Sunday, January 18, 2009

United Knocks Liverpool Off The Fucking Perch (if only for 48hrs)

Bolton 0 - Manchester United 1
Scorer
Manchester United: Berbatov (90)

Team: Van der Sar, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Neville, Carrick, Anderson (Scholes 69), Fletcher (Giggs 69), Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez


How many times are United going to cheat death this season? We almost didn't pull this one out until some dogged, determined work by Tevez provided Berbatov the opportunity to knife one into the backs of the Trotters.

The first half was a stale affair where the only highlight was a United supporter storming the pitch to provide the only entertainment where both sides looked extremely disjointed.

The dull stalemate continued into the second half until Ronaldo decided to take matters upon himself, while his teammates were still sleepwalking thru the game. This was probably one of Ronaldo's better performances. He took on his defenders down the left and could very well have had a few chances but decided to be the ultimate team-player by passing up the chances again and again. Too bad his teammates were all on the wrong frequency.

And when the chances came via freekicks, Bolton's long time serving keeper, Jaaskelainen, was up to the task, thwarting Ronaldo time and time again.

Fergie brought on the old warhorses, Scholes and Giggs to provide much need inspiration while we turned the pressure up a notch. They replaced Fletcher, who was uncomfortable playing on the right wing, and Anderson, who was generally putrid for a lack of a kinda word.

Bolton, like many others before them, held on and looked likely for a deserved draw when Tevez's persistence won United the ball. His cross found Berbatov alone in the box and Jaaskelainen could do little to save his powerful header.

Berbatov had a decent enough game, and is starting to look like a true match-winner for us. There is still plenty to be desired upfront for us, but with Ronaldo coming into form and Tevez and Berbatov showing signs of a budding partnership, I certainly hope it spells good things for us.

In the meantime, let's enjoying being top of the table. We hardly deserve it but on the other hand, neither do the other teams.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Was i glad SAR brought on Scholes and Giggs. Carrick and Anderson were fucking awful.

Time to relook Berbtov's ratings. He doesn't seem so bad now.

Anonymous said...

Spectre, its true. United have dodged draws/losses like nobody's business as of late. But the fact remains that did a good job in the end. Football lasts for 90 minutes and it ain't over till the final whistle. Pulling a rabbit out of a hat in the dying moments of the match is what separates United the Champions from the rest.

Harris, lets be honest about it. Berbatov was disappointing throughout the game. But he did make amends for his shortcomings with a goal in the end. A simple finish but yet totally missable under any circumstances. Credit to him.

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