retired_tnovo

Wednesday 10th January 2007

teamtalk.com

Manchester United 3 Manchester City 2

The tie pretty much hangs in the balance. Manchester United take a one goal advantage to the City of Manchester Stadium after a convincing victory over their local rivals at Old Trafford tonight. Michael Carrick's sweet strike just before the hour mark ensured that United won this first leg. Twice United were pegged back after taking the lead with Park Ji-Sung and Paul Scholes' wonderstrike cancelled out by DaMarcus Beasley and Darius Vassell. The hosts did deserve to edge this first leg after controlling this match for most parts and creating plenty of opportunities. Manager Faiz Khan made three changes from the side that thrashed Bolton in the FA Cup last weekend with Tomasz Kuszczak, Rio Ferdinand and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer coming in to replace Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville and injured Wayne Rooney. Khan also named returning duo Ryan Giggs and Louis Saha among his bench alternatives. City boss Stuart Pearce made two changes from the shock FA Cup exit against Q.P.R. with Timothee Atouba and Joey Barton replaced by Stephen Jordan and Ousmane Dabo.

In fairly mild and dry conditions in Manchester, referee Grant Hegley got this Manchester derby going. Inside four minutes, Wes Brown took a short freekick to Scholes and the midfielder took one touch before striking a long range effort trickling wide of the mark. United had started very brightly and they took the lead on 8 minutes. Carrick spread the ball out to Cristiano Ronaldo who sent a low cross to the near post where Park swept his shot into the far corner. Three minutes later, the hosts almost scored a second goal. Micah Richards was booked for a tug back on Scholes and Kieran Richardson played the freekick into the 6 yard area where an unmarked Ronaldo headed well over the crossbar. On 14 minutes, Carrick played a freekick into the path of the onrushing Brown who let fly with a vicious long range drive which was punched away by Andreas Isaksson. It was all United at the moment and midway through the first half, they came close to adding a second goal. Scholes played a nice one-two with Carrick before his deflected long range shot went just inches wide of the post with Isaksson stranded on the other side of the goal. On 27 minutes, Richardson played a dangerous freekick into the area and Ronaldo climbed above everyone to nod home but he was penalised for pushing Isaksson at the same time - the decision seemed to be the right one given the subsequent television replays. After 35 minutes, the best move of the game almost resulted in a United goal. Slick inter-passing involving Scholes, Park and Richardson sent Solskjaer away in the area but his angled drive was superbly stopped by Isaksson and the ball was cleared to safety. Four minutes later, City made United pay for their missed opportunities by levelling matters. Dabo was allowed to stride into the area unchallenged and when his fearsome shot was stopped by Kuszczak, Brown's attempted clearance hit Beasley square on the head and Kuszczak had no chance keeping it out. Into first half stoppage time and United responded to conceding a goal by retaking the lead. Scholes spread the ball out to Brown on the right channel and the stand-in right-back returned the ball for Scholes to fire a rocket of a strike past Isaksson at his near post from fully 35 yards out - his 5th goal of the season and what a strike! The whistle went for halftime almost immediately with the score at Old Trafford being read out as Manchester United 2 Manchester City 1.

Khan was very pleased with his side's determination after the sucker punch that was City's equaliser but he warned his troops that City were going to step it up after the break. The second half began at Old Trafford and an early chance for the visitors after 50 minutes. Richards spread the ball to Dabo on the right side and he crossed towards the penalty spot where unmarked Vassell headed well wide of the far corner. Two minutes later, Scholes was tripped by Hatem Trabelsi and Richardson's deflected freekick wrongfooted Isaksson but the giant Swede somehow stuck out his outstretched left hand to tip it away to safety. City had started well after the break and they found a surprising second equaliser. Dietmar Hamann span past Carrick and played a pinpoint pass in behind United's backline for Vassell to run onto and smash the effort through Kuszczak into the roof of the net. United were clearly stung by this goal and went ahead for the third time almost immediately. Ronaldo switched play beautifully to Gabriel Heinze on the left wing and when his cross was cleared, the ball was struck as sweet as you like on the half volley by Carrick which flew past Isaksson at his near post. On 64 minutes, City had a great opportunity to peg their neighbours back once again. Beasley went easily past Brown on the left side and he sent a perfect ball to the far post where Giorgos Samaras' firm header was pushed away by Kuszczak and the ball was cleared to safety. Instead of going full on for the fourth goal, United decided to relax and just keep hold of possession. And that seemed to work as City were restricted to long hopeful passes which went astray the majority of the time. With a quarter of an hour to go, United almost scored that fourth goal. Substitute Darren Fletcher swung a dangerous freekick to an unmarked Ferdinand who headed firmly against the outside of the post and wide. Three minutes later on the counter-attack, Beasley went storming down the right unchallenged and crossed to Richards who headed just inches wide of Kuszczak's near post. The game was heading for a United first leg advantage and they should have scored a fourth goal four minutes from time. Park set Ronaldo on his way down the right wing and he waited before crossing for Carrick but he sent his header wide from 6 yards out. The game eventually petered out as City were more than happy with the score in the knowledge that they will be at home in a fortnight's time. The final score from Old Trafford was Manchester United 3 Manchester City 2.

Match Verdict - great Manchester derby was won by the hosts but City wont mind too much as they found a decent result from a match that was dominated by United. It's game on at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Man Utd - Kuszczak 6, Brown 6, Heinze 7, Ferdinand 7, Vidic 5 (Evra 58, 7), Ronaldo 8, Richardson 7, Carrick 8, Scholes 8 (Fletcher 72, 7), Park Ji-Sung 7, Solskjaer 7 (Saha 72, 6).

Goals - Park Ji-Sung (8), Scholes (45), Carrick (58)

Booked - Scholes

Man City - Isaksson 6, Trabelsi 7, Jordan 7, Dunne 7, Distin 6, Richards 7, Beasley 7, Vassell 7, Hamann 7 (Reyna 80, 7), Dabo 7 (Sun Jihai 58, 7), Samaras 7 (Dickov 69, 7).

Goals - Beasley (39), Vassell (54)

Booked - Dunne & Richards

Man of the Match - Paul Scholes - the little ginger prince was outstanding tonight as his various passing dictated the play for most parts. Capped display off with a memorable long range strike.


Other Carling Cup Result

Aston Villa 2 Charlton 1


Midweek Premiership Results

Blackburn 1 Middlesbrough 1
Fulham 0 Arsenal 1
Newcastle 1 Chelsea 1
Tottenham 1 Reading 0
Watford 0 Liverpool 1

retired_tnovo

Thursday 11th January 2007

The Sun

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has been rumoured to express an interest in bringing Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra to the Riverside Stadium. Southgate sees the French defender as an ideal signing as he looks to strengthen his squad ahead of a potential battle against relegation from the Premiership.

Manchester United Faiz Khan has responded to these claims by accusing Middlesbrough of trying to unsettle Evra as the Old Trafford club strengthened their resolve to keep the left-back. Khan also stated to Boro that they should cast their minds elsewhere as he will not be bullied into selling Evra. The French defender has filled in very well at left-back in Heinze's absence.

When asked about this potential transfer taking place, Evra himself has declared that he has no intention of leaving Khan and Manchester United. He said that despite strong transfer speculation, he is more than happy to stay at Old Trafford for the forseeable future.

retired_tnovo

Saturday 13th January 2007

premierleague.com

Manchester United 5 Tottenham Hotspur 1

The league is the official priority this season. Manchester United kept up with leaders Arsenal by dispatching their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford this afternoon. The visitors took an early lead through Jermain Defoe but it only served to fire up the hosts as goals from Park Ji-Sung (again!), Paul Scholes and Luis Perea (og) before the interval all but sealed the three points for United. Second half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha capped off a fine afternoon for Faiz Khan's men. In truth, it was a very even match here but it was United's greater composure in front of goal that was the difference. Khan made three alterations from the team which beat local rivals City with Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville and Saha replacing Tomasz Kuszczak, Rio Ferdinand and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Tottenham manager Martin Jol made just the one change from the XI that defeated Reading in midweek, with Jermaine Jenas dropping to the bench to make way for Defoe.

On a dry but very cold afternoon at Old Trafford, referee Dermot Gallagher got the proceedings up and running. The match got off a slow start as both sides were just weighing each other up while having spells of possession. The first opening came in the 10th minute for the visitors and they took it. Leighton Baines' fierce freekick was brilliantly tipped away by van der Sar but the ball was failed to be cleared by Park and Robbie Keane seized the ball laying the ball off for Defoe to slam the ball past van der Sar high into the net. It did'nt take long for Park to redeem himself as he levelled matters two minutes after the restart. Park went running towards goal before playing a slick one-two with Ronaldo before placing his effort past Radek Cerny into the top corner. From the kickoff, Didier Zokora went unchallenged inside the United half before playing the ball into Defoe who unleashed a powerful drive which van der Sar did well to tip over the crossbar. After that little flurry, the match quietened down a bit as the hosts tried to break down Spurs' defence. On 24 minutes, Scholes was fouled by Ledley King and Richardson sent his 25-yard freekick just inches wide of the far corner. Two minutes later, United took the lead. Neville gave the ball to Ronaldo on the right flank and he got to the byline before his cross was deflected into the path of Scholes who coolly slotted through Cerny's legs from 6 yards out. Just after the halfhour, Spurs almost levelled the match. van der Sar's pass eluded Michael Carrick and the ball ran to Defoe who hit an instant curler from 30 yards out and van der Sar made amends with an outstanding fingertip save to concede a corner. After 36 minutes, Nemanja Vidic spread a great ball out to Kieran Richardson on the left side and his cross towards the far post was headed into the sidenetting by Ronaldo. Towards the end of first half injury time, United put a little breathing space between them and their opponents. Richardson got past Pascal Chimbonda and went storming into the area where his fierce low cross was deflected into the net by Perea's head. The whistle rang around Old Trafford with the halftime score reading Manchester United 3 Tottenham Hotspur 1.

Khan was happy that his side had got a two goal cushion in the break but told his players that the defending had better improve or else Spurs could come back in this match. The second half was underway a noisy Old Trafford. And the ground got even louder as United extended their lead further inside the first three minutes of the half. Gabriel Heinze gave the ball to Richardson and the winger played a perfect ball to the far post where Ronaldo sent a bullet header past Cerny into the far corner. United were enjoying themselves at the moment and in the 55th minute, they almost scored a class fifth goal. Heinze's long ball was flicked on by Saha and Park hit the ball on the volley which skimmed the top of the crossbar with Cerny totally beaten. Just before the hour, Carrick played a one-two with Neville before unleashing a fearsome strike which just missed the far corner by a matter of centimetres. Spurs had taken a while to get going in the second half and they should have pulled a goal back halfway through the second half. Sanli Tuncay exchanged passes with substitute Mido before bending a great ball into the area for Keane but the Ireland striker missed the target from 6 yards out. United began to take the mickey out of Spurs by passing the ball about as if it was a training session. At one point, there was a move including over 20 passes which ended in Saha chipping the ball just over the crossbar. On 75 minutes, Richardson went running at Chimbonda before teeing up Scholes from 30 yards out but his firm effort went straight into Cerny's arms. Two minutes later, Chimbonda exchanged passes with Keane before sending a cross into the area where Mido's header was blocked superbly by the onrushing van der Sar. With five minutes remaining, substitute Benoit Assou-Ekotto span past substitute Darren Fletcher and teed up Keane on the edge of the area and his effort went into van der Sar's arms. A minute later, United capped off their afternoon with a fifth goal. Substitute Ryan Giggs was upended by substitute Jenas and the Wales captain played a freekick into the area where unmarked Saha placed his header expertly past Cerny at his near post - his 10th goal of the season! The game was over after two minutes of stoppage time and the final score from Old Trafford was Manchester United 5 Tottenham Hotspur 1.

Match Verdict - although the game itself was quite even, it was United who took their chances more clinically than Spurs and that's why we are looking at a harsh result on the visitors.

Man Utd - van der Sar 9, G Neville 8, Heinze 8, Brown 8, Vidic 8, Ronaldo 9, Richardson 8 (Giggs 78, 7), Carrick 8, Scholes 8 (Fletcher 78, 6), Park Ji-Sung 6, Saha 8 (Rossi 78, 6).

Goals - Park Ji-Sung (12), Scholes (26), Perea (og 45), Ronaldo (48), Saha (86)

Tottenham - Cerny 6, Chimbonda 6, Baines 6, Perea 6 (Assou-Ekotto 77, 6), Dawson 6, Keane 7, Tuncay 6, King 6, Zokora 6, Defoe 7 (Jenas 45, 6), Berbatov 6 (Mido 63, 6).

Goals - Defoe (10)

Man of the Match - Cristiano Ronaldo - he has been out of this world since his injury setback and was the main man again this afternoon. His pace and skills resulted in a goal for him and 2 assists for his team-mates.


Other Premiership Results

Arsenal 3 Liverpool 1
Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 1
Charlton 3 Blackburn 1
Everton 2 Reading 3
Fulham 0 Man City 3
Portsmouth 1 Middlesbrough 2
Sheff Utd 0 West Ham 2
Watford 0 Bolton 1
Wigan 2 Chelsea 1

retired_tnovo

Monday 15th January 2007

premierleague.com

After playing their part in the convincing victory over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, Manchester United trio Edwin van der Sar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick have been selected in the Premiership Team of the Week. Here is the team in full:

Edwin van der Sar (Man Utd)

Petri Pasanen (West Ham)
Ricardo Gardner (Bolton)
Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough)
Mladen Krstajic (West Ham)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
DaMarcus Beasley (Man City)
Dietmar Hamann (Man City)
Michael Carrick (Man Utd)

Emile Heskey (Wigan)
Darren Bent (Charlton)

retired_tnovo

Wednesday 17th January 2007

premierleague.com

Manchester United 4 Watford 0

They are scoring goal for fun at the moment. Manchester took full advantage of their game in hand by destroying 10-man Watford at Old Trafford tonight. A Gabriel Heinze header sandwiched in between two goals from in-form Park Ji-Sung gave United a three goal lead going into halftime. And a goal after the hour from Cristiano Ronaldo set the seal on a victory which takes the hosts to the top of the Premiership table. Watford finished the game with 10 men as Alan Hutton was dismissed for two bookable offences just before the interval. It was a thoroughly deserved win for United as they controlled the match from start to finish and if it was'nt for keeper Richard Lee, the scoreline could have been far wider. United boss Faiz Khan made two changes from the demolition against Tottenham with Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs coming in for Wes Brown and Kieran Richardson. Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd made five changes to the side that lost at home to Bolton by replacing ineligible Ben Foster, Jordan Stewart, Damien Francis, Ashley Young and injured Marlon King with Lee, Andrejs Rubins, Matthew Spring, Tommy Smith and Darius Henderson.

A light breeze spread across a very wet Old Trafford as referee Rob Styles got this match underway. From the kickoff, Heinze fed Paul Scholes who in turn found Park on the edge of the area and the South Korea international sent his effort sailing over the crossbar. Two minutes later, United scored the opening goal. Scholes and Michael Carrick passed the ball to each other in midfield before the latter split the Watford defence by finding Park through on goal with the winger applying a curling finish from 12 yards - his 10th goal of an astonishing season so far! United had started really well and almost scored a second goal after just 7 minutes. Giggs played a pinpoint freekick into the area where Ronaldo climbed highest to head just inches over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Giggs exchanged passes with Carrick before finding Louis Saha in the area who crossed smartly for Ronaldo at the far post and his volley was superbly tipped wide by Lee. And from the resulting corner, Ferdinand's close range header from Giggs' centre was well blocked by Lee. On 16 minutes, United should have extended their lead. Nemanja Vidic's long ball sent Saha away on goal but the France striker took the ball too wide of Lee and allowed the keeper to make a routine stop at his near post. A minute later, Giggs' freekick was headed goalwards by Scholes only for Lee to stick out his right hand to touch it over the crossbar. The hosts had been far the dominant side and in the 29th minute, they emphasised this by adding a second goal. Gary Neville laid the ball off to Ronaldo who ran to the byline before standing the ball up perfectly for Heinze to ghost in unmarked the back post to nod past Lee - his 1st goal of the season! Three minutes after the restart, Watford were gifted a great opportunity to pull a goal back. Giggs' pass to Vidic was loose and Sharbel Touma stole in and went past Vidic before blasting the ball well over the crossbar with just Edwin van der Sar to beat. And that missed opportunity did not go unpunished after 37 minutes. Vidic's long ball was flicked on by Saha into the path of Park who calmly stroked the ball into the far corner from the edge of the area for his 2nd goal of the match. Four minutes before the halftime, Heinze was penalised for pushing Henderson and Spring stepped up from 25 yards out but his effort went too high and wide to trouble van der Sar. As the half headed for a close, Watford's already difficult task was made even harder. Giggs was caught by a very late challenge from Hutton and having been booked earlier, the referee did'nt have any choice but to show the red card. As Hutton headed down the tunnel, the others followed him for the break as the scoreline from Old Trafford was Manchester United 3 Watford 0.

Khan was very pleased with his side's ruthless attacking and goals to show for it. He told his side not let complacency creep into their minds as they still had 45 minutes to play. The second half was up and running at Old Trafford. And the hosts continued their control as they almost found a fourth goal on 48 minutes. Ronaldo seized onto the loose ball and sent a great through ball for Saha but his attempted chip over Lee drifted inches wide of the far corner. Five minutes later, Giggs' inswinging cross was headed comfortably over the crossbar by Ronaldo. After 55 minutes, Giggs teed up Vidic from a freekick and the Serb sent a banana shot swerving just inches wide of the far corner. United had totally running riot now with the extra man and they found a fourth goal just after the hour. Giggs played a great one-two with Scholes before sending a hanging cross towards the far post where Ronaldo climbed to send his bullet header flying past Lee into the top corner. Midway through the second half, United should have had a fifth goal. Ronaldo went running down the right side and he crossed into the area where an unmarked Saha headed over the crossbar from 6 yards out. On 74 minutes, Neville spread the ball to substitute Richardson on the left and he got to the byline before crossing to the far post where Neville's header was well beaten away by Lee. Two minutes later, the hosts should have scored a fifth goal. Richardson went spinning past David Grondin and his deflected cross found Ronaldo at the far post merely 2 yards out and he shot wide of the goal. As the match was coming to an end, Lee made an astonishing triple stop. Firstly, he stopped Ronaldo's firm header from substitute Giuseppe Rossi's cross. Then Ronaldo crossed for Carrick but his firm header was brilliantly palmed away and Rossi's instinctive rebound was pushed away by Lee for a corner. The final whistle went at Old Trafford with the final score reading Manchester United 4 Watford 0.

Match Verdict - from the first whistle, it did not look a contest at all as the hosts were simply too quick and too strong for Watford. The defeated visitors are looking at a relegation battle now after such a promising start.

Man Utd - van der Sar 8, G Neville 8, Heinze 8, Ferdinand 8, Vidic 8, Ronaldo 9, Giggs 9 (Richardson 63, 7), Carrick 8, Scholes 8 (Fletcher 72, 7), Park Ji-Sung 10, Saha 8 (Rossi 72, 7).

Goals - Park Ji-Sung (3, 37), Heinze (29), Ronaldo (63)

Booked - Scholes

Watford - Lee 7, Hutton 5, Grondin 5, El Karkouri 6, DeMerit 6, Touma 5 (Young 64, 6), Rubins 6 (Doyley 63, 6), Mahon 6, Spring 6, Smith 6, Henderson 6 (Bangura 45, 6).

Booked - Hutton, El Karkouri, Touma & Smith

Sent Off - Hutton (45)

Man of the Match - Park Ji-Sung - the tireless midfielder has been revelling in the role of playing behind the striker and he scored twice tonight to demonstrate his talents. He's in the form of his life.


Other Premiership Result

Everton 2 Chelsea 1


Midweek FA Cup Replays

Crystal Palace 0 Wolves 2
Leeds 0 Charlton 2
Leyton Orient 0 Brentford 1
Swansea 2 Luton 0
Wrexham 0 Fulham 3

FFlash

could post a screenie of the league im sorry if i missed one but apart from that good story

retired_tnovo

cheers megafan2005, glad you're enjoying the story. Here's an updated league table just for you.

http://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?i...visionlbo3.jpg

retired_tnovo

Sunday 21st January 2007

premierleague.com

Everton 2 Manchester United 1

A real turn up for the books. Everton stayed in 5th place with a convincing victory over title challengers Manchester United at Goodison Park this afternoon. Andrew Johnson scored the decisive goal late into the second half to give David Moyes' side the three points. James Beattie's goal late goal in the first half, cancelling out Louis Saha's early opening goal. It was a victory well deserved for the Toffees as they controlled the match very well against their more superior opponents. Manager Faiz Khan made two changes from the side that thrashed Watford with Wes Brown and Kieran Richardson replacing cold victim Nemanja Vidic and jaded Ryan Giggs, who dropped to the bench. Everton boss Moyes made just the one alteration from the famous win over Chelsea with the ineligible Tim Howard making way for Richard Wright.

On a very cold and wet afternoon on Merseyside, referee Alan Wiley got this Premiership encounter up and running. It was the away side that made the better start to the match and they took the lead inside five minutes. Gary Neville sent a long ball down the line and when his little brother Phil's header back to Wright was too weak, Saha snuck in to take the ball round the keeper and slot into an empty net. Everton tried to hit back two minutes after the restart. James McFadden went charging down the left and he crossed into the area where Beattie's bullet header went straight at Edwin van der Sar and Simon Davies sent his long range rebound just inches wide of the far corner. After 14 minutes, Everton almost levelled the match. Davies sent an inswinging corner which Joseph Yobo got a firm head on but van der Sar made a stunning fingertip save and United cleared the ball to safety. Five minutes later, United had a good opportunity to further their lead. Gary Neville had the ball and surveyed the area and he saw Park Ji-Sung free but the in-form South Korea's snapshot was well palmed away by Wright and away to safety. It had been an even match so far and just before the halfhour, the hosts were almost back in the match. McFadden played a neat one-two with Beattie and his low cross was deflected towards goal but van der Sar reacted brilliantly well to stick out a hand to tip it away for a corner. On 35 minutes, Phil Neville was harshly called back for an alleged push on Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick stepped up from 30 yards out but his freekick was easily caught by Wright. Three minutes later, Everton were back in the game. Phil Neville's long ball caused big problems for Rio Ferdinand and Beattie took advantage, taking the ball wide of van der Sar before slotting the ball into the far corner - his 10th goal of the season and how coolly taken it was! Just before halftime, Everton were denied a second goal. Johnson fed the ball to McFadden who instantly played a delightful cross into the area for Beattie only for his firm header to be superbly tipped away by van der Sar. Moments later, the halftime break had arrived with the score at Everton 1 Manchester United 1.

Khan was not overly impressed with what transpired in the first half but reassured his players that victory was well within their grasp going into the second 45 minutes. In the 47th minute, Brown fouled Beattie on the edge of the area and the striker picked himself to send his freekick well wide of the mark. Six minutes later, Everton should have had the lead. Davies swung in a corner from the right and the ball fell to McFadden 6 yards out, but he could only stab his shot into van der Sar's grateful arms. On 58 minutes, Tony Hibbert played a freekick towards the near post where Johnson's smart glancing header beat van der Sar but went into the side-netting. The visitors had been very slow to get into their in the second half and it was not until after the hour when they threatened. Park was held back by Yobo around 25 yards from goal and Paul Scholes stepped up to fire the freekick just inches over the crossbar. Midway through the second half, the hosts came so close to taking the lead. Hibbert's long ball into the area was knocked down by McFadden and Johnson's shot on the turn was superbly tipped over the crossbar by van der Sar. And from the resulting corner, Davies' corner somehow got past Gabriel Heinze and Yobo scooped his header well over the crossbar from close range. After 72 minutes, Everton finally took the lead. Hibbert played the ball into space for Beattie and his far post cross was headed past van der Sar by Johnson into the far corner - a couple of United players were appealing for offside but television replays showed the decision was marginally correct. Everton were running riot and should have sealed the three points on 78 minutes. Leon Osman went running at Heinze and he slipped Johnson through on goal but his shot went well wide of the far corner with just van der Sar. The United were looking very tired in their pursuit of what would be an undeserved equaliser. Two minutes from time, van der Sar was at it again. Hibbert played a neat pass to substitute Steven Naismith and his cracking shot was stopped brilliantly by van der Sar and the danger was averted. As the seconds ticked down, United were trying to force the issue but Everton were holding very firm and the final whistle went to a rapturous Goodison Park. The final score on Merseyside was Everton 2 Manchester United 1.

Match Verdict - absolutely absorbing match at Goodison was deservedly won by the hosts as they dominated their opponents, especially in the second half. Their quest for Europe is certainly looking good at the moment.

Everton - Wright 7, Hibbert 7, P Neville 6, Yobo 7, Lescott 7, Osman 7, McFadden 7 (Valente 74, 6), Davies 8, Cahill 7, Johnson 7 (van der Meyde 74, 6), Beattie 8 (Naismith 81, 7).

Goals - Beattie (38), Johnson (72)

Man Utd - van der Sar 8, G Neville 6, Heinze 7, Ferdinand 7, Brown 6, Ronaldo 7, Richardson 7 (Giggs 69, 7), Carrick 7, Scholes 7 (Fletcher 77, 6), Park Ji-Sung 6, Saha 7 (Rossi 69, 6).

Goals - Saha (5)

Man of the Match - Edwin van der Sar - just getting better with age. He may have been on the losing side this afternoon but the big Dutchman was brilliant in keeping several certain goals out.


Other Premiership Results

Blackburn 3 Aston Villa 1
Bolton 1 Fulham 0
Chelsea 3 Portsmouth 0
Man City 0 Arsenal 2
Middlesbrough 0 Sheff Utd 0
Newcastle 1 Watford 1
Reading 0 Liverpool 3
Tottenham 4 Wigan 0
West Ham 3 Charlton 0

retired_tnovo

Sunday 21st January 2007

Sky Sports News

Everton manager David Moyes was certainly buoyant after his side's victory against Manchester United earlier on this afternoon. In his post-match press conference, the Everton boss stated to opposing manager Faiz Khan that the morale in the Everton dressing room was extremely high and that his side have no fears of anyone at the moment.

Khan seemed completely unaffected upon hearing Moyes' comments and stated that he was quite satisfied with his side's performance in the match at Goodison Park this afternoon. He chose not to go ranting about his opposing manager, instead preferring to talk about his own players' trying efforts.

retired_tnovo

Monday 22nd January 2007

premierleague.com

Following his energetic display in the crushing defeat of Watford last Wednesday, Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo was named in the Premiership Team of the Week. Here is the team in full:

Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton)

Andre Ooijer (Blackburn)
Stephen Warnock (Liverpool)
William Gallas (Arsenal)
Mladen Krstajic (West Ham)

Yossi Benayoun (West Ham)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Damien Francis (Watford)
Julio Baptista (Arsenal)

Craig Bellamy (Liverpool)
Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)