retired_tnovo

Monday 23rd October 2006

premierleague.com

After playing their part in the ruthless destruction of Sheffield United yesterday afternoon, Manchester United duo Ryan Giggs and Alan Smith were selected in the Premiership Team of the Week. Here is the team in full:

Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton)

Nicky Hunt (Bolton)
Ricardo Gardner (Bolton)
Joseph Yobo (Everton)
John Terry (Chelsea)

Stelios Giannakopoulos (Aston Villa)
Ryan Giggs (Man Utd)
Michael Ballack (Chelsea)
Tim Cahill (Everton)

Alan Smith (Man Utd)
Nicolas Anelka (Bolton)

retired_tnovo

Wednesday 25th October 2006

manutd.com

Manchester United 6 Lincoln City 0

Well, there was no chance of an upset here. A weakened Manchester United eased into the Carling Cup 4th Round with an emphatic victory over Lincoln City at Old Trafford tonight. First half goals from Mikael Silvestre and Park Ji-Sung set United on their way before goals from Louis Saha and substitutes Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney set the seal on their display. Paul Morgan also helped the hosts, gifting the third goal. It was a game completely dominated by United as their League Two counterparts simply had no chance, even against pretty much a second string team. Faiz Khan made a number of changes from the side thrashed Sheffield United last Sunday, with fringe players such as Silvestre, Darren Fletcher, David Jones and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer getting a chance to shine. Lincoln boss John Schofield made five changes from the side that defeated Swindon with Alan Marriott, Marcos Painter, Dominic Blizzard, Floribert N'Galula and Jamie Forrester replaced by Simon Rayner, Adie Moses, Nat Brown, Scott Kerr and Andrew Toyne.

On a cold evening in Manchester effected by strong gales, referee Trevor Kettle got this match underway. Early on, Lincoln had a great opportunity to take a shocking lead. On a counter-attack, Stallard fed Simon Mensing who played a great first time ball through to Bingham and he shot across Tomasz Kuszczak but the Pole somehow kept the effort out with a fantastic fingertip save. The hosts took until the 15th minute to register their first opening of the game. Kieran Richardson strode forward and laid the ball off to Saha who took one touch before firing a shot just inches over the crossbar. But a minute later, United took the lead. Fletcher played a freekick out to an unmarked Silvestre on the left angle of the area and he unleashed an unstoppable strike past Rayner and into the far corner. The match passed by without much chances for either side. On 25 minutes, Jones ran forward before playing Solskjaer through on goal but the Norweigan legend could only shoot well over the crossbar. But it was not long before United extended their lead with the best goal of the night. Park Ji-Sung stole the ball from Hughes on the halfway line and began running past every single defender before firing his fierce effort past Rayner into the roof of the net. From the kickoff, Lincoln were very unlucky not to pull a goal back. Kerr and David Bingham combined superbly for the latter to cross to the far post where Mensing's perfect volley was brilliantly pushed aside by Kuszczak. Just before halftime, United almost stretched their lead even further. Richardson and Silvestre exchanged passes before the England man's low cross was met perfectly by Solskjaer but Rayner made a great reaction save, much to the home fans' frustration - it's been a while since Solskjaer was on the scoresheet in a red shirt. The whistle went for the interval with United cruising and the score was Manchester United 2 Lincoln City 0.

Khan was pleased enough as he expected his players to be in front already and told his side to go out and enjoy the second half. But United suffered an early blow as Jones went off injured and had to be replaced by Michael Carrick. And the hosts were lucky not to concede almost immediately. Kerr played a freekick out to Jeff Hughes and his cross found an unmarked Stallard but he could only direct his header over the crossbar. United got away with it and they took full advantage on 54 minutes. Fletcher played a wonderful pass to Richardson on the left side and his low cross intended for Solskjaer struck Morgan and trickled over the line for an own goal. Fletcher almost had a hand in another goal on the hour. The young Scot swung in a corner from the left and Carrick climbed highest to head the ball just inches over the crossbar. The hosts then decided to just play keep-ball to wind the clock down and close this win out. Khan decided to bring his young guns Rooney and Ronaldo on and the latter almost made an instant impact. Fletcher played a corner in from the right side and Ronaldo's towering header was cleared off the line by Kerr and away to safety. But from the resulting corner, Ronaldo was not to be denied, heading in Park Ji-Sung's out-swinger - Ronaldo's 5th goal of the season! Five minutes later, United added a fifth goal. John O'Shea threw the ball to Rooney who just simply ran into the area and slipped the ball under the helpless Rayner's body. The hosts were strolling in the closing moments and Saha almost scored a sixth with a thunderous effort which flew just inches wide of the mark. But in the final minute, Saha did get his goal thanks to some comical goalkeeping. Rayner came rushing out to meet O'Shea's long ball but he headed it so weak, it dropped at Saha's feet and the Frenchman ruthlessly dispatched his effort early and into an empty net. The final whistle went at Old Trafford as the home fans celebrated their team's progression to the next round with the score of Manchester United 6 Lincoln City 0.

Match Verdict - this was just too easy for the Premiership giants against their League Two minnows. Tougher tests lie ahead for Khan's men but this was a nice match to get ready.

Man Utd - Kuszczak 8, O'Shea 9, Silvestre 8, Brown 8, Vidic 8, Park Ji-Sung 9, Richardson 8 (Ronaldo 71, 7), Fletcher 10, Jones 7 (Carrick 48, 7), Solskjaer 7 (Rooney 71, 7), Saha 8.

Goals - Silvestre (16), Park Ji-Sung (28), Morgan og (54), Ronaldo (77), Rooney (81), Saha (90)

Booked - Silvestre

Injured - Jones (48)

Lincoln - Rayner 5, Moses 6, Hughes 6, Morgan 5, Amoo 6, Brown 6 (Mayo 77, 6), Mensing 6 (Cryan 66, 6), Kerr 6, Toyne 6, Stallard 6 (Forrester 77, 6), Bingham 5.

Booked - Moses, Mensing, Kerr, Bingham & Cryan

Man of the Match - Darren Fletcher - grabbed this rare opportunity with both hands, spraying the ball about effortlessly. Had a hand in two of the goals and the boy has a great engine on him.


Other Carling Cup Results

Arsenal 0 Charlton 1
Aston Villa 1 Tottenham (Villa win 5-4 on pens)
Blackburn 3 Bristol Rovers 1
Cardiff 0 Everton 2
Chelsea 2 West Ham 0
Crystal Palace 0 Oldham 0 (Oldham win 4-1 on pens)
Grimsby 0 Liverpool 3
Huddersfield 0 Watford 1
Ipswich 3 Leeds 0
Luton 2 Southend 1
Man City 2 Middlesbrough 1
Reading 1 Newcastle 2
Rochdale 2 Millwall 1
S'thorpe 3 Plymouth 1
Sheff Utd 2 Bradford 1 (after extra time)

retired_tnovo

Friday 27th October 2006

bbc.co.uk/football

The draw for the 4th Round of the Carling Cup was made this afternoon at the FA Headquarters in Soho Square and Manchester United were given a tough tie for next round. Faiz Khan's side will continue the defence of this trophy when they face Everton at Goodison Park. Khan will certainly be wary of the threat that Everton can pose, particularly in the Premiership game last month. This is probably the tie of the round and another tie to look out for is Chelsea's trip up north to St James Park to face Newcastle. Here is the draw in full:

Oldham v Blackburn
S'Thorpe v Rochdale
Liverpool v Sheff Utd
Aston Villa v Watford
Charlton v Luton
Newcastle v Chelsea
Man City v Ipswich
Everton v Man Utd

retired_tnovo

Saturday 28th October 2006

premierleague.com

Manchester United 2 Charlton Athletic 1

The results keep on coming. Manchester United laboured to an unconvincing victory over Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford this afternoon. A goal in each half from Wayne Rooney and Alan Smith were enough to send United back to the top of the Premiership table. Darren Bent pulled a goal back for Charlton late on in the game but it was too late to ignite a Charlton fightback. It was quite an even match in Manchester, but it was United's cooler heads in front of goal that got them the three points this afternoon. United boss Faiz Khan brought all his key players including Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Smith back after they were rested for the Carling Cup rout over Lincoln City. Charlton manager Iain Dowie made just one change from the side that knocked Arsenal out of the Carling Cup with Jerome Thomas sacrificed for the more defensive Radostin Kishishev.

As the very cold weather was setting in at Old Trafford, referee Mark Clattenburg got the proceedings underway. There was a scare early on for the hosts as Ryan Giggs went down with nobody near him clutching his knee. He was carried off for some treatment and came back on minutes later. United had started the match dictating play with their passing but were not able to break down Charlton's back four thus far. But in the 15th minute, they were handed a great opportunity to take the lead. Carrick's ball got both Rooney and Smith chasing and when Scott Carson cleared it straight to Smith, he set up Rooney for an opportunistic chip but his lob drifted inches wide of the far corner. Four minutes later though, Rooney made up for that miss by giving his side the lead. Giggs' searching freekick was headed on by Smith into the path of Rooney who took one touch before powering his effort past a helpless Carson. Two minutes later, Carrick and Neville combined superbly to set Cristiano Ronaldo on his way to goal but his cross-cum-shot was well saved by Carson. Charlton were clearly shaken by the hosts' goal and did not create anything until midway through the 1st half. Luke Young dispossessed Giggs and sent a good high ball for Darren Bent to go clear on goal but he could not keep his first time shot down and the chance was gone. On the halfhour, United had a great opportunity to score a second goal. Ronaldo sent Smith through on goal and when his shot was charged down, the ball fell for Rooney whose firm effort was beaten away by Carson. After that chance, the visitors took hold of possession and started to frustrate United for a few minutes. On 40 minutes, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink tried his luck with a 30 yard freekick which flew just inches over the crossbar. That was the last action of the 1st half as the score at Old Trafford read Manchester United 1 Charlton Athletic 0.

Khan had encouraged his players to keep attacking the way they did in the 1st half and they should score more goals after the break. The 2nd half was underway at Old Trafford. And Charlton started very positively, with Matt Holland teeing up Andy Reid from 25 yards out but his first time strike flew just inches over the crossbar. Six minutes later, Ferdinand poorly cleared a cross to Darren Bent and he teed up Hasselbaink inside the penalty area and he directed his curling effort just past the post. And then on the counter-attack, Scholes beautifully sent Rooney through on goal but his effort was well blocked by the onrushing Carson. The visitors were certainly getting into the match more now and they should have levelled matters before the hour mark. Hasselbaink's shot was deflected by Ferdinand into the path of Darren Bent at the far post but he skied his effort when it seemed easier to score. Shortly after the hour, Edwin van der Sar had to be extremely alert as Reid's looping cross was heading towards the top corner before the big Dutchman's giants right hand clawed it away to safety. And from the resulting corner, Omar Pouso headed Reid's inswinger well over the crossbar. This was a great spell of pressure for Charlton but no goals. And United made them pay midway through the 2nd half. Substitute Kieran Richardson sent a perfect freekick towards the near post where Smith sent his header into the roof of the net - his 5th goal of the season! The goal seemed to take some sting out of the visitor's attack. On 77 minutes, Charlton wasted another great opportunity to score. Some slick one touch passing involving Pouso, Holland and Hasselbaink sent Darren Bent through with just van der Sar to beat but the England striker could not hit the target once again. As the game was heading towards the end of the 90 minutes, Charlton pulled a goal back. Pouso strode forward past a couple of half-hearted United challenges and played a neat ball through to Darren Bent who took one touch before firing past van der Sar into the top corner. But the goal did not unsettle any nerves in the United ranks and the final whistle went at a relieved Old Trafford with the final score at Manchester United 2 Charlton Athletic 1.

Match Verdict - this was one of those games that United did not outplay their opponents but still won the three points anyway. A very scary and ominous sign for the Premiership and Europe.

Man Utd - van der Sar 7, G Neville 7, Evra 7, Ferdinand 7, Vidic 8, Ronaldo 7, Giggs 6 (Richardson 45, 7), Carrick 7 (O'Shea 76, 6), Scholes 7, Smith 8, Rooney 8 (Saha 76, 6).

Goals - Rooney (19), Smith (68)

Booked - Ronaldo & Giggs

Charlton - Carson 7, Young 6 (Hreidarsson 77, 7), Traore 7, Diawara 7 (M Bent 67, 6), Fortune 7, Kishishev 7, Reid 6 (Thomas 77, 7), Pouso 7, Holland 7, D Bent 7, Hasselbaink 6.

Goals - D Bent (90)

Booked - Diawara & Pouso

Man of the Match - Wayne Rooney - the England man is surely back to form and he continued here with another energetic and selfless performance. His efforts were rewarded with a superbly taken goal.


Other Premiership Results

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

retired_tnovo

Monday 30th October 2006

manutd.com

Manchester United have announced the loss of one of their underrated performers as John O'Shea has been dealt an injury blow. A heavy challenge from Wayne Rooney on him during training caused the Irishman to suffer a damaged knee cap. The physio has confirmed to manager Faiz Khan that O'Shea is likely to be out for around 4 weeks meaning he wont be back until maybe the beginning of December. This will be a big blow to O'Shea himself as his outstanding form as cover for Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes led to Khan stating that he was very pleased. His place in the pecking order is likely to go to Darren Fletcher.

retired_tnovo

Wednesday 1st November 2006

premierleague.com

The Premiership Player of the Month was Bolton's left-back Ricardo Gardner as his solid and enthusiastic performances impressed the country last month. His form led to 3 assists and it helped his side climb up to 6th in the Premiership table.

The Premiership Young Player of the Month went to Manchester United's winger Cristiano Ronaldo after his scintilating displays last month helped his side back to the top of the Premiership. Full backs could not stop the Portugal man at all.

The Premiership Manager of the Month was Chelsea's Jose Mourinho as he led his players to victory in all four of their Premiership matches. This impressive form has seen the defending champions' resume normal service as they now stand just 1 point off the top.

The Premiership Goal of the Month was Lee McCulloch's beautiful curler for Wigan against Sheffield United. The midfielder met a loose ball 30 yards out with an unstoppable curler past Paddy Kenny. This goal set his side on their way to a comprehensive win over the Blades.

http://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?i...visionoen1.jpg

retired_tnovo

Wednesday 1st November 2006

uefa.com

Manchester United 5 Ajax 0

That was'nt a bad way to qualify was it? Manchester United rubber-stamped their passage to the knockout stages of the Champions League with this destruction of Ajax at Old Trafford tonight. Goals from Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes set United on their way before the interval. And further goals in the second half from Alan Smith, Gary Neville and substitute Louis Saha completed the rout for the hosts. This victory did not flatter United as they controlled the match from start to finish. The visitors finished the game with 10 men as Tim de Mul was harshly dismissed in the dying seconds of the match. Manager Faiz Khan named an unchanged XI from the weekend victory over Charlton in the Premiership. Ajax coach Henk ten Cate made five changes from the side that drew with Go Ahead at the weekend by bringing in Dennis Gentenaar, John Heitinga, Hedwiges Maduro, Wesley Sneijder and Ryan Babel for Maarten Stekelenburg, Gabri, Kenneth Perez, Jan Vertonghen and Jared Borgetti.

On a freezing night in the North West of England, referee Markus Merk got this Champions League tie up and running. The hosts had started quite brightly and they created an opportunity inside four minutes. Patrice Evra sent a searching freekick into the crowded area and Smith got his head on it and it seemed like it was looping over Gentenaar but the keeper just about touched it over the crossbar. Five minutes later, United had a good opportunity to grab the lead. A long ball from Neville was flicked on by Smith to send Rooney clear on goal only for his strike to saved superbly by Gentenaar's fingertips. The home side had started like a house on fire and they were getting warmer after 15 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo headed a throw into the path of Rooney who cut inside before lashing a shot just inches over the crossbar. It was only a matter of time before United broke the deadlock midway through the 1st half. Smith spread the ball to Ryan Giggs on the left wing and the Welshman's low fizzing cross was swept into the far corner by Rooney at the near post. Just minutes after the restart, United were forced into an early change as Giggs went off clutching his ribs and he was replaced by Kieran Richardson. Just after the halfhour, Ajax made their first opening of the match. Sneijder dispossessed a lazy Scholes and strode towards the penalty area before teeing up Mauro Rosales from 25 yards out but his effort was way too high and wide to trouble Edwin van der Sar. Five minutes before halftime, United had a great chance to extend their advantage. Ronaldo's hurried clearance turned into a great through ball for Rooney to run onto but his attempted chip drifted well wide of the mark. But in 1st half stoppage time, United did extend their advantage. Ronaldo crossed to the far post where Richardson knocked the ball down for Scholes to take one touch before swivelling on the volley into the top corner. The whistle went for the break shortly after to leave the score from Old Trafford at Manchester United 2 Ajax 0.

Man Utd boss Khan was very pleased with the relentless attacking football his players produced in the first 45 minutes. The 2nd half got underway at Old Trafford. The home side were certainly not ready to stop as they scored a third goal on 54 minutes. Scholes' brilliant instinctive pass put Rooney through on goal but instead of shooting, he squared the ball for Smith to tap into an empty net - this goal must surely have signalled United's qualification for the knockout stages! Two minutes later, the visitors were unlucky not to pull a goal back. Maduro stormed towards the penalty area before slipping a ball through to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar but his firm effort across van der Sar was stopped by the Dutchman's fingertips. After that, United decided to keep hold of possession, forcing Ajax to chase the ball - every United touch was greeted with an Ole and every Ajax touch was dismissed with jeers! With just a quarter of an hour remaining, United added a fourth goal. Evra threw the ball to Rooney who looked up and saw Neville running forward and he teed up his England team-mate and Neville connected with an audacious shot with the outside of his right foot from 25 yards out which flew past Gentenaar into the top corner. Ajax, to their credit, kept on trying to force a goal back. But they were left ruing a missed opportunity with 5 minutes left. Maduro and Sneijder combined superbly to send Huntelaar through on goal but his first time shot went well over the crossbar. In the final minute of normal time, United put the icing on the cake with their fifth goal. Michael Carrick sent Rooney through on goal and although he was stopped by some desperate Ajax defending, substitute Saha pounced on the loose ball before sending a bullet into the top corner - his 5th goal for the season! There was still time for a sending off and it was certainly a harsh one. What was a reckless challenge from de Mul on Saha would have warranted a red card in normal circumstances but the game was already over and the Ajax players certainly made that fact known to the referee. The final whistle went to a celebrating Old Trafford faithful and the final score was Manchester United 5 Ajax 0.

Match Verdict - the hosts put on another glorious attacking performance tonight packed with some fantastic goals. They have qualified with two games to spare so can rest players for the latter stages.

Man Utd - van der Sar 8, G Neville 8, Evra 8, Ferdinand 8, Vidic 8, Ronaldo 8, Giggs 7 (Richardson 26, 8), Carrick 8, Scholes 8 (Fletcher 70, 7), Smith 8 (Saha 70, 7), Rooney 10.

Goals - Rooney (22), Scholes (45), Smith (54), G Neville (75), Saha (90)

Booked - Scholes & Fletcher

Injured - Giggs (26)

Ajax - Gentenaar 5, Heitinga 6, de Cler 6 (Lindenbergh 68, 6), Stam 6, Vermaelen 6, Maduro 6, Sneijder 6, Roger 6 (Emanuelson 68, 6), Rosales 6 (de Mul 45, 5), Babel 6, Huntelaar 6.

Booked - Heitinga & Stam

Sent Off - de Mul (90)

Injured - Rosales (45)

Man of the Match - Wayne Rooney - the England was simply outstanding tonight as his tireless running and approach play was too much for Ajax. He opened the scoring and laid on two other goals.


Other Champions League Group Results

Bayern Munich 0 Fenerbahce 0
Sporting Lisbon 2 Liverpool 2
Porto 1 Lille 0
Slovan Liberec 0 AC Milan 3
Chievo 1 Real Madrid 1
CSKA Moscow 1 PSV Eindhoven 1
Olympiakos 0 Arsenal 1
Standard Liege 0 Lyon 3
Barcelona 3 Roma 3
Benfica 1 Shakhtar 1
Galatasaray 0 Inter Milan 4
Werder Bremen 4 Celtic 1
Bordeaux 4 Anderlecht 4
Chelsea 2 Steaua Bucharest 0
Valencia 1 AEK Athens 0

retired_tnovo

Wednesday 1st November 2006

manutd.com

Well, it did not look good when he came off tonight and so it proved. Manchester United manager Faiz Khan has confirmed that experienced winger Ryan Giggs has sustained fractured ribs during tonight's Champions League victory over Ajax. It was suffered in a robust challenge from Ajax midfielder Hedwiges Maduro. The club's physio has stated that it will take Giggs around a month to 6 weeks to recover from this serious looking injury. Both Khan and Giggs were obviously disappointed with this news and Khan has stated that although it is a big blow to lose Giggs, he still feels he has adequate cover for the legendary Welshman. His place is likely to go to one of Patrice Evra, Kieran Richardson and Park Ji-Sung.

retired_tnovo

Saturday 4th November 2006

premierleague.com

Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 2

The kind of victory that title-winning sides are built on. Manchester United grabbed a last gasp win over Aston Villa at Villa Park this afternoon. Rio Ferdinand's injury-time header kept United on top of the Premiership table. Alan Smith continued his rich vein of goalscoring form with the opening goal but Stilian Petrov equalised in the second half and the match was heading for a stalemate until Ferdinand's late goal. If anything, Faiz Khan's players will thank Edwin van der Sar for his heroics after Villa dominated this match for long periods but could not find a way past the big Dutchman. Khan made just one change from the side that thrashed Ajax with Kieran Richardson replaced the injured Ryan Giggs. Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill named an unchanged XI from the goalless draw with Everton last Monday.

On a very windy Saturday afternoon in Birmingham, referee Mark Clattenburg got this encounter underway. The match started at a slow pace as both sides were just cancelling each other out, both having spells of possession without threatening on goal. It took until the 11th minute for the first effort on goal. Olof Mellberg played a freekick into the feet of Juan Pablo Angel and the Columbian shot on the turn but his effort went harmlessly high and wide. Three minutes later, Luke Moore dispossessed Michael Carrick and fed the ball to Angel and his shot on the turn was well beaten away by van der Sar. United were slow out of the blocks but they still managed to take the lead after 15 minutes. Ferdinand played a freekick out to Gary Neville on the right flank and his deep cross found Smith at the near post and the former Leeds' man's header was too good for Thomas Sorensen to keep out. Villa were certainly stung by this and they nearly found an equaliser within three minutes. Gareth Barry went running down the left wing and his cross towards the near post found Angel but his fierce header was superbly tipped over the crossbar by van der Sar. Even though United had the lead, Villa looked the more likely to score an equaliser. And they should equalised before the half hour. Steven Davis played a freekick into a crowded penalty area and when the ball bobbled loose for Lee Hendrie, he could only strike his shot wide from 12 yards out. On 33 minutes, United almost snatched a second goal. Cristiano Ronaldo received the ball from Ferdinand and crossed into the area where Smith's towering downward header was somehow kept out by Sorensen's feet. On the counter-attack, Angel fed Martin Laursen on the right and he crossed to an unmarked Petrov but his header well tipp over the crossbar by van der Sar. Villa were really applying the pressure now and United had a lucky escape five minutes before the break. Petrov swung in a corner from the left and Gary Cahill's fierce header was heading in until Neville cleared the ball off the line. The halftime whistle came with Villa fans applauding encouragingly at their players. The score was Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 1.

Khan was satisfied with the fact that his players were in the lead but warned them that any repeat of the 1st half could lead to a defeat here. The second half was up and running at Villa Park. Villa continued their good play as Wilfred Bouma sent a fierce long range volley whistling just inches past the post. On the counter attack, Ronaldo played a great ball through for Smith and his shot across Sorensen was well stopped by the Dane. The home side were really piling on the pressure when they levelled matters past the hour. Some wonderful build up play involving Barry, Hendrie and Angel found Petrov who ran past Patrice Evra before rocketing his shot past van der Sar - his 1st goal for the club and it was game on now! The goal should have sparked an exciting last half-hour but the game went through a very quiet phase as the visitors were just happy to keep possession to prevent Villa from getting any kind of momentum from their goal. In the 76th minute, Angel's goalbound freekick was deflected onto the head of Bouma but he got too much of a connection on it and it flew well over the crossbar. Three minutes later, Villa nearly got a deserved lead. Laursen played a ball to Moore who span past Gary Neville and unleashed a vicious effort that flew over the crossbar via merely van der Sar's fingertips. With seven minutes remaining, van der Sar came to his side's aid once again. Cahill's long ball sent substitute Patrik Berger free on the left and his fierce drive was somehow kept out by van der Sar's outstretched left hand and away to safety. Three minutes later, United almost snatched the lead. Ferdinand sent a wonderful first time pass for Ronaldo to run onto and whip in a superb cross for substitute Louis Saha and he crashed his header against the crossbar. The game was heading for a draw but in injury time, United provided the match with the last twist. Substitute Darren Fletcher floated a corner in from the right and Ferdinand climbed highest to power his header past Sorensen to cue wild celebrations on the United bench - his 1st goal of the season and what a time to get it! The final whistle went shortly after to a stunned Villa Park crowd as the home side deserved to come away with the three points but thanks to Ferdinand, they came away with nothing. The final score from Villa Park read Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 2.

Match Verdict - in a match dominated by the home side, United came away with the spoils thanks to a combination of van der Sar's heroics and Ferdinand's last gasp header. Scary to see United winning a match they totally deserved to lose.

Aston Villa - Sorensen 6, Mellberg 6, Bouma 7, Laursen 7, Cahill 7, Petrov 8 (Giannakopoulos 74, 6), Barry 7 (A Hughes 74, 7), Hendrie 6, Davis 6, Moore 7 (Berger 81, 7), Angel 7.

Goals - Petrov (63)

Booked - Petrov

Man Utd - van der Sar 8, G Neville 8, Evra 7, Ferdinand 8, Vidic 8, Ronaldo 8, Richardson 7 (Park Ji-Sung 77, 7), Carrick 7, Scholes 7 (Fletcher 71, 7), Smith 8, Rooney 7 (Saha 71, 7).

Goals - Smith (15), Ferdinand (90)

Man of the Match - Nemanja Vidic - the Serbia international is starting to show his quality in the Premiership at the heart of the defence. He rarely made a mistake all afternoon and prevented countless attacks.


Other Premiership Results

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

retired_tnovo

Monday 6th November 2006

premierleague.com

After his goalkeeping exploits at Aston Villa at the weekend, Manchester United's keeper Edwin van der Sar was selected in the Premiership Team of the Week. He was joined by team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Smith. Here is the team in full:

Edwin van der Sar (Man Utd)

Emmerson Boyce (Wigan)
Nuno Valente (Everton)
Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough)
Zat Knight (Fulham)

Gary O'Neil (Portsmouth)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Jimmy Bullard (Fulham)
Manuel Fernandes (Portsmouth)

Lee McCulloch (Wigan)
Alan Smith (Man Utd)