Stevie: "We can build from here"

You could call him the ‘Man’ for the occasion - Steven Bergwijn struck another memorable goal against a Manchester club as we returned to Premier League action with a 1-1 draw against United on Friday night.

Stevie marked his debut with a wonderful finish in our 2-0 win against Manchester City back in February.

Three months since our last Premier League outing – one he remembers for all the wrong reasons after picking up an injury late at Burnley on 7 March – the flying Dutchman did it again, this time against the red half of Manchester.

Picking up the ball some 35 yards out, Steven took off, raced away from Fred in pursuit and sidestepped Harry Maguire before drilling a fierce shot that David de Gea could only parry into the roof of the net. Minutes later, he picked out Heung-Min Son, whose header was brilliant tipped over by the United goalkeeper.

Hugo Lloris also made smart saves and we were secure defensively until nine minutes from time, when Bruno Fernandes equalised from the penalty spot. That’s how it stayed.

“I stand here with different feelings,” said Stevie after the game. “We had a good first half, had another big chance with Sonny, but de Gea kept it out, so yes, different feelings.

“Serge won the ball in midfield and I saw the opportunity to go one-against-one, and scored.

“It’s frustrating that we conceded a goal like we did, but we have to go on from here. We gave everything and after three months of no football, we played a good game, maybe in the second half we waited too much for them.

“But we can also look at the positives – we played well as a team. We can build from here.”

As for the overall experience of playing in an empty stadium as the country continues to stay in lockdown to combat the coronavirus, Stevie added: “Football being back, that’s important. It’s different without the fans – you see now how much you need them, but safety first.”

Stevie's wonder strike - all angles!