This weekend 2 derbies were played. Chelsea Vs Tottenham and Manchester United Vs Manchester City. Man U and Man Cities rivalry is 153 games old. Every time they play against each other. All fan get their money and time worth.
This match was in highlight because of another reason. CARLOS TEVEZ. The Argentine striker who was served united for last season for 99 matches now is in City squad. City bought him for 26 million. Tevez was half fit before the match but in absence of Adebayor and Robinho they were short of strikers. And important thing was Tevez was eager to play this match and wanted to show United fans and their manager what they are missing this season. But whatever happened last weekend between Adebayor and Van Persie was unlikely to happen this time with Tevez because both are different in nature. Tevez always had more professional approach of game.
Manchester City started the game with 4-5-1 combination. With Tevez as sole attacker, and Ballamy and Wright-Phillip as wingers. They also had services of Gareth Barry in defensive midfield.
Rooney started the match in style with scoring in 2nd min exploiting the major flaw in City’s squad i.e. their defense. Rooney showed United’s critics that after the departure of Ronaldo still side has potential to lift any trophy this season. After the goal Man u looked pumped up to score another. Next 20 min belonged to Man u. against opponents like Man U it is really difficult to come from behind and score the goal in away game unless they make any foolish mistake. And the mistake was made by the weakest link in United’s squad i.e. Ben Foster. He rushed outside the box to receive the ball and collect by taking it inside the box, and as Tevez always does he rushed to pressurize the keeper. And tackled him cleanly and passed it to Barry. Barry scored in open goal to equalize the score. After the goal from City remaining half belonged yellows (cards) and miss chances by City especially Tevez shot which went on to hit the post.
City looked better side in first half. United’s tempo was not good in first half. Giggs – Evra combination from left flank, Berbatov’s stylish game, and Sir Alex Fergusson’s tact ticks nothing was working for Man u.
Man u started second half as they started the first one Giggs set piece was converted by Fletcher by powerful header. But the game still was not over at least for Creig Ballamy. He scored with the stunning bullet from outside the box.
Now the game became more excited both teams were trying their best to get all three points from this game. Man u was attacking only from left flank with Giggs and Evra passing the ball accurately to each other and threatening City with their skills.
Shay Given made some stunning saves by the headers from Barbatov and one volley from Giggs. Then Sir Alex played his Trump Card and bought Michael Owen in. City was surviving very dangerously in the process conceding corners and free kicks. And one of the free kicks by gigs was converted by Fletcher in 80th min scoring his second. Again the city’s defense was there to blame. They got to find new right back.
But there was not over yet. Everybody was giving high best. Everybody was trying to score the goal. This match now really was equally poised. Then the moment came….. Rio Ferdinand, one of the best defender in the world made high school level mistake. In the process flicking the ball over the head of City player he given away the ball in his feet and invited them to equalize. Craig Bellamy scored his second in extra time. It was looking like United have given away 2 important points….. Fourth official added extra 4 mins in clock. At the 94th min United fans were looked really disappointed. But the vessel didn’t blow at 95th min also. And super sub Michael Owen scored his first goal on Old Trafford playing for United with just the flick of his right foot at 95 min 27 sec in the clock. (Time added was correct as Bellamy’s calibration took 55 sec, and Carrick substitution took 30 sec making total of 95 min 25 sec. and it is referee’s decision whether or not to add extra time like this in extra time.) United got their well deserved 3 points from this game. Man u won 4-3.
There were many things to take for both of the teams.
11. United after all these years can say have found replacement for Roy Kean in the form of Fletcher? And he likes his new responsibility.
22. Giggs still is playing well and anchoring the team well.
33. Van Der Sar can’t delay his comeback.
44. Silly mistakes from players like Ferdinand could have cost them loss of 2 important points. “These mistakes are not the nature of United squad.” Were the words of United boss Sit Alex Fergusson.
55. Berbatov should start scoring. He missed too many goals in this match.
For City
11. Craig Bellamy’s game was plus point.
22. They can’t play with sole attacker in form of Tevez (may be Adebayor is okay.)
33. They really need good defenders.
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