Manchester United overcame a gallant Southampton performance to lift the EFL Cup and give Jose Mourinho his first trophy as the Manchester United manager.
Southampton started the game like a team who had 2 weeks without a game and were much fresher than United who have had a crowded schedule.
The threat in the wide areas from Southampton was particularly potent, especially on United’s left hand side where Marcos Rojo was playing at left back. The amount of crosses going into the United was particularly noticeable with Southampton looking for the clever movement of Manolo Gabiaddini who was a threat in the box.
Against the run of play
Manchester United looked to be struggling to deal with the pressure from Southampton but a stupid foul on Ander Herrera by Orieol Romeu gave United a free kick 30 yards from goal. United’s ‘Swedish Hero’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped up and powerfully placed into the bottom left corner of the goal to give United an somewhat undeserved lead.
Southampton continued to dominate the game and United continued to defend horribly and yet Southampton couldn’t find a way through.
United ventured forward for the first time since their goal which saw a neat passing move find Jesse Lingard in the box who passed the ball into the net to score again at Wembley and give United a 2-0 lead.
Saints get back in it
Southampton could have been disheartened after playing so well, but they continued to push forward and got their reward.
Another one of those crosses founces Manolo Gabbiadini who made a clever run to flick the ball into the net to make it 2-1 at half time.
The second half started in the same manner as the first half with Southampton swarming all over United. Southampton were soon level with that man Gabbiadini scoring with a genius first time finish in the box from the second phase of a corner. Southampton were bouncing whilst United were rocking. The defending from Chris Smalling in the game was pretty horrific as the stand in captain looked like he was chasing his own shadow all game.
Wembley winner
Jose Mourinho’s team showed incredible grit and determination not to cave in as other sides might do. With this team you know they will fight till the end, the way United should.
One second half moment of defensive naivety from Southampton saw the tower of power that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic in tones of space to head home Ander Herrera’s cross to win the EFL Cup for Manchester United. In typical Zlatan style he owned Wembley and the final was his final as he gave Jose Mourinho his first Manchester United trophy.
