Manchester United remain top of the table despite two goals from Cameroon forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to earn stoke a 2-2 draw in the late kick-off at the bet365 Stadium.
Choupo-Moting, a summer recruit from Schalke, put the Potters ahead on 43 minutes.
United, though, were back on level terms just three minutes later through Marcus Rashford, who inadvertently deflected a header from Paul Pogba into the net following a corner.
Romelu Lukaku gave United, who had made a 100 per cent start to the new Premier League season, the lead on 57 minutes after his initial shot had been saved by Jack Butland.
Choupo-Moting, though, secured a point for the home side with a header just after the hour, although Lukaku shot over late on and Butland produced a fine reaction stop in added time.
We analyse the performances of two key stars from the game – Lukaku and Stoke forward Jese.
Goals – 0
Shots – 2
Shots on target – 1
Touches – 25
Key passes – 1
Dribbles – 1
Dispossessed – 1
Aerials won – 0
Jese on the run for Stoke
Goals – 1
Shots – 6
Shots on target – 3
Touches – 35
Key passes – 1
Dribbles – 0
Dispossessed – 3
Aerials won – 1
Romelu Lukaku scores United’s second
Maxim Choupo-Moting will deservedly take the plaudits for his brace but Jese has shown some promising form and is developing a key role in the dynamic – didn’t think you’d say that about Stoke – front three.
He retained possession well when needed, looked to thread through cutting balls and was denied a goal by the brilliance of David De Gea – though the resulting corner led to the equaliser anyway.
Indeed, the former Real Madrid man seems to have found a new lease of life in Stoke – didn’t think we’d say that either – and Potters fans will be hoping his promising form is no flash in the pan.
Not quite the anonymous performance he displayed against Leicester but not his destructive best either. He dropped in when he needed to try and link up with the rest of United’s attack and was strong in leading the line.
Showed his deceptive speed on the counter as well but he should have scored the after Anthony Martial’s superb work and he was fortunate to get a second bite for his strike.
A neat and tidy performance with a goal rather anything earth shattering but no doubt FPL managers will be pleased.
Lukaku Goal! Could have been another assist for Mkhitaryan! #mufc
pic.twitter.com/VilTJwCmyE— ManUnitedZone (@ManUnitedZone_) September 9, 2017
1st min – Literally within seconds Jese cleverly hooks the ball over his own head and he sets Choupo-Moting clear down the right wing only for the striker to bundle the ball out for a corner when he had the chance to power a shot at goal.
60th min CHANCE – A stunning save from David De Gea denied him a goal. Eric Pieters crossed in from the left and Jese met it perfectly to flash a shot from the corner of the six-yard box but somehow the United stopper gets fingertips to push the ball over. The resulting corner leads to Stoke’s second equliser, though.
75th min – SUBSTITUTION – The Spaniard’s game is ended when he comes off for Saido Berahino.
57th min GOAL – A touch of fortune about the goal as Jese is dispossessed in midfield and United counter through Henrikh Mkhitaryan who chips a clever pass through the middle for Lukaku to burst clear. His first attempt across Jack Butland is brilliantly stopped but he reacts quickest to the rebound to slam home his fourth of the season.
81st min CHANCE – Should have been the winner as Martial turns on the jets and speeds down the right. He deliciously bends an awkward low ball into the area and it sits up for Lukaku six-yards out and instead of directing goalwards the Belgian shins the ball over the bar.
Romelu Lukaku celebrates his goal
Finding his fitness and his form, he was effective in linking up with Xherdan Shaqiri and Choupo-Moting who together are forming quite the trio.
Denied a goal by the brilliance of De Gea but a promising performance all the same.
A quiet first-half but he fused United’s attacks and his hold-up play was as solid as ever.
Needed to be more ruthless finishing as he was lucky to get a second bite at the cheery for his goal.
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
