Manchester United overturned a two-goal second half deficit to win 3-2 at Southampton on Sunday. Jan Bednarek and James Ward-Prowse gave the high-flying home side the early advantage, but the halftime introduction of Edinson Cavani changed everything for United as the Uruguayan provided an assist for Bruno Fernandes before scoring the equalizer followed by a stoppage-time winner.
Ward-Prowse’s corner kick in the 23rd minute was met by Bednarek at the near post for Southampton’s first at St. Mary’s.
THE SAINTS STRIKE FIRST! #MyPLThanksgiving pic.twitter.com/ug5dXddfab
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 29, 2020
10 minutes later, Ward-Prowse beat David de Gea at his near post with a venomous free kick. The impact of the post on De Gea later forced the Spanish goalkeeper off at halftime.
OH MY GOODNESS, SOUTHAMPTON! 2-NIL UP!#MyPLThanksgiving pic.twitter.com/8cSU1JAucv
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 29, 2020
The Ole Gunnar Solskjær memes proliferated across the internet, and even Cavani’s halftime introduction for Mason Greenwood didn’t go as planned as the 33-year-old couldn’t get his boots right. This, however, was not a sign of things to come.
¡CAVANI AL CAMPO!
@ECavaniOfficial entró para el segundo tiempo.
Lo curioso: Tuvo que cambiarse los botines, el juego comenzó y él seguía arreglando su calzado.¿Podrá anotar el día de hoy? pic.twitter.com/9CTzVEtGsS
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 29, 2020
On the hour mark, Cavani picked out Fernandes in the area to pull one back.
Cavani Fernandes
United are right back in this one! #MyPLThanksgiving pic.twitter.com/4Id9fxSVbv— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 29, 2020
The equalizer arrived in the 74th minute following a United corner. The ball eventually fell to Fernandes, but his deflected effort was attacked by Cavani with the Saints defending deep.
CAVANI EQUALIZES! #MyPLThanksgiving pic.twitter.com/l3KIdljhmJ
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 29, 2020
It was all United from there, but Southampton looked to have secured a point as play entered stoppage time. However, two minutes into the five given, Cavani scored his third league goal in five substitute appearances to give the Red Devils all three points.
IS THIS THE WINNER FOR UNITED FROM CAVANI?! #MyPLThanksgiving pic.twitter.com/ZPtc9h0wTU
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 29, 2020
Southampton is currently in fifth, four points behind leader Liverpool. United climbs to seventh, five points back but with a game in hand.
