A late wonder strike from Mata was enough to give Manchester United all three points at Old Trafford on Wednesday, sending Watford home ruing missed chances.
It was always going to be a tough ask for the Hornets to beat United at Old Trafford, something they have not done since they knocked the Red Devils out the League Cup in the 1978-79 season.
Watford had the most chances in the first half, mainly through Odion Ighalo, who uncharacteristically squandered them all. They enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half and really should have been at least 1-0 ahead at the half.
Etienne Capoue nearly put the away side ahead with a smashing 30-yard shot that sailed just a little high over the bar. United improved immensely after Anthony Martial swapped positions with Marcus Rashford, moving further inside – the Frenchman also drew the foul that would enable Mata to net the winner. Before the winner from Mata, a dire 0-0 draw looked inevitable, although the Hornets would have taken a draw with pleasure.
The win puts United in equal fourth with Manchester City, who have a game in hand. The loss means Watford are now 12th on the ladder on 37 points.
United appear to be making a late-season surge and will be hoping to claim one of the Champions League places, and with City, Arsenal and Tottenham all slipping up this weekend, it is a real possibility and fans will dare to dream after the horror start that United endured at the beginning of the season.
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Ighalo rues missed chances
Despite missing several chances to score, Ighalo was still a constant thorn in the Red Devils’ side, and had he had his shooting boots (or passing to Deeney boots) on, then the game may have taken a different turn.
Squandering four chances in the first half to put the visitors ahead, his indecision in front of goal clearly frustrated his striking partner Deeney at times, who was in prime position to score on a few occasions, only for Ighalo to shoot wildly instead. The Nigerian has not scored since late January and many were hoping his return to goalscoring form would begin here, however unlikely it seemed.
Watford defence hold Rashford
Marcus Rashford came into the game off the back of two superb performances against Arsenal and FC Midtjylland and many were expecting the youngster to continue his run of form. The well drilled Watford defence, however, had other ideas.
They kept him under wraps for the first half, and he only really came to life in the second half of the game once he switched positions with Martial, moving to the wing.
Mata free kick genius
With Martial drawing a foul from Miguel Britos late on in the game, Juan Mata stepped up. Mata has made scoring off free kicks a specialty of his, and this one was no exception. Sending Gomes the wrong way, his 20-yard attempt sent United into the lead and Old Trafford to its feet in the 83rd minute.
Depay struggles
Memphis Depay, who showed some improvement in form against Arsenal and Midtjylland, once again frustrated fans with another lacklustre performance. Just when it looked like he was on his way to proving his worth and stringing several good games together, he struggled against the Watford defence and never really troubled Gomes in goal.
United roll on
The 1-0 win was United’s’ fourth successive win in all competitions. This win puts them equal fourth on the EPL ladder with local rivals Manchester City, although City do have a game in hand. Both teams are on 47 points and the Red Devils will be keeping their hopes alive for a Champions League spot with this sudden surge late in the season.
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