What a funny game football is, United didn't play well at Goodison Park today, especially in the first half and in the early part of the second half when they found themselves deservedly losing by 2-0, as once again defensive lapses cost them dearly as it did in midweek against Milan in the Champions League.
However, United showed their collective powers of recovery by fighting back to win scoring four goals in the last 30 minutes, which once again makes a mockery of Arsene Wenger's earlier claim that United tire in the last 30 minutes. Hilarious.
United went one down day early in the opening period to a deflected Carrick own goal from a Stubbs free-kick. Why did United only put two players in that wall? Ferguson will no doubt be asking the same question...
Early in the second half there was worse to follow when on loan Everton star Fernandes roasted United's back four and scored with a superb drive.
At that point United were dead and buried, nobody was playing well and apart from a great first half cross from Giggs which Rooney couldnt finish, United never looked like scoring despite having the Lions share of possession.
Then United got lucky, really lucky, as Iain Turner the Toffees stand-in keeper dropped the ball to the feet of John O'Shea from a corner, the Irishman slotted home greatfuly.
Then things just got better and better as United old boy Phil Neville turned in a Ronaldo effort into his own net to bring the Red's level. If United fans were looking for a sign that our name is on the trophy then these two incidents provided it.
From that point on United went forward with more and more confidence, the killer blow came when Everton old boy Wayne Rooney thrust a dagger into the heart of his former club and Chelsea's title hopes with a goal of the highest quality. The United number eight collected the ball on the left edge of the Everton box, he cooly beat a defender before slotting home to send United's travelling army into raptures. Then to rub salt into the wounds of our rivals and bitter enemies up and down the land, substitute Chris Eagles wrapped up the game with a lovely curling low drive to make it 4-2.
Meanwhile Chelsea couldn't beat an injury ravaged Bolton side and could only manage 2-2 draw. Mourinho and his team have now lost the league and I say that with absolute confidence. The cups are another matter, but if Liverpool can beat Chelsea then the Blues could end up empty handed at the seasons end.
To cap off an almost perfect day, local North West rivals Liverpool and City lost and Leeds were relegated too. Milan here we come.
Manchester United can Fight, Manchester United can Score,
ReplyDeleteAs long as they keep it up,
No team can stop them,
As long as they keep it up,
They will not stop winning.
It was a fantastic comeback in what was by all accounts not a very good performance. The title is almost certainly wrapped up now, being in a position where we can afford to lose one and draw one out of the final 3 games is fantastic. But I would love us to play Chelsea off the park and end their unbeaten home run under Mourinho, just to rub it in. However, I am a bit concerned about the defence in Milan. I thought Heinze had one of his worst games in a United shirt yesterday and looked lost most of the time. But even with that I can see us outscoring anyone at the moment. Bring on Milan!!!
ReplyDeletethe manner of the win leaves a slightly sour taste. i am not a fan of conspiracy theories but the dropped cross and phil's own goal is too much good luck for one game... overall the title would be richly deserved but we should not need lucky breaks like this.
ReplyDelete