Manchester United [3 - 0] Fulham
12' [1 - 0] P. Scholes
30' [2 - 0] D. Berbatov
63' [3 - 0] W. Rooney
1-0 P.Scholes 12'
2-0 D.Berbatov 30'
3-0 W.Rooney 63'
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Derby Vs. Manchester United Match Report
United cruised into the FA Cup quarter-finals after a professional demolition of Derby at Pride Park.
Nani’s thunderous sixth of the season and a fine volley from Darron Gibson put the Reds in control at the break, before Cristiano Ronaldo’s bullet header made it three.
Derby, the only side who can claim to have beaten the world champions, got back into the game through Miles Addison’s header but never seriously threatened to complete an unlikely comeback and Reds substitute Danny Welbeck netted an exquisite fourth.
The Reds’ performance was all the more impressive given that it was achieved with a much-changed line-up. Sir Alex Ferguson made no fewer than seven changes to the side that beat West Ham, with Patrice Evra back from a seven-game absence and Jonny Evans also returning from injury alongside Rio Ferdinand in defence.
Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs were named as the two forwards with Ben Foster in goal, while Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov were rested from the squad entirely.
Gibson took up his preferred central midfield role and in the first minute he flashed a left-footed shot just over Stephen Bywater's goal.
That set the tone for a dominant display, in contrast to what the Reds had produced in the Carling Cup defeat on the same ground 39 days previously.
A flowing move involving Ronaldo and Giggs led to Darren Fletcher forcing Bywater into a smart stop, and a minute later the Rams keeper was called into action again to tip over a Ji-sung Park volley from an acute angle.
Derby hurried and harassed United in midfield but struggled to create any openings of their own until Rob Hulse volleyed a snap-shot just over Foster’s bar in the 21st minute.
United were in command and were rewarded just before the half-hour as Nani fired home an almost identical goal to the one he scored in the 4-2 win over the Rams last month. The ball was played from left to right through Gibson, Fletcher and Giggs to Nani, who cut infield and let fly with a trademark dipping shot that flew past Bywater.
It seemed for all the world as though Ronaldo had doubled the lead eight minutes before the break when he ran onto a delicious Giggs flick-on to slot home – only for referee Alan Wiley to rule it out for offside a full 20 seconds later after consultation with his linesman.
But it mattered little as United were two goals to the good just before half-time. Ronaldo’s 30-yard free-kick hit the wall, spooned up and Gibson smartly steered his volley from the edge of the box into the bottom right-hand corner.
Three minutes into the second half Ronaldo had his goal, thumping home a header from eight yards from Giggs’ corner from the right.
United were threatening to run riot and almost immediately Bywater made a good double save from Ronaldo and Fletcher after the Reds had carved the Derby defence open again.
That was the cue for Ferguson to bring on John O’Shea and Welbeck for Park and Evra. But the home side gave themselves a lifeline when an unmarked Addison neatly headed Kris Commons’ right-wing cross past Foster.
Unsurprisingly, the goal galvanised the Rams and Gary Teale’s pacy run almost created an opening for Commons.
With 20 minutes left another thrilling link-up between Giggs and Ronaldo led to the latter blazing over from 20 yards. That was the Portuguese’s last meaningful contribution as he was replaced by Rodrigo Possebon.
Teale’s arrowing shot forced Foster into a fantastic save low to his right – and four minutes later Welbeck finally killed off Derby’s hopes.
Fletcher played a neat one-two with Giggs before finding Welbeck on the left of the box, and the youngster curled the ball delightfully past Bywater.
It was the striker’s third goal for United and it capped a thoroughly satisfactory evening for Ferguson’s men, who completed a ninth successive win to march into the last eight.
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Nani’s thunderous sixth of the season and a fine volley from Darron Gibson put the Reds in control at the break, before Cristiano Ronaldo’s bullet header made it three.
Derby, the only side who can claim to have beaten the world champions, got back into the game through Miles Addison’s header but never seriously threatened to complete an unlikely comeback and Reds substitute Danny Welbeck netted an exquisite fourth.
The Reds’ performance was all the more impressive given that it was achieved with a much-changed line-up. Sir Alex Ferguson made no fewer than seven changes to the side that beat West Ham, with Patrice Evra back from a seven-game absence and Jonny Evans also returning from injury alongside Rio Ferdinand in defence.
Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs were named as the two forwards with Ben Foster in goal, while Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov were rested from the squad entirely.
Gibson took up his preferred central midfield role and in the first minute he flashed a left-footed shot just over Stephen Bywater's goal.
That set the tone for a dominant display, in contrast to what the Reds had produced in the Carling Cup defeat on the same ground 39 days previously.
A flowing move involving Ronaldo and Giggs led to Darren Fletcher forcing Bywater into a smart stop, and a minute later the Rams keeper was called into action again to tip over a Ji-sung Park volley from an acute angle.
Derby hurried and harassed United in midfield but struggled to create any openings of their own until Rob Hulse volleyed a snap-shot just over Foster’s bar in the 21st minute.
United were in command and were rewarded just before the half-hour as Nani fired home an almost identical goal to the one he scored in the 4-2 win over the Rams last month. The ball was played from left to right through Gibson, Fletcher and Giggs to Nani, who cut infield and let fly with a trademark dipping shot that flew past Bywater.
It seemed for all the world as though Ronaldo had doubled the lead eight minutes before the break when he ran onto a delicious Giggs flick-on to slot home – only for referee Alan Wiley to rule it out for offside a full 20 seconds later after consultation with his linesman.
But it mattered little as United were two goals to the good just before half-time. Ronaldo’s 30-yard free-kick hit the wall, spooned up and Gibson smartly steered his volley from the edge of the box into the bottom right-hand corner.
Three minutes into the second half Ronaldo had his goal, thumping home a header from eight yards from Giggs’ corner from the right.
United were threatening to run riot and almost immediately Bywater made a good double save from Ronaldo and Fletcher after the Reds had carved the Derby defence open again.
That was the cue for Ferguson to bring on John O’Shea and Welbeck for Park and Evra. But the home side gave themselves a lifeline when an unmarked Addison neatly headed Kris Commons’ right-wing cross past Foster.
Unsurprisingly, the goal galvanised the Rams and Gary Teale’s pacy run almost created an opening for Commons.
With 20 minutes left another thrilling link-up between Giggs and Ronaldo led to the latter blazing over from 20 yards. That was the Portuguese’s last meaningful contribution as he was replaced by Rodrigo Possebon.
Teale’s arrowing shot forced Foster into a fantastic save low to his right – and four minutes later Welbeck finally killed off Derby’s hopes.
Fletcher played a neat one-two with Giggs before finding Welbeck on the left of the box, and the youngster curled the ball delightfully past Bywater.
It was the striker’s third goal for United and it capped a thoroughly satisfactory evening for Ferguson’s men, who completed a ninth successive win to march into the last eight.
Read more...
Derby County Vs. Manchester United Highlights Video Clip
Derby County [1 - 4] Manchester United
29' [0 - 1] Nani
44' [0 - 2] D. Gibson
48' [0 - 3] C. Ronaldo
56' [1 - 3] M. Addison
81' [1 - 4] D. Welbeck
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29' [0 - 1] Nani
44' [0 - 2] D. Gibson
48' [0 - 3] C. Ronaldo
56' [1 - 3] M. Addison
81' [1 - 4] D. Welbeck
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Sunday, February 8, 2009
West Ham United Vs. Manchester United Match Report
The Reds reclaimed top spot in the Premier League with an efficient display against West Ham. And though the match may not have been a classic, Ryan Giggs’ match-winning goal certainly was.
The Welsh winger had been yet to find the net in the league this season, but the 35-year-old has been refined to save all his experience and talent for a time when it matters most.
This was United’s fifth 1-0 away win this season, which you have to say is championship form, operating with a metronome beat that rings ominously for the Reds’ title rivals.
United, still missing Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra, and also without skipper Gary Neville, started the match with two games in hand on closest rivals Liverpool, who somewhat fortunately went a point ahead at the top of the league on Saturday when Fernando Torres snatched a last-gasp 3-2 win against Portsmouth.
Regaining top spot was clearly the priority, but it was never going to be an easy ride. Being the league’s form team, with an increasingly more potent attack and a record-breaking defence, the chances of achieving it appeared positive. But West Ham are themselves third in the form table with four wins and two draws from their last six league games.
United's players looked as bright as their white away shirts early on, freely passing through a 4-4-2 formation that regularly saw Cristiano Ronaldo on the left and Ryan Giggs on the right push high up the pitch. However, this is a fixture that never lacks bite, and West Ham were bristling with determination and fight, busily trying to dismantle United’s play. And they did a decent job of it.
The Reds’ record run of clean sheets, stretching back to 8 November, twice looked like coming to an abrupt end in the first half. After 11 minutes, Lucas Neill had West Ham’s first shot as the Reds failed to clear a corner. But the Australian’s low drive from 18 yards was well held by van der Sar. Seconds later the Dutchman had to have his wits about him when Carlton Cole, who had scored six in his last eight outings prior to this match, raced beyond Rio Ferdinand and tried to clip a shot in at the far post.
At the other end, Dimitar Berbatov thought he’d given United the lead when he poked a shot past West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green. But the linesman’s flag was rightly raised for offside. Green then had to be alert on the half-hour mark to deny an improvised Ronaldo attempt on goal. Giggs’ corner found Scholes unmarked on the edge of the area and his shot was going wide until Ronaldo’s delicate touch changed its course and Green had to turn the ball over the bar.
The half ended without any goals, and while United may have been slightly frustrated at one end of the pitch, at the other it heralded a British record for van der Sar for minutes without conceding a goal. But within three minutes of the restart, United’s keeper had to earn his stripes with a smart save from Neill’s curling, left-footed shot.
The Reds looked menacing in possession but seemed to be lacking penetration in the final third, and it is at these stages in games when the know-it-alls like Giggs and Paul Scholes step to the fore. United's two most experienced outfield West Ham 0 United 1
players finally found a breakthrough after an hour, Scholes’ perfectly executed pinpoint pass finding Giggs out wide on the left. Cutting inside, the Welshman evaded Cole’s wild lunge, shimmied past another Hammers defender into the box and curled a low, right-footed shot past Green. Vintage stuff from two vintage Reds.
It is Giggs’ first Premier league goal this season and maintains his record of having scored in every season since the Premier League’s inception in 1992.
West Ham still caused United problems. Cole’s shot from distance was narrowly wide, and he was denied at the front post by Ferdinand after Noble broke the offside trap to sneak in behind John O’Shea. But Giggs’ brilliance seemed to sap much of the energy from the West Ham players’ legs, and took the edge off their midfield's previously rabid determination.
Ronaldo could, and should, ave had a second-half penalty after being fouled by Neill just inside the box, but referee Phil Dowd must not have seen the incident properly as he incorrectly refused to point to the spot.
The match ended without any late drama, and while that was largely indicative of the match as a whole, unremarkable 1-0 wins are a cornerstone of championship successes. The run of clean sheets continues, as does United's unrelenting march forward in the title race.
Read more...
The Welsh winger had been yet to find the net in the league this season, but the 35-year-old has been refined to save all his experience and talent for a time when it matters most.
This was United’s fifth 1-0 away win this season, which you have to say is championship form, operating with a metronome beat that rings ominously for the Reds’ title rivals.
United, still missing Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra, and also without skipper Gary Neville, started the match with two games in hand on closest rivals Liverpool, who somewhat fortunately went a point ahead at the top of the league on Saturday when Fernando Torres snatched a last-gasp 3-2 win against Portsmouth.
Regaining top spot was clearly the priority, but it was never going to be an easy ride. Being the league’s form team, with an increasingly more potent attack and a record-breaking defence, the chances of achieving it appeared positive. But West Ham are themselves third in the form table with four wins and two draws from their last six league games.
United's players looked as bright as their white away shirts early on, freely passing through a 4-4-2 formation that regularly saw Cristiano Ronaldo on the left and Ryan Giggs on the right push high up the pitch. However, this is a fixture that never lacks bite, and West Ham were bristling with determination and fight, busily trying to dismantle United’s play. And they did a decent job of it.
The Reds’ record run of clean sheets, stretching back to 8 November, twice looked like coming to an abrupt end in the first half. After 11 minutes, Lucas Neill had West Ham’s first shot as the Reds failed to clear a corner. But the Australian’s low drive from 18 yards was well held by van der Sar. Seconds later the Dutchman had to have his wits about him when Carlton Cole, who had scored six in his last eight outings prior to this match, raced beyond Rio Ferdinand and tried to clip a shot in at the far post.
At the other end, Dimitar Berbatov thought he’d given United the lead when he poked a shot past West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green. But the linesman’s flag was rightly raised for offside. Green then had to be alert on the half-hour mark to deny an improvised Ronaldo attempt on goal. Giggs’ corner found Scholes unmarked on the edge of the area and his shot was going wide until Ronaldo’s delicate touch changed its course and Green had to turn the ball over the bar.
The half ended without any goals, and while United may have been slightly frustrated at one end of the pitch, at the other it heralded a British record for van der Sar for minutes without conceding a goal. But within three minutes of the restart, United’s keeper had to earn his stripes with a smart save from Neill’s curling, left-footed shot.
The Reds looked menacing in possession but seemed to be lacking penetration in the final third, and it is at these stages in games when the know-it-alls like Giggs and Paul Scholes step to the fore. United's two most experienced outfield West Ham 0 United 1
players finally found a breakthrough after an hour, Scholes’ perfectly executed pinpoint pass finding Giggs out wide on the left. Cutting inside, the Welshman evaded Cole’s wild lunge, shimmied past another Hammers defender into the box and curled a low, right-footed shot past Green. Vintage stuff from two vintage Reds.
It is Giggs’ first Premier league goal this season and maintains his record of having scored in every season since the Premier League’s inception in 1992.
West Ham still caused United problems. Cole’s shot from distance was narrowly wide, and he was denied at the front post by Ferdinand after Noble broke the offside trap to sneak in behind John O’Shea. But Giggs’ brilliance seemed to sap much of the energy from the West Ham players’ legs, and took the edge off their midfield's previously rabid determination.
Ronaldo could, and should, ave had a second-half penalty after being fouled by Neill just inside the box, but referee Phil Dowd must not have seen the incident properly as he incorrectly refused to point to the spot.
The match ended without any late drama, and while that was largely indicative of the match as a whole, unremarkable 1-0 wins are a cornerstone of championship successes. The run of clean sheets continues, as does United's unrelenting march forward in the title race.
Read more...
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