Lukaku back among the goals to lead Man United to victory against CSKA Moscow

Aditya Devavrat 01:50 06/12/2017
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  • Going into Manchester United‘s Champions League clash, Romelu Lukaku‘s form and confidence were under severe scrutiny, given the fact he’d scored only once in his past 12 appearances.

    Yet manager Jose Mourinho continually backed his first-choice striker, appreciating the United No. 9’s work rate and contribution to the cause even as the goals dried up.

    Mourinho’s assertion that the goals would come soon enough may be about to come true, as Lukaku scored his 13th of the season to help United earn a come-from-behind victory against CSKA Moscow that ensured the Red Devils topped their group.

    Here’s an in-depth look at how the star striker performed on Tuesday.

    BASIC STATS

    Goals – 1

    Assists – 0

    Shots – 3

    Shots on target – 2

    Pass Accuracy – 82%

    Key Passes – 2

    Touches – 31

    Dribbles – 0

    EFFECTIVENESS

    Lukaku held up the ball well and, in the first half, created two or three decent chances for his team-mates that should have seen United race out to a comfortable lead, although he missed the one presentable chance he had of his own.

    The Belgian went missing a bit in the second-half as United’s best attacking play seemed to bypass him. That, was until, Paul Pogba picked him out with a perfect pass, a chance that Lukaku gobbled up to equalise. Soon after, he set up United’s go-ahead goal with a flick-on from a long ball.

    Lukaku scored with a neat finish to draw United level.

    Lukaku scored with a neat finish to draw United level.

    KEY MOMENTS

    4th min, CHANCE: Lukaku did well to control Juan Mata‘s pass, then turned and set about creating panic in the CSKA defence. Spotting Marcus Rashford‘s run across him, the Belgian found his strike partner with a cleverly disguised through ball, only for Rashford’s subsequent shot to hit the post.

    20th min, SHOT: The 24-year-old probably should have scored. Luke Shaw hit a crisp volley which CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev did well to save, but Lukaku was on hand for the rebound. The ball just wouldn’t come down quickly enough, forcing Lukaku to attempt a scissor kick which he couldn’t connect with cleanly, allowing Akinfeev to save again.

    64th min, GOAL: Pogba floated in a delightful box, spotting Lukaku’s run, and the Belgian obliged by finishing the move off, stretching out his leg to get his outside of the boot onto the ball and guide it into the net.

    VERDICT: 8/10

    There were times when you could see that Lukaku’s confidence was low, and others when you saw exactly why Mourinho has been quick to praise him. He linked up United’s attacking play well, created chances for his team-mates, and, although he missed his first opportunity to score, when another came to him, he buried it.

    CSKA proved a more stubborn side than expected, given the 4-1 win United had gotten in Moscow in the reverse fixture, but Lukaku made sure his side got the win.

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