Man United 6 : 0 Newcastle United
United handed Newcastle united their worst drubbing this season. An already beleaguered Newcastle, in the absence of Big Sam, had to face an absolutely brilliant United attack that produced it's best score this season. It was just a perfect night for United with Ronaldo finally scoring his so-far-elusive hat-trick and United looking so good that they could have had a double-figure score.
The first half was all about Rooney going for his shots and not scoring! There was no doubt he had quality on most of his shots but Shay Given just seemed determined not concede a goal against 'Wazza'. Rooney could have had at least 4 goals within the first half! That apart there were 2 strong appeals for penalty from United, both of which looked to be on except that ref. Rob Styles didn't think so. Such was the attacking flair of United in the first half. Yet, not taking the chances seemed to hurt them a little as the first half came to a close.
United were bound to change the equation come second half and that's what we all got to see. Christiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a smartly taken free-kick, creaming the ball under the jumping Newcastle wall from just outside the penalty box. And suddenly the floodgates were all open. Tevez scored off a gift provided by the erring Newcastle defence. Ronaldo scored his second, when he characteristically cut inside defenders from the right and put it past Given.
Rooney still kept missing the chances that came his way yet created a beautiful chance for Rio Ferdinand to cash in. Then Ronaldo pounced to take his much deserved hat-trick. Tevez finished it all with a second goal, which turned out to be a dubious one though. The hard thing to see though was the sight of ex-United 'Smudge' Smith having to be sent off for arguing over that goal.
As for me, it was United's best display of the season. They just seemed to outrun their opponents and were always there to pounce on anything on offer. Defense looked their usual dogged best and kept another clean sheet. Van Der Saar was hardly made to sweat against a sorry-looking Newcastle. Not much has been said of the defense, but going by the performances and stats, United back four certainly looks to be the best in Europe at this moment.
With a determined Birmingham City, under Alan Mcleish, holding Arsenal to draw at the Emirates, United have regained the top position, courtesy of superior goal difference. And with the team looking as good as it is now, I just think I'm convinced United will retain the crown.
GO UNITED!
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