Archive for the ‘Match Report’ Category

MANCHESTER UNITED - THE EPL CHAMPIONS

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

MANCHESTER UNITED - BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS FOR 2007/2008.

90th minute: Bolton has equalized at the Stamford Bridge. 1-1 the game. Cheers all……………………………………..

82nd minute: A pass from Rooney from the left flank toward Giggs who was unmarked had lead to a second goal for United. Ryan Giggs first goal since the 8th February and the 3rd goal of the season may all but have secured United 10th English Premier League title for Sir Alex Ferguson and the fans across the world.

United fans are singing loudly as they can at the JJB stadium to cheers the team toward the end of the game.

Meanwhile, Chelsea is leading with 1-0 against Bolton, no matter what the result at Chelsea, Manchester United will win the 2007/2008 English Premier League title in sheer fashion unless they self destruct with the two goal lead.

Ronaldo scored from the penalty in the 32nd minute following a foul on Wayne Rooney. Chelsea is still drawing level in score at the Stamford Bridge with Bolton.

Man Utd 1-0 Lyon : Ronaldo again!

Wednesday, March 5th, 2008

Ronaldo scored against Lyon

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 30th of the season against Lyon in Champions League 2nd leg tie at Old Trafford. Ronaldo again showed his liking for the big stage by scoring the only goal to steered United into quarter-finals and set a 10th straight home victory in the competition, equaling Juventus’ record set 11 years ago.

Ronaldo scored in the 41st minute to break Lyon’s resistance and secure a place in the quarter-finals. The French side carved out a couple of decent chances before United made the breakthrough.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were highly motivated from the off and Patrice Evra let his enthusiasm get the better of him. He picked up a booking after only four minutes for a challenge on Karim Benzema.

The highly-rated Lyon striker had scored a superb opening goal in the first leg and Ferguson knew the danger he posed.

United made a swift break in the 10th minute and there was a buzz of anticipation around the ground as Ronaldo collected the ball. (more…)

Fulham 0 - 3 Manchester United : 1 point behind Arsenal

Sunday, March 2nd, 2008

Hargreaves scored his United's first goalManchester United earned a valuable three points at Craven Cottage with a comfortable 3-0 win over Fulham, while Arsenal could only manage a draw across town at the Emirates Stadium. Over the last two matches, United had managed to cut Arsenal 5 points lead at the top to 1 point lead at the moment.

The title race is getting crucial at this part, any mistake will cost us dearly, of course we would like to see Arsenal continue to suffer their dip in form, in contrast, United look to have recapture their form and momentum with every single squad players contributing to United matches lately.

A Simon Davies own goal rounded off the scoring after first-half goals from Owen Hargreaves and Ji-sung Park had put United in the driving seat.

Last season, Craven Cottage was the scene for late drama as Cristiano Ronaldo capped a stunning 88th-minute dribble with a shot to match. It gave the Reds a come-from-behind 2-1 victory and, among fans at least, belief that Sir Alex’s side had the necessary character to go on and win the league.

Today, victory was less dramatic and yet just as significant. With Arsenal stumbling at the Emirates, this weekend could well prove the difference come the end of the season.

Perhaps with one eye on Tuesday’s crucial Champions League match, Sir Alex opted to leave out Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic, although he did field former Fulham favourites Edwin van der Sar and Louis Saha. (more…)

Newcastle 1-5 Man United : Double “R” Show

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Rooney scored at St. James Park

Cristiano Ronaldo turned in another breathtaking display as Manchester United made the most of Newcastle’s woes to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to three points with a 5-1 victory.

The Portugal international claimed a double either side of half-time to take his tally for the season to 29, with Wayne Rooney, who had opened the scoring on 25 minutes, adding a brace and substitute Louis Saha scoring against his former club after Abdoulaye Faye had pulled one back.

It was just what manager Sir Alex Ferguson had ordered after the Gunners had conceded a late equaliser at Birmingham earlier in the day to pass up the chance of establishing an eight-point lead. (more…)

Man Utd 4-0 Arsenal : Nani Showboating

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

Rooney scored against Arsenal in FA Cup 5th round - Old TraffordManchester United may be lying in Arsenal’s slipstream at the top of the table but they gained the high ground in the FA Cup following a 4-0 win at Old Trafford.

Two goals from Darren Fletcher and one each from Wayne Rooney and Luis Nani secured their place in the quarter-final.

Arsenal’s cause was not helped, however, by Emmanuel Eboue’s sending off in the 49th minute. Both United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger made five changes with vital Champions League matches ahead next week.

It was Ferguson, however, who was left smiling after this rout of their title rivals. United made a blistering start and it was no surprise they made the breakthrough in the 16th minute following a corner from Nani.

Anderson flicked the ball on and Rooney headed it beyond Jens Lehmann for his 11th goal of the season. (more…)

Man United 1-2 Man City : City first double since 1970

Tuesday, February 12th, 2008

Old Trafford remembers Busby Babes

On the day when Manchester remembered those who lost their lives 50 years ago in the Munich air disaster, the blue half of the city dealt a major blow to red dreams of retaining the Premier League by running out 2-1 victors.

City fans behaved impeccably during an emotional minute’s silence and their team were just as impressive. The visitors completed a league double over their neighbours for the first time since 1970 and their first win at Old Trafford since 1974.

For City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, it was three wins out of three against Sir Alex Ferguson. He has added this priceless double to a European Super Cup triumph over United in 1999 when he was at Lazio.

This ended United’s 13-match winning streak, their best run in 103 years, and gave Arsenal a real boost at the top of the table.

Darius Vassell and new boy Benjani Mwaruwari scored first-half goals for City and United’s only reply was in injury-time from Michael Carrick.

The Old Trafford pitch was ringed ahead of the game by the names of every one of the 23 who died as a result of the 1958 tragedy in Germany. (more…)

Tottenham 1-1 Man United : A point salvaged

Thursday, February 7th, 2008

Sir Alex not impress with referee Mark Clattenbur

Manchester United earned a vital point deep in injury time against Tottenham but still lost top place in the Barclays Premier League following the 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane. Carlos Tevez celebrated the equaliser with the last move of the game, even though the ball appeared to come off Michael Dawson.

Earlier, United players were furious at Dimitar Berbatov’s opener for Tottenham as they felt Jermaine Jenas handled in the build-up before Aaron Lennon eventually crossed. Edwin van der Sar vented his frustration at assistant referee Mo Matadar and earned a booking, one of six yellow cards for United which means they could face action from the Football Association. (more…)

Ronaldo double again : Man United 2-0 Portsmouth

Friday, February 1st, 2008

Ronaldo bullet freekick booms past David JamesCristiano Ronaldo steered Manchester United back to the top of the table with his second brace in the space of three days as the Red Devils beat Portsmouth 2-0. With England manager Fabio Capello looking on they took the game by the scruff of the neck inside the first quarter.

United made the breakthrough in the 10th minute after an incisive break which dismantled Portsmouth - and the visitors never recovered. Nani showed superb vision to pick out Ronaldo and he took full advantage with a cool finish.

Watch Video of Ronaldo Free Kick

That put United firmly in the driving seat early in the match. It did not take Ronaldo long to add to his tally, either, with James stranded as a magnificent 25-yard free-kick whistled past his left shoulder in the 13th minute. (more…)

Comeback King United - Ronaldo double

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

Ronaldo hit double against TottenhamManchester United weren’t at their best, but a Ronaldo double and a Tevez strike proves to be enough for United to come back from 1-0 to win 3-1.

Ronaldo continued his superb scoring spree over Tottenham Hotspurs. The Portugal wizard set a seasonal best tally of 25 goals already as we just have a few days before the end of January 2008 calendar.

Tottenham, in fact are a better team than the scoreline suggest. However, United proved there are deadly in front of goal. Tottenham only have themselves to blame after squandering a number of chances before United come into gear. (more…)

Reading vs Man United : 2-0 United

Monday, January 21st, 2008

Ronaldo vs ReadingI has been out of town during the weekend game, it was a hard fought win for United at the Madejski Stadium. Goals from Rooney and Ronaldo seals the win for United to keep the Red Devils at the top of table with better goal difference than Arsenal who scored 3 past fellow struggling side - Fulham.

Full report extract from ESPN Soccernet.

Manchester United retained their position on top of the Premier League after goals from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo earned them a 2-0 win at plucky Reading.United did not have it all their own way by any means and for a long time it appeared they would be denied by a combination of poor finishing, excellent goalkeeping and brave Reading defending. (more…)