Manchester United 3-0 Stoke City: Paul Lambert watches on as United breeze to victory

Tuesday 16 January 2018 07:12, UK

Manchester United closed the gap on runaway league leaders Manchester City with a 3-0 victory over Stoke on Monday Night Football.

City's lead now stands at 12 points after goals from Antonio Valencia, Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku swept aside Stoke, who had their new boss Paul Lambert watching on from the stands.

The former Aston Villa and Norwich manager would have taken heart from the performance in the first half where the visitors created multiple chances but either spurned them or were denied by David de Gea, who was keeping his 13th clean sheet of the season.

Stoke remain in the relegation zone, one point from safety, while United move three points above Liverpool and Chelsea in second.

United did not have to wait long for their opener as their first shot resulted in a goal.

United were in front with their first shot on goal on nine minutes when Valencia, back after a month out injured, rifled home an effort from just inside the area with left-foot.

Stoke responded well, but Stephen Ireland fired two opportunities wide, the second after he had been left all alone from 15 yards out.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting then latched onto a loose ball in the box but his shot was blocked behind by Phil Jones.

Martial made Stoke pay when he added a second seven minutes before the break.

Paul Pogba provided the assist with a crisp pass that was swept home by Martial from 20 yards.

David De Gea had to be alert to deny Xherdan Shaqiri just before half-time but that was the last of the Stoke threat as United bossed the second half.

A third goal came and wrapped up the points 18 minutes from time.

Martial's pass was controlled by Lukaku, who held off two defenders and fired home a powerful effort.

Man of the match: Paul Pogba

Pogba bossed this game, grabbing two assists which maintained his high level of form since returning from suspension.

No player in the league has made as many assists (9) as the explosive midfielder.

The Frenchman is also now unbeaten in his last 35 Premier League appearances (W21 D13) since losing 4-0 to Chelsea back in 2016.

The pundit - Gary Neville

On Paul Pogba: "They miss him so much when he is not there. The drop in performance in terms of the connection from defence to attack when he is not there is completely different with United.

"Obviously, the City game. My view of him is that he has the confidence, the arrogance, the personality to play for United. He wants the ball and they are far better team when he is in there."

Opta stats

Manchester United have won 28 of a possible 30 points in Premier League home games against Stoke.
Stoke have conceded 50 Premier League goals this season - five of the previous six sides that conceded 50+ goals at this stage of the season were relegated (exception: Swansea in 2016-17).
Stoke have conceded more league goals than any other team in Europe's big five divisions this season (50).
Antonio Valencia has scored three Premier League goals for Man Utd this season (19 apps), as many as in his previous four seasons combined (103 apps).
Jack Butland (43) has conceded more Premier League goals this season than any other goalkeeper.