Marouane Fellaini has cancelled out an early Junior Stanislas goal to ensure that Bournemouth and Manchester United go in level at the break this evening.
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The hosts took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances after just two minutes, when a Stanislas corner evaded the United defence and reached the top corner of the net.
United came close to netting an immediate response, as a Fellaini volley from close range was kept out by Cherries keeper Artur Boruc, before the Pole tipped a Paddy McNair header away from the rebound.
Both sides pushed forwards to add to the scoreline, as Stanislas fired a free kick over the bar, while Anthony Martial drilled an effort narrowly wide from outside the area at the other end of the pitch.
United pegged their opponents back on 24 minutes when Michael Carrick played in Memphis Depay, only for the Dutch winger to be denied by Boruc, but Fellaini was alert in the box to touch the rebound into the net.
The hosts almost regained the lead minutes later, as a dipping Stanislas effort was kept out by United goalkeeper David de Gea, before former Red Devils forward Joshua King missed the target from a good position.
Bournemouth came close to netting for a second time before the break, as King teed up Matt Ritchie for an effort from outside the penalty area, only for De Gea to make a fairly comfortable save.
Stephen Topping
