EPL: Hull of a comeback

EPL: Hull of a comeback

Throw in a dash of good fortune to a spirited fightback, and there you have it - a Manchester United in fine fettle.

Boxing Day drama came early at the KC Stadium yesterday.

Within 13 minutes, United were two goals down and staring down the barrel of a gun.

Then they took exactly the same amount of time to level the score.

This is just the United that fans have come to know and love.

In the end, it took an own goal by the unlucky James Chester - who turned hero into villain having scored the opener for Hull - for United to earn a hard-fought 3-2 win.

But hey, what is a United show without the unexpected?

The three precious points will come in handy as they look to make up for the considerable ground they lost in the early stages of this campaign.

Yet, it will be the heart that his players displayed on the pitch that will give United manager David Moyes reason to believe that his side have what it takes to charge back into the top four.

It was no easy feat recovering from a two-goal deficit on away turf, let alone at Hull's den, where Steve Bruce's men had lost just once in the league.

The Tigers, who had conceded only three goals in eight home games, also had the meanest home defence prior to this fixture.

It all looked like another addition to the United collection of nightmares when Hull stole a stunning 2-0 lead through Chester and David Meyler.

Chris Smalling's 19th-minute header kept United's chin up.

BEAUTY

And when Wayne Rooney volleyed a beauty into the back of the net with the outside of his foot seven minutes later, there was almost a sense of inevitability to a United victory.

Hull defender Chester duly obliged in the 66th minute with an own goal, and the Red Devils could finally heave a huge sigh of relief.

This was an excellent comeback for United on so many fronts.

Darren Fletcher made his first start for over a year after a long spell on the sidelines with illness.

Key central midfielder Michael Carrick, who came on as a substitute in the 77th minute, was also making his first appearance in one-and-a-half months following an injury.

Back-to-back home defeats by Newcastle and Everton earlier this month had left United torn and tattered.

But with this victory over Hull, United have notched five straight wins in all competitions, three of them in the Premiership.

They can end the year with a flourish by beating Norwich at Carrow Road tomorrow.

It will not immediately lift them back into the category of title contenders, but it will keep a top-four position locked in their sights.

There is no easy way back.

But at least United can finally say that they have rediscovered their touch.

But have they left it too late?

Never say never for this United team.


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