Five goals, Two Records, One Edwin van der Sar

28 January 09 by Bill

Two records were broken in last night’s football match against West Brom. Edwin van der Sar broke Petr Cech’s record of 1,025 Premiership minutes without conceding a goal whilst the team achieved their 11th successive Premiership result ending with a clean sheet; a Premier League first. And whilst all that was going on, the likes of Tevez, Ronaldo and Berbatov managed to put 5 goals past calamity keeper Scott Carson to pull closer to Liverpool’s eighteen top flight League wins. Not long now!

United were one nil up in 22 minutes after some neat interplay between Berbatov and Carrick resulted in the Bulgarian notching his 6th Premier League goal of the season; his 11th in all competitions. The West Brom defence were asleep to Berbatov’s simple give and go and were duly punished as the ball flew through Carson’s legs to put United on the road.

Then on 40 minutes came the game’s moment of controversy, which to be honest was hardly controversial. Ji-Sung Park was chasing for a ball and was miles ahead of Albion’s Paul Robinson who decided he was still going to “go for it”. The challenge was more than late; incredibly heavy and the player appeared to have launched himself with both feet off the air. Rob Styles immediately pulled out the red card and when you see the tackle from the ref’s position you can understand why; it looks shocking.

United went on to score a second through Carlos Tevez thanks to an assist from Scott Carson. The former England international looked to have caught a straight forward cross into the box before dropping it onto the Argentine’s foot who gratefully smashed it in.

West Brom came out fighting in the second half and United looked almost asleep until Ryan Donk’s effort off the post kick started them into life again. Then on the hour mark, Nemanja Vidic was given the freedom of the penalty area for a United corner and effectively ended the tie by heading home United’s third.

Ronaldo scored his first goal from open play since his brace against Stoke City back on 15th November (not including the Club World Cup) and to celebrate, the Portuguesa went on to score another. United’s fifth and another nutmeg for Carson.

The final result was an emphatic 5 – 0 win for United who now 3 points clear at the top of the table whilst breaking records along the way! Edwin van der Sar has now played 1,032 minutes of football without conceding a goal and with Premier League fixtures against Everton, West Ham and Blackburn looming, the 38 year old might well fancy extending that record even further.

Of course records mean nothing without trophies but it’s a fantastic achievement for both Edwin and the club. I’m sure Van der Sar will be the first to lay praise at the door of United’s defence who have been formidable of late despite suffering so many injury setbacks.

With Van der Sar closing in on retirement, it looks certain the Dutchman is going to finish with a flurry and bring an end to what is already a glistening career in some style. Van der Sar is contracted to the club for this season and next and in all probability, that will be it for the veteran shot stopper. That means if United win the league this season and go on to do it again next year, Edwin will be part of the team that not only equal Liverpool’s top flight record, but he’ll be part of the one that beats it. Congratulations on this latest achievement Edwin, and here’s to chasing the big one!

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Posted in Club News · Tagged Edwin van der Sar, Premiership, Records, West Brom

Discussion, what's your opinion?

2 people have said their bit on “Five goals, Two Records, One Edwin van der Sar”

Hi Bill,

I feel like such a twat for missing such a thrilling game! LOL.

Managed to catch the replays though and I really like what I saw. United’s goals were never merely “baerly there” goals. They were all wonderfully orchestrated and the finishing was clinical.

Our premier league destiny is in our own hands now and United’s the only who can mess things up for themselves.

VDS? Brilliant. Just brilliant.

Hoping for Wigan to steal some points from the Scousers tonight!