review: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 v 0 Birmingham city

Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd
Match Review
Manchester United 1 v 0 Birmingham City, Old Trafford, 15.00pm, Tuesday 1st January 2008.
Goals: Manchester United : Tevez (25)  Birmingham City: n/a.
Attendance: 75,459

A solitary Carlos Tevez goal was enough to claim the spoils for United & also saw the Argentine striker reach double figures as United beat Birmingham on the 1st day of 2008 at Old Trafford.  United had several chances (Ronaldo in particular) but the one converted chance was enough in the end.

With several changes in team personnel due to injury etc, SAF rested Giggs, dropped Brown to the bench  played Ronaldo for the missing was missing Wayne Rooney (virus).

This meant starts for JOS, JSP & Nani as Ronaldo was played in a more forward role partnering Tevez.

It was United who started the brightest with Ronaldo feeding Patrice Evra on 5 minutes, who in crossing for Tevez saw the Argentines header strike a post which wouldn't be for the last time.

United controlling things early then took the lead on 25 minutes after Tevez playing deep, gathered a ball & hit a pass over his head to Ronaldo, Tevez then dashed from his deep lying marker into space and toward goal, onto a ball which split the Birmingham defence clean in half after a back heel in true Ronaldo fashion, the link up play the Portuguese makeshift forward demonstrated was nothing short of heavenly as Tevez finished the move beating Taylor.

Tevez with the goal had then reached double figures in his short United career & celebrated as you would...sucking a pink Dummy.

Birmingham by no means out of the game, crept back with some chances as Gary McSheffrey was twice allowed space but hopelessly missed his chances as both sides headed in at the break nether adding to the score line.

In the 2nd half on the back of excellent work from Ji-sung Park, Ronaldo was the victim of a world class save from Taylor after JSP had dashed down the touchline, before a determined run into the box saw a cross find the Ronaldo with a headed effort.

Unlucky United saw the woodwork foil an attempt again as a shot from Tevez who worked hard to drag the ball from heavy traffic & unleashed a shot saw it rebound. 

Ronaldo again went close but for the wall of Birmingham defenders.

United continued to press and Birmingham Manager Alex McLeish brought on Mikael Forsell for Jerome and the Brummies then enjoyed there best patch off the game as the former Rentboy was the creative hub for the visitors.

Forsell found O'Connor who shot reminding the Reds the game wasn't over by any stretch on the imagination as sloppy play from almost the entire United team gifted Birmingham possession time and again as the Reds tried desperately to keep the ball.

A cool head & strong defensive ability once again helped United take all three points as Rio & Vidic & co were forced to defend in the final minutes acting like a brick wall to finally overcome the late Birmingham rally.

A late sour note for the Reds, especially Wes Brown was the needless booking the United defender had picked up meaning Brown will miss the game against Newcastle.

Debate??
Michael Carrick is currently the brunt of everyone's fury ala Darren Fletcher, Why is he in this alarming slump?
Its now January, could we tempt Spurs in a swap for Brown (well loose money on next season), Carrick (no one likes anymore& plenty of cover for him) & Saha??

PS, we here at MUFCINFO.COM would like to apologise for the problem wrt submitting comments, our system has been down for a few games but is now back up.

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United's Man of the Match
Carlos Tevez on another day would have had a hat trick, I personally have never saw a Striker with the fight & passion of this little genius.
A mention in dispatchers to JPS who also was fantastic & it's great to see him back.

MUFC.COM's Reaction
A big thanks goes to West Ham United who after playing with much passion & hunger in the 2-1 home victory against Manchester United last week, were a total feckin disgrace this week, lying down to die against Arsenal.

But hey............Three points & two points behind the leaders of the table will do us.

Was our prediction correct?
No!! We said 3-0. MUFC INFO 3 v 25 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
Carlos Tevez' 8th Premiership goal of his United career & 10th goal overall.

SAF's 382nd Premiership victory.

Michael Carrick's 49th competitive league appearance of his United career.

Ryan Giggs Countdown
Sir Bobby Charlton =753 appearances
Ryan Giggs             =725 appearances

No game for Ryan this week so still 28 competitive Games left to eclipse the All Time Record Set by Sir Bobby Charlton

United's Next Match
Saturday 5th January 2008 against Aston Villa in the FA Cup @ Villa Park with a 17.15pm K.O.

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