Off the Ball: Stephane Sessegnon - Manchester United (a)

This is the first of a weekly feature that I'm going to write following every weekend's games and goals in the Premier League.

The aim is to bring some attention to those who rarely receive it. To the players who make a contribution to a goal being scored without being credited with an assist or the goal itself. The focus of these articles are on those players who don't win you any points in your fantasy football team or find their photo alongside a match report. This feature is about work off-the-ball and it's about creating space for others by dragging defenders out of position and opening up space for a fellow team-mate.

The first in this series highlights the role of Stephane Sessegnon in creating the wonderful goal scored by Morgan Amalfitano this weekend at Old Trafford. Sessegnon, offloaded by the now ex-Sunderland manager Paulo Di-Canio this summer, is not somebody noted for his work-rate but on this occasion he excelled himself on a number of levels.

As Amlfitano carried the ball into United's half, he was chased hopelessly by Januzaj and faced with the opposition centre-backs, Evans and Rio Ferdinand.

In this situation you would have expected one of the defensive pairing to go out and meet him, but the run of Sessegnon left both in no man's land.

Coming from behind Rio, the WBA attacker darted between the two centre-backs, dragging Ferdinand's attention away from the oncoming Amalfitano.

Sessegnon carried on his run to the right touchline, forcing Evans to hesitate and leave Amalfitano to drive towards goal.

Sessegnon's movement stopped Evans from confronting the ball and pulled him completely out of the action.



Amalfitano was left one-on-one with Rio who found himself with completely the wrong body shape to make a decisive challenge.

A quick nutmeg and a classy finish later and West Brom were one up at Old Trafford.

You can view the goal by following the link below...

▶ The goal... - YouTube

Thanks for taking the time to read.