Manchester United maintained their seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday thanks to a 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford.
A Gareth McAuley own goal gave the Red Devils the lead before Robin van Persie came off the bench to seal the three points late on.
The triumph extended United's unbeaten record to eight matches in the league, while West Brom slumped to their first loss in four games.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action unfolded in Manchester.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage as Manchester United welcome West Bromwich Albion to Old Trafford in the Premier League.
There was some doubt over whether this game would go ahead today due to the heavy rain across the country, but, after a couple of pitch inspections, this one has been given the green light.
It was a Boxing Day to remember for United fans this year as they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points. A dramatic 4-3 win over Newcastle was made even better for Sir Alex Ferguson's side as champions Manchester City slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.
WEST BROM: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Tamas, Ridgewell; Thorne, Brunt; Rosenberg, Dorrans, Odemwingie; Long
WEST BROM SUBS: Myhill, Lukaku, Morrison, Jara Reyes, Fortune, Dawson, El Ghanassy
The team news for West Brom is that Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long return to the starting lineup while there is also only a second Premier League start for George Thorne. What a day for the 19-year-old midfielder!
We'll bring you the Manchester United team news as soon as we have it.
MAN UTD: De Gea; Smalling, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Young; Kagawa, Welbeck
A real surprise then for United as Robin van Persie has to settle for a place on the bench this afternoon. Sir Alex Ferguson has instead opted for a strike partnership of Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa with the latter making his first appearance since October following a hamstring injury. Captain Nemanja Vidic also starts after missing the Boxing Day win over Newcastle United.
MAN UTD SUBS: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Giggs, Hernandez, van Persie, Scholes, Buttner
If United fans gasped at Van Persie's omission, it's not a bad looking bench for the hosts.
Of course, the Red Devils can stretch their unbeaten run to eight games this afternoon if they avoid defeat to the Baggies. The history books don't make good reading for West Brom either- they've never beaten United in the Premier League.
In fact West Brom's previous triumph over today's opponents came back in December 2003 when the recorded a 2-0 win in the League Cup. Their last victory in the league was 28 years ago...
United have had it good against the Midlands side since then, picking up eight wins from their last nine games.
West Brom's superb start to the season suffered a slight blip recently, but they've rallied to pick up two wins and a draw from their previous nine matches - a run that has seen them steady the ship and move into sixth place in the table.
UPDATE: The first Premier League result of the day has come through at the Stadium of Light and Tottenham Hotspur have beaten Sunderland 2-1 despite going behind. John O'Shea opened the scoring for the hosts, but a Carlos Cuellar own goal and an Aaron Lennon striker have given Spurs the three points.
One notable incident from that match was Gareth Bale picking up a yellow card for diving. The Welshman now has five bookings this season (four for simulation) and will miss Tottenham's next match against Reading.
You can read Sports Mole's match report for that game right here.
Anyway, which way will this one go today? United's defensive frailties have seen them leak goals like there's no tomorrow this season and I wouldn't be surprised if they concede again today. However, they always have the capabilites to outgun other teams and the firepower on their bench today could prove crucial if they find themselves in trouble. In short, a 3-1 win for the hosts.
Just over five minutes until kickoff at Old Trafford. The players are in the tunnel and we're almost ready to go.
Here we go then, it will be Manchester United to get us underway...
The hosts look to put some early pressure on their opponents as Patrice Evra receives the ball out wide. The Frenchman swings in a tempting cross, but it doesn't quite reach Danny Welbeck.
Great defending from Michael Carrick after Shane Long runs at the United defence. The striker is about to pull the trigger, only for Carrick to slide in and regain possession for his side.
PENALTY SHOUT! West Brom will feel unlucky not to have a spot kick here following Chris Smalling's challenge on Shane Long. It looked to have been mistimed by the United defender, but referee Jon Moss gives nothing.
The hosts are awarded a corner and Antonio Valencia whips the ball into the box. However, Nemanja Vidic can only guide his header over the crossbar from about 10 yards out.
GOAL! Man Utd 1-0 West Brom (Gareth McAuley)
United lead and it's desperately unlukc for Gareth McAuley as he converts into his own net. Ashley Young is given some space down the left and his cross is turned past Ben Foster by the Baggies defender.
The hosts aren't looking too flustered on the ball at the moment. They're being given a fair bit of time to play by their opponents and that could signal trouble for the away side.
West Brom continue to struggle to regain possession. United are spraying the ball around very comfortably indeed, but haven't really created any decent chances since the goal.
CHANCE! Some confusion in the West Brom box as Chris Smalling launches the ball towards Danny Welbeck. The United striker looks to get on the end of it before Foster eventually gathers.
George Thorpe, who is starting only the second Premier League game of his career, gets clattered by Nemanja Vidic down by the touchline. The learning curve...
The Baggies are finally given the chance to string a few passes together, but the move breaks down when Chris Brunt's pass around the corner fails to find a teammate.
West Brom's spell of possession didn't last long as United come on the attack again. Shinji Kagawa and Tom Cleverley have linked up well so far today and it's the former's cross that is cleared by the away side with Welbeck waiting in the middle.
Peter Odemwingie is off the pitch receiving treatment at the moment for a heavy challenge by Chris Smalling. It was a fair tackle, but the Baggies striker definitely took a knock to his ankle.
Odemwingie is back on the pitch now. He seems to be okay to continue.
CHANCE! It's a decent opening for the hosts as Danny Welbeck's deflected shot flies towards Ashley Young. The winger has to adjust his body quickly in order to head the ball towards goal and his effort floats harmlessly over the crossbar.
SAVE! Wonderful from Foster! United break quickly as Kagawa releases Valencia down the right. The winger finds Ashley Young on the egde of the box and his half volley is brilliantly turned over by Foster.
SAVE! The resulting corner sees Michael Carrick poke the ball towards goal from about eight yards out, but Foster is there again to deny the home side with his legs.
Nemanja Vidic has another sniff at goal from Valencia's corner, only for the United skipper to guide his header wide this time.
CHANCE! Valencia has bags of space on the right side and drives into the penalty area. However, he takes far too much time in picking out a teammate and the eventual cross towards Kagawa is cleared.
CHANCE! Valencia has bags of space on the right side and drives into the penalty area. However, he takes far too much time in picking out a teammate and the eventual cross towards Kagawa is cleared.
West Brom have their first proper sight of goal at the other end as Odemwingie is allowed to run into the box, but the Nigerian can only drag his shot wide.
OH MY! It's almost a disaster for Foster as he takes a touch too many on McAuley's backpass and is quickly closed down by Welbeck. The United striker manages to block the clearance, but the ball goes inches wide of the goal.
There will be one minute of added time...
There will be one minute of added time...
There will be one minute of added time...
HALF TIME: Man Utd 1-0 West Brom
Unites survived a couple of dangerous West Brom free kicks right at the end of the first half but they go in at the break with a 1-0 lead thanks to Gareth McAuley's own goal on nine minutes.
It was a dominant opening half for the home side, but West Brom did show threatening, if rare, flashes in front of goal. The next goal will be vital: if United score it then they should go on to claim the win, but if the Baggies equalise then this one could go either way.
There are five other Premier League games being played across the country right now so here come the scores at the halfway stage in those encounters...
PREMIER LEAGUE HALF-TIME SCORES:
Aston Villa 0-1 Wigan
Fulham 0-1 Swansea
Norwich 1-2 Man City
Reading 1-0 West Ham
Stoke 1-3 Southampton
We've already had one Premier League result come in today as Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.
So, what can West Brom do in the second half to get themselves back in the game? Well, Shane Long certainly needs more support from Peter Odemwingie. The striker has been isolated up top so far. However, Odemwingie venturing forward could leave the Baggies exposed in midfield.
Meanwhile, United will be looking to get a few more bodies in the box themselves. Absentees Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney were missed in that first 45 minutes, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson shouldn't feel the need to throw on Van Persie just yet.
The players are back out and West Brom get us going. It looks like there have been no changes for either side during the interval.
West Brom living dangerously early in this second half as Tom Cleverley's fizzing cross is just about dealt with. Kagawa has a chance to convert the resulting corner, but the Baggies again avert the danger.
SAVE! David De Gea has to keep his concentration as Brunt's low, powerful drive is well held by the Spaniard.
CHANCE! Huge chance for the Baggies as they start to enjoy a spell of possession in this second half. Brunt's free kick misses everyone, but Tamas arrives late at the back post to head straight at De Gea. Odemwingie has a second bite of the cherry, but United clear.
This game is opening up a bit now. Valencia is the latest players to have a crack at goal, only for his effort to go out for a corner. Vidic and Valencia both threaten from the set piece before West Brom clear.
It must be said that the Old Trafford pitch has caused problems for both sets of players this afternoon. It's cut up in a few places and passes have been misplaced a few times today. Brunt is the latest to experience this as he scuffs the ball out for a throw in.
BLOCKED! Dorrans is picked out on the edge of the box before the midfielder's stinging effort is snuffed out by Evra. That could have been going into the top corner.
YELLOW CARD: Antonio Valencia goes into the book and righty so. The winger took out Peter Odemwingie from behind knowing that the Baggies forward had beaten him.
SUBSTITUTION: Old Trafford rises to its feet as Robin van Persie is introduced in place of Shinji Kagawa.
SUBSTITUTION: It's West Brom who are making a change now as Romelu Lukaku comes on for Markus Rosenborg.
The Chelsea loanee causes instant problems for United as he wins a corner for the visitors. West Brom have a real aerial presence now but the home side just about deal with the danger. It's a very positive move from Steve Clarke.
OFF THE BAR! Nearly an equaliser for the Baggies but it wouldn't have counted as the referee blows his whistle for an infringement. McAuley's header crashes off the crossbar, though he got to the ball by climbing all over Smalling.
Van Persie hasn't had too much of an impact since he came on. Instead, it's Lukaku who has made all the difference. West Brom are suddenly a real threat going forward.
SUBSTITUTION: West Brom make their second change now as James Morrison takes the place of Chris Brunt.
CHANCE! Wonderful play from Lukaku and Odemwingie sees Morrison teed up on the edge of the area. The midfielder takes a touch before shooting at goal, only for Evans to get his body in the way. There were plenty of hearts in mouths at Old Trafford for a moment there.
Young works some space for himself now, but his left-footed shot is weak and Foster collects.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is prowling the touchline. He can't be too happy with what he's seeing from his team at the moment.
SAVE! United almost double their lead as Van Persie is played through by Evra, but the Dutchman's first-time effort is kept put by the feet of Foster.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes from both teams as Paul Scholes replaces Tom Cleverley and Marc-Antoine Fortune comes on for Graham Dorrans.
CLOSE! Welbeck nearly gets on the end of Van Persie's through ball, but McAuley does brilliantly to nick the ball away from the striker.
Can West Brom grab an equaliser here? They've certainly had their chances in the second half and it could be argued that they deserve something for their efforts this afternoon.
United look to run the clock down now as Smalling is fouled by Long. This sort of stoppage is what the hosts want.
GOAL! Man Utd 2-0 West Brom (Van Persie)
Stunning. Van Persie seals the win for United with a wonderful strike. The striker picks the ball up on the edge of the area and curls it powerfully past Foster and into the far corner. Brilliant.
FULL TIME: Man Utd 2-0 West Brom
Referee Jon Moss blows the full-time whistle as Manchester United beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
United weren't at their best this afternoon and West Brom could argue that they deserved at least a point from the encounter. However, a Gareth MacAuley own goal and a superb strike from substitute Robin van Persie have handed the hosts the three points.
Anyway, that's all from me for now. We hope that you have enjoyed out coverage of today's game and hope to see you soon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and goodbye!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
