Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa
Premier League champions Manchester United faced Aston Villa risking three consecutive league defeats for the first time since December 2001. Luckily for the Red Devils they were facing a side without a win in eight in all competitions and facing the prospect of four consecutive league defeats themselves.
Manchester United were without defensive stalwarts Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic with Jonny Evans and Gary Neville starting at centre back. So it was no surprise that it was Aston Villa making early inroads into the makeshift United backline.
Nicky Shorey drove in from the left and won his side a corner which was swung into the middle and met by the head of John Carew. The Norwegian directed his header goalwards and only a goal line clearance from Darren Fletcher prevented Villa opening the scoring.
Ashley Young was also looking lively, attacking John O'Shea at right back and fizzing a grass cutting ball across the six yard box, Edwin Van Der Sar was helpless as the ball flew past him. Fortunately for the home side there was nobody following in at the back post to tap home. Villa were looking dangerous.
A lovely turn by Patrice Evra opened up space for the home side and his slotted ball caused the Villa defence all kinds of problems, James Milner was forced into playing a back pass to Brad Friedel. It was a needless free-kick in reality and Manchester United capitalised fully, Ryan Giggs laid the ball off to Ronaldo who rattled the ball into the far side top corner from the left hand side of the box. It was a fantastic finish that was in complete antipathy to the home sides start.
Moments later and it almost got worse for Villa as Giggs charged through unopposed and only a last ditch tackle from Shorey stopped United doubling their lead. A younger Giggs would have probably had the legs to put the chance beyond redemption.
Stilyan Petrov was brought down by Fletcher just outside the box in the 18th minute, Ashley Young stepped up and struck from the right of the goal with a curling strike heading for the far corner. Van Der Sar managed to get a glove to it and save it but he was assisted by the inswing of the strike.
Friedel was looking decidedly dodgy in between the Villa posts, a hopeful ball forward was skewed only as far as Nani who was 50 yards from goal. Despite being invited to shoot by the crowd he elected to pick out Carlos Tevez with an intelligent pass. The Argentine, looking a bit weary from his international duty in Bolivia, miscontrolled and the chance was wasted.
When Aston Villa equalised it was not only a well taken goal but also one they thoroughly deserved for their attacking endeavour. A long ball forward saw an excellent Gareth Barry control on the right flank with his chest, facing his own goal. He then cut inside showing nice footwork to navigate his defender and picked out Carew with a beautiful ball into the box. The Norwegian shrugged off Neville's challenge and headed home into the right-hand corner of the net, Van Der Sar was rooted to the spot.
Carew's dominance over Neville forced Ferguson into a tactical shift, switching Neville with John O'Shea at right-back. This only served to cause United another problem with Ashley Young tormenting the English full-back. Young danced around Neville on the half hour mark and cut inside, he struck his shot well but it was straight at Van Der Sar. A worrying omen for the Manchester United defence.
An entertaining first half ended and the second started with Tevez closing the keeper immediately from the kickoff. The Argentine ended up on the turf looking quizzically at the official who waved play on, the sprightly forward had half a shout as his marker wasn't playing the ball.
Another long ball forward for Ashley Young split the Manchester United defence with Young baring down on Van Der Sar the United defence were relieved to see the offside flag raised. Replays showed Young timed his run perfectly and was yards onside. Moments later a slightly closer call went United's way again with Gabriel Agbonlahor slicing through, he was also onside.
Moments later and Agbonlahor had his revenge, the move started with Ashley Young stealing possession from Ronaldo in the middle of the park. The England international drove at the defence and fed Carew down the left flank, the Norwegian took a few touches and chipped a ball towards the back post. Agbonlahor ghosted past a static Evra and met the ball just ahead of Van Der Sar and prodded it past the Dutch international. Two-one to Aston Villa.
Advertisement - article continues below »
Football Manager Live
Ferguson's response was to haul off Nani and replace him with Federico Macheda. The youngster tumbled in the box in the 67th minute under pressure from Curtis Davis, the referee rightly waved away the home sides vigorous protestations.
Macheda certainly showed ability, driving down the left flank in the 70th minute. His cross looked dangerous but nobody had committed to the back post. The youngster looked to be showing more ambition than his highly salaried counterparts.
Aston Villa seemed happy to accept the pressure from United and break on their opponents. They did so to varying effect, Agbonlahor broke with Young in support and the Villains were two on two. The England international looked nervous and unwilling to go for the jugular, turning back and opting for support.
The move broke down and it was a wasted opportunity, if Villa scored a third it really would be curtains for United. Unusually the Red Devils lacked spark in the final third, despite building and sustained pressure from the home side.
So when the fourth goal of the game came it should be no surprise that it was Manchester United that scored it. Having looked like they wouldn't score Ronaldo picked the ball up 20 yards from goal, he was allowed time to steady himself and struck the ball sweetly with his left foot. The ball flew into the side netting of Friedel's left hand post. Great finish, levelling the game at two-two.
United were pressing, Fletcher exchanged passes with Ronaldo to enter the right hand side of the box. Hitting the ball on the half-volley the ball rocketed goalwards, Friedel produced a wonderful save to deny the Scot.
As time trickled away the pace was frenetic, Ronaldo had a good chance to win it as Barry lost the ball to Fletcher near his own goal. As it broke the ball fell kindly for the Portugese as he struck first the ball flashed over the crossbar.
United were peppering the goal, Danny Wellbeck, on for Tevez, turned his marker and was one on one with Freidel. The American producing a wonderful save to deny the young English striker. Moments later a wonderful ball was whipped into the box and was inches away from being poked in by Evans.
It was Villa's turn to go on the attack, with only a last ditch tackle denying Agbonlahor a one on one opportunity with Van Der Sar. It was a fantastic block on the stretch.
When the game was won, it was an absolutely brilliant goal that won it! Giggs played the ball to Macheda with his back to goal, and the young Italian Cruyff turned his defender and curled the ball around Freidel's outstretched palm and into the right hand side of the goal.
An extraordinary turnaround puts Manchester United back on top of the league with a game in hand over their rivals. The Red Devils are now firmly back in the driving seat, hats go off to Aston Villa who performed admirably but didn't have the legs to deny the Manchester United express train and realistically ending their Champions League hopes.
( Owen Watson / Goal )
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment