West Bromwich Albion 1 VS 0 Manchester United

Live Commentary

Commentary Main events

• Berahino's pace has caused problems for the hosts while Dorrans has been excellent at the heart of the midfield. I'll be back in ten minutes to see if the Baggies can hang on for victory.
• The half-time whistle goes, and it is West Brom that have the lead through Sessegnon. United have struggled to maintain any control despite having more chances, and Van Gaal may have to change something at the break to get back into this one.
• 45'

  West Brom look to create one final chance before the break but a series of long balls cannot find Berahino, and we are now into a sole minute of stoppage time.
• 43'

  Brunt swings over a free-kick from the left-hand side and Lescott is able to get above Rojo at the back post, but the former Manchester City man cannot control his header and it balloons over the crossbar.
• 41'

  United look to dictate terms in midfield though they have not tested Myhill as much as they would have liked in this first half. Van Persie has struggled to get on the ball with Januzaj now pushed out on the right.
• 39'

  Yellow Card James Morrison
• 39'

  Mata is the man to step up and strike the set-piece from 20 yards, but his effort is always too high and flies into the stands behind the goal to the pleasure of the home supporters.
• 38'

  GREAT BLOCK! Van Persie robs Lescott on the byline before working the ball into a shooting position, but Dawson does brilliantly to get his body in the way. As the ball bounces out, Morrison trips Herrera on the edge of the box and picks up a booking.
• 37'

  Shaw brings the ball down the left-hand side but his cross is poor and West Brom head clear. Dawson and Lescott have been superb at the heart of the home defence so far.
• 35'

  Van Gaal is having a word with Fellaini on the bench, though sign of a substitution just yet from the visitors. It may not be long after the break, though, before changes are made if the score stays the same.
• 33'

  This game remains very open with both teams looking to attack at pace when they pick up possession. That may well suit United more as the game goes on.
• 31'

  Van Persie turns on the edge of the box before feeding Di Maria on the left-hand side. The Argentina international takes a touch before shooting, but Myhill can parry it away with ease.
• 30'

  Almost another chance for Berahino as Brunt's long ball over the top is into the striker's path, but it bounces off his knee with Rojo struggling to stick with him.
• 28'

  Berahino looks to charge into the box, but Rafael is able to step out of defence and make a fine challenge. West Brom had numbers over there but could not take advantage.

 

• 26'

  Herrera and Van Persie combine down the left before Di Maria sends in a deep cross towards Januzaj at the back post. Pocognoli is back there, though, and can head clear.
• 24'

  Dorrans does superbly to get away from Blind and dig out a cross from the right-hand side, but Berahino cannot quite reach it as he stretches at the back post.
• 23'

  West Brom certainly look the more settled side, though United have been very threatening on the attack. No time to catch your breath in this one as yet.
• 21'

  United work the ball out to Rafael on the right-hand side, but Myhil is able to come and claim the cross. The replacement goalkeeper has been excellent so far.
• 19'

  GOOD SAVE! Brilliant from Di Maria as he brings a long ball down out of the sky before turning in the box and shooting goalwards, but Myhill gets down well to hold onto the effort.
• 17'

  Di Maria looks to float a cross into the area with the outside of his left foot, but Mata cannot get on the end of it and West Brom are just about able to get it clear.
• 15'

  Berahino gets the better of Rojo on the edge of the United area before working the ball back to Morrison, but the midfielder can only hit his shot high over the crossbar.
• 14'

  The home supporters are in great voice and have not stopped singing since kick-off. Obviously the early goal has helped, but there is a great atmosphere inside the Hawthorns.
• 12'

  United win three corners in succession but they are unable to create any opportunities from them and eventually West Brom get it clear. The visitors looking for a quick response.
• 10'

  GOOD SAVE! United look to reply instantly as Di Maria plays Van Persie in behind, and as the striker shoots first-time, Myhill gets down well to his right to parry.
• 8'

  Assist Andre Wisdom
• 
  8'

  Goal Stéphane Sessegnon
  GOAL!!! SESSEGNON OPENS THE SCORING! Superb work down the right-hand side from the hosts as Wisdom shows great pace to get away from Di Maria before playing the ball into Sessegnon on the edge of the of the box, and the former Sunderland man blasts into the top corner. Irvine leaps into the air on the touchline, and West Brom have the lead.
• 7'

  Better from Manchester United as Januzaj shows some quick feet to bring the ball across the edge of the area, but there is no way through as yet for the visitors.
• 5'

  Manchester United have barely had a touch in the very early stages, with the hosts dictating the pace of the game. Morrison and Dorrans are seeing plenty of the ball with Blind largely chasing shadows.
• 3'

  Bright start from West Brom as Sessegnon carries the ball forward before an extended period of possession for the hosts. Meanwhile, it looks as if Januzaj is going to play up front alongside Van Persie rather than on the wing.
• 1'

  West Brom kick-off and we are underway...
• The two teams go through the usual pre-match niceties, and we are almost ready for kick-off in the final Premier League encounter of the weekend...
• The two teams are in the tunnel and they will meet a wall of noise when they make their way out onto the pitch. Can Manchester United move back into the top four, or can West Brom cause a shock at the Hawthorns? We're about to find out.
• There are now just under ten minutes until kick-off, and as always when Manchester United are in town, there is a great atmosphere inside the stadium. The Red Devils will hope they can silence the home fans early and maintain their good form.
• Van Gaal has explained his decision to leave Falcao on the bench, saying the striker is suffering from jetlag after arriving back late from Colombia duty. That means Robin van Persie will start up front on his own, though he should get plenty of service from Januzaj, Di Maria and Juan Mata behind him.
• West Brom have been dealt a blow with the loss of former United goalkeeper Ben Foster to a minor calf complaint, wit Boaz Myhill deputising. The only other change sees Andre Wisdom return in place of Cristian Gamboa after being ruled out against his parent club Liverpool last time out.
• Van Gaal springs a slight surprise in his team selection as he leaves Falcao on the bench and instead opts to give Adnan Januzaj his first start of the season. Ander Herrera and Phil Jones also come in follwing injury lay-offs while there are places on the bench for Chris Smalling, Ashley Young and, most notably, Michael Carrick after their returns to fitness.
• Manchester United subs: Lindegaard, Smalling, Carrick, Fellaini, Fletcher, Young, Falcao.
• Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Rafael, Jones, Rojo, Shaw; Blind, Herrera; Januzaj, Mata, Di Maria; Van Persie.
• West Brom subs: Daniels, Gamboa, McAuley, Mulumbu, Blanco, Ideye, Anichebe.
• West Brom (4-5-1): Myhill; Wisdom, Lescott, Dawson, Pocognoli; Gardner, Brunt, Morrison, Dorrans, Sessegnon; Berahino.
• Before we go any further, the two team line-ups have been announced ahead of kick-off in around 20 minutes...
• West Brom, meanwhile, were defeated by Liverpool last time out, bt were impressive at Anfield following victories over Tottenham and Burnley. Saido Berahino already has five league goals to his name and will be hopeful of taking advantage of the Manchester United frailties this evening.
• Louis van Gaal's side will go back into the top four with a victory this evening as they look to back-up home wins against West Ham and Everton with their first away triumph of the campaign. Following the signings of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao, the Red Devils have become an irresistible attacking force, but they must still iron out defensive issues if they are to mount a title challenge and close the gap on Chelsea.
• Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League encounter between West Brom and Manchester United. The Red Devils are chasing a third straight win for the first time in 2014, but Alan Irivine's team have shown plenty of improvement in recent weeks and should provide a tough test. I'm Tom Maston and I'll be guiding you through all the action from the Hawthorns.

Epl 12:32