Manchester United 2-0 Swansea City: Lukaku and Sánchez score as Reds ease to win

Manchester United won their fourth consecutive Premier League match on Saturday, seeing off struggling Swansea City 2-0 at Old Trafford. First half goals from Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sánchez ensured a comfortable victory for José Mourinho’s men, who move back above Liverpool and into second place.

United dominated from the off, and took the lead after only five minutes. Jesse Lingard’s short pass found Sánchez on the left side of the box, and his square pass was turned into the roof of the net by Lukaku. It took a deflection off defender Alfie Mawson on its way in, but nevertheless brought up the big Belgian’s Premier League century. Plenty more are sure to follow.

Indeed, it could have been 101 just six minutes later, but Lukaku was denied by Łukasz Fabiański after rolling onto a deft Lingard flick. United only had to wait until midway through the first half before doubling their lead, with Lingard involved once again: his simple through-ball found Sánchez darting in off the left, and the Chilean made no mistake at Swansea’s near post.

The first half was a total no-contest, and the second initially not much closer. Sánchez and Juan Mata both passed up early chances to add a third, as Swansea struggled to muster their first attempt on United’s goal. It eventually came just short of the hour, with substitute Tammy Abraham drawing David de Gea into action twice in quick succession.

But United rode out what was more a light breeze than a heavy storm, and ran the clock down with relative ease. Lukaku could’ve sealed his brace after bringing down a teasing Paul Pogba cross (with, we should note, his arm), though Fabiański denied him from point-blank range, and the game ended at 2-0. Not a classic, but Mourinho will be satisfied.