Blind Rescues 2-2 Draw for Man United at West Brom
Manchester United came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Monday, with Daley Blind scoring the second equalizer with three minutes remaining.
United looked like coming unstuck on the road again when Saido Berahino restored West Brom's lead in the 65th minute, running clear of the defense to curl home a sixth goal in his breakthrough season.
Blind rescued a point for United with his first goal for the club, side-footing in from the edge of the penalty area following a lay-off from substitute Radamel Falcao.
"I am very disappointed because we played our best match of the season and the result is not good enough," Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. "I have to be also happy because we created a lot of chances."
Stephane Sessegnon put West Brom in front at The Hawthorns with a rasping shot in the eighth minute but Marouane Fellaini equalized in the 48th, having come on as a halftime substitute to give United more of a physical presence.
Fellaini chested down a cross from Angel Di Maria, shrugged off his marker and smashed in a rising shot from just inside the area for his first goal since joining from Everton in August 2013.
United dropped to sixth place on 12 points from eight games, and is without a win in four away matches this campaign.
"In my opinion, it's eight points too few," said Van Gaal, whose defense remains his biggest problem.
There was no defender near the 21-year-old Berahino as he raced onto Chris Brunt's pass and whipped a shot inside the far post, enhancing his blossoming reputation that could soon earn him an England call-up. Berahino has scored in each of his last four games.
Left back Luke Shaw was also out of position for Sessegnon's goal, with Andre Wisdom given space to race down the right and cross for the forward to slam a first-time shot into the top corner.
United, without suspended captain Wayne Rooney, piled on the pressure in the second half and looked the likelier scorer after Fellaini's equalizer.
Berahino scored from a rare breakaway from the hosts and after Robin van Persie volleyed against the post in the 74th minute, fellow Dutchman Blind popped up to rescue United with a neat finish.
Source: Associated Press
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