Manchester United vs. Stoke City: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League

Joe Allen capitalised on a late mistake from David De Gea to earn Stoke City a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

United were frustrated by City goalkeeper Lee Grant in the first period, as he saved twice from Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the first minute of the match. The stopper was finally bested in the 69th minute by substitute Anthony Martial’s swerving strike before Allen pounced seven minutes from time to equalise.

With Stoke struggling and United revitalised, the home side were expected to come out firing. And the opening minute set the tempo for the entire game.

After being slipped through by Pogba, Ibrahimovic had time and space to pick his spot. But Grant anticipated the veteran’s near post finish before springing up quickly to stop the striker tucking home the rebound.

A player of Ibrahimovic’s quality should have scored; as noted by James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph, he seemed to overcomplicate the finish:

Ibrahimovic has to score there. Know he tried to deceive Grant by shooting at the near post but was crying out to be slotted in the far side

— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) October 2, 2016

United continued to pile forward for almost the entirety of the half after that early opportunity, with Pogba spurning an excellent chance when played in on the edge of the box. The Frenchman swept his effort well wide of the target.

The movement of Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rashford and particularly Jesse Lingard left the Potters defenders chasing shadows. But Grant was proving to be quite the foe between the sticks, as he palmed Juan Mata’s chip over the bar and then sprung into action to deny Lingard from close range.

As noted by Oliver Kay of the Times, given his relative inexperience at this level, Grant was turning in quite the performance for the visitors:

At 33, this is Stoke …

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