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Take that, City
Quick thoughts on the Manchester derby:
--United's midfield dominated the second half. After a lackluster first period, Anderson and Fletcher were possessed in the second. They alternated between providing needed steel on defense and keeping the offensive pressure on City's defense. For the first 20 minutes of the second half, it seemed that the ball never left City's half as either Fletch or Anderson retained possession every time City attempted to clear.
--Shay Given was tremendous. Normally, four in the net does not yield compliments for the keeper. But Given kept City in the match with two point blank saves on Berbatov and a third on a classic Giggs volley from the top of the area. Given probably should have come out on Fletcher's second header, but he had no chance on Rooney's opener or on Fletcher's unmarked first and second headers.
--Ben Foster was the opposite of tremendous. Although he had no chance to save Bellamy's wonder-strike, Foster was at fault for City's first goal and he should have stood up longer and cut the angle on Bellamy's break-away. In fact, I don't know that Foster made a single save in the match.
--City missed Adebayor more than Robinho. Without Adebayor, City had no aerial presence and were unable to hold at the top. Bellamy --even aside from his two goals -- ably provided Robinho's pace and creativity.
--City are a top 4 team.
--Welcome to the derby, Michael Owen.
Posted by joy division on 12:12 PM •
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Since I don’t have DirecTV and live in California, I had to go to a local pub at 5:30. I’m contemplating taking as a hostage the CEO of Time Warner. I’ll let him or her go only after Time Warner agrees to a Setanta licensing deal. I guess I could also get DirecTV, but that seems too complicated.
As for Hughes, he was throwing a fit before the goal and looked positively ashen after Owen drilled it in. The refs explained that there were 4 min minimum of stoppage time, and 30 seconds added for the Carrick substitution and 30 seconds added for the Bellamy goal.
Comment #2: joy division on 09/20 at 05:41 PM
I sound a bit hypocritical or biased, probably, since it benefited the team I support, but I am more than sick to death of managers trying to game the refs on stoppage time issues. It’s not the first time a manager has complained. Fourth official or no, last I read, Law 7 still puts the clock in the hands of the referee.
Comment #3: Auguste on 09/20 at 07:17 PM
Crazy game. Tremendous from Man U! I would be very surprised if Foster plays for Utd again after Van der Sar comes back; he was shockingly bad. I just hope he doesn’t do too much damage until then. Agreed re: time keeping. It’s up to the ref. And last I checked giving 30 seconds for substitutions and goals was the standard.
Comment #4: elena on 09/20 at 10:02 PM
You have to wonder if the Man City players were starting to think about the clock, too, particularly with Hughes getting angry. It’s the kind of distraction that, y’know, can lead to a goal.
Comment #5: Marc on 09/22 at 04:49 PM
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So pissed I couldn’t see this game. WTF, American sports media!
I’m reading that Owen’s winning goal was scored well into second half stoppage, and that Hughes was pissed the ref let the stoppage period run so long….interesting…