Manchester United’s record signing Juan Mata enjoyed a winning debut on Tuesday as his new club recorded a 2-0 victory at home to Cardiff City in the Premier League, while leaders Arsenal spurned an opportunity to move four points clear after drawing 2-2 at Southampton.
Mata started the game at Old Trafford, three days after making a £37.1 million (US$61.2 million) move from Chelsea, as former United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returned to his old stomping ground as Cardiff manager.
Last season’s top scorer Robin van Persie was also included in United’s starting lineup after seven weeks out with a thigh strain and the Dutch striker broke the deadlock in the sixth minute.
Photo: AFP
Mata found Ashley Young with a raking pass and when his cross was headed against the bar by Antonio Valencia, Van Persie headed in at the second attempt after his initial header was parried by goalkeeper David Marshall.
Young added a fine second in the 59th minute, cutting in from the left flank and arrowing a drive into the bottom-right corner, before Wayne Rooney made his return from injury as a substitute for Van Persie.
United manager David Moyes was left to reflect on a satisfactory night.
Photo: Reuters
“We kept a clean sheet, scored a couple of goals, got a couple of players back from injury and gave Juan Mata his debut,” Moyes said.
“The win was very important for the team. It was very exciting for me. The fans are unbelievable. The lads welcomed me very well,” Mata, who claimed an assist for Young’s goal, told the BBC.
On United’s chances of a top-four finish, the Spaniard added: “We will try until the end. We will never give up.”
United, who had lost three of their previous five home league games, remain six points below the UEFA Champions League places, but they inched to within 12 points of Arsenal after the London club’s slipup at St Mary’s.
Bidding to move four points clear of second-placed Manchester City, Arsenal fell behind in the 21st minute when Southampton centerback Jose Fonte headed in a left-wing cross from Luke Shaw.
The visitors sprang to life early in the second half, equalizing through Olivier Giroud’s clever back-heel and going ahead when Santi Cazorla drilled home, only for Adam Lallana to sweep in an equalizer two minutes later.
Arsenal’s push for a late winner was undermined when midfielder Mathieu Flamini was sent off for a studs-up lunge at Morgan Schneiderlin.
Arsene Wenger’s side are now at risk from City, who would take over at the top with a win at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday, while Chelsea could draw level with Arsenal with a win at home to West Ham United.
Reflecting on the matches awaiting his side’s rivals, Arsenal manager Wenger said: “They have difficult games as well and we took at least a point.”
“It’s not enough, but considering the situation at halftime we have to be content with it,” he said.
France international midfielder Yohan Cabaye, who is reported to be on the verge of a move to Paris Saint-Germain, was absent for Newcastle United as Alan Pardew’s side recorded a 0-0 draw at Norwich City.
Both sides finished with 10 men after Newcastle striker Loic Remy and Norwich midfielder Bradley Johnson were shown straight red cards following a late altercation.
Goals from Jonjo Shelvey and Chico Flores gave Swansea City a 2-0 win at home to relegation-threatened Fulham, while improving Crystal Palace climbed to 14th after an early Jason Puncheon goal saw them beat Hull City 1-0.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and