1. Manchester United vs. Newcastle: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction
James Perch opened the scoring early in the fourth minute, putting Newcastle up 1-0 on a rebound shot. Twenty minutes later Manchester United's Jonathan Evans leveled the match at 1-1. A controversial own goal by Evans three minutes later put Newcastle up 2-1 heading into halftime.
Patrice Evra would level the match at 2-2 in the 58th minute. Ten minutes later, Newcastle's Papiss Demba Cisse scored to give Newcastle the lead for the third time, 3-2. But Robin van Persie would level just three minutes later.
Javier Hernandez played the hero for Manchester United in the waning moments, scoring in the 90th minute to break the deadlock and lift the home squad to a win and three big points.
Before the match, BBC Sport tweeted the following stat about Manchester United on Boxing Day, which proved to be a telling one:
Man Utd 0-1 Newcastle: Man U have the best PL
record on Boxing Day but this is 5th time they have
fallen behind at home in PL this season
Things can only get better...
Because that was abysmal.
Controversy aside I Can't recall ever seeing
at Old Trafford #bbcfootball
Sir Alex Ferguson on the pitch before kick-off of 2nd half
What an absolute cracking Boxing
Jonathan Evans, Manchester United: C
Jonny Evans' Boxing Day went from amazing to terrible in a matter of minutes on Wednesday, as he leveled the match at 1-1 in the 25th minute, only to give Newcastle the lead three minutes later on a controversial own goal.
A few minutes later, Evans picked up a yellow card to add to his troubles.
James Perch, Newcastle United: B
It was a case of being in the right place at the right time for Newcastle midfielder James Perch against Manchester United. Demba Ba launched a shot at Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, which he deflected back out right to the feet of Perch, who crushed the ball into the back of the net to put Newcastle ahead 1-0 less than five minutes into the match.
Perch was quiet the rest of the way, though.
Robin van Persie, Manchester United: A
RVP was back to his usual ways on Wednesday, scoring a crucial second-half goal to level the match at 3-3, ultimately giving Chicharito a shot at winning the match late.
Demba Ba, Newcastle United: B
Ba was arguably the most active Newcastle player on the attack Wednesday, getting off a handful of shots and playing a huge role in the team's first goal. Unfortunately, Ba never found the back of the net, and his squad was outscored on the road.
Chicharito, Manchester United: A
Chicharito been knocking at the door all match long, so he was deserving of the game winner. RVP should certainly be credited for his 71st minute equalizer, but Hernandez's goal gave United the lead and thus makes him the Boxing Day hero.
2. Javier Hernandez: Breaking Down Chicharito's Knack for Late-Game Heroics
In a wild fixture that saw four second-half goals, United prevailed by a 4-3 score line thanks to more heroics from Chicharito, whose goal in the 90th minute allowed the Red Devils to take three points from a contest in which a victory seemed impossible at times.
Hernandez had scored game-winners against Braga, Chelsea and Aston Villa already this campaign, and fans are starting to wonder how he is able to continually come through with incredible goals in crucial moments.
He does not have Didier Drogba’s size and strength, Robin van Persie’s skill or Cristiano Ronaldo’s speed, but he does have the following attributes that allow him to be a constant threat.
Without incredible physical gifts, Hernandez’s true quality comes from his intelligence and guile.
He constantly positions himself along the back line, stretching the defense and walking the tightrope between offside and onside.
In addition, he is an extremely slippery player in the box and it is frustratingly difficult for opposing defenders to keep track of him. He has fantastic chemistry with United’s distributing midfielders and knows exactly when to start his runs.
Quality forwards like Hernandez just need a foot of space. When fatigue sets in late in matches, his superb positioning and brilliant movement ensure that he is able to find the gap he needs to score memorable goals.
While he may not have elite athleticism, Chicharito is not completely devoid of physical ability and he does possess incredible explosiveness.
He will not cause spectators’ jaws to drop in a dead sprint down the touchline, but few players are faster when going from a standstill to a spot a few yards away.
This allows him to close an impressive amount of ground in the few seconds that a ball is traveling toward him in the air, and it is why he is able to get his foot or head on so many passes.
If a defender loses track of him for the split second before service is delivered, he will have no chance at beating Hernandez to the ball. These momentary lapses in concentration happen often when back-line players are tired late in games and few are better at taking advantage of them than Chicharito.
The previous qualities allow Hernandez to be in the right place to score crucial goals, but they do not explain why he is able to finish the chances he gets.
Hernandez had scored game-winners against Braga, Chelsea and Aston Villa already this campaign, and fans are starting to wonder how he is able to continually come through with incredible goals in crucial moments.
He does not have Didier Drogba’s size and strength, Robin van Persie’s skill or Cristiano Ronaldo’s speed, but he does have the following attributes that allow him to be a constant threat.
Positioning and Movement
Without incredible physical gifts, Hernandez’s true quality comes from his intelligence and guile.
He constantly positions himself along the back line, stretching the defense and walking the tightrope between offside and onside.
In addition, he is an extremely slippery player in the box and it is frustratingly difficult for opposing defenders to keep track of him. He has fantastic chemistry with United’s distributing midfielders and knows exactly when to start his runs.
Quality forwards like Hernandez just need a foot of space. When fatigue sets in late in matches, his superb positioning and brilliant movement ensure that he is able to find the gap he needs to score memorable goals.
Explosiveness
He will not cause spectators’ jaws to drop in a dead sprint down the touchline, but few players are faster when going from a standstill to a spot a few yards away.
This allows him to close an impressive amount of ground in the few seconds that a ball is traveling toward him in the air, and it is why he is able to get his foot or head on so many passes.
If a defender loses track of him for the split second before service is delivered, he will have no chance at beating Hernandez to the ball. These momentary lapses in concentration happen often when back-line players are tired late in games and few are better at taking advantage of them than Chicharito.
The previous qualities allow Hernandez to be in the right place to score crucial goals, but they do not explain why he is able to finish the chances he gets.
Whether he is coming on as a substitute or has been playing since the opening whistle, he is on top of his game when United needs a winner.
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