Support for Man Utd grows after victory away to West Brom
Published:Manchester United only won one of their first eight away games last season but they needed just 90 minutes to get off the mark this time courtesy of a 2-1 victory against West Brom.
The result, which extended Sir Alex Ferguson’s side’s Premier League record at The Hawthorns to six wins in six trips, has seen the reigning champions cut to 5/4 to retain the title having been 11/8 on Sunday morning.
The visitors were on top for much of the contest but looked like having to settle for a point when David de Gea was evaded by a tame Shane Long shot late on in the first half on a shaky Premier League debut for the Spanish shot-stopper.
Normally, Manchester United take a while to get going at the start of a new campaign while Chelsea go flying out of the blocks, however the reverse was true on this occasion as the Blues were held in their opening encounter at Stoke.
Like the holders, the Blues were the superior performers in their trip to the midlands, yet for the first time in a decade they failed to collect three points in week one, scuppered by an impressive defensive display by the Potters.
The consequence is that Andre Villas-Boas’ team have drifted from 5/2 to 11/4, though they will be confident of getting some wins on board over the next few weeks when they host West Brom and Norwich.
However, the failure of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea to make a triumphant start leaves Manchester City with a chance to show that they are their neighbours’ main rivals for top spot by beating newcomers Swansea at home.
Roberto Mancini’s men aren’t rated too far behind Chelsea in the Ladbrokes market, with odds of 4/1 available on them finishing first.
