Manchester United lost a third game in a row for the first time since 2001 as Sunderland took a one-goal lead into the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg.
Fabio Borini's second-half penalty, after Tom Cleverley was controversially penalised for a challenge on Adam Johnson, was the decisive goal.
Ryan Giggs' own goal in first-half injury time had put Sunderland ahead.
Nemanja Vidic levelled with a towering header soon after the restart.
But Sunderland earned their first win over United since 2000, a run of 21 matches, when Liverpool loanee Borini kept his calm from the penalty spot after substitute Johnson went down under Cleverley's challenge.
United were furious with the decision but Cleverley's attempt to win the ball looked rash as Johnson cut across him, leaving United chasing the game ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford on 22 January.
The defeat deepens the woes of manager David Moyes after United's FA Cup hopes were ended by Swansea on Sunday, while their hopes of retaining the Premier League title appear to be disappearing, with leaders Arsenal 11 points clear.
United have won the League Cup three times in the past decade, in 2006, 2009 and 2010, but a premature exit this time around would leave them relying almost solely on the Champions League to rescue their campaign.
No comments:
Post a Comment