Manchester United have gone top of the Premier League for the time being after Bastian Schweinsteiger’s 90th-minute goal gave them a dramatic victory over Watford.
After the Hornets were forced to whether initial pressure from Louis van Gaal’s side, they nearly fell behind when Allan Nyom mistimed his clearance and saw the ball land on top of Heurelho Gomes’s net.
On 11 minutes, United finally broke the deadlock after a cross from Ander Herrera on the right flank found Memphis Depay and the Dutchman’s side-foot volley flew past the Brazilian keeper.
Herrera would play limp out of the game minutes later, but his side were lucky to stay ahead when Ashley Young lost possession to Troy Deeney before Odion Ighalo decided to shoot rather than cross and ultimately see his effort drift wide.
More sloppy play from Quique Sanchez Flores’s team gifted Morgan Schneiderelin with a chance to double United’s lead, with Etienne Capoue blazing a shot over the bar before the break.
Rather than tighten up in defence, Watford continued to gift United chances after the break and, once Capoue ceded possession to Depay, the Dutchman picked out Jesse Lingard, whose shot was tipped away by Gomes.
However, the Hornets came close to an equaliser when Deeney shot forced David de Gea to tip the ball over the crossbar.
That chance appeared to bring Watford to life in the latter stages as first Capoue’s strike was blocked by Chris Smalling before Almen Abdi was turned around the post by De Gea.
Flores’ men looked to have earned a draw when Marcus Rojo brought down Ighalo in the penalty area and Deeney’s spot kick saw United concede for the first time in more than ten hours.
However, Schweinsteiger popped up in the last minute of normal time to break Watford hearts and see United take all three points.
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