United On Fire

A far from vintage performance, but a much needed win courtesy of a super strike from new boy Nani meant that United moved from 2nd from bottom up to 10th in the table but more importanly kept the gap to Chelsea to 5 points.

It was a must win game as the other big 3 teams all won (even if they were somewhat fortuitous) but the tone of the match was set after just 21 seconds when sloppy midfield play allowed Robbie Keane to take a long range shot which dipped onto the top of the crossbar. There were 5 key moments in this match and the fact that 4 of them came Tottenham’s way showed how little control United had of this game.

Once again United had much of the possession in the game but never looked like breaking down a determined and well playing Spurs side who showed that they wanted their manager, Martin Jol to stay. Despite a few long range efforts from Carrick and Scholes the only danger to Paul Robinson came from a volley from Rio Ferdinand who put so much effort into the shot that he left the ground.

However, the 2nd key chance came to Spurs in the 2nd half. Going for a through ball, the excellent Berbatov collided with Vidic and whilst the Spurs players were calling for a penalty, Berbatov managed to toe poke the ball towards the net. Ferdinard did some excellent covering work and cleared the ball from the line. In truth, despite the penalty claims it really should have been a free kick to United as the replays cleared showed Berbatov running into Vidic and knocking him over.

If the first penalty claim was unrealistic, Tottenham’s second was based firmly in reality. It was Berbatov again shooting towards goal. With Van Der Saar well beaten, it was more covering work, this time from Wes Brown which saved the ball from the net. Brown threw himself at the goal and whether it was chest or arm, the ball bounced off him and the referee gave a corner. Tottenham were certain that they had been denied a penalty, but my gut reaction at the time was that it had come of his chest. Replays later on Match of the Day were not 100% conclusive but to my mind the arm does not appear until after the ball has bounced away meaning that it came off Brown’s chest. It seemed the linesman had an excellent view and could be clearly seen saying a definite “no” to the penalty claims.

To make matters worse for Spurs, United then went up the other end and scored. Whilst it wasn’t against the run of play, United hadn’t looked like scoring all game. However, Ferguson had taken off the ineffective Carrick for young Christopher Eagles and United looked more balanced. With the again excellent Hargreaves and at home, United didn’t need three in central midfield and with more firepower up front, Nani was allowed to come into the game more.

He collected the ball some 30 yards out and wasn’t closed down quickly enough. Once allowed time to take strike he let loose an amazing strike. The ball took the slightest glances off the head of Tevez, which may have taken the ball higher a couple of inches and it was clear from the replay that this was enough to mean that Robinson did not get a full hand to the ball and he couldn’t save it.

The relief around Old Trafford was as visible as Nani’s trademark (non-banned) back-flip celebration. Some might want to take the goal off him (Fergie argued as a striker that Tevez should claim it) but that would be so harsh on the young Portuguese star. Another world class player in the making, Nani should take the acclaim for winning this game for United as he worked hard and when Ronaldo and Rooney return, it could be argued that it will not be Nani that is replaced but the aging Giggs.

There was one final chance for Spurs to level the game and it was that man Berbatov again. Out of nothing he created a chance for himself, taking the ball down and turning two players in one beautiful fluid move before curling the ball towards goal. Van Der Saar kneed down in prayer, knowing he was beaten, but the ball sailed over the crossbar by an inch and it was by that margin that United won the game.

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