review: Birmingham city 0 v 1 MANCHESTER UNITED

Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd
Match Review
Birmingham City 0 v 1 Manchester United, St Andrews, Birmingham, 17.15pm, Saturday 29th September 2007.
Goals: Birmingham City: n/a    Manchester United: Ronaldo (51).
Attendance: 26,526

Another game, another below par performance, another 1-0 victory, but most importantly another three points,  it is true we might not be playing Champagne football but we are quickly, confidently & professionally going about our business.

Ronaldo was on hand to convert from hesitance in the Birmingham defence to give the Reds their 5th 1-0 victory of the season at St Andrews.

The Reds also lost Dutch stopper EVDS to a toe injury which the Veteran will more than likely miss the visit of Roma on Tuesday night.

The Reds had a slow start as Birmingham the better side in the 1st half fashioned chances with United's defence creaking and groaning, and being honest looking all over the place, Jerome forced a save from Van der Sar after Paul Scholes gifted Birmingham possession, also saving from the resulting corner after a header by Queudrue.

Dictating the pace & playing well, Birmingham almost took the lead after Larsson's cross was met by McSheffrey who beat EVDS only for Ferdinand as good defenders do, positioned himself in the right position clearing off the line.  United in the usual suicide defending then almost gifted another goal as a bad clearance from Van der Sar saw Jerome's effort blocked on passage to the net by Vidic.

Shortly afterwards Edwin Van der Sar required treatment to his left foot and trying to soldier on, the Dutchman was eventually replaced by the later impressive Tomasz Kuszczak.

With the Reds still at a trot but somehow finding victory's this season, the inevitable United goal came just after the break after slight hesitance from ex Boro defender Frank Queudrue, Ronaldo stole possession of the ball like a scouser, ran passed Taylor before scooping the ball into the net for the lead.

No to be disheartened or out done & credit to the Blues for giving United arguably our hardest game of the season so far, Birmingham pushed for a deserved something as Kuszczak was called into action making a "Cat reflex" like save after Rio Ferdinand deflected McSheffrey's shot goal bound.

Louis Saha was then brought on for Ryan Giggs in an attempt to provide muscle for the United attack & Kelly had to clear a Rooney effort soon after.

The game could have been dead and buried for the Reds when Rooney found Ronaldo only for the Portuguese forward to scuff his chance narrowly wide, when any decent strike would have found his effort in the net, United then ran down the clock and chalked up another three points but lost EVDS in the process for the Roma game with a toe injury, Kuszczak is expected to replace EVDS on the back of an excellent performance between the sticks.

United's Man of the Match
A constant menace & as his interview stated, we can only get better..

MUFC.COM's Reaction
After the result United kept the pressure up on Arsenal, who it has to be said are playing excellent football, have the Gunners got what it takes??, will suspensions & injuries take their toll??, also spare a moment for Chelsea, another game without victory, not a single goal scored this month, losing their Captain to a cheekbone injury, Drogba sent off, if you weren't such a smug outfit with no history, arrogantly expecting to win every match you play, maybe the world would not laugh at the shambles that you actually are.

Was our prediction correct?
No! We said 2-0. MUFC INFO 1 v 9 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
SAF's 372nd victory of his Premiership career.
Cristiano Ronaldo's 36th league goal of his United career and 52nd goal overall.
Wayne Rooney's 150th competitive appearance of his United career.
Paul Scholes is now 4th in the "All Time Appearances" list surpassing MUFC Goalkeeping Legend Alex Stepney.

Ryan Giggs Countdown = 42 competitive Games left to pass the All Time Record Set by Sir Bobby Charlton.

United's Next Match
Tuesday 2nd October 2007 against A.S. Roma in the UCL at Old Trafford, with a 19.45pm kick off.

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