I can now reveal exclusive pictures of Luzhniki Stadium’s pitch. The rumours of a dodgy surface are true.
Disclaimer: Not the actual pitch, but my son’s birthday cake. Yes, they are Lego footballers.
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Tag Archive for 'man-united'
I was offered tickets for the Champions League final today. In the end, I had to turn them down. It wasn’t just the cost, which was rather a lot. It wasn’t just the fact I would have had two days to find out how to get to Moscow and back. It wasn’t just the likely fact that I would have to sleeep rough on the streets of Moscow (surely we’d be up partying our victory?).
No, sadly, I had to turn them down for another reason. They were in the Chelsea section. Some things are just too much to take. I couldn’t take the thought of either a) being amongst jubilant Chelsea fans if they won, b) keeping silent as United brought home a third Champions League title, or c) (the most likely) option, being beaten to death as I accidentally cheered the Red’s winning goal.
I was at Oxford United for Alex Ferguson’s first game in charge. I was in the home end (actually side) of the ground. There wasn’t much to cheer that day. I was at Reading as they lost 2-0 to United this season, in amongst the Berkshire crowd who just seemed happy that they played well. But to be in with the fans of a more “aggressive” set of fans is not the sort of thing that should be done.
So, I’ll be watching at home on Wednesday night, with a beer or 4. Praying and willing the team on. Knowing that even if they are 1-0 down with minutes to go, they might, just might turn it around.
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Yes. It was tough in parts and nervy until the second goal went it, but United held their nerve to win the league again.
A Ronaldo penalty and a Giggs winner came after Rio Ferdinand nearly gave away a penalty and Scholes should have been sent off.
But the title is ours. More tomorrow on another momentus victory. I’m going to watch Match of the Day to feel happy all over again.
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Well, if the Premier League really is a marathon, we’ve just got to that last bit with Manchester United and Chelsea level at the front. It has turned into a sprint at the death, and we’ll see which team has the energy left to get themselves over the line, or fall over embarrassingly 5 yards from the end.
If both teams win, we’ll need a photo finish, but luckily United would win it then. Chelsea have to better United’s result. The last time this happened was 40 years ago and then it was United and City. United fell over losing to Sunderland away, but picked themselves up to win the biggest prize of all, the European Cup. The last time the league was won on goal difference was 1989 when Arsenal beat Liverpool in the last game of the season. I still remember the goal by Michael Thomas. That was something else. Arsenal needed to win by two goals and did so, but only in the 88th minute.
All, we can do now is cross our fingers and hope that United are able to do the business. Wish them luck.
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Manchester United 4 (Ronaldo 3, 24, Tevez 26, Carrick 59) West Ham United 1 (Ashton 28)
A very early goal, combined with playing a team already on their summer holidays meant United moved to within 1 win of the title. From the moment Ronaldo was allowed far too much room to take a shot and score in the third minute this was always going to be a United victory. However, the stupid sending off of Nani threatened to change the game, and Nani will be heavily punished for his stupidity.
Whilst Ronaldo was sent off for a headbutt that was more of a eyebrow brush in the 2nd game of the season, Nani’s attempt was far more effective at hurting his opponent, and he was rightly sent off. What was worse was the desperate attempts at play acting. Last time he does that, one can only hope.
That black moment aside, this was a good result. Ronaldo tucked his 2nd of the game and 40th of the season using his thigh, but a couple of minutes later Tevez scored a screamer that had his ex-fans clapping in appreciation. Tevez has been a little underused and somewhat in the shadow of Ronaldo this season. His performances against West Ham and Barcelona prove that he could still become a United great.
A couple of minutes later, it was the United fan’s turn to applaud an opposition goal. A lofted ball into the box had both Dean Ashton and Rio Ferdinand backpeddling. As Rio tried to get his head to the ball, Ashton decided he could make better use of his feet and managed to produce a magnificent overhead kick. Unfortunately for him, he seemed to injure himself in the process. Ashton has been tipped as a possible United signing, and whilst I don’t see it myself, he proved today was a good player he is.
Despite being down to 10 men, it was mostly cruise control for United, especially when another ex-Hammer got United’s 4th. Carrick picked the ball up in midfield and was allowed far too much time to set himself for a shot. There was a deflection that wrong footed the keeper, Green and the ball was in the net. Despite conceding 4, Green was at fault for none of the goals.
The game ended 4-1 and United go to Wigan knowing that a win will see them win the league. Wigan are clear of the relegation zone and whilst will still pose a threat, they don’t have anything to play for. Mind you, we might still win it on Monday night when Chelsea face Newcastle. Stranger things have happened.
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