United Win Seven Goal Derby Thriller
20 September 09 by Bill
Manchester United could have thrashed Manchester City in today’s 153rd Manchester Derby but will settle for the three points courtesy of a last gasp winner from substitute Michael Owen. United ended 4 – 3 winners in a game which Ferguson said could have easily been 7 – 0.
The Champions started the match in blistering fashion, with Wayne Rooney giving them the lead in the 2nd minute. The England forward latched onto a pass from Evra before side stepping two Blue shirts and slotting home past Shay Given. That makes it six goals from six Premier League matches this season for Wazza.
At this point, I was dreaming of a landslide but as the half went on, it become increasingly frustrating as City’s five man midfield appeared to settle down and stamp their authority on the game. It was in the 17th minute when City were handed their equaliser, courtesy of a gaff by either Ben Foster, Rio Ferdinand or a combination of them both.
A seemingly harmless ball made its way to Foster but the stand in keeper was too slow in reacting. Carlos Tevez nipped in past Ferdinand to harass Foster off the ball before slipping it to Gareth Barry who coolly slid the ball into an empty net. Given all we know about Tevez, it beggars belief he was given the opportunity in the first place. If in doubt, boot it out.
Tevez had one assist on his return to Old Trafford and almost coupled it with a goal towards the end of the first half but the Argentine drilled his shot into the post from eight yards out. Composure was never his strong point.
It hadn’t been the greatest performance in the first half for the Reds but it was a rejuvenated team which stepped out onto the pitch in the second half. Indeed it took just three minutes to regain the lead as Evra combined with Giggs, whose cross was met by the head of Darren Fletcher. 2 – 1 United.
But before my mind could even wander back to those ambitions of a derby day thrashing, City were level again. Craig Bellamy picked the ball up and was given too much time on the ball just outside the box. Whilst no one was closing him down, Bellamy had his sight set on goal and rifled an unstoppable shot into the roof of Foster’s net.
At this point, City manager Mark Hughes, must have started to believe his own hype or something because City switched from one up top, to two up top. Drawing with the Champions must not be enough, City think they can win it. Big mistake.
For the next 20 minutes or so, it was United that controlled the game. City were well pinned in their own half having to deal with a relentless number of crosses and shots. Antonio Valencia was brought on for Ji-sung Park and Michael Owen for Dimitar Berbatov, who could and should have scored at least one in his time on the pitch.
As United continued to press, Hughes was forced to justify his tactics to his own players. Tevez, Toure and Bellamy were all seemingly unhappy with the direction the game was heading. And they were right too. United’s third had looked on the cards for some time and it was another cross from Ryan Giggs met once again by Darren Fletcher that delivered the goods. For the first time in his career the Scot had scored twice in a Premiership match.
The sense around Old Trafford was that the game had been won. Fletcher’s second goal of the game coming with just nine minutes to go in a period where the Reds were totally dominant. That turned out not to be the case.
A minute from time, Ferdinand was sloppy in a pass which left Bellamy in behind him whose pace was too much for Rio. As Bellamy honed in on goal, Foster made a weak attempt at smothering the ball allowing the Welshman to nip through and dink the ball home for the equaliser.
Old Trafford was shell shocked. Four minutes of injury time were to be played. Could United salvage the three points? Turns out they could. City’s goal, plus the introduction of Michael Carrick added some precious time to the match clock and as Giggs spotted Michael Owen alone in the City box, he hit a beautifully weighted ball to the England striker.
If there was ever a chance for Owen to win over some of the United faithful who still cast doubt, here it was. Deep into injury time on derby day and in front of the Stretford end. Owen took the ball and with the finesse we’ve seen in years gone by, drifted it into Shay Givens net.
One of the most exciting matches I have seen for years and most definitely a deserved result.
After the match, Ferguson told Sky Sports News:
“What can you say. We have thrown three goals away at them. It could have been an embarrassment today. It could have been six or 7-0 if we had defended our proper way, our normal way, we could have won by a big score today. “.
“But by making mistakes was an essence of the game it became the best derby game of all time. So what do you choose? One of the best derby games of all time or win 6-0?”
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I’m just watchin Sky Sports news and listening to City fans also interview with EX CITY palyer Hinchcliffe.Were they all watching a different game to me.United lucky to win? After having 80% possession for 20 mins in 2nd half.City’s only 2 chances in 2nd half resulted in goals,2 of them gifted by United.City hardly ever crossed the centre circle in 2nd half.Even in 1st half if we hadn’t gifted them the goal we would have totally been in control. All comments about added on time.There was a goal and substitution during that time. Such bad LOOSERS!!! It was a brilliant match. Thank you Owen.
I would definitely want a derby match thats a full on entertainer. I have a couple of questions regarding stoppage time that was given. Some say ref gave too much time for United, these people are either jealous or too narrow minded to see us win. Can you please elaborate on it a bit. I tried searching but could not find anything good. Thanks in advance.
I was absolutely gutted,destroyed, devastated when Shitty equalized for the 3rd time. Rio?? i do not know what went wrong, but luckily it did not cost us 2 points! When Owen scored the winner, i was shouting so loud that my neighbors came in to check if everything was OK!! Great match Great Win
cheers to United