Sunday, February 3, 2008

Match 25: Last Gasp goal to United's rescue

Spurs 1:1 United

Carlos Tevez came up with a valuable injury-time goal to rescue a point for United to prevent a fourth slip-up this season. Honestly speaking, and as Sir Alex put it after the match, if United deserved anything from the match, it was nothing more than a point. On a day when Arsenal produce an inspired performance to hand Man City their first home defeat, United certainly had a tough job to accomplish at White Hart lane against the resurgent Spurs.

And so it turned out to be. Tottenham looked the better side everywhere, particularly in the first half and United didn't have too much of a breathing space upfront. The first goal predictably came from Tottenham but with a pinch of controversy attached. Jenas seemed to have handled the ball while passing it to Arron Lennon who's cross could only be parried by VDS towards a waiting Berbatov who put it into the net gleefully. I thought it was a little unlucky for United to concede the goal that way and that kept the pressure constantly on United.

If you'd hoped for better performance from United in the second half, you were bound to be disappointed. Particularly with United being in such goal-scoring form. But it still was Spurs who were the better team for most time specially when it came to keeping the front men of United quiet. United did change a few things around to make amends - like swapping Rooney and Ronaldo's positions - but it wasn't looking like it was going to work for them. Anderson came on for Scholes and seemed to bring life and purpose into the United attacks. On the other side, Spurs had enough chances to put the match to rest - but could quite take them. You have to say United's so talked about transfer prospect, Berbatov looked very good throughout the match. It was the last few minutes that United seemed to cause troubles for the Spurs defense. And just when the match seemed to have slipped through United's hands, Carlos Tevez scored off a corner - a goal which turned the match upside down for the hapless Spurs.

It was a huge relief to see United rescue a point in the fashion they did. It could be a very important point saved going by the title race this season. But it was hardly a performance to write too much about. I would say we were lucky not to concede too many goals. The number of yellows United received was another highlight of the match. And it's a pity Rooney would miss the Manchester derby because of his yellow because we all know how important he is inspite of not being among the goals.

2 comments:

Manish Chhetri said...

Who will play instead of rooney..the next match..any idea..

Ram said...

if Saha is fit he will
or we might see Ronny in front!