CARDIFF: 'PROUD' EVANS HAILS UNITED

CARDIFF: \'PROUD\' EVANS HAILS UNITED

The head coach reflects on Tuesday's 1-0 win at Elland Road...

A "very proud" Steve Evans was full of praise for the response of his United side after returning to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Cardiff City on Tuesday night.

Alex Mowatt’s stunning second-half strike – the midfielder’s first goal of the season – sealed a long overdue three points for the hosts as Evans oversaw his first win since taking charge.

“At the end of the game I was quite an emotional man, I was welling up,” he said.

“If I achieve nothing else I have won a game in charge of a famous football club at Elland Road.

“We were all down after the Blackburn game and my birthday on Friday was the worst birthday I have had. I then spoke to the players about having some passion and drive.

“I’ve always had a phrase that if two teams turn up with equal ability then it’s passion and drive that wins football matches.

“I’m very proud now. I was so down after last Thursday but had to lift them and I told them the minimum we needed was effort.”

Asked about Mowatt’s winning strike, Evans added: “I think it was a special goal worthy of winning any match.

“I have seen Alex score from that kind of range with ease with such quality as an opposition manager and I told him at half-time to take one on.

“Alex is on the way back up.”

X