Late winner sends United top as title race takes another twist

The statistics tell part of the story. Possession was almost exactly even, but the visitors had 19 shots to eight and hit the woodwork twice. On another day it would have been comfortable. This was not another day.

For the losing side, the questions will now come thick and fast. Three defeats in four is not a crisis, but it is not far from one, and the fixture list over the next month offers little respite.

"I have been doing this for 25 years and I do not think I have ever seen a group of players give that much"

The decisive moment came in the 71st minute. A loose pass in midfield, a burst of acceleration and suddenly the whole shape of the match had changed. From that point on there was only going to be one winner.

Supporters lingered long after the final whistle, unwilling to leave. They had seen something worth remembering, and they knew it.

The turning point

Attention now turns to next weekend, and a fixture that already looked significant before this result and now looks something close to decisive. Neither side will be short of motivation.

There were also encouraging signs from the younger players. The 19-year-old who came on with 20 minutes to go looked unhurried and composed, and it would be a surprise if a first start were far away.

Whether this result represents a genuine turning point or merely a memorable afternoon will only become clear over the coming weeks. But for one night, at least, nobody was thinking that far ahead.