Chapter 397: Another Eight-Game Winning Streak
Although Bruno didn't win the Ballon d'Or, it didn't affect him much. As Christmas approached, the Premier League entered a busy period with two matches per week.
In midweek, Arsenal faced a tough match in the 16th round of the Premier League, ultimately losing 1-2 at Goodison Park. The next day, the other five BIG6 teams played almost simultaneously.
Liverpool secured a 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium, ending their two-match winless streak. Chelsea also won 1-0 against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, achieving their tenth consecutive Premier League win since losing to Arsenal in the sixth round. Manchester City defeated Watford 2-0 at Etihad Stadium.
Fifteen minutes after these matches ended, Tottenham won 3-0 against Hull City at White Hart Lane, and Manchester United defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park.
From the start, United dominated but couldn't break the deadlock. Just when fans thought the first half would end goalless, the stalemate was broken during stoppage time. Crystal Palace defender Kelly fouled Blind, earning a yellow card and conceding a free kick outside the left wing of the penalty area. Mata's delivery was nudged by Ibrahimović and deflected off defender Ward, landing at Bruno's feet. Bruno scored with a right-footed shot from close range, giving United a 1-0 lead at halftime.
This goal marked Bruno's fifth consecutive Premier League match with a goal and his 21st league goal of the season.
In the 66th minute, Crystal Palace equalized. Ward and Ledley combined on the left wing, delivering a low cross to the edge of the penalty area. Delaney's clever backheel found McArthur, who scored from close range to make it 1-1.
United launched a fierce counterattack. In the 68th minute, Rooney's curling shot from outside the box was superbly saved by Hennessey. Following a corner, United appealed for a handball by Ledley, but the referee, Pawson, ignored it. United continued to press, with Herrera's cross headed on by Rojo to Mata, who scored from close range, but was ruled offside. Replays showed it was a wrong decision.
Frustrated by the contentious calls, Mourinho was shown a yellow card for his protests on the touchline. Calming down after the booking, he made substitutions, bringing on Lingard and Rashford to bolster the attack.
In the 87th minute, United found the winning goal. Bruno's through ball set up Ibrahimović, who scored with a left-footed shot from the left wing of the penalty area, restoring United's lead at 2-1. This was Ibrahimović's 12th league goal of the season and his 17th in all competitions.
At the final whistle, Mourinho entered the pitch, applauding and hugging each United player. His genuine excitement was evident. Ibrahimović roared in encouragement, high-fiving and embracing his teammates in a scene full of passion.
Fighting against the odds, United's victory was hard-earned and crucial for boosting team morale and potentially changing the season's trajectory. This explained Mourinho and his players' fervent celebrations.
United's 2-1 win marked their 15th league victory of the season, maintaining a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. Bruno's goal increased his 2016 tally to 73, ranking fourth in football history, behind Messi's 91 goals in 2012, Gerd Müller's 85 in 1972, and Pelé's 75 in 1958. His goal and assist in this match also raised his 2016 total to 117, further extending his record.
Following the challenging win against Crystal Palace, United continued to lead the Premier League. Despite a disallowed goal and a missed penalty, Mourinho refused to criticize the refereeing, focusing on the team's performance instead. "The referee? I won't comment. It was a tough game, and we deserved the win. We controlled the first half, the opponent responded in the second and got a goal. In the last 20 minutes, we were almost unstoppable. The players' response was incredible, and I'm genuinely happy for them."
Mourinho praised the match-winner Ibrahimović, saying, "He played phenomenally. To score that goal against a four-man defense requires immense strength and spirit. For a 35-year-old to lead and score like this is remarkable."
Reflecting on his sideline behavior, Mourinho added, "After the yellow card, I stayed calm. I'm happy with the win and the team's performance. We played very well. Although we have a five-point lead, the season is not yet halfway, and we need more points."
Three days later, United continued their away journey, facing West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. United fielded a 4-3-3 formation, with Ibrahimović as the lone striker, flanked by Rooney and Lingard. Bruno played as the attacking midfielder, with Carrick and Kanté as the double pivot. The defense featured Maguire and Van Dijk as center-backs, with Darmian and Valencia as full-backs, and De Gea in goal. West Brom's Salomón Rondón, fresh off a hat-trick, led their attack.
In the fourth minute, United were denied a penalty when Lingard was brought down by Nyom. However, a minute later, United scored an undeniable goal. Valencia's long pass found Lingard, whose cross was headed in by Ibrahimović for his 13th league goal of the season.
In the 23rd minute, Lingard passed to Bruno, who unleashed a powerful shot into West Brom's net. Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster could only watch as the ball flew in. In the 56th minute, Rooney's pass found Ibrahimović, who navigated between two defenders to score with a low shot, securing a 3-0 victory for United.
United's 3-0 win marked their second eight-game winning streak in the Premier League this season.
With this round of fixtures concluded, European leagues entered their winter break. Although the Premier League has no such break, United enjoyed a rare respite after three consecutive weeks of two matches per week. Their next match was on Boxing Day, giving them nine days of rest.
Mourinho granted the players a five-day break, resuming training on December 23 to prepare for the upcoming festive fixtures.
United's Christmas schedule was relatively light, with only three matches, two of which were at home against lower-table teams: Sunderland, Middlesbrough, and West Ham United.
The first match was on Boxing Day at 3 PM, hosting relegation-threatened Sunderland at Old Trafford. The second was on the last day of 2016, also at Old Trafford, against 14th-placed Middlesbrough. The final match of the festive period was on January 2, away to 13th-placed West Ham.
After these three Premier League matches, United faced the FA Cup third round on January 7 against Championship side Reading. Three days later, they played the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final at home against Hull City. On January 15, they hosted Liverpool in the Premier League, concluding the festive period.
In 20 days, United would play six matches, with the longest rest being less than five days and the shortest less than 48 hours between games.
Despite the hectic schedule, five of the six matches were at home, and five opponents were relatively weak, allowing for squad rotation to give players rest. The only major match was the second leg of the double-header against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
(End of Chapter)
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