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Article by Mark
Graham, Stats Nerd
Middlesbrough 2 v 2 Manchester United,
Riverside
Stadium,
13.30pm, Sunday 6th April
2008.
Goals:
Middlesbrough: Alves (35), (56) - Manchester United:
Ronaldo (10), Rooney (74).
Attendance: 33,952
Manchester United opened the door to a closer title race
after the Reds 5 point lead was cut to 3 after sharing the
spoils with Middlesbrough during an exciting game at the
Riverside Stadium Sunday Lunchtime.
The Visitors took an early lead as Ronaldo scored his 27th
League goal of the season after Ryan Giggs launched in a
corner with only ten minutes played, despite the efforts
of Pogatetz to clear Michael Carrick collected the ball
and crossed low into the box where Ronaldo as replays
showed made space for himself before channelling the ball
between defenders for United's opener.
A brilliant start for United in a tough fixture soon
changed as the home side began to settle with George
Boateng becoming more and more influential in the
midfield.
United's defence seemingly creaking each time Boro
attacked & SAF with the missing Vidic employed JOS in the
centre half slot alongside Rio Ferdinand with Wes Brown
staying in his normal (this season) right back slot, when
maybe a reverse evaluation from the boss could have shored
up the defence.
It didn't take an idiot to realise that Boro clearly
played some excellent football in the tie and United's
defence was as Gareth Southgate told the world "rattled"
but as plain as day, missing Nemanja Vidic United looked
to put it politely out of sorts as the Tyneside outfit
mounted pressure on United.
Alves who hadn't actually scored for Boro until this
fixture, looked a class apart as the unusually sold out
Riverside crowd saw a chance in the form of a header go
wide in the early going.
United briefly flickered as Luke Young's tackle stopped
Wayne Rooney from adding to United's tally.
Boro then
threatened again whilst Patrice Evra was lying injured and
with acres of space to take advantage of Aliadiere
fortunately for United, placed his chance wide.
Alves then called EVDS into action making the Big Dutch
stickman save twice, once from the free kick & again from Pogatetz
who had followed the free kick up with a header. The
Brazilian then marked his first goal in the English
Premiership after a long ball from O'Neill caught United's
defence out of position, Alves collecting a smart flick on
from Aliadiere with defenders trailing beat EVDS giving
Boro a much deserved equaliser.
EVDS then kept United in the game with a fine save from
Downing before United could have had a penalty as Taylor
blocked a Ronaldo shot in the box with his arm.
The second half started with Middlesboro showing more
intent to take the lead as Alves always a danger, headed
an effort from a Wheater assist goal bound, only to have
his effort cleared.
Middlesbrough deserving a goal for their performance soon
took the lead as Wes Brown who was tortured on the right
hand side with Downing, failed to deal with the impressive
George Boateng's cross and after the back of Aliadiere's head
saw fit to aid Alves, the Brazilian "Goal Machine" or so
the flag in the crowd was to lead you to believe, United
were 2-1 down and staring a defeat in the face.
Boro's MOTM
Alves soon after had a header cleared off the line by Rio Ferdinand
as United were continually put under pressure & after
seeing his side look so uncharacteristically vulnerable in
defence SAF then had a tinker.
Within 6 minutes Tevez, John O'Shea & Ferdinand (due to
injury) all came off for Ji Sung Park, Owen Hargreaves &
Pique respectively as SAF tried an influx of fresh talent
to try to salvage the game.
Park who had played intelligently in Rome using the ball
very well as he did his team mates, sparked the Reds into
life as the South Korean with a dummied smart move on the
right followed up with a brilliant assist for Wayne
Rooney, who scooped the ball into the net for United's
equaliser.
A dramatic end to the game was guaranteed as both teams
could have snatched the points up for offer as Tuncay
beating Wes Brown was deprived of the winner by EVDS &
Rooney at the other end saw some half efforts come to
nothing and with a blow of the final whistle, Chelsea
gained ground on United in the title race.
RYAN GIGGS
Not a single person can disagree on this but on current
form Park or Portuguese winger Nani when fit, are a better
option than a tired looking Ryan Giggs who hasn't produced
for several months, Park has played in World Cups & the
Champions League for years & should now be picked ahead of
Giggs who needs a rest & maybe be used as an impact sub or
sparingly.
Several players had off days for United in this game but
it seems SAF's patience might have ran out with Ryan Giggs
as the United Legend & co Captain was bollocked severely
from the touchline for his lazy effort after Park had
chested a ball down in the box.
No more F*CK ups now, and we dont need passengers on the
team, SAF has to make a decision on Giggs
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