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The final game of gameweek 23 of the Premier League took place on Monday night at Old Trafford, as the Red Devils hosted Stoke City. If you missed Sunday’s action here is a recap of what happened.
Manchester United 3-0 Stoke City
Back to Monday night and Manchester United recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over the struggling Potters, who have recently appointed Paul Lambert as their new boss.
The Red Devils took the lead on nine minutes. Full-back Antonio Valencia returning from an injury lay-off smashed a powerful effort from just inside the area past Jack Butland to give the Red Devils the lead with their first attempt on goal.
Stoke midfielder Stephen Ireland missed two good opportunities before United doubled their lead on 38 minutes. The influential Paul Pogba was involved as he found compatriot Antony Martial 20 yards out and French international fired home.
United goalkeeper David De Gea produced a good save from a Xherdan Shaqiri effort just before half-time. The Red Devils dominated the second half and sealed the points on 72 minutes. Romelu Lukaku controlled Martial’s pass, held off two Stoke defenders before firing home with a powerful effort.
The victory means that United are now 12 points behind arch-rivals and league leaders Manchester City in the race for the top-flight title. Another interesting fact to note is that United goalkeeper David De Gea recorded his 13th clean sheets of the season, the most of any goalkeeper in the top-flight.
At the other end of the table, Stoke are 18th place in the table and one of the three favourites to suffer relegation this season. Potters fans will be hoping that the appointment of Paul Lambert as boss will help improve the team’s results in the near future.
FA Cup third round replays Tuesdays and Wednesday
The midweek action turns to the FA Cup third round replays. One of the biggest replays is Premier League strugglers West Ham hosting League One high-fliers Shrewsbury at the London Stadium on Tuesday night. The first game finished goalless, so fans will be hoping for slightly more entertainment in this clash.
Both teams head into this game in good spirits. The Irons head into the clash unbeaten in five games all competitions, having recorded a crucial 4-1 win over Huddersfield at the weekend.
Shrewsbury have been the surprise package in League One this season and currently sit second in the table. A 3-0 mauling at Blackburn last time out ended a six-game unbeaten run for Paul Hurst’s side. The Shrews have enjoyed a bright campaign and are unlikely to be a pushover for their top-flight opponents.
Elsewhere, reigning Premier League champions Chelsea host Norwich of the Championship at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. The first game in East Anglia finished goalless.
The home side are not exactly in the best of form, having drawn their last competitive games, including that aforementioned first game at Carrow Road. Their last three games have finished goalless, so confidence is not exactly flowing at the London club. However, they have kept four consecutive clean sheets on home soil. Conte’s side will be confident of making it five clean sheets in a row in this clash.
Norwich have actually experienced an upturn in form of late. The Canaries are undefeated in five games in all competitions. Last time out, Daniel Farke’s side recorded an impressive 1-0 win at promotion-chasing Bristol City.
A complete list of midweek FA Cup Third Round replays
Tuesday
Leicester v Fleetwood
Mansfield v Cardiff
Sheffield Wednesday v Carlisle
West Ham v Shrewsbury
Reading v Stevenage
Wednesday
Wigan v Bournemouth
Swansea v Wolves
Chelsea v Norwich
Does Manchester United still have a chance of winning the top-flight title?
