When United needed to be clinical at the weekend they were, with as complete a performance as we’ve seen so far this season after the break, as energy and drive were matched by quality and precision.
Goals aren’t always guaranteed, even when teams are visibly on top, but that particular ingredient was there in spades as the Blues steamrollered their way to three goals and three points.
“That’s what’s been missing for us,” manager Paul Simpson said. “We’ve had the opportunities in the first half that we didn’t take, and that was the only difference. In the second half we did.
“We wanted to be clinical, we knew we’d get opportunities, and we know we’ve got players who can create chances and who can finish them. I’m just delighted we have done.
“It’s great for Owen to get that goal with a really smart finish, and delighted for Omari that he’s kept going, plugging away. He’s been a really effective finisher for us, and we’ve just got to hope we can keep them all fit and ready for the next one.”
“When they came in at half time I asked them how they felt about being behind,” he added. “They said they felt they’d been doing alright.
“I agreed with them, and I then asked them what their big threat was. They talked about set plays, so I reminded them to defend clean and to give them those opportunities.
“Credit to them they were better in the second half. But I asked them to keep doing those things with the addition of being a bit calmer and tidier in the final third. They gave us that.
“I told them after the game that I think it’s the best we’ve played for a long time. It was a really strong, physical footballing performance where I thought we looked a really good side and created plenty of chances.
“I thought Mox and Callum Guy were excellent in the middle of midfield, the wide players put a shift in for us, and the defenders defended. I thought Jack Armer had one of his strongest halves, the first half in particular, Fin back stuck to his task, and we earned the right to score our three goals.
“That came from being solid defensively. Hunts is a strong leader. He’s not a really vocal personality but he leads in the way he goes about his business and just does his job.
“He does the simple things well, he’s effective, competes well, heads things when it has to be headed, puts it in Row Z when it has to go there.
“With Mells and Corey the three of them have done really well. I can’t think of any negatives. Even the goal was a bit of misfortune on it. I’ll have to look back at it but it’s that second phase we’ve got to tighten up on. We won first contact, but we’ve got to tighten up on that second phase.”