The Match: Festive Fightback

After the match report, ManUtd.com casts a detailed eye over Manchester United’s pulsating 3-2 comeback win over Hull City on Boxing Day...

The Match United produced a pulsating comeback at the KC Stadium to rival last season’s similarly chaotic Boxing Day win over Newcastle. However, on this occasion, the Reds were forced to come from two goals down following a slow start on Humberside. Thankfully, David Moyes’ men reacted positively to the backs-to-the-wall position and headed into the break with parity restored, before three points were secured via James Chester’s second-half own goal. The only blemish on an otherwise positive day was the late dismissal of Antonio Valencia for two bookable offences.

The Goals Ex-Reds defender Chester scored the opening goal with a powerful close-range volley before his team-mate David Meyler doubled the Tigers’ lead with a scuffed shot that was deflected past David De Gea by Jonny Evans. Not going down without a fight, United reacted positively as Chris Smalling rose to net a super header past Allan McGregor, who picked the ball out of the net again just moments later when Wayne Rooney half-volleyed in his 150th Premier League goal for the Reds. Hull defender Chester then finished what he started; having earlier opened the scoring at the KC Stadium, he closed it by heading Ashley Young's right-wing cross past substitute goalkeeper Steve Harper.

Star men While Ashley Young and Darren Fletcher were both impressively combative in midfield, with Smalling also catching the eye at the back, Rooney was undoubtedly United’s standout figure. The England international was involved in two of the three goals and essentially pulled the strings in attack, regularly dropping deep to dictate play. He remains a talismanic figure for the Reds.

Sub plots Fletcher made his first United start since the similarly chaotic 4-3 win over Reading on 1 December 2012, building on his recent substitute appearances at Aston Villa and Stoke City. Predictably, the fans’ favourite received an ovation from the United fans and played 61 minutes before exiting the action for Javier Hernandez. His progress is a late Christmas present for all. On a separate note, Valencia earned a suspension via his late dismissal for two bookable offences.

Opposition Prior to kick-off, Hull owned the third best defensive record in Europe and had not conceded more than one goal in any match at the KC Stadium this season - two statistics that make United’s dramatic comeback win even more impressive. The Tigers were truly ferocious opponents and will feel unfortunate not to have taken at least a point from this match, having gone close to equalising during a frantic finale when Danny Graham's close-range shot was blocked by De Gea. With such determination, they should avoid relegation this campaign.

Move of the match Although there was an element of good fortune in the build-up, Rooney’s intelligent exchange with Danny Welbeck and subsequent 25-yard finish was mightily impressive; a definite goal of the season contender.

In the stands United’s travelling fans were typically vocal throughout the action, singing through a full repertoire of Christmas songs on a chilly day at the KC Stadium. Notably, there were affectionate tributes to Eric Cantona and George Best, as well as the returning Fletcher.