Well, it was as good as a walk in the park for United last night. Two first half goals from "that boy" Ronaldo were enough to seal the fate of West Ham in what was easily a one-sided affair minus the goal riot.West Ham were missing several key players including Dean Ashton, their premier striker and once a United target. They've had a lot of good players leaving early this season including Bobby Zamora and the influential midfielder Nobby Solano. What more, Alan Curbishley has been replaced by Franco Zola at the managerial post. Add to that, they'd been on a 3 match losing streak coming to Manchester which meant that they'd never look like a threat to United. For United, Tevez started alongside Berbatov with Rooney sitting on the bench.
The match was fought and won well within the first half. United looked to terrorise the Hammers right from the start, typical of such games at Old Trafford. Nani looked brilliant to start with on the left and so did Ronaldo, almost playing like a co-striker. The first goal came as early as the 14th minute as United heaped pressure on the West Ham defense with Ronaldo poaching on a Nani cross to put it smartly past the West Ham keeper Green.
The second goal was an absolute treat, with a touch of Berbatov genius written all over it.
An Anderson pass seemed to be going well past the touchline which Berbatov brilliantly stepped over and took it past the covering defender. He then made a lazy run into the West Ham box and put it in the path of Ronaldo who had a tap-in to make from about 3 yards!
The goals came inside the 30th minute and the match seemed to be over by then. Though United kept creating more and more chances, they didn't really capitalize on them.
United looked pretty laid back in the second half, as pointed out by Sir Alex in his post match conference or there could so easily have been a goal feast. Yet, 3 points in the kitty, to erase the disappointment of Goodison Park was enough at the end of the day.
Among the performances, Anderson for me was the most impressive in the mid-field. It looked as if he was running the show all the time with most of United's attacks being orchestrated by him from the mid-field. What a replacement we have for Scholes! Young Rafeal looked good on the right-back but was a touch disappointing. Tevez didn't have much to do after having his first start in the last 7 games.
My Man of the Match : Christiano Ronaldo
1 comment:
Ronaldo was by far the man of the match.
I am seriously wondering how SAF's gonna keep three 30 million strikers happy with one on the bench. Normally that would seem an easy scenario, but we are blessed with a certain CR7 who does a good part in the scoring. Will Tevez be happy for ever? I dont think so. Yes he loves United and the life here.. But playing is most important to all players. Accordign to me, Tevez is the kind of player who has a terrific work rate and at the same time scores only after spending some time on the pitch. he cannot come on as a super sub. Like u mentioned, this match was his first start and he looked out of touch.. I dont wanna lose Tevez, want to see all three here.. But realistically speaking an under 10 million player who can be happy on the bench of Manchester United is what we really need.. (like Fletcher, park in midfield) what say?
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