Manchester United 2 Everton 1
=======Manchester United 2 Everton 1
>>>>>>> .r8797Manchester United 2 (Ronaldo 22, 88p) Everton 1 (Cahill 27)
United battered away against a resolute defensive display from Everton to what appeared to be no avail. But a last minute moment of madness from Pienaar, when be brought down Giggs in the box for no reason, meant that United took all the points as Ronaldo converted the penalty.
It had looked like United we going to drop 2 points in the race against Arsenal, but like their main rivals, they turned a home draw into a win. United started well, and converted early pressure into a goal from the boot of Christiano Ronaldo. A goal of the month contender as he cut inside from the right and powered a left foot strike into the top corner of the net. It had so much pace and swerve that Everton keeper didn’t try to dive for it.
However, a makeshift United side were unable to hold onto the lead for more than 5 minutes. United were without Van Der Sar, Ferdinand and Hargreaves which meant 3 changes in the back 5 (Brown moved to centreback and Simpson played at rightback) and Carrick played, a less defensive minded midfield.
Pienaar was given too much time on the left wing and was allowed to put in an good cross and remarkably Tim Cahill was able to outjump the Paul Parker sized fullback, Patrice Evra. 1-1 and United reacted as it the opponents shouldn’t be allowed to equalise at Old Trafford. United were unable to break Everton down for much of the rest of the game.
However, Pienaar undid all his good work in the the last minute. Giggs was running inside the box past Pienaar but going away from goal and would have had to put in a cross in with his weaker left foot. Pienaar with his back to Giggs stuck out a leg backwards and tripped Giggs down. Penalty, no question as the manager would say. David Moyes couldn’t believe it, not that the penalty had been given, but that his player had made such a howling mistake.
Ronaldo, not being English, put the penalty away with ease to score his 16th league goal of the season. I don’t think Ronaldo has played quite so well as last season, but he is banging the goals away and doing the job for us once again. Maybe it was because he wasn’t at a certain party midweek, but he stood out and stood up for us again.
There is a ciche that a true mark of Champions is to win when you haven’t played well. United have done that a lot this season.
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