The weather wreaked havoc on the Capital One Cup quarter final game between Stoke City and Manchester United for most of the first half, even forcing a ten minutes stoppage at one point due to hail. But in the end, as the storm passed, so did the threat from Stoke leaving the Premier League champions to ease into the semifinals courtesy of goals from Ashley Young and Patrice Evra.
The weather wreaked havoc on the Capital One Cup quarter final game between Stoke City and Manchester United for most of the first half, even forcing a ten minutes stoppage at one point due to hail. But in the end, as the storm passed, so did the threat from Stoke leaving the Premier League champions to ease into the semifinals courtesy of goals from Ashley Young and Patrice Evra.
The first half produced no goals but plenty of misplaced passes, with both sets of players struggling to cope with first, howling winds, then storming rain before finally having to leave the field for a brief period due to hail.
Better weather in the second half led to better football and as the visitors took advantage it seemed only a matter of time before they would score in a game that had to have a winner.
The first goal came in the62nd minute when a quick one-two between Young and Chicarito Hernandez saw Young run onto the return pass and drive the ball beyond a diving Thomas Sorensen in goal.
United doubled their lead when goal scorer Young turned provider, playing the ball to Evra who cut in from the left wing and curled the ball with the inside of his right foot and into the far corner. The goal sparked huge celebrations as the French man celebrated a fantastic effort.
Stoke never really troubled the United goal throughout and David Moyes’ men were able to record their third win in as many games to ease the pressure off their beleaguered manager, for the time being at least.
Photo: Evra celebrates his goal against Stoke (Getty Images)
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