retired_tnovo

Saturday 23rd December 2006

premierleague.com

Blackburn Rovers 2 Manchester United 1

The best time to gain revenge. Blackburn Rovers gained revenge for their Carling Cup exit in midweek with a scrappy win over Manchester United at Ewood Park this afternoon. Substitute Jason Roberts struck the winner miday through the second half after John Carew had cancelled out Michael Carrick's first half opener. The visitors ended the game with 10 men as Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for two bookable offences. This result sees United slip off of the top of the Premiership while Blackburn move up a place to 14th plaqce. In a match that was more or less controlled by United, Rovers stepped up to take their opportunities when they came their way. With the hectic Christmas programme on the horizon, manager Faiz Khan named a somewhat weakened side with fringe players such as David Jones and Darren Fletcher given a chance and Ronaldo was handed his first start since returning from injury. Blackburn boss Mark Hughes made four changes from the defeat on Wednesday at Old Trafford with Sergio Peter, Tugay, Carew and Shabani Nonda coming in for Andy Todd, Andre Ooijer, Robbie Savage and Benni McCarthy.

On a very wet December afternoon in Lancashire, referee Graham Poll signalled this match up and running. After 8 minutes, United made the first opening of the match. Gary Neville fed the ball to Fletcher who played Carrick through in the area but he dragged his effort well wide of the mark. A minute later, Carrick played a great ball for Louis Saha to run through on goal but his angled drive just missed the far corner by a matter of inches. Blackburn were slow getting out of the blocks and they almost took the lead after 18 minutes. Guy Demel played a short freekick to Steven Reid and he crossed into the area where Carew glanced his header into the far corner only for the flag to go up for a very late but correct offside decision. Midway through the first half, Jones strolled with the ball towards the Rovers area and then teed up Fletcher from 30 yards with his wickedly bending shot being pushed away by Brad Friedel. United were certainly controlling this game and had another good opportunity on 27 minutes. Ronaldo sent the ball down the line for Carrick to look up and cross to the far post where Kieran Richardson's volley just missed the far corner. The game went into a very physical nature as Reid and Peter were booked for snapping tackles on Saha. On 38 minutes, the away side were deservedly ahead. Neville played the ball to Ronaldo on the right side and his instant cross was swept expertly into the net by Carrick at Friedel's near post - his 5th goal of his debut season! The first half was over after two minutes of stoppage time with the score at Ewood Park reading Blackburn Rovers 0 Manchester United 1.

Khan was delighted with his side's enthusiastic attacking in the first 45 minutes but warned that the match was far from over. The second half was underway at Ewood Park with the home fans rallying on their troops. And the match changed with a piece of awful defending. A long ball from Ryan Nelsen was poorly headed back by Mikael Silvestre and Nonda intercepted the pass and squared the ball for Carew to knock into the empty net - his 10th goal of the season! That equaliser seemed to fire Rovers up and they should have taken the lead after 58 minutes. Michael Gray sent an outswinging corner into the area where unmarked Nelsen headed well over the crossbar when he should have at least hit the target. Just past the hour, United had their first opportunity of the half and should have taken it. A weak back header from Nelsen was cut out by substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his attempted chip went just inches past the far corner. On 65 minutes, Blackburn should have taken the lead. Silvestre poorly headed back to the keeper and substitute Roberts intercepted the pass but could only shoot straight at Edwin van der Sar and the danger was averted. But two minutes later, Rovers completed the turnaround in fortunes after the break. Fletcher's pass went astray and Nonda slipped the ball through for Roberts to shoot through the legs of van der Sar. The visitors almost responded immediately. Ronaldo went scampering down the right wing and he crossed to the near post where Solskjaer's glancing header was well stopped by van der Sar. From the resulting throw, substitute Gabriel Heinze's low cross was smashed on target by Carrick but Friedel pulled off an outstanding fingertip save. Two minutes later, Fletcher played a corner in from the right and Heinze sprung highest to head just inches over the crossbar. Rovers survived that spell and began frustrating United, pressing them as high up the pitch as possible. This resulted in the visitors panicking in their passing and conceding needless freekicks. This was illustrated by Wes Brown's very heavy backpass which went well past van der Sar for a corner. A minute from time Ronaldo, already on a booking, went in two footed on Peter and was immediately shown the red card. The match totally petered out after this incident and the final whistle went at Ewood Park to the surprise final score of Blackburn Rovers 2 Manchester United 1.

Match Verdict - in what was a very scrappy game at Ewood Park, Rovers took advantage of poor defending by stepping up to grab the crucial three points.

Blackburn - Friedel 8, Demel 7, Gray 7, Nelsen 8, Matteo 6 (Ooijer 45, 7), Reid 8, Peter 7, Perez 7, Tugay 7, Carew 7 (Roberts 55, 7), Nonda 8 (Emerton 68, 6).

Goals - Carew (52), Roberts (67)

Booked - Gray, Reid, Peter & Emerton

Injured - Carew (55)

Man Utd - van der Sar 7, G Neville 7, Silvestre 4 (Heinze 66, 7), Brown 6, Vidic 7, Ronaldo 7, Richardson 7 (Park Ji-Sung 66, 7), Jones 7, Fletcher 6, Carrick 7, Saha 7 (Solskjaer 45, 7).

Goals - Carrick (38)

Booked - Ronaldo & Fletcher

Sent Off - Ronaldo (89)

Man of the Match - Shabani Nonda - the striker from Republic of Congo was dangerous throughout with his pace and he was behind the Rovers revival in the second half with two assists.


Other Premiership Results

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

retired_tnovo

Tuesday 26th December 2006

premierleague.com

West Ham United 2 Manchester United 2

A cracking festive football game. West Ham United and Manchester United played out an enthralling draw at Upton Park this Boxing Day afternoon. West Ham twice went ahead thanks to Javier Mascherano's early cracker and Dean Ashton's opportunist strike. But the visitors twice hit back through Mladen Krstajic's own goal and Paul Scholes' coolly taken goal midway through the second half. It was a great match in an attacking sense as both sides created great opportunities but could not find a winner in the end. This result saw United slip to 3rd place in the table while West Ham also slipped, from 8th to 9th place. Man Utd gaffer Faiz Khan made three changes from the side that lost at Blackburn with Gabriel Heinze, Park Ji-Sung and Paul Scholes replacing Mikael Silvestre, suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and David Jones, who dropped to the bench. West Ham boss Alan Pardew named an unchanged XI from the win over Everton last Saturday.

On a very wet Boxing Day afternoon in East London, referee Paul Armstrong got the match underway. From the kick off, Mascherano fed fellow countryman Carlos Tevez and the striker's low drive went trickling wide of the post. From the resulting goal kick, West Ham created a good opportunity to take an early lead. Tevez brought the ball down and fed a great ball through for Ashton but his placed shot was superbly tipped away by Edwin van der Sar and cleared to safety. This was a good start from the hosts and they took the lead inside two minutes. Tevez went charging down the left wing and when his cross was cleared by Wes Brown, Mascherano ran onto the ball and struck it first time from 30 yards out into the top corner. The visitors could not have wished for a worser start but they still hit back minutes later. Kieran Richardson fed the ball down the line for Louis Saha and his dangerous was headed past his own keeper by Krstajic. That goal should have settled down the visitors but four minutes after the restart, they shot themselves in the foot. A long ball from Anton Ferdinand was knocked back weakly by Gary Neville and Ashton stole in, composed himself before sliding the ball into the far corner. West Ham were clearly dominating the action and could have furthered their lead on 17 minutes. Tevez played a delightful one-two with Yossi Benayoun to go through on goal but his powerful angled drive narrowly missed the crossbar with van der Sar beaten. After 26 minutes, some nice one touch passing involving Benayoun, Tevez and Lee Bowyer fed Ashton on goal but his shot was blocked well by the onrushing van der Sar. Two minutes later, Heinze teed up Carrick from 30 yards out and his powerful shot was palmed away by Robert Green and away to safety. The match went quiet with the visitors in control of possession but unable to break down West Ham's two banks of four. On 39 minutes, Carrick and Scholes combined for the latter to tee up Darren Fletcher from 25 yards out only to see his deflected effort superbly tipped over the crossbar by Green. United had recovered from their slow start and began to really test Green's resolve. Richardson went storming down the left flank and his low cross was met by Saha but not only did Green save his initial effort, the keeper got up to stop the rebound. From the resulting throw, Richardson sent in another dangerous ball which Saha got his head and Green pulled another sensational double save, saving with his feet from the rebound. The whistle for the interval came at a good time for West Ham as the visitors were really starting to turn the screw. The latest score from Upton Park read West Ham United 2 Manchester United 1.

Khan was very disappointed with his side's start to the match but was encouraged by the way they responded before the break. The second half was underway at Upton Park. After 51 minutes, the visitors got off with a lucky escape. Petri Pasanen's long throw was flicked on Ashton and Brown's misdirected his headed clearance towards his own goal before van der Sar was alert enough to tip the ball over the crossbar. Before the hour, West Ham fashioned a great opportunity to further the lead. George McCartney played the ball down the line for Tevez and he looked up before sending a wonderful cross for Ashton but his instant shot was brilliantly beaten away by van der Sar. The visitors were really on the back foot but they fashioned out a vital equaliser midway through the second half. Nemanja Vidic headed back a goal kick into the path of substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who saw Scholes running beyond him and played in the little man with Scholes showing usual calm, slotting the ball past Green into the bottom corner. That equaliser seemed to spark new life in the away attack as they almost took the lead for the first time on 72 minutes. Park exchanged passes with Neville before sending a deep cross for substitute Evra but his firm header was remarkably stopped on the line by Green. Three minutes later, Evra played a one-two with Solskjaer before teeing Scholes up only for his effort to go just inches wide of the far corner from the edge of the area. With ten minutes remaining, Brown sent Park scampering down the right side and he crossed to the far post where Evra headed just inches wide. The hosts had survived that spell of pressure and nearly landed a sucker punch on 84 minutes. Substitute Paul Konchesky played a long ball towards the penalty area and it landed at the feet of fellow substitute Bobby Zamora who struck an instinctive shot which was superbly pushed away by van der Sar and cleared to safety. Following three minutes of injury time, the final whistle signalled the end of the game with the full crowd applauding the teams off. The final score at Upton Park was West Ham United 2 Manchester United 2.

Match Verdict - brilliant end-to-end match ended in the fair result thanks mostly to both goalkeepers saving as if their lives depended on it.

West Ham – Green 7, Pasanen 6, McCartney 7, Ferdinand 6, Krstajic 7 (inj 86), Bowyer 7 (Harewood 69, 6), Benayoun 6, Mascherano 8 (Konchesky 77, 6), Reo-Coker 7, Ashton 7, Tevez 6 (Zamora 77, 7).

Goals – Mascherano (2), Ashton (11)

Injured – Krstajic (86)

Man Utd – van der Sar 7, G Neville 5, Heinze 7, Brown 6, Vidic 8, Park Ji-Sung 7, Richardson 7 (Evra 69, 7), Fletcher 7, Carrick 7, Scholes 7 (Jones 76, 6), Saha 7 (Solskjaer 62, 7).

Goals – Krstajic (og 7), Scholes (68)

Man of the Match - Nemanja Vidic - the Serbia international was a rock of the centre of a very soft Manchester United defence this afternoon. Won every header and tackle he flew himself into.


Other Premiership Results

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

retired_tnovo

Tuesday 26th December 2006

Match of the Day

After the entertaining draw with Manchester United at Upton Park earlier this afternoon, West Ham boss Alan Pardew stated that he did not any signs of Manchester United of achieving success in the near future based on today's performance. During his post-match interview, Pardew did however say that given the appropriate signings in the right positions, the squad could mature into one that would challenge for major honours in the future.

Upon hearing of Pardew's comments, Man Utd gaffer Faiz Khan said calmly with a smile on his face that he thought his team could challenge for the Premiership title this season. He also pointed that he had seen enough in his squad to suggest that there was some maturity and potential to mount a serious challenge for honours other than the Premiership, including the Champions League.

retired_tnovo

Saturday 30th December 2006

premierleague.com

Manchester United 2 Middlesbrough 0

Normal service resumed here then. Manchester United cruised to their first victory for a fortnight against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford this afternoon. Goals from Park Ji-Sung and Cristiano Ronaldo were enough to send United back to the top of the Premiership table. It was quite a good match which the hosts always had an element of control and thoroughly deserved the three points. Manager Faiz Khan named a much weakened side with the big game at Chelsea on Monday in mind. Players such as Tomasz Kuszczak, Mikael Silvestre and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were given a chance to prove themselves to Khan. Boro boss Gareth Southgate made two changes from the side that drew at home to Everton with Brad Jones and Jason Euell coming in for injured Mark Schwarzer and Yakubu.

On a very cold and rainy afternoon in Manchester, referee Chris Foy got the final match at Old Trafford of 2006 underway. Middlesbrough started very well and created the first opening inside four minutes. Stewart Downing's freekick was knocked back by Mark Viduka for Julio Arca and his shot was diverted on goal by Euell only for Kuszczak to make a wonderful stop to keep it out. Three minutes later, United made their first opportunity of the match. Patrice Evra passed the ball down the line to Solskjaer who looked up and crossed towards the far post where Ronaldo's bullet header was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Jones. On 9 minutes, United scored a wonderful team goal. Kuszczak gave the ball to Nemanja Vidic who spread the ball out first time to Wes Brown and he crossed for Park to power his header past Jones into the top corner. After 19 minutes, Stuart Parnaby was penalised for holding Evra and Carrick stepped up from 25 yards out but sent his effort crashing into the side-netting. Midway through the first half, United made a great opportunity to further their advantage. Ronaldo went running at Parnaby before slipping in Solskjaer on goal and with just Jones to beat but the Norway international lost his composure and spooned his shot well over the crossbar. Five minutes later, George Boateng sent Downing sprinting down the left wing and he pulled the ball back for Gaizka Mendieta but his firm effort flew just inches wide of the near post. After the halfhour, Park was tripped by Boateng around 30 yards from goal and Fletcher tried his luck with a direct shot which Jones easily smothered without any alarms. The half belonged to United but they almost conceded an equaliser. Downing span past Carrick and Park and played Viduka through on goal only for Kuszczak to rush out quickly to block the Australian's first time effort. On 42 minutes, Evra went down the left side and his cross deflected into the path of Carrick inside the area but his effort went sailing over the crossbar. Before halftime, Evra found himself in a similar position after a Gabriel Heinze cross fell for him but he also sent a more venomous shot well over the crossbar. The whistle went for the break with the scoreline on the electronic scoreboard saying Manchester United 1 Middlesbrough 0.

Khan was very pleased with the way his side controlled that first 45 minutes. But he warned them that a one goal lead was never enough and the visitors always had a chance with one goal in it. The proceedings was up and running again at Old Trafford. Four minutes after the restart, Fletcher had a good try from a freekick 35 yards out but his blistering drive flew inches wide of the far corner. On 56 minutes, United came so close to adding a second goal. Solskjaer sent Evra running down the left wing and his low cross was sent goalwards by Park at the far post but it was stopped by a brilliant goalline clearance from Emanuel Pogatetz. Two minutes later, Evra went effortlessly past Mendieta and sent a dangerous cross to the near post where Solskjaer's clever flick was blocked with his body by Jones. Boro failed to clear the ball properly and Brown sent in a cross where Evra found himself on goal but blazed high over the crossbar. But on the hour, there was just no stopping United. Fletcher found Park and the South Korea international played a perfectly weighted ball through for Ronaldo to slot confidently through Jones' legs. The match was pretty much over and maybe Middlesbrough thought they could play with a bit more freedom and no pressure. On 65 minutes, Arca's deflected pass was laid off by Euell into the path of Viduka who sent his effort trickling well wide of the post. A minute later, Fletcher sent an inswinging corner and Vidic was free to head home but his header went high, wide and not very handsome. After 69 minutes, Boro were very close to pulling a goal back. Pogatetz sent a great freekick into the area and Jonathan Woodgate's towering header was brilliantly stopped by Kuszczak and the ball was cleared to safety. The visitors certainly started playing more freely and after 75 minutes, Viduka spotted a nice ball for Boateng to run onto with a vicious effort into the side-netting from 25 yards out. Wayne Rooney made his return from a minor injury and almost got on the scoresheet five minutes from time. Brown played an extraordinary 65-yard ball perfectly to hit on the volley from Rooney which flew just inches wide of the top corner - a stunning goal it would have been! Three minutes later, United missed an easy opportunity to score a third goal. Fletcher spotted a nice freekick to the back post for an unmarked Ronaldo to head well wide of the far corner. The final whistle went after three minutes of stoppage time. The final score from Old Trafford read Manchester United 2 Middlesbrough 0.

Match Verdict - in a very good match at Old Trafford, the hosts had control for the majority and converted their chances expertly. Not a bad way to tune up for Chelsea and Stamford Bridge.

Man Utd - Kuszczak 8, Brown 8, Heinze 8, Vidic 8, Silvestre 8, Ronaldo 8, Evra 8, Fletcher 7, Carrick 8 (Richardson 70, 6), Park Ji-Sung 8 (Scholes 70, 6), Solskjaer 7 (Rooney 81, 7).

Goals - Park Ji-Sung (9), Ronaldo (60)

Middlesbrough - Jones 7, Parnaby 7 (McMahon 83, 6), Pogatetz 7, Woodgate 7, Huth 7, Mendieta 7, Arca 7 (Rochemback 71, 6), Boateng 7, Downing 6, Euell 6 (Maccarone 71, 6), Viduka 6.

Booked - Parnaby

Man of the Match - Tomasz Kuszczak - although his team-mates had relative control of the match, it still took a couple of stunning saves to make sure of the three points.


Other Premiership Results

Aston Villa 1 Man City 2
Portsmouth 2 Blackburn 2
Sheff Utd 1 Newcastle 1
Wigan 1 West Ham 1

retired_tnovo

Monday 1st January 2007

premierleague.com

The Premiership Player of the Month was Arsenal's centre-back William Gallas as his solid displays at the heart of the Gunners' defence helped them to an unbeaten month. He also provided two assists for his side.

The Premiership Young Player of the Month was Arsenal's explosive striker Theo Walcott after his energetic performances leading the line for the Gunners. His two goals and one assist have helped his side to 2nd place in the Premiership.

The Premiership Manager of the Month went to Arsenal's Arsene Wenger after leading his players to five wins out of six unbeaten league matches last month. This form has seen them climb two places in the Premiership table to 2nd.

The Premiership Goal of the Month was Xabi Alonso's beautiful curler against Chelsea. He received a layoff from Mohamed Sissoko before curling his strike from fully 30 yards past a helpless Petr Cech to give Liverpool a two goal cushion in their win at Stamford Bridge.

http://img54.imageshack.us/my.php?im...visiondgr6.jpg

retired_tnovo

Monday 1st January 2007

premierleague.com

Following their excellent displays in the win over Middlesbrough at the weekend, Manchester United pair Mikael Silvestre and Cristiano Ronaldo have been named in the Premiership Team of the Week. Here is the team in full:

Scott Carson (Charlton)

Rob Kozluk (Sheff Utd)
Mikael Silvestre (Man Utd)
William Gallas (Arsenal)
Michael Dawson (Tottenham)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Sanli Tuncay (Tottenham)
Manuel Fernandes (Portsmouth)
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)

Ebi Smolarek (Portsmouth)
Thierry Henry (Arsenal)

retired_tnovo

Monday 1st January 2007

premierleague.com

Chelsea 2 Manchester United 3

The biggesr result of the season so far. Manchester United edged out rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this afternoon to stay top of the Premiership table. Two goals from Wayne Rooney and a wonderfully taken Kieran Richardson strike was enough to lay a real title marker here. Joe Cole had equalised for Chelsea at 1-1 but were eventually beaten. Subsititute Didier Drogba found a great goal to give Chelsea hope for the final few minutes but it was not to be. It was quite a harsh result on the hosts as they had done enough to deserve at least a point but they wasted several opportunities and United made them pay. The result continues the hosts' indifferent recent form that has seen them slide down to 4th place. United gaffer Faiz Khan made five changes from the side that overcame Middlesbrough on Saturday with Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Richardson, Paul Scholes and Rooney coming in for Tomasz Kuszczak, Mikael Silvestre, Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho named an unchanged XI from the home defeat to Tottenham on Boxing Day.

On a freezing and very wet West London afternoon, referee Andre Marriner got this titanic Premiership clash up and running. Chelsea started really well and almost scored inside six minutes. John Terry's hurried clearance sent Adriano through on goal and his first time shot was brilliantly tipped away by van der Sar. Two minutes later, the leaders should have snatched the lead. Nemanja Vidic's long ball was weakly headed back by Terry and Rooney cut the ball out and rounded Petr Cech before slamming his shot well wide of the goal. On 15 minutes, Rooney almost produced a moment of magic. Neville strode forward down the right side and crossed towards the near post where Rooney produced an astonishing overhead kick which probably only missed Cech's far post by a matter of inches. Five minutes later, Frank Lampard played a wonderful pass through for Arjen Robben with just van der Sar to beat but just as he was about to pull the trigger, Vidic did brilliantly to snatch the ball away and the danger was gone. After 25 minutes, United a good opportunity to take the lead. Scholes looked up and played an inch-perfect pass through for Rooney but the onrushing Cech was there to block at the England man's feet. It was pretty much an even match so far but the visitors were the ones to score the opening goal just after the halfhour. Neville spotted a wonderful pass through to Rooney who ran on goal before lifting a delicate chip over Cech and into the empty net. Chelsea tried to hit back almost immediately. Adriano latd the ball off to Claude Makelele who played a first time pass to Robben to go running on goal but the angle was too difficult and the Dutch international ended up dragging his right foot shot well wide of the far corner. Five minutes before the interval, Joe Cole played the ball into Adriano and the Brazilian turned Vidic inside out before seeing his deflected effort well stopped by van der Sar at his near post. Following one minute of stoppage time, the teams made their way down the tunnel for the break. The score from Stamford Bridge read Chelsea 0 Manchester United 1.

Khan was very happy that during an even first 45 minutes, his side had managed to get the lead into the interval. But he also stated that the hosts were surely going to try and come back here. The second half was underway and the Stamford Bridge crowd got even louder from the kickoff. Michael Carrick's pass for back to Vidic was intercepted by Joe Cole and the England midfielder went wide of van der Sar before firing the ball into the far corner - his 1st goal of the season and what a gift it was! But United were not effected by that as they retook the lead on 53 minutes. Vidic played a freekick out to Gabriel Heinze on the left flank and his deep cross was headed into the far corner by the unmarked Rooney. Three minutes later, United had a great chance to extend the lead. Cristiano Ronaldo went charging past Wayne Bridge on the right and his cross found Park Ji-Sung in the box 6 yards out, but he skied his effort with the goal at his mercy. That Chelsea seemed to fire up the visitors and they extended their lead after the hour. Carrick's outswinging corner was punched away by Cech and Richardson sent the ball back with interest from 30 yards, giving Cech no chance whatsoever. The hosts were clearly shaken and they almost hit back straight away. Carrick was caught dallying on the ball by Joe Cole and he fed Adriano who smashed a rocket against the crossbar. After 70 minutes, the hosts poorly cleared a Heinze cross and the ball came to Wes Brown who sent a curling effort sailing over the crossbar. Three minutes later, Chelsea should have pulled a goal back. Lampard shaped to shoot but instead passed the ball through to Robben with just van der Sar to beat but he could only spoon his shot well over the crossbar. On 80 minutes, Neville sent Rooney through on goal for his hat-trick but his first time effort was easily smothered by Cech. Two minutes from time, Chelsea gave United a scary finish to the game. Lampard ran at Brown and slipped the ball into substitute Drogba who sent a blistering low effort past van der Sar and in off the post. In injury time, Drogba was fouled by Brown and he picked himself up to place his freekick just wide of the far corner with van der Sar beaten all ends up. The final whistle range around Stamford Bridge after that and the final score was Chelsea 2 Manchester United 3.

Match Verdict - a fantastic game between two giants of the English game but it was the visitors who ran away with the three points after taking the kind of chances that Chelsea missed too many times this afternoon.

Chelsea - Cech 6, Ferreira 7, Bridge 7, Terry 7, Carvalho 6, Cambiasso 6, Makelele 7, Lampard 7, J Cole 7 (Wright-Phillips 81, 6), Robben 6 (Kalou 73, 6), Adriano 6 (Drogba 73, 7).

Goals - J Cole (46), Drogba (88)

Man Utd - van der Sar 7, G Neville 8, Heinze 7, Brown 5, Vidic 7, Ronaldo 7, Richardson 8 (Evra 76, 6), Carrick 4 (Fletcher 65, 7), Scholes 7, Park Ji-Sung 7 (Rossi 76, 6), Rooney 8.

Goals - Rooney (31, 53), Richardson (61)

Booked - Scholes

Man of the Match - Wayne Rooney - he could not have returned at a better time. The England striker tormented Chelsea for much of the afternoon and illustrated that with two well-taken strikes.


Other Premiership Results

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

retired_tnovo

Saturday 6th January 2007

TheFA.com

Bolton Wanderers 1 Manchester United 4

A difficult passage make to look so easy. Manchester United stormed through to the FA Cup 4th Round with a brilliant victory against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium this afternoon. Early goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Park Ji-Sung set the visitors on their way and further goals after the break from Wayne Rooney and substitute Rio Ferdinand completed the win. El-Hadji Diouf scored a late consolation for Bolton. It was a match that was controlled for most parts by United and they thoroughly deserved the victory. Manager Faiz Khan named an unchanged side from the vital victory at Chelsea on New Year's Day. Bolton manager Sam Allardyce made two alterations from the side that beat Aston Villa last Monday with Jaroslaw Fojut and Joey O'Brien making way for Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye and Diouf.

In miserable and wet conditions in Lancashire, referee Andre Marriner got this FA Cup tie underway. United started very well and took the lead inside the first minute. Gabriel Heinze threw the ball long and Ronaldo glanced his header over Jussi Jaaskelainen and into the far corner. Bolton were still coming to terms with the early setback when United struck a second goal. Gary Neville sent Ronaldo running down the right wing and he waited before picking out Park who slipped a crisp shot past Jaaskelainen at his near post. The hosts tried to respond to their nightmare start from the restart. Kevin Nolan and Ivan Campo combined for the latter to send Diouf into space before unleashing a fierce effort which just missed the crossbar by a matter of inches. After 16 minutes, United almost scored a third goal. Rooney went running at the Bolton backline before laying off Paul Scholes from 30 yards out and he unleashed a trademark strike which forced Jaaskelainen into a stunning save and the ball was cleared to safety. Halfway through the 1st half, Campo played the ball to Nolan who took one touch before unleashing a fierce effort but it was deflected, making it easier for Edwin van der Sar to smother. On the halfhour, Rooney played a freekick out to Neville on the right flank and his cross was drifting towards the top corner until Jaaskelainen showed good alertness to avert the danger with a tip over the crossbar. The match went quiet for a while as the visitors elected to keep hold of possession instead of trying to create scoring opportunities. Just before the interval, United should have put the game to bed. Ronaldo played a great one-two with Neville down the right wing and he played a perfect cross into the area for an unmarked Rooney but the striker could only direct his header wide of the mark from 6 yards out. The whistle went for the break soon after with the latest score saying Bolton Wanderers 0 Manchester United 2.

Khan was delighted with the way his players imposed themselves early on their opponents and urged them not to let their performance level at all after the break. The second half was up and running at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton made a better start than the first half and came close to pulling a goal back. Ricardo Gardner's cross was cleared as far as Faye who controlled before hitting a vicious volley flying just inches over the crossbar. That start did not bother United one bit as they scored a third goal after 57 minutes. On the counter-attack, Ronaldo laid the ball off to Michael Carrick who played a delightful first time pass through for Rooney to control and fire across Jaaskelainen into the far corner. After hour, United were very close to adding a fourth goal. Kieran Richardson caused problems down the left side before sending a dangerous low cross for Ronaldo at the far post but Jaaskelainen did well to claw the ball away to safety. Midway through the second half, Bolton missed the chance to pull a goal back. A Jaaskelainen goal kick was flicked on by Campo into the path of Diouf through on goal but he struck his effort wide of the far corner. On the counter-attack, Ronaldo crossed into the box for Rooney to provide a bullet downward header which Jaaskelainen did well to keep out and then he stopped Scholes' rebound brilliantly and away to safety. With 15 minutes remaining, United failed to clear a corner adequately and Nolan let fly from the edge of the area with a thunderous drive which van der Sar did very well to punch away to safety. Five minutes later, Bolton took advantage of some slack defending to grab a consolation. Carrick was caught dallying on the ball and Diouf composed himself before slotting past van der Sar at his near post. Four minutes after the restart, substitute Patrice Evra went down the left side and crossed for Park to head home but the flag went up for offside. Deep into injury time and the visitors rounded off their day with a fourth goal. Substitute Darren Fletcher floated a freekick into the area where Park knocked the ball down for fellow substitute Ferdinand to slam his effort high into the net. The final whistle went immediately after the goal and the final score from the Reebok Stadium was Bolton Wanderers 1 Manchester United 4.

Match Verdict - a fantastic display from the visitors ended with them being comfortable winners. Winning at a place like this the way they did must surely make them one of the tournament favourites.

Bolton - Jaaskelainen 6, Meite 6, Gardner 6, Ben-Haim 6, Faye 6 (Fojut 70, 6), Campo 6, Diouf 7, Etherington 6 (O'Brien 45, 7), Nolan 6, Tal 6, Anelka 6 (Davies 50, 7).

Goals - Diouf (80)

Booked - Faye

Injured - Anelka (50)

Man Utd - van der Sar 8, G Neville 8, Heinze 8, Brown 8, Vidic 8 (Ferdinand 58, 7), Ronaldo 10, Richardson 8 (Evra 76, 7), Carrick 7, Scholes 7 (Fletcher 76, 7), Park Ji-Sung 8, Rooney 8 (inj 89)

Goals - Ronaldo (1), Park Ji-Sung (9), Rooney (57), Ferdinand (90)

Injured - Rooney (89)

Man of the Match - Cristiano Ronaldo - the winger has returned in a hurry and he was simply too dangerous for the Bolton defenders. His goal was well-taken and did brilliantly to set up Park's goal.


Other FA Cup Results

Aston Villa 2 Carlisle 0
Barnsley 5 Colchester 1
Brentford 1 Leyton Orient 1
Burnley 2 Mansfield 0
Charlton 1 Leeds 1
Coventry 3 Sheff Wed 0
Doncaster 2 Bournemouth 1
Everton 3 Portsmouth 1
Fulham 1 Wrexham 1
Hull 1 Birmingham 2
Ipswich 4 Kidderminster 0
Leicester 4 Hartlepool 0
Liverpool 0 Chelsea 1
Luton 2 Swansea 2
Man City 0 Q.P.R. 2
Millwall 2 Port Vale 1
Northampton 0 Wigan 2
Norwich 3 Cheltenham 1
Notts County 0 Preston 2
Plymouth 0 Newcastle 1
Reading 1 Arsenal 2
Rochdale 0 Middlesbrough 2
S'Thorpe 0 Blackburn 1
Southampton 0 Tottenham 4
Southend 5 Tranmere 2
Stoke 2 Cardiff 0
Sunderland 2 West Brom 1
Watford 5 Oldham 1
West Ham 2 Sheff Utd 0
Wolves 1 Crystal Palace 1
Wycombe 0 Derby 1

retired_tnovo

Saturday 6th January 2007

Gillette Soccer Saturday

Manchester United manager Faiz Khan has just confirmed that Wayne Rooney has suffered a serious injury in this afternoon's FA Cup victory at Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. The England striker was seen to have broken down in the closing stages of the game and he came off complaining of some pain in his hips. The club physio has confirmed that he will be taken to a specialist to treat the injury so that they will be no complications in the future. The injury will rule Rooney out of action for the next 2 months. The former Everton man was said to be very disappointed to get the injury so soon after coming back from a minor injury on New Year's Day.

retired_tnovo

Monday 8th January 2007

TheFA.com

The draw for the FA Cup 4th Round was made at the FA Headquarters in Soho Square this afternoon. After disposing of Bolton Wanderers in the previous round, Faiz Khan's Manchester United have been handed another tricky away Premiership match, this time facing West Ham at Upton Park. The two sides just played out a wonderful game of football on Boxing Day and a repeat would be very welcome for the neutrals. There is a huge prize on offer for the winners of the Luton and Swansea replay - a home tie with Premiership champions Chelsea, who won the big battle against Liverpool at Anfield. Here is the draw in full:

Stoke v Fulham or Wrexham
Sunderland v Preston
Wigan v Birmingham
Q.P.R. v Watford
Burnley v Ipswich
Middlesbrough v Leicester
West Ham v Man Utd
Tottenham v Millwall
Norwich v Doncaster
Charlton or Leeds v Aston Villa
Wolves or Crystal Palace v Derby
Southend v Brentford or Leyton Orient
Arsenal v Newcastle
Luton or Swansea v Chelsea
Everton v Coventry
Barnsley v Blackburn