The unpredictability of this season’s title race knows no bounds as a tired-looking United went down 3-1 to Everton – the Merseysiders’ second big scalp in ten days after defeating Chelsea at Goodison Park.
The Reds went in front after 16 minutes through Dimitar Berbatov, but Everton equalised three minutes later with a strike from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, and that was the game's pivotal moment. United struggled to control possession and didn’t work Tim Howard enough. Substitute Dan Gosling struck midway through the second half and, as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men chased a late equaliser, another substitute Jack Rodwell hit a third.
United didn't look sturdy enough in defence, even though Nemanja Vidic was named in the squad, albeit only making the bench as he waits for his first appearance in 2010. The Serbian’s strength and no-nonsense defending was not called upon and with the Reds still shorn of Rio Ferdinand, serving the final instalment of a four-match ban, Sir Alex favoured Wes Brown and Jonny Evans at centre-half to deal with Louis Saha.
The Frenchman has scored 15 goals this season, including two against Chelsea when Everton sprung a surprise on Carlo Ancelotti’s men to win 2-1. David Moyes’ side have taken four points from the Blues this term. They started this game second in the form table. United top those standings and Everton’s solitary win in the last 29 league games with the Reds looked like an ominous statistic. The absence of key pair, Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini, due to injury wouldn’t have eased nerves either. But those figures provide no solace for United now.
The Reds went with a 4-4-2 formation, including Berbatov up front with Wayne Rooney. With Nani suspended and Ryan Giggs out due to a fractured arm, Antonio Valencia and Ji-sung Park manned the wings, with Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick in central midfield. Gary Neville’s inclusion meant that both he and brother Phil were captains for the day. Such is the Nevilles’ competitive nature, they didn’t speak or even look at each other in the tunnel before kick-off.
The first opening was carved by United after 11 minutes, a neatly worked move down a right flank that was profitable in the first half, and ended with Fletcher striking left-footed over the bar. Two minutes later Everton went even closer when Saha’s long-range effort forced a good low save from Edwin van der Sar. United’s early joy down the right would soon bear fruit. Rooney sprayed a pass out to Valencia and Sylvain Distin failed to clear the Ecuadorian’s low cross. Berbatov’s first touch six yards out was sublime, his second was ruthless, spectacularly smashing the ball in off the bar to make it 1-0.
However, the Reds weren't allowed to settle into a lead as Everton drew level on 19 minutes. Saha won the aerial battle with Evans, knocking the ball down to Russian winger Bilyaletdinov, who cleverly used Wes Brown to conceal a wicked left-foot shot that left van der Sar rooted to the spot. Everton had their tails up, even if former idol Rooney was next to go close for United on 26 minutes. A clever one-two with Berbatov sent him clear and he rounded Tim Howard but his touch wasn’t as sharp as he’d have liked and Phil Neville was able to nick the ball off his toes.
United survived a scare seven minutes before the break when Landon Donovan failed to connect with the ball from six yards. As half-time approached, Sir Alex will have been preparing to demand his players take more control of the ball, particularly in central midfield areas where Everton had started to dictate play. The home side began the second half in much the same fashion, although a fizzing 20-yard drive from Fletcher whistled past the post and Berbatov sent a header narrowly wide as the Reds’ attacks gained purpose.
The Bulgarian forward was replaced after 66 minutes by Paul Scholes, Park off for Gabriel Obertan, and the Reds reverted to 4-5-1 with Rooney up front on his own and three men to win back territory in the middle of the pitch. It wasn’t effective enough and Everton looked like being the team that would score the game’s next goal. So it proved. Steven Pienaar found space on the left flank and fired a cross into the box, where substitute Dan Gosling scuffed the ball home on 76 minutes.
Four minutes later and with United chasing the game, Sir Alex made his third and final change – a last throw of the dice – replacing Valencia with Michael Owen. It was to no avail. Rooney was agonisingly close with a free-kick 25 yards out. His curling effort clipped Distin’s head to push the ball narrowly wide. It summed up Rooney’s and United’s afternoon. Close, but not quite good enough. To rub salt in the wounds, Rodwell emerged from the bench and raced beyond a leggy midfield and defence to fire the third. Another twist, then, but this time not in United’s favour. It's a sixth defeat in the league, the Reds can ill-afford any more.
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Saturday, February 20, 2010
Everton Vs. Manchester United Highlights Video Clips
Everton [3 - 1] Manchester United
16' [0 - 1] D. Berbatov
19' [1 - 1] D. Bilyaletdinov
76' [2 - 1] D. Gosling
90' [3 - 1] J. Rodwell
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16' [0 - 1] D. Berbatov
19' [1 - 1] D. Bilyaletdinov
76' [2 - 1] D. Gosling
90' [3 - 1] J. Rodwell
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
AC Milan Vs. Manchester Untied Match Report
United recovered from a nightmare start to romp to an impressive - and potentially decisive - away victory against AC Milan in the Champions League second round, first leg.
Ronaldinho put the Rossoneri ahead inside three minutes and the hosts spurned several opportunities to further their advantage before Paul Scholes' fortunate leveller 10 minutes before half-time. The Reds dominated midfield after the break, however, and two headers from Wayne Rooney gave Sir Alex Ferguson's side two more priceless away goals.
Clarence Seedorf impishly back-heeled the hosts back into the tie and Michael Carrick was dismissed for a second booking as Milan finished strongly, but United's first ever victory at the San Siro gives the Reds a vital lead ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.
Much of the pre-match fanfare centred around David Beckham's first clash with United since leaving Old Trafford in 2003. In truth, it was Ronaldinho, the man unsuccessfully earmarked to replace Beckham, who had the greater influence for Leonardo's side.
United could hardly have made a worse start. Just over two minutes had passed when Patrice Evra's attempt to clear Beckham's free-kick only went as far as Ronaldinho, and the Brazilian's right-footed volley took a telling deflection off Carrick and flew past the committed Edwin van der Sar.
The Reds were rocked, while Milan were galvanised into dominance. Ronaldinho, clearly relishing the occasion, drew a smart stop from van der Sar with another close-range effort as the hosts aimed to forge a greater advantage.
An errant long-distance shot from Scholes marked United's first attempt on goal, and heralded a belated entry to the action for the visitors.
Nani became an increasingly influential figure as the Reds warmed to the task and increasingly controlled midfield.
There was always the danger of Ronaldinho, however, who took advantage of a lax piece of play from Scholes to nab possession and race goalwards. The Brazilian's repeated stepovers took him past Rio Ferdinand, but his subsequent tumble on the edge of the area was deemed to be simulation rather than a foul by the United skipper.
That episode was symptomatic of a worrying affliction throughout United's display, as the Reds' usually assured possession play went AWOL. Milan spurned several opportunities without playing any telling role in their creation, most notably when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar drilled narrowly wide after Jonny Evans' panicked clearance.
Sir Alex Ferguson was particularly irritated by Evans' error, and made his ire known soon afterwards. Fortunately, it came as the young Northern Irishman was jogging back to his position after United had drawn level.
A wonderful passing move featuring Michael Carrick, Nani, Ji-sung Park and Scholes culminated in Darren Fletcher drilling in a superb low cross from the right wing. Scholes raced into the box and attempted to batter home the volley, but instead it struck his standing leg and spun past Dida via the inside of the post. Good fortune indeed in its execution and timing, coming after a string of missed chances for the hosts.
While Milan were stunned to be pegged back, Ronaldinho took parity as a personal affront against his own superb efforts, and he quickly drew another smart stop from van der Sar from 25 yards after brilliantly fashioning space for himself.
Deserved or not, United went into the interval level. Little over a minute after the restart, Darren Fletcher headed Nani's cross wide from a decent position and passed up the chance to give the Reds an unlikely lead. The game's open nature continued and, just two minutes later, Alexandre Pato headed wastefully over after finding space between Evans and Evra.
With Beckham, Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo on the field, Milan always carried menace from set-pieces. The latter forced van der Sar into a superb one-handed stop with a 35-yard piledriver which was bound for the Dutchman's top corner as Milan continued to seek an advantage.
Not that United were happy to sit on a score draw, however. Although Ronaldinho again forced a plunging save from van der Sar, Rooney had three efforts in the space of 10 minutes - twice off-target from distance, once drawing a comfortable low stop from Dida.
Antonio Valencia was introduced shortly after Rooney's third effort, and he needed just two minutes to provide United's telling goal. The Ecuadorian picked the ball up on the right flank, took a touch to go past Giuseppe Favalli and stood up a fine cross to the back post, where Rooney outjumped Daniele Bonera to send a superb header drifting into the far top corner.
The travelling support, tucked away high up in the stand behind the goal, went wild. Milan were shattered, and United dominated possession from thereon. Valencia, Park and Fletcher tormented the hosts in support of Rooney, who drilled fractionally wide from 20 yards.
He didn't have to wait long for his second, however, and it arrived with 17 minutes remaining. Fletcher picked up Rooney's knock down, some 35 yards from goal and was criminally given as much time as he liked to advance and curl in a teasing delivery behind Alessandro Nesta and in a perfect area to nod in his second.
Valencia continued to torment Favalli, drilling in one particularly dangerous cross which just evaded Rooney, while the England striker was narrowly denied a hat-trick as his free-kick curled just past Dida's post. But, just when Milan seemed buried, back they roared, with Ronaldinho again instrumental.
The Brazilian crept into the United area and, despite a cluster of defenders around him, curled in a delightful cross for substitute Seedorf to beautifully back-heel beyond van der Sar.
With an unlikely route back into the tie secured, the hosts roared back in the final few minutes. Pippo Inzaghi lashed over, Thiago Silva headed wastefully off-target and Carrick's superb evening was spoiled when he picked up a second yellow card for allegedly kicking the ball away in injury-time.
Nevertheless, United held on to register a first ever victory in the San Siro, set a new European record of 16 away games without defeat and, most crucially, establish a vital advantage ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford in three weeks' time.
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Ronaldinho put the Rossoneri ahead inside three minutes and the hosts spurned several opportunities to further their advantage before Paul Scholes' fortunate leveller 10 minutes before half-time. The Reds dominated midfield after the break, however, and two headers from Wayne Rooney gave Sir Alex Ferguson's side two more priceless away goals.
Clarence Seedorf impishly back-heeled the hosts back into the tie and Michael Carrick was dismissed for a second booking as Milan finished strongly, but United's first ever victory at the San Siro gives the Reds a vital lead ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.
Much of the pre-match fanfare centred around David Beckham's first clash with United since leaving Old Trafford in 2003. In truth, it was Ronaldinho, the man unsuccessfully earmarked to replace Beckham, who had the greater influence for Leonardo's side.
United could hardly have made a worse start. Just over two minutes had passed when Patrice Evra's attempt to clear Beckham's free-kick only went as far as Ronaldinho, and the Brazilian's right-footed volley took a telling deflection off Carrick and flew past the committed Edwin van der Sar.
The Reds were rocked, while Milan were galvanised into dominance. Ronaldinho, clearly relishing the occasion, drew a smart stop from van der Sar with another close-range effort as the hosts aimed to forge a greater advantage.
An errant long-distance shot from Scholes marked United's first attempt on goal, and heralded a belated entry to the action for the visitors.
Nani became an increasingly influential figure as the Reds warmed to the task and increasingly controlled midfield.
There was always the danger of Ronaldinho, however, who took advantage of a lax piece of play from Scholes to nab possession and race goalwards. The Brazilian's repeated stepovers took him past Rio Ferdinand, but his subsequent tumble on the edge of the area was deemed to be simulation rather than a foul by the United skipper.
That episode was symptomatic of a worrying affliction throughout United's display, as the Reds' usually assured possession play went AWOL. Milan spurned several opportunities without playing any telling role in their creation, most notably when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar drilled narrowly wide after Jonny Evans' panicked clearance.
Sir Alex Ferguson was particularly irritated by Evans' error, and made his ire known soon afterwards. Fortunately, it came as the young Northern Irishman was jogging back to his position after United had drawn level.
A wonderful passing move featuring Michael Carrick, Nani, Ji-sung Park and Scholes culminated in Darren Fletcher drilling in a superb low cross from the right wing. Scholes raced into the box and attempted to batter home the volley, but instead it struck his standing leg and spun past Dida via the inside of the post. Good fortune indeed in its execution and timing, coming after a string of missed chances for the hosts.
While Milan were stunned to be pegged back, Ronaldinho took parity as a personal affront against his own superb efforts, and he quickly drew another smart stop from van der Sar from 25 yards after brilliantly fashioning space for himself.
Deserved or not, United went into the interval level. Little over a minute after the restart, Darren Fletcher headed Nani's cross wide from a decent position and passed up the chance to give the Reds an unlikely lead. The game's open nature continued and, just two minutes later, Alexandre Pato headed wastefully over after finding space between Evans and Evra.
With Beckham, Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo on the field, Milan always carried menace from set-pieces. The latter forced van der Sar into a superb one-handed stop with a 35-yard piledriver which was bound for the Dutchman's top corner as Milan continued to seek an advantage.
Not that United were happy to sit on a score draw, however. Although Ronaldinho again forced a plunging save from van der Sar, Rooney had three efforts in the space of 10 minutes - twice off-target from distance, once drawing a comfortable low stop from Dida.
Antonio Valencia was introduced shortly after Rooney's third effort, and he needed just two minutes to provide United's telling goal. The Ecuadorian picked the ball up on the right flank, took a touch to go past Giuseppe Favalli and stood up a fine cross to the back post, where Rooney outjumped Daniele Bonera to send a superb header drifting into the far top corner.
The travelling support, tucked away high up in the stand behind the goal, went wild. Milan were shattered, and United dominated possession from thereon. Valencia, Park and Fletcher tormented the hosts in support of Rooney, who drilled fractionally wide from 20 yards.
He didn't have to wait long for his second, however, and it arrived with 17 minutes remaining. Fletcher picked up Rooney's knock down, some 35 yards from goal and was criminally given as much time as he liked to advance and curl in a teasing delivery behind Alessandro Nesta and in a perfect area to nod in his second.
Valencia continued to torment Favalli, drilling in one particularly dangerous cross which just evaded Rooney, while the England striker was narrowly denied a hat-trick as his free-kick curled just past Dida's post. But, just when Milan seemed buried, back they roared, with Ronaldinho again instrumental.
The Brazilian crept into the United area and, despite a cluster of defenders around him, curled in a delightful cross for substitute Seedorf to beautifully back-heel beyond van der Sar.
With an unlikely route back into the tie secured, the hosts roared back in the final few minutes. Pippo Inzaghi lashed over, Thiago Silva headed wastefully off-target and Carrick's superb evening was spoiled when he picked up a second yellow card for allegedly kicking the ball away in injury-time.
Nevertheless, United held on to register a first ever victory in the San Siro, set a new European record of 16 away games without defeat and, most crucially, establish a vital advantage ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford in three weeks' time.
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AC Milan Vs. Manchester Untied Highlights Video Clips
AC Milan [2 - 3] Manchester United
3' [1 - 0] Ronaldinho
36' [1 - 1] P. Scholes
66' [1 - 2] W. Rooney
74' [1 - 3] W. Rooney
85' [2 - 3] C. Seedorf
1-0 Ronaldinho 3'
1-1 Scholes 36'
1-2 Rooney 66'
1-3 Rooney 74'
2-3 Seedorf 85'
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3' [1 - 0] Ronaldinho
36' [1 - 1] P. Scholes
66' [1 - 2] W. Rooney
74' [1 - 3] W. Rooney
85' [2 - 3] C. Seedorf
1-0 Ronaldinho 3'
1-1 Scholes 36'
1-2 Rooney 66'
1-3 Rooney 74'
2-3 Seedorf 85'
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Aston Villa Vs. Manchester United Match Result Report
Ten-man United outplayed Aston Villa for much of Wednesday’s game at Villa Park, but Sir Alex’s men, shorn of Nani’s attacking impetus for 60 minutes after the winger was sent off for a studs-up challenge, struggled to assert their dominance and had to settle for a point.
But the 1-1 draw – achieved courtesy of a James Collins own goal after Carlos Cuellar had put the home side in front – takes the Reds to within a point of Chelsea after the Blues lost 2-1 at Goodison Park courtesy of a Louis Saha double.
After that result at Everton, the Reds' draw at Villa may look like an opportunity lost: after all, a win would have sent United top of the league. But to come away from Villa Park with a point having played an hour with 10 men is no mean feat.
On a cold Birmingham night, the boss sent out a strong side to take on an Aston Villa team that had not lost in any competition since 2009. There was still no Nemanja Vidic (injured) or Rio Ferdinand (suspended) at the back, but in Wes Brown and Jonny Evans the manager has a second-choice centre-back pairing that would walk into most other top-flight starting XIs.
In midfield, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes started together for the third time in four games, while Ryan Giggs and Nani provided the width. The Portuguese winger was involved early on and his 25-yard free-kick drew a smart save from Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel – how many times have you heard those words over the years? – after just eight minutes. Giggs saw an effort from the edge of the box deflected over the bar shortly afterwards before Villa took the lead with their first effort on target on 19 minutes.
Stewart Downing’s right-wing cross flashed across the area to the back post, where Rafael half cleared. The ball dropped to Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar, whose looping, 16-yard header floated over Edwin van der Sar and into the far corner.
United, who had not lost at Villa Park in the league since 1995, took just four minutes to restore parity. Again it was thanks to the generosity of the Reds’ opponents. Against Portsmouth last Saturday, Sir Alex’s men benefitted from two own goals – this time there was just the one, Ryan Giggs’ volleyed cross turned into his own net by former West Ham defender James Collins.
Nani had done well in the build-up, picking out Giggs beyond the far post, but it was his last meaningful contribution. He was sent off on 29 minutes by referee Peter Walton for a tackle that was admittedly reckless – the winger lunged in on Petrov with his studs showing – but arguably not one that constituted “serious foul play”.
Although robbed of one of United’s most potent attacking forces, the Reds enjoyed a brief spell of pressure and only another good stop from Friedel kept the score at 1-1. At the other end, Villa struggled to press home their numerical advantage; van der Sar hardly had a touch for the rest of the half.
Paul Scholes was sacrificed at the break for Antonio Valencia, as United reverted to four in midfield. It was an unexpected move from the boss – certainly, not many other managers would have made such an attacking change with their team reduced to 10 men. But Valencia brought youth and fresh legs to the table… and on 53 minutes he almost sent the Reds ahead when Giggs crossed early from the left. Arriving at the back post, the Ecuadorian took one touch before blasting the ball just over the bar.
The home side, meanwhile, looked devoid of ideas in the final third. After Cuellar’s goal, it took until the 58th minute for van der Sar to be called into action again. The Dutchman saved well down to his left after James Milner linked well with Gabriel Agbonlahor. Ten-man United were doing much more than merely hang on: Valencia found space on the right before firing his cross straight at Friedel, Rooney blazed wide with his left foot from a tight angle and then both players combined to almost slice a path through the Villa defence with just over 20 minutes remaining.
By then Martin O’Neill had introduced John Carew and Steve Sidwell and one of Sidwell’s first contributions was to clatter into Ryan Giggs. The Welshman injured his right wrist in the collision and was replaced by Dimitar Berbatov on 75 minutes. Rooney, who took on Giggs’ wing role and the captaincy duties, forced Friedel into another top stop when he wriggled free of his marker and fired towards the top corner. It was the last time United truly threatened the Villa goal.
At the other end, Villa fans saw a half chance go begging in injury time when Richard Dunne almost connected with a wide free-kick. But a Villa winner would have been harsh on United – indeed, the home team barely deserved a point after failing miserably to capitalise on Nani’s sending off.
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But the 1-1 draw – achieved courtesy of a James Collins own goal after Carlos Cuellar had put the home side in front – takes the Reds to within a point of Chelsea after the Blues lost 2-1 at Goodison Park courtesy of a Louis Saha double.
After that result at Everton, the Reds' draw at Villa may look like an opportunity lost: after all, a win would have sent United top of the league. But to come away from Villa Park with a point having played an hour with 10 men is no mean feat.
On a cold Birmingham night, the boss sent out a strong side to take on an Aston Villa team that had not lost in any competition since 2009. There was still no Nemanja Vidic (injured) or Rio Ferdinand (suspended) at the back, but in Wes Brown and Jonny Evans the manager has a second-choice centre-back pairing that would walk into most other top-flight starting XIs.
In midfield, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes started together for the third time in four games, while Ryan Giggs and Nani provided the width. The Portuguese winger was involved early on and his 25-yard free-kick drew a smart save from Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel – how many times have you heard those words over the years? – after just eight minutes. Giggs saw an effort from the edge of the box deflected over the bar shortly afterwards before Villa took the lead with their first effort on target on 19 minutes.
Stewart Downing’s right-wing cross flashed across the area to the back post, where Rafael half cleared. The ball dropped to Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar, whose looping, 16-yard header floated over Edwin van der Sar and into the far corner.
United, who had not lost at Villa Park in the league since 1995, took just four minutes to restore parity. Again it was thanks to the generosity of the Reds’ opponents. Against Portsmouth last Saturday, Sir Alex’s men benefitted from two own goals – this time there was just the one, Ryan Giggs’ volleyed cross turned into his own net by former West Ham defender James Collins.
Nani had done well in the build-up, picking out Giggs beyond the far post, but it was his last meaningful contribution. He was sent off on 29 minutes by referee Peter Walton for a tackle that was admittedly reckless – the winger lunged in on Petrov with his studs showing – but arguably not one that constituted “serious foul play”.
Although robbed of one of United’s most potent attacking forces, the Reds enjoyed a brief spell of pressure and only another good stop from Friedel kept the score at 1-1. At the other end, Villa struggled to press home their numerical advantage; van der Sar hardly had a touch for the rest of the half.
Paul Scholes was sacrificed at the break for Antonio Valencia, as United reverted to four in midfield. It was an unexpected move from the boss – certainly, not many other managers would have made such an attacking change with their team reduced to 10 men. But Valencia brought youth and fresh legs to the table… and on 53 minutes he almost sent the Reds ahead when Giggs crossed early from the left. Arriving at the back post, the Ecuadorian took one touch before blasting the ball just over the bar.
The home side, meanwhile, looked devoid of ideas in the final third. After Cuellar’s goal, it took until the 58th minute for van der Sar to be called into action again. The Dutchman saved well down to his left after James Milner linked well with Gabriel Agbonlahor. Ten-man United were doing much more than merely hang on: Valencia found space on the right before firing his cross straight at Friedel, Rooney blazed wide with his left foot from a tight angle and then both players combined to almost slice a path through the Villa defence with just over 20 minutes remaining.
By then Martin O’Neill had introduced John Carew and Steve Sidwell and one of Sidwell’s first contributions was to clatter into Ryan Giggs. The Welshman injured his right wrist in the collision and was replaced by Dimitar Berbatov on 75 minutes. Rooney, who took on Giggs’ wing role and the captaincy duties, forced Friedel into another top stop when he wriggled free of his marker and fired towards the top corner. It was the last time United truly threatened the Villa goal.
At the other end, Villa fans saw a half chance go begging in injury time when Richard Dunne almost connected with a wide free-kick. But a Villa winner would have been harsh on United – indeed, the home team barely deserved a point after failing miserably to capitalise on Nani’s sending off.
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