Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez scored perhaps the most important goal of his phenomenal debut season for United, nodding a late winner as Everton were beaten amid dramatic scenes at Old Trafford.
David Moyes' side had turned in a magnificently dogged display to frustrate the Reds for long periods, before Chicharito popped up with six minutes remaining to nod home, perhaps symbolically, his 19th goal of the season and move United three points closer to a 19th domestic crown.
The Mexican's strike prompted a mass outpouring of relief from the home support after a largely frustrating afternoon. Fronted by impressively well-drilled visitors, the Reds squandered a series of first half openings and found Tim Howard in solid form, while Michael Owen also struck the outside of the visitors' post late on.
The Reds might have even suffered worse, had Edwin van der Sar not produced a wonderful fingertip save to deny Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell midway through the second period.
With one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final, first leg trip to Schalke, Sir Alex made the most of the squad at his disposal, resting Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling and naming Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick on the bench. Dimitar Berbatov missed out with a persistent groin injury.
Rio Ferdinand partnered Jonny Evans for only the second time this season, Fabio replaced Evra, Darron Gibson stepped in for Carrick and Giggs’ absence was covered by the returning Antonio Valencia.
Everton, meanwhile, came into the game as one of the Premier League’s form teams, with 14 points from the last 18 available, despite a raft of injuries which again reduced decimated their ranks. Tim Cahill did provide a timely boost for David Moyes, however, as he was deemed fit enough for a spot on the visitors’ bench.
The Toffees’ form had brought them into contention for European qualification berths. Nevertheless, United’s need was greater; a state of play reflected in the early patterns within the game. How the Reds reached the interval without scoring was flummoxing – not that former United stopper Howard was inundated with questions to answer; more that the hosts repeatedly failed to make the most of presentable positions.
The movement of Chicharito and the positive possession and passing of Anderson presented problems aplenty for the visitors. Wayne Rooney dictated United’s tempo, dropping into the hole behind the Mexican marksman with promising regularity. It was he who had the game’s first effort, a 25-yard effort which deflected wide from Nani’s disguised free-kick.
Everton’s remit mainly concerned defending in the opening period, but their sporadic threat on the break invariably involved Leon Osman, operating in a similar position to Rooney, and he took advantage of space in the midfield area to poke a half-hit effort straight at Edwin van der Sar. The Dutchman wouldn’t make another save all half.
Instead, United repeatedly sprung the hosts’ high line. Nani dwelled and shot straight at Howard after a three-on-three break, then Chicharito’s cross was deflected into the American’s arms after another swift counter led by Fabio. Chicharito soon had Howard earning his pay – drawing a smart stop from the American with a near post effort and then forcing him to beat another powerful effort behind after fine approach play from Rooney.
For all the trouble being caused by the little Mexican, he inadvertently helped the visitors escape the clearest opening of the half. Valencia outmuscled Leighton Baines and pulled back for Nani. Having slipped, Chicharito then sat helpless as he blocked the Portuguese winger's effort wide with his outstretched heel.
There was still time for one more United break to fizzle out into nothingness in the first period. Rooney sprung Everton’s line, required two touches to bring the ball into position and defenders had swarmed around Chicharito by the time he released the cross. Somehow, once again, Moyes’ side survived.
Mindful of the need to offer more attacking input, the Everton manager introduced Cahill and Victor Anichebe at the start of the second half as replacements for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Jermaine Beckford, who had both been largely anonymous.
The move initially stymied United’s flow. Sir Alex Ferguson joined assistant Mike Phelan on the touchline to evaluate the impact the changes would have. It took eight minutes for the Reds to forge another opening, before again Phil Jagielka slammed the door in the hosts’ faces, steaming in to clear Chicharito’s centre before Rooney could pounce.
Everton were by far more competitive as a result of their changes, however, and the pace of Anichebe took him away from Ferdinand and into the United area. The youngster tumbled under pressure from the veteran defender, but referee Peter Walton opted against an award. Everton’s players, management and fans were irate, but replays suggested that Anichebe had willingly succumbed to gravity.
The non-award only served to turn up the heat on an encounter which was increasingly simmering. Anderson and Cahill both entered the book for late challenges in quick succession, before Sir Alex opted to change his own approach by throwing on Michael Owen for Nani. Patrice Evra also entered the fray at the expense of John O'Shea, who was seemingly carrying an injury.
United's frustration was growing, but the mood inside Old Trafford briefly became one of overwhelming relief when, with 23 minutes remaining, Jack Rodwell's deflected 25-yard shot was magnificently turned past the post by van der Sar.
That chance prompted a wave of United pressure, with both sides decamped to the visitors' half. Owen struck the outside of Howard's post as he redirected Fabio's centre, before Rooney came close with a curling free-kick which was tipped over.
Howard then produced his finest save; tipping over Chicharito's close-range header after Valencia's initial effort had been heroically blocked. Still United kept knocking on the door, and finally it opened with seven minutes remaining.
Distin was caught in possession by Valencia, who then received the ball back from Anderson. The Ecuadorian's cross was deflected off Distin, and fell beautifully for Chicharito to nod home from deep inside the six-yard box at the far post.
Cue widespread pandemonium inside Old Trafford - although jitters soon crept back in when referee Walton gave the signal for five added minutes. The excellent Jagielka blazed wildly over and van der Sar clutched a Cahill header, before the final whistle sparked further scenes of choral revelling among the home support.
Another 90 minutes closer to the end of an epic season, and three points closer to number 19. The onus is now on Arsenal and Chelsea to keep pace before facing the league leaders in the coming weeks.
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Saturday, April 23, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Manchester City Vs. Manchester United Match Report Result
One down, two to go.
After Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, the FA Cup is out of reach. But Manchester United remain in pole position to win a record 19th league title and face German side Schalke over two legs for a place in the European Cup final. Life could be worse.Of course, on Saturday at Wembley that was scant consolation for the 40-odd-thousand Reds who travelled to London to watch only the second ever Manchester derby to be played outside of the city. Unfortunately, it went the same way as the first. On that occasion, back in 1926, City won an FA Cup final 3-0 at Bramall Lane. This time there was only one goal in it but the result was just as devastating.
After an evenly contested first period, a defensive lapse at the beginning of the second was pounced on and United punished dearly. The task was then made even more difficult when Paul Scholes was sent off on 72 minutes for a studs-up challenge on Pablo Zabaleta that left the Argentinian with two nasty cuts on his right thigh.
When the Reds' FA Cup dream came to an end at the semi-final stage in 2009 at least there the “weakened team” argument to play. On Saturday there were no such excuses. Despite Tuesday's looming trip to St James' Park, United fielded a full-strength side at Wembley. This was a derby, after all. And, for that matter, an FA Cup semi-final.
Sir Alex named his strongest available back five. There was also room in the starting XI for three traditional wingers, although Ji-sung Park played tucked in centrally alongside Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes, with Nani and Antonio Valencia on the flanks.
Up front, Dimitar Berbatov got the nod ahead of Javier Hernandez – Wayne Rooney, remember, was serving the second of a two-game ban – and the Bulgarian was left to rue two spurned chances in the space of 30 seconds with the game just 15 minutes old.
Neat one-touch football from Carrick, Scholes and Park on the edge of City's penalty area released Berbatov, but the striker saw his shot saved superbly by the onrushing Joe Hart. Then, from the resulting quickly-taken throw-in, Nani advanced into the penalty area, passed low across the six-yard box and Berbatov, no more than three yards out and with an open goal at his mercy, stretched to meet the ball but sliced his effort over the bar.
City, meanwhile, struggled to assert themselves early on and didn't seriously threaten Edwin van der Sar's goal until the 31 st minute. Even then, Gareth Barry's shot missed its mark, although Blues fans at the opposite end of the stadium were convinced it had found the net.
Perhaps Manchester City's unfamiliarity with life on the big stage played its part in their sluggish start. After all, this was their first visit to the new Wembley. But while United dominated the opening half-hour, the game remained goalless. To their credit, City had defended well and even enjoyed their own spell of sustained pressure before the interval.
Balotelli forced van der Sar into a smart save when he unleashed a swerving effort from 35 yards before Joleon Lescott volleyed over when he was left unattended at the back post. Yaya Toure then strode forward and earned City a corner, which was taken quickly and worked to Nigel de Jong, whose curling shot from 20 yards breezed just past van der Sar's left-hand upright. The half-time whistle almost came as a relief.
The break did little to curb City's momentum and the Blues took the lead seven minutes after the restart following sloppy United defending. First, van der Sar fluffed a clearance, which fell to Silva 35 yards from goal. O'Shea won back possession well and fed the ball square to Carrick, who aimed to shift the ball again to Scholes. But Toure read his intentions, intercepted the pass and strode confidently into the area. His pace took him past Vidic before he kept his cool to roll his shot through van der Sar's legs and into the net. Advantage City.
Sir Alex's men barely had a kick for the next 10 minutes as the Blues, eyeing a first FA Cup final since 1981, peppered van der Sar's goal in search of a second. It didn't come, though, and United then inched back into the game when Hart pushed Nani's deflected free-kick onto the bar and Javier Hernandez entered the fray.
Scholes' dismissal then effectively ended the game, although there was still time for Carrick to shoot on target, Hernandez to have an effort blocked and Park to head tamely at Hart. But this wasn't United's day. Even the five minutes of injury time failed to yield a presentable chance.
So, City move on to the FA Cup final after a disappointing day out in the capital. Still, at least there are other opportunites for silverware. Read more...
After Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, the FA Cup is out of reach. But Manchester United remain in pole position to win a record 19th league title and face German side Schalke over two legs for a place in the European Cup final. Life could be worse.Of course, on Saturday at Wembley that was scant consolation for the 40-odd-thousand Reds who travelled to London to watch only the second ever Manchester derby to be played outside of the city. Unfortunately, it went the same way as the first. On that occasion, back in 1926, City won an FA Cup final 3-0 at Bramall Lane. This time there was only one goal in it but the result was just as devastating.
After an evenly contested first period, a defensive lapse at the beginning of the second was pounced on and United punished dearly. The task was then made even more difficult when Paul Scholes was sent off on 72 minutes for a studs-up challenge on Pablo Zabaleta that left the Argentinian with two nasty cuts on his right thigh.
When the Reds' FA Cup dream came to an end at the semi-final stage in 2009 at least there the “weakened team” argument to play. On Saturday there were no such excuses. Despite Tuesday's looming trip to St James' Park, United fielded a full-strength side at Wembley. This was a derby, after all. And, for that matter, an FA Cup semi-final.
Sir Alex named his strongest available back five. There was also room in the starting XI for three traditional wingers, although Ji-sung Park played tucked in centrally alongside Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes, with Nani and Antonio Valencia on the flanks.
Up front, Dimitar Berbatov got the nod ahead of Javier Hernandez – Wayne Rooney, remember, was serving the second of a two-game ban – and the Bulgarian was left to rue two spurned chances in the space of 30 seconds with the game just 15 minutes old.
Neat one-touch football from Carrick, Scholes and Park on the edge of City's penalty area released Berbatov, but the striker saw his shot saved superbly by the onrushing Joe Hart. Then, from the resulting quickly-taken throw-in, Nani advanced into the penalty area, passed low across the six-yard box and Berbatov, no more than three yards out and with an open goal at his mercy, stretched to meet the ball but sliced his effort over the bar.
City, meanwhile, struggled to assert themselves early on and didn't seriously threaten Edwin van der Sar's goal until the 31 st minute. Even then, Gareth Barry's shot missed its mark, although Blues fans at the opposite end of the stadium were convinced it had found the net.
Perhaps Manchester City's unfamiliarity with life on the big stage played its part in their sluggish start. After all, this was their first visit to the new Wembley. But while United dominated the opening half-hour, the game remained goalless. To their credit, City had defended well and even enjoyed their own spell of sustained pressure before the interval.
Balotelli forced van der Sar into a smart save when he unleashed a swerving effort from 35 yards before Joleon Lescott volleyed over when he was left unattended at the back post. Yaya Toure then strode forward and earned City a corner, which was taken quickly and worked to Nigel de Jong, whose curling shot from 20 yards breezed just past van der Sar's left-hand upright. The half-time whistle almost came as a relief.
The break did little to curb City's momentum and the Blues took the lead seven minutes after the restart following sloppy United defending. First, van der Sar fluffed a clearance, which fell to Silva 35 yards from goal. O'Shea won back possession well and fed the ball square to Carrick, who aimed to shift the ball again to Scholes. But Toure read his intentions, intercepted the pass and strode confidently into the area. His pace took him past Vidic before he kept his cool to roll his shot through van der Sar's legs and into the net. Advantage City.
Sir Alex's men barely had a kick for the next 10 minutes as the Blues, eyeing a first FA Cup final since 1981, peppered van der Sar's goal in search of a second. It didn't come, though, and United then inched back into the game when Hart pushed Nani's deflected free-kick onto the bar and Javier Hernandez entered the fray.
Scholes' dismissal then effectively ended the game, although there was still time for Carrick to shoot on target, Hernandez to have an effort blocked and Park to head tamely at Hart. But this wasn't United's day. Even the five minutes of injury time failed to yield a presentable chance.
So, City move on to the FA Cup final after a disappointing day out in the capital. Still, at least there are other opportunites for silverware. Read more...
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Manchester United Vs. Chelsea Match Report Result
Wembley is within reach.
Only FC Schalke or Internazionale stand in Manchester United's way of a fifth European Cup final appearance – and a second on home soil – after the Reds beat Chelsea 2-1 (3-1 on aggregate) at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.There were nervy moments, sure, but United were never put under the sort of sustained pressure required to crack a Reds side that has looked so solid in Europe this season.
Javier Hernandez put the home side in front just before the interval before Chelsea's Ramires saw red for a second bookable offence 20 minutes from time. That appeared to extinquish any hopes the Blues had of reaching the last four, until Drogba popped up to equalise against the run of play.
Chelsea's revival lasted barely a minute, though. Ji-sung Park, so often pivotal in big games, struck the hammer blow, chesting down Giggs' pass inside the area before rifling a left-footed shot into the far corner.
Earlier, both managers had sprung surprises. Drogba, Chelsea's biggest threat over the two legs, had to make do with a place on the bench as Ancelotti kept faith with Fernando Torres, while Nani was recalled by Sir Alex Ferguson at the expense of Antonio Valencia.
United's other change came at right back. Rafael, who limped out of last week's first leg after sustaining a knee injury, failed a late fitness test so John O'Shea stepped into the breach.
Both teams enjoyed spells of early possession, although neither carved out a presentable chance until 14 minutes when Torres teed up Nicolas Anelka on the edge of the area and the Frenchman skewed his shot just wide of the post. That was the cue for a flurry of action.
Wayne Rooney let fly from 35 yards with a volley that swerved wickedly but ultimately nestled in Petr Cech's arms before Frank Lampard forced Edwin van der Sar into a smart save when he side-footed goalwards from 18 yards.
Before that, van der Sar had bravely rushed off his line to claim the ball at Ramires' feet and Torres had glanced a header wide from an Anelka cross, while Park and Hernandez had both spread panic in the Chelsea penalty area.
The visitors, knowing only a win would do, played with litte fear and Ramires and Lampard sought to drive forward from midfield at every opportunity. And so the Reds were often camped just outside the penalty area, defending in two banks of four, while Hernandez stayed furthest forward and Rooney dropped in the hole.
For all the defending United were forced to do early on, though, it was the Reds who found the net first, Hernandez heading home a curled Rooney cross from the right wing. But the referee's assistant on the south touchline had his flag in the air before the ball even crossed the line. It was a tight thing and on another day play would have been waved on. Not tonight.
There was momentary panic among United fans when van der Sar appeared to rush foolishly out of his goal in an attempt to reach a long ball. Indeed, Anelka got there first. But the goalkeeper turned on his heels, waited for his moment and executed a perfect sliding tackle to dispossess the Frenchman and clear the danger. It wasn't the first time van der Sar had won a personal duel with Anelka on the European stage, of course.
Chelsea's early bluster blew cool as the half wore on. Instead, United looked livelier and spent long periods encamped in the Londoners' half. So it was no surprise when the Reds took the lead just before the interval.
Again it was Hernandez – who else? - lurking within an inch of offisde. But this time, when he applied a finish into the roof of the net to Giggs' probing low cross, the assistant's flag remained down. United, in Sir Alex's 100th European tie at Old Trafford, were ahead.
The goal, the Mexican's 18th of the season, owed much to Giggs and O'Shea, whose clever interchange on the right wing cut out Anelka and allowed Giggs the space to dart into the penalty area and measure his killer pass to the far post.
When the net bulged, United's fans took the roof off. The roar was primal, a guttural howl of ecstacy that only a football match of this magnitutde can produce. Sir Alex may have described Chelsea's desire to win the Champions League as an obsession, but he was right when he pointed out United are just as desperate to lift the trophy again. And to do it at Wembley, the scene of the club's first European success, back in 1968... just imagine.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti withdrew the ineffectual Torres at half-time and threw on Drogba. The big Ivory Coast striker had posed problems in the first leg and again he asked questions of United's back four.
He screwed a speculative shot wide on 55 minutes just before the hour mark and won a free-kick when he tangled with Patrice Evra on the end of the box. His very presence seemed to lift the visitors and when Salomon Kalou joined Drogba up front Chelsea looked a far more potent proposition.
At the other end, Nani tested Cech with a stinging shot from 20 yards that the Chelsea stopper shoveled around the post, while Giggs spurned a glorious chance to double United's lead when he headed tamely at Cech from Rooney's delicious delivery.
Then came Ramires' second booking, issued for another foul on Nani, who proved a constant thorn in Chelsea's side. As Ramires disappeared down the tunnel, Chelsea's chances of Champions League success seemed to go with him. How would Carlo Ancelotti's men, two goals down on aggregate, recover from this?
United fans didn't think it was possible. Drogba, though, had other ideas. The forward touched on an Essien pass, shook off Vidic's attentions and blasted the ball past van der Sar to give the Londoners hope.
But Park settled the game – and the tie – almost immediately to book a spot in the Champions League last four. The Reds go marching on. Read more...
Only FC Schalke or Internazionale stand in Manchester United's way of a fifth European Cup final appearance – and a second on home soil – after the Reds beat Chelsea 2-1 (3-1 on aggregate) at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.There were nervy moments, sure, but United were never put under the sort of sustained pressure required to crack a Reds side that has looked so solid in Europe this season.
Javier Hernandez put the home side in front just before the interval before Chelsea's Ramires saw red for a second bookable offence 20 minutes from time. That appeared to extinquish any hopes the Blues had of reaching the last four, until Drogba popped up to equalise against the run of play.
Chelsea's revival lasted barely a minute, though. Ji-sung Park, so often pivotal in big games, struck the hammer blow, chesting down Giggs' pass inside the area before rifling a left-footed shot into the far corner.
Earlier, both managers had sprung surprises. Drogba, Chelsea's biggest threat over the two legs, had to make do with a place on the bench as Ancelotti kept faith with Fernando Torres, while Nani was recalled by Sir Alex Ferguson at the expense of Antonio Valencia.
United's other change came at right back. Rafael, who limped out of last week's first leg after sustaining a knee injury, failed a late fitness test so John O'Shea stepped into the breach.
Both teams enjoyed spells of early possession, although neither carved out a presentable chance until 14 minutes when Torres teed up Nicolas Anelka on the edge of the area and the Frenchman skewed his shot just wide of the post. That was the cue for a flurry of action.
Wayne Rooney let fly from 35 yards with a volley that swerved wickedly but ultimately nestled in Petr Cech's arms before Frank Lampard forced Edwin van der Sar into a smart save when he side-footed goalwards from 18 yards.
Before that, van der Sar had bravely rushed off his line to claim the ball at Ramires' feet and Torres had glanced a header wide from an Anelka cross, while Park and Hernandez had both spread panic in the Chelsea penalty area.
The visitors, knowing only a win would do, played with litte fear and Ramires and Lampard sought to drive forward from midfield at every opportunity. And so the Reds were often camped just outside the penalty area, defending in two banks of four, while Hernandez stayed furthest forward and Rooney dropped in the hole.
For all the defending United were forced to do early on, though, it was the Reds who found the net first, Hernandez heading home a curled Rooney cross from the right wing. But the referee's assistant on the south touchline had his flag in the air before the ball even crossed the line. It was a tight thing and on another day play would have been waved on. Not tonight.
There was momentary panic among United fans when van der Sar appeared to rush foolishly out of his goal in an attempt to reach a long ball. Indeed, Anelka got there first. But the goalkeeper turned on his heels, waited for his moment and executed a perfect sliding tackle to dispossess the Frenchman and clear the danger. It wasn't the first time van der Sar had won a personal duel with Anelka on the European stage, of course.
Chelsea's early bluster blew cool as the half wore on. Instead, United looked livelier and spent long periods encamped in the Londoners' half. So it was no surprise when the Reds took the lead just before the interval.
Again it was Hernandez – who else? - lurking within an inch of offisde. But this time, when he applied a finish into the roof of the net to Giggs' probing low cross, the assistant's flag remained down. United, in Sir Alex's 100th European tie at Old Trafford, were ahead.
The goal, the Mexican's 18th of the season, owed much to Giggs and O'Shea, whose clever interchange on the right wing cut out Anelka and allowed Giggs the space to dart into the penalty area and measure his killer pass to the far post.
When the net bulged, United's fans took the roof off. The roar was primal, a guttural howl of ecstacy that only a football match of this magnitutde can produce. Sir Alex may have described Chelsea's desire to win the Champions League as an obsession, but he was right when he pointed out United are just as desperate to lift the trophy again. And to do it at Wembley, the scene of the club's first European success, back in 1968... just imagine.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti withdrew the ineffectual Torres at half-time and threw on Drogba. The big Ivory Coast striker had posed problems in the first leg and again he asked questions of United's back four.
He screwed a speculative shot wide on 55 minutes just before the hour mark and won a free-kick when he tangled with Patrice Evra on the end of the box. His very presence seemed to lift the visitors and when Salomon Kalou joined Drogba up front Chelsea looked a far more potent proposition.
At the other end, Nani tested Cech with a stinging shot from 20 yards that the Chelsea stopper shoveled around the post, while Giggs spurned a glorious chance to double United's lead when he headed tamely at Cech from Rooney's delicious delivery.
Then came Ramires' second booking, issued for another foul on Nani, who proved a constant thorn in Chelsea's side. As Ramires disappeared down the tunnel, Chelsea's chances of Champions League success seemed to go with him. How would Carlo Ancelotti's men, two goals down on aggregate, recover from this?
United fans didn't think it was possible. Drogba, though, had other ideas. The forward touched on an Essien pass, shook off Vidic's attentions and blasted the ball past van der Sar to give the Londoners hope.
But Park settled the game – and the tie – almost immediately to book a spot in the Champions League last four. The Reds go marching on. Read more...
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