Manutd.com report: Sunderland 1 - 2 Man Utd
Foster
Neville (c) - Vidic - Evans - O'Shea
Park (Ronaldo 67') - Carrick - Scholes - Rooney
Berbatov (Macheda 74') - Tevez (Anderson 82')
scorers:
Scholes 19'
Macheda 75'
Man Utd won narrowly yet again as relegation-threatened Sunderland almost dented Man Utd's title hopes with a strong performance. Earlier in the day, Liverpool had again exerted pressure on the champions with a 4-0 demolition of Blackburn Rovers to go 2 points clear at the top of the table. Goal difference may be crucial to decide the championship, but if Man Utd keep on winning, it does not matter. Yet, they were expected to walk all over Sunderland. They have been patchy in recent weeks though, as they were in the 1st half of the season, so Sunderland were looking to take advantage of that.
It is certain that Man Utd's defence had not been as strong recently with goals being conceded at an alarming rate in the past few weeks but the other problem they have is in attack where they have been somewhat toothless on the main part. Looking at the goals they have scored recently, it has been nothing short of relying on luck.
Man Utd's 1st goal however was well-created, the kind of goal they should be scoring. Modified left winger, Rooney, supplied the cross for Scholes who scored with a glancing header for a 1-0 lead. Sunderland had till then matched Man Utd's possession with great energy and industry.
The goal did not set them back however. They gave Man Utd as good as it got and were justifiably rewarded when Kenwyne Jones scored after the break. There was an element of luck but Sunderland had created that luck.
In the end, with their backs against the wall, Sunderland were edged out when substitute Macheda, with his 2nd touch,scored his 2nd goal for the club in as many games after finely adjusting Carrick's shot with a deft finish. That proved to be the match winner.
Man Utd are keeping possession well with the ball but their obvious quality is not shining through where it mattered most; in the final 3rd of the pitch. While at the same time they are still conceding goals, it is a team game, and Man Utd are just not having that ruthless and flamboyant streak going forward. It is nervous to watch them at times but at this stage of the season, any win is good enough, with tired legs obviously taking its toll on the entire squad, even for a squad as big as Man Utd's.
Ratings:
Foster (6): Stood in for VDS surprisingly but was solid generally.
Neville (6): Was booked for simulation early in the game, unprofessional indeed, and was also fouled for a foul-throw.
O'Shea (7): Not as busy on his side of the flank so the Irishman got forward to join the attack with a decent showing.
Vidic (6): Had good early chances and dealt well with Jones' height and physicality.
Evans (6): Still looking nervous but was unpunished given Sunderland's lack of clinical attacking intent.
Park (6): Had a great chance to score towards the end of the 1st half. Replaced by Ronaldo.
Rooney (7): There is a new role for the striker on the left wing and doing more damage on the flanks more than Ronaldo ever had. Was easily the most dangerous player. Delivered the cross for Scholes' goal.
Carrick (6): Played a part in the winning goal but his efforts to stamp his mark in midfield was strongly met by Sunderland's resistance.
Scholes (7): Scored a rare header and could have 1 or 2 more.
Berbatov (6): Returned from injury and fans are still looking for a great return for the $30m investment. Liverpool's Torres had cost less but look how prolific he has been. Unfair comparison perhaps, given their different styles. Maybe next season we will see more great things from the Bulgarian.
Tevez (6): Focal point in Man Utd's attack but was not able to muster as much decent chances as he could.
Subs:
Ronaldo (6): Brought more direct approach to Man Utd's play.
Macheda (6): At the right place at the right time. It is a fairytale start for the young Italian's footballing career.
Anderson (6): Came on for Tevez to beef up Man Utd's midfield for the remaining minutes of the match.
akim
Neville (c) - Vidic - Evans - O'Shea
Park (Ronaldo 67') - Carrick - Scholes - Rooney
Berbatov (Macheda 74') - Tevez (Anderson 82')
scorers:
Scholes 19'
Macheda 75'
Man Utd won narrowly yet again as relegation-threatened Sunderland almost dented Man Utd's title hopes with a strong performance. Earlier in the day, Liverpool had again exerted pressure on the champions with a 4-0 demolition of Blackburn Rovers to go 2 points clear at the top of the table. Goal difference may be crucial to decide the championship, but if Man Utd keep on winning, it does not matter. Yet, they were expected to walk all over Sunderland. They have been patchy in recent weeks though, as they were in the 1st half of the season, so Sunderland were looking to take advantage of that.
It is certain that Man Utd's defence had not been as strong recently with goals being conceded at an alarming rate in the past few weeks but the other problem they have is in attack where they have been somewhat toothless on the main part. Looking at the goals they have scored recently, it has been nothing short of relying on luck.
Man Utd's 1st goal however was well-created, the kind of goal they should be scoring. Modified left winger, Rooney, supplied the cross for Scholes who scored with a glancing header for a 1-0 lead. Sunderland had till then matched Man Utd's possession with great energy and industry.
The goal did not set them back however. They gave Man Utd as good as it got and were justifiably rewarded when Kenwyne Jones scored after the break. There was an element of luck but Sunderland had created that luck.
In the end, with their backs against the wall, Sunderland were edged out when substitute Macheda, with his 2nd touch,scored his 2nd goal for the club in as many games after finely adjusting Carrick's shot with a deft finish. That proved to be the match winner.
Man Utd are keeping possession well with the ball but their obvious quality is not shining through where it mattered most; in the final 3rd of the pitch. While at the same time they are still conceding goals, it is a team game, and Man Utd are just not having that ruthless and flamboyant streak going forward. It is nervous to watch them at times but at this stage of the season, any win is good enough, with tired legs obviously taking its toll on the entire squad, even for a squad as big as Man Utd's.
Ratings:
Foster (6): Stood in for VDS surprisingly but was solid generally.
Neville (6): Was booked for simulation early in the game, unprofessional indeed, and was also fouled for a foul-throw.
O'Shea (7): Not as busy on his side of the flank so the Irishman got forward to join the attack with a decent showing.
Vidic (6): Had good early chances and dealt well with Jones' height and physicality.
Evans (6): Still looking nervous but was unpunished given Sunderland's lack of clinical attacking intent.
Park (6): Had a great chance to score towards the end of the 1st half. Replaced by Ronaldo.
Rooney (7): There is a new role for the striker on the left wing and doing more damage on the flanks more than Ronaldo ever had. Was easily the most dangerous player. Delivered the cross for Scholes' goal.
Carrick (6): Played a part in the winning goal but his efforts to stamp his mark in midfield was strongly met by Sunderland's resistance.
Scholes (7): Scored a rare header and could have 1 or 2 more.
Berbatov (6): Returned from injury and fans are still looking for a great return for the $30m investment. Liverpool's Torres had cost less but look how prolific he has been. Unfair comparison perhaps, given their different styles. Maybe next season we will see more great things from the Bulgarian.
Tevez (6): Focal point in Man Utd's attack but was not able to muster as much decent chances as he could.
Subs:
Ronaldo (6): Brought more direct approach to Man Utd's play.
Macheda (6): At the right place at the right time. It is a fairytale start for the young Italian's footballing career.
Anderson (6): Came on for Tevez to beef up Man Utd's midfield for the remaining minutes of the match.
akim
No comments:
Post a Comment