Moyes had looked set for a nightmare afternoon to eclipse earlier setbacks against West Brom and Southampton when first Peter Crouch and then Marko Arnautovic fired the visitors in front.
But the pressure on the manager's shoulders eased slightly when Wayne Rooney sparked United's late revival with a clipped header from a Robin van Persie corner in the 78th minute - and two minutes later Mexican Hernandez headed the winner from a Patrice Evra cross from the left, securing a 3-2 victory.
Winner: Javier Hernandez celebrates his goal - giving Manchester United the win at Old Trafford
Turnaround: Wayne Rooney started the comeback with a glancing header
Relief: David Moyes cheers after the turnaround is completed
It was hard on Stoke who had stunned the home fans by taking the lead with less than four minutes on the clock and made a mockery of their own paltry goalscoring record this season by attacking with freedom and flair.
But for the brilliance of United goalkeeper David De Gea the visitors could have gone further ahead in a first period in which the home side were plainly nervous and guilty of a series of uncharacteristic defensive mistakes.
When United clawed their way back into the match through Van Persie's equaliser later in the first period, Stoke responded in spectacular fashion by going straight up the other end and restoring their lead through Arnautovic's exquisite free-kick.
Despite their under-par start to the season, United had every reason to feel confident against a Stoke side who had scored just four goals in eight games and came to Old Trafford without a win at the stadium since 1976.
But home hopes that United would quickly settle proved short-lived as the visitors stunned the home fans - including former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson - into silence by taking the lead.
Stoke left-back Erik Pieters took advantage of too much space afforded him on his favoured flank, beating Chris Smalling to cross for Crouch, who bundled the ball past De Gea at the second attempt.
Hughes' men continued to counter-attack with purpose, and went close to adding a barely believable second goal after 13 minutes when Crouch beat Jonny Evans to reach Jonathan Walters' cross from the Stoke right, but spooned over the bar from close range.
Inevitably van Persie was at the forefront of United's attempted fightback, twice finding dangerous balls into the box blocked by the impressive and busy Huth, while Rooney, anonymous for the first 20 minutes, drilled a speculative shot wide from long range.
What a start: Peter Crouch put Stoke into a shock lead after just four minutes
Nani was not far away at the other end but a second wasted opportunity from the Portuguese winger sent the first boos of frustration ringing round Old Trafford.
Taking full advantage of United's fragile back-line, Stoke continued to ooze confidence and De Gea had to be on hand again to save a low shot from Arnautovic just past the half-hour mark.
Can't keep him out of it: Robin van Persie,
who was involved in the game in more ways than one, grabbed the first
equaliser for the hosts
Last
season's champions finally drew level two minutes before the break when
Rooney's header from a Patrice Evra cross was kept out by Begovic but
the Bosnian goalkeeper could only flap the ball into the path of Van
Persie, who buried it from 10 yards.
As if to underline their fearlessness, Hughes' men responded by going straight up the other end and restoring their lead within a minute, Arnautovic sending a delicious 30-yard free-kick into the top corner after being fouled by Smalling.
As if to underline their fearlessness, Hughes' men responded by going straight up the other end and restoring their lead within a minute, Arnautovic sending a delicious 30-yard free-kick into the top corner after being fouled by Smalling.
Unstoppable: Marco Arnautovic curled in a fine free-kick for the Potters
Powerless: It was a tough day for United, especially David De Gea (left) and Moyes
After
the first-half excitement, the game calmed down at the start of the
second, with Hughes' men understandably sitting deeper and largely
coping with what United could throw at them, including a Van Persie
free-kick that hit the wall from a dangerous position.
Jonathan Walters mis-hit a good opportunity for Stoke after a cross from the left by substitute Marc Wilson, and as home frustration grew Hernandez was booked for a bad challenge on an angry Huth.
Jonathan Walters mis-hit a good opportunity for Stoke after a cross from the left by substitute Marc Wilson, and as home frustration grew Hernandez was booked for a bad challenge on an angry Huth.
Tumble: Adnan Januzaj made an impact when he came on as a sub
Shocked: Sir Alex Ferguson watched on at Old Trafford
Giant leap: Javier Hernandez gets up to head home Manchester United's winner with ten minutes to go
So United took the points with a late comeback. That used to be a familiar story around these parts.
Tussle: Wayne Rooney battles for the ball with Geoff Cameron of Stoke
Special way: Fans would have been optimistic before the game
Physical: Shinji Kagawa tries to evade the tackle of Wilson Palacios
No comments:
Post a Comment