Sunderland 2-1 Man United: Moyes’ boys behind in Capital One Cup semi-final
David Moyes racked up yet another unwanted record as Manchester United lost their third consecutive game for the first time in 13 years and Sunderland ran out winners in the Capital One Cup semi-final.
The Red Devils were devoid of confidence and Gus Poyet's side took full advantage to take a first leg lead to Old Trafford with Fabio Borini's second half penalty proving to be the winner.
Nemanja Vidic's powerhouse header had earlier cancelled out a Ryan Giggs own goal but the Premier League champions continued to look a shadow of the team that had played under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Chances were at a premium for both sides in the opening exchanges. Ryan Giggs’ deflected strike rattled the bar while Adnan Januzaj thought he had opened the scoring only for the linesman’s flag to deny him after the ball rebounded to him from his offside Welsh team-mate.
But it was the hosts who took a shock lead right on the stroke of half-time through a Giggs own-goal.
Former United defender Phil Bardsley played a massive role, as he pressurised the veteran midfielder to bundle the ball into his net, following Seb Larsson’s free-kick.
It was just what the game needed as both teams showed more urgency after the break but it was United who looked the more fired up and it was no surprise when Vidic powerfully headed them level on 51 minutes.
Borini and Larsson could have restored Sunderand’s lead immediately but the Italian wasted a glorious one-on-one, while David de Gea acrobatically tipped the latter’s strike over.
The striker didn’t have to wait a long for a better chance, though, as he converted a controversial penalty.
Referee Andre Marriner didn’t look fussed when substitute Adam Johnson took a tumble under a poor Tom Cleverley challenge. However, his assistant flagged with debate raging as to whether contact was outside the box, while Liverpool’s on-loan Borini coolly did the rest.
Rafael da Silva was booked for his protests over the spot kick and the Brazilian should have seen red seconds later when he scythed down the Itailan striker but the referee opted to just give him a lecture.
United still had 25 minutes to get back into the game but it was left to Januzaj to offer any moments of joy as he clipped a Danny Welbeck cross over.
The Premier League champions flung ball after ball into Sunderland's box in desperate hope but none came to anything and they now head to Old Trafford trailing in this semi-final.