Futbut: Goals from Mata and Fellaini give Man United control over EFL semifinal

second half goals guarantee Manchester United victory against Hull.

All three points from Manchester United's 2-0 win vs. Hull in the EFL Cup semifinal first leg on Tuesday

Mata aids again

Manchester United are one more match away from the Wembley stadium thanks to a secured 1st leg win by goals from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini.

Mata's strike, his seventh of the season, once again highlighted his importance to manager Jose Mourinho's team, while substitute Fellaini's late header prompted a touchline bear hug with his manager and gave United control of the tie ahead of the second leg at the KCom Stadium on Jan. 26.

When Mourinho took charge at Old Trafford last summer, Mata was deemed to be one of the most likely victims of a clear-out by the new boss, who sold him to United for £37.1 million when in charge of Chelsea in January 2014.

At Stamford Bridge, Mata simply did not fit in under Mourinho, who regarded the former Valencia midfielder as too slow and lightweight for his powerful team. Mata's game has not changed in the time since, but despite that, Mourinho has given the player a second chance, which has been repaid this season.

It is true that the Spaniard has completed 90 minutes just once, but he has nonetheless accepted the challenge; the fact that January has arrived with no speculation surrounding his future underlines how both men have put the past behind them.

Without Mata's strike, it would have been an edgy night for United, who saw Wayne Rooney go close to breaking Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time club scoring record early in the second half. As it was, the opener gave the hosts a platform from which they doubled their lead with three minutes left, through Fellaini's far-post header from Matteo Darmian's cross.

Manchester United