasele remains sidelined with a calf injury.
Provisional squad: Gomes, Prodl, Cathcart, Kaboul, Britos, Niang, Behrami, Cleverley, Capoue, Deeney, Janmaat, Arlauskis, Okaka, Success, Doucoure, Mason, Watson, Mariappa, Zarate, Holebas.
Pick your Watford team to play Man Utd
What are they saying?
Jose Mourinho:
"We know that we have a squad that like every squad needs changes, but we know also that our squad has potential, has good players, many of them in the best age, the age of evolution," Mourinho told a news conference.
"We prefer to bring two three or four players, players that can improve our squad. We are not interested in signing six or seven or selling six or seven.
"We are stable, so we think our market in the summer will be soft, will be natural. Some players to leave, some players to come but in a very natural way so I think the word Ed used was a good one."
Walter Mazzarri:
"I always said that competition is very important for us and for the players," Mazzarri said.
"The players that are coming back and starting to play means there is competition. Even Troy (Deeney), you see he is doing extremely well now, much more than before.
"He knows that I expect the maximum intensity in training because at the end of training I take my decisions and decide who can play."
What are the odds?
Man Utd - 3/10
Watford - 27/2
Draw - 11/2
What's our prediction?
Chris Brereton: United will be favourites after going unbeaten in the Premier League since the 4-0 defeat to Chelsea on October 23 but Watford have won their last two league encounters - over Arsenal and Burnley respectively - so they are likely to offer a more buoyant resistance than perhaps a month or so a go. No classic this, but United will be confident of going into a run of three consecutive cup games on the back of yet another home victory.
United 2-0.
