VietNam Culture: United

Showing posts with label United. Show all posts

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Fergie slams lacklustre United after Crawley test

Manchester United's defender Wes Brown (R) celebrates with striker Bebe (L) after scoring during their FA Cup fifth round football match against Crawley Town at Old Trafford in Manchester. Manchester United ended non-league Crawley Town's fairytale run with a lacklustre 1-0 victory.

Photo: AFP

Sir Alex Ferguson accused his Manchester United players of failing to understand the importance of the FA Cup after the 11-times winners struggled to reach the sixth round at the expense of non-League opposition.

The Premier League leaders were given an uncomfortable time by Crawley Town before edging past the team from the fifth tier of English football 1-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday to book a quarter-final spot.

But United's victory came at a cost as Anderson, Rafael da Silva and Fabio da Silva were injured and are now all doubtful for Wednesday's Champions League game away to Marseille.

Ferguson made his feelings clear after his players failed to perform.

Although the likes of Edwin van der Sar, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov were given the afternoon off, the likes of Bebe, Michael Carrick and Gabriel Obertan failed to impress.

"Some players came in and didn't do themselves justice. No doubt about that," said Ferguson.

"In the second half, we weren't at the races. It was disappointing. We might have some players who don't understand what the FA Cup is all about. That is the biggest lesson for them."

Anderson suffered a hamstring problem while brothers Rafael and Fabio da Silva also suffered knocks.

Ferguson said he will assess them before deciding whether they are capable of making the midweek journey to France.

"It was a big problem, having to take our two full-backs off and Anderson with his hamstring," added the United manager.

"It unbalances the team. We will assess them on Sunday. We had to play Darren Fletcher at right-back and he did well, but it didn't help."

Ferguson was full of praise for Crawley, who were denied a replay when substitute Richard Brodie hit the woodwork in stoppage time in front of their 9,000 travelling fans at Old Trafford.

"All the criticism about the FA Cup, it tells you what it means to a small club like Crawley," added Ferguson.

"They showed more desire in the second half. They made it very difficult for us. We were second to every ball. They could have equalized. They deserved a draw really, we never had a shot at goal in the second half.

"First half we did very well, no complaints. We could have been three or four up. It wasn't to be and if you are only 1-0 up in a cup-tie it only takes a second to lose a goal, and we nearly did."

Crawley did not leave Old Trafford completely empty handed. They will make over one million pounds (1.6 million dollars) from the tie via television rights and gate receipts from a sellout 75,000 crowd.

Manager Steve Evans challenged his players to use the performance as a springboard to win promotion to the Football League.

"We want to play in the Football League but there are some good clubs trying to stop us," said Evans.

"I am very proud of my players. I've spoken to Alex and he's given me a bottle of wine to take away."

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Derby hero Rooney helps Man United to sink City

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (left) celebrates with teammate Nani.

Photo: AFP

Sir Alex Ferguson described Wayne Rooney's winning goal in the Manchester derby as the best he had ever seen, but the United manager still wants more from his star striker.

Rooney, so disappointing for much of this season, scored for just the fifth time in the league as his stunning overhead kick from Nani’s cross secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

"I haven't seen anything like it, that's for sure," Ferguson said. "It reminded me of Denis Law although whether Denis ever put them in with such ferocity, I'm not so sure.

"I can't ever remember a better goal at Old Trafford. There was a Rooney volley against Newcastle I remember a few years ago with that kind of ferocity and we have had some fantastic goals here."

However, Ferguson, whose side are four points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, still believes he should be getting more from Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, currently the Premier League's leading goalscorer but left out of the starting line-up for the derby.

"I hope that is Wayne back to his best," said Ferguson. "I have to say, what I need to get out of Wayne and Berbatov are performances away from home that are as good as they are at home.

"That is the quandary. With the quality those two have, we should be dictating games away from home. When they do that, it will make a hell of a difference."

Nani had given United the lead, against the run of play, late in the first half with a very well-taken effort of his own - although it was nothing in comparison to Rooney's 78th minute winner.

"The thing is Nani's goal will be completely forgotten!" added Ferguson.

"That was a fantastic goal - an unbelievable touch, he took it round the defender, but nobody in their right mind would even talk about that. All the talk will be about that winning goal. Unbelievable."

City enjoyed control of large periods of the game and, after a lucky second half equalizer when Edin Dzeko's shot deflected off the back of David Silva, looked potential winners.

Defeat, in contrast, leaves City eight points behind United, who have a game in hand, and Rooney had no doubts as to where the winning goal belonged in the context of his career.

"Yes, I think that's the best goal of my life. I scored an overhead kick at school but that's my first since I started playing professionally," he said.

"I think it's pure instinct. You don't have time to think about what you're going to do. Nine times out of ten it hits the bar or goes wide but thankfully this one hit the top corner.

"To score that goal, and see the joy on the faces of the crowd, the manager, the players ... it's fantastic.

"To be honest, I was disappointed with my overall performance but I spoke with a few lads and they told me to stay up in the area and I'd get my chance.

"I've played in derbies before so I know it's a massive game for the whole city, especially with City being so close.

"And after dropping three points last week it was vital we won and kept the gap between us and City."

City manager Roberto Mancini sounded resigned to handing United the title although he paid tribute to the performance of his losing team.

"We were beaten by a moment of pure genius," he said. "Only a fantastic goal could decide this game. A fair result would have been a draw.

"We played well, we played as a team and we played strong here which is not easy. But United have a strong mentality and even when they don't deserve to win a game they believe they do.

"Our mentality will change when we win a title. But eight points is too much at the moment."

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Man United have mental edge over City, says Mancini

Manchester United have more of a winning mentality than their city rivals, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said on the eve of Saturday's Premier League derby.

With both sides of Manchester challenging for the title for the first time in many years, the meeting (1245 GMT) has taken on added significance with Mancini saying there is little between them apart from a confidence that comes with trophies.

"Maybe United has more than us a winning mentality because they (have) won (for) a long time, I think this is the difference," the City boss, seeking to bring the club their first league title since 1968 and first silverware since the 1976 League Cup, told a news conference on Friday.

"I think that when we start to win trophies it can change. But when you are a team that wins for 20 years your mentality is very strong -- when you don't play well you know that you are a strong team and if you don't concede a goal you can win.

"I think we are improving in this ... I think that for us it is very important to win something at the end of the season -- Europa League, FA Cup (or) Premier League."

United are seeking a record 19th league title and are moving towards it with a four-point lead over second-placed Arsenal at the top of the table. City are five points behind their city neighbours having played one game more.

City could be boosted by the return of striker Mario Balotelli, although he is pushing for a place on the bench rather than in the starting lineup after missing a month with a knee injury.

"I will decide if he can go on the bench. If he is not fit, maybe he will need another week," Mancini said.

Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong is a doubt with an ankle injury after also missing last weekend's 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion and a midweek international friendly.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Wolves stun Man Utd on day of Premiership drama

LONDON – Manchester United crashed to their first defeat of the season in a shock 2-1 loss at bottom club Wolves after a day of drama and record goal-scoring across the Premier League.

League leaders United, who had started to entertain dreams of emulating Arsenal and Preston North End as the only clubs to go through a whole season unbeaten, saw their run end abruptly at Molineux.

A superb individual goal by winger Nani had fired United ahead on three minutes but Wolves equalised with a fine header by fullback George Elokobi.

Five minutes before half-time Kevin Doyle was deemed to have got the final touch on a Nenad Milijas free-kick to put Mick McCarthy's side 2-1 up.

Despite furious late pressure from Sir Alex Ferguson's side, Wolves held on to record a victory which gives the rest of United's title rivals hope.

"We are disappointed obviously. It's been a long run for us. The players have done us all proud but today in the second half we didn't really get going," Ferguson told ESPN afterwards. Related article: Defeated Man United targets derby recovery

"We are not looking at the people below us, we are looking at ourselves.

"It was an opportunity for us to continue the great run we are on. The consistency we have shown in the last two months has been terrific so this was a great disappointment."

Ferguson believes next weekend's high-octane derby will give Manchester United the perfect incentive to bounce back.

The Scot insists Saturday's game against Manchester City at Old Trafford could not have come at a better time.

"It's a terrific game to try to recover from a defeat. It's a massive game. It's something to look forward to," said the United boss.

"Unfortunately, we have internationals in midweek. To my mind that is crazy, but we have to get on with it.

The result reduced United's lead over second-placed Arsenal to four points with both sides having played 25 games each. Wolves however remain bottom, behind West Ham on goals scored.

The Gunners would have narrowed the deficit even further had they not squandered a 4-0 lead in an extraordinary game against Newcastle at St James Park which finished 4-4. Related article: Arsenal's Wenger fears scars from Newcastle match

Arsenal looked to be cruising after goals from Robin Van Persie (2), Theo Walcott and Johan Djourou put them 4-0 up after 26 minutes.

However the sending off of Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby gave Newcastle a way back into the game and the Magpies produced a stunning fightback to draw courtesy of two Joey Barton penalties, a Leon Best strike and a rasping volley from Cheik Tiote on 87 minutes.

A total of 41 goals were scored across Saturday's eight games, shattering the previous record of 36 scored in a single day of the Premier League.

Third-placed Manchester City swept to a comfortable win over West Bromwich Albion at Eastlands, birthday boy Carlos Tevez netting a first-half hat-trick in a 3-0 victory.

Tevez's treble included two from the penalty spot as the Argentinian took his goals tally for the season to 18.

In a dramatic match at White Hart Lane, Niko Kranjcar struck a 90th-minute winner for Tottenham in a 2-1 victory over Bolton.

Rafael Van der Vaart put Spurs ahead from the penalty spot on six minutes, and looked to have doubled his tally moments later when he buried a second spot-kick only for the kick to be retaken for encroachment. Van der Vaart shot the same way but his effort went wide.

Bolton looked to have done enough to earn a share of the points courtesy of a Daniel Sturridge equaliser but Kranjcar's strike settled it for Spurs.

Elsewhere, Fulham twice came from behind to grab a share of the points in a 2-2 draw away to Aston Villa.

An own-goal from John Pantsil gave Villa the lead on 13 minutes before Fulham hit back through Andrew Johnson on 52 minutes. Kyle Walker put Villa 2-1 up but Fulham's US international midfielder Clint Dempsey equalised.

At Goodison Park, Louis Saha struck four goals as Everton came from behind to score a dramatic 5-3 win over Blackpool.

The Toffees twice took the lead through Saha only for the Seasiders to level through Alex Baptiste and Jason Puncheon.

Charlie Adam put Blackpool 3-2 up but Saha grabbed his third on 76 minutes before Jermaine Beckford struck a superb volley 10 minutes from time to make it 4-3. Saha then grabbed his fourth to complete the scoring.

At the DW Stadium, relegation-threatened Wigan scored a vital 4-3 victory over Blackburn in a see-saw battle.

Jason Roberts fired Blackburn into the lead before the struggling Latics drew level through James McCarthy.

Hugo Rodallega and McCarthy's second put Wigan 3-1 up, and although Blackburn pulled one back through Chris Samba, Ben Watson restored the home side's two-goal cushion from the penalty spot.

Yet David Dunn ensured a tense finale with a spot-kick on 81 minutes for Rovers as the goals continued but Wigan held on.

In the early kick-off, Robert Huth scored two goals in the final 10 minutes as Stoke City came from behind to defeat Sunderland 3-2.

German defender Huth struck the winning goal in injury time after earlier equalising on 83

minutes to cancel out an Asamoah Gyan strike that had given Sunderland a 2-1 lead.

Sunderland had taken the lead through Kieran Richardson after two minutes before Stoke's new loan signing John Carew hit back on 32 minutes.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Fergie confident of United staying power

Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov (2nd right) tries to avoid Birmingham's Alexander Hleb (2nd left).

Photo: AFP

Sir Alex Ferguson saw Manchester United maintain their impressive unbeaten start to the season and claimed his club has the depth and experience to hold onto their position at the top of the Premier League.

A Dimitar Berbatov hat-trick, with additional goals from Ryan Giggs and Nani, eased United to an emphatic 5-0 victory over Birmingham and allowed Ferguson to take key players such as Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs out of the fray to rest for matches ahead.

United's next match is a re-arranged fixture at Blackpool on Tuesday – a game for which Rio Ferdinand (groin) and Michael Carrick, who injured his ankle in the first half against Birmingham are both doubtful – although the United manager believes his in-form team can cope.

"It helps our goal difference, no doubt about that," said Ferguson of a victory which extends United’s unbeaten run to 22 league games this season, 27 dating back to last term.

"We have some tough games ahead of course. Hopefully the players can grasp the nettle. They have good experience, we've got the squad and hopefully we can manage all the games ahead.

"I was pleased with a good team performance. What helps is you score the early goal, getting a goal after a minute, they have to open up. It's a different perspective you have to face and we capitalized on that.

"It was a good scoreline at half-time and I was able to take Patrice Evra off, gave him a break by bringing on Fabio, and take Ryan Giggs off which was important because we have a big game on Tuesday."

Giggs turned in an eye-catching display, which featured a goal, on the weekend that the 37-year-old has declared that he wishes to spend at least one more season playing for the only club of his illustrious career.

"Ryan Giggs can easily play another year," said Ferguson. "He's as fresh as a daisy, we look after him the right way and he manages himself the right way. Being able to take him off was a bonus."

However, Berbatov – who has now scored 18 goals this season, 17 in the league, including three hat-tricks – was the real star of United’s performance.

His pairing with Wayne Rooney looks particularly explosive at present although the England forward continues his modest goal production.

Having missed at least one glaring chance, Rooney has now scored just two league goals this season, one of them from the penalty spot.

"We hope so," said Ferguson when asked if Rooney’s return to scoring form is imminent.

"He deserves it, he's working his socks off. He was involved in some great football today and involved in the fourth goal just after half-time with fantastic control from a ball from Edwin van der Sar coming out of the clouds, then setting up Ryan.

"Dimitar was marvelous. He could have scored more and we were a bit wasteful at times with our finishing but you can't complain at that performance, that was the important thing.

"His link-up with Wayne was very good. The third goal was a very, very exciting goal. Berba won the ball then his interplay with Wayne, and the ball from Wayne to Ryan was fantastic. It was an exciting goal and, on the stroke of half-time, killed off the match."

Beaten Birmingham manager Alex McLeish conceded that he and his team were distracted slightly by the looming League Cup semi-final second leg tie with West Ham on Wednesday.

"I had one eye on that," he said. "You can play your best team or shut up shop. We decided to go with some of the forward players who would play to their strengths.

"But we never got our passing game going. We had a small spell when we got behind them but we gifted a second goal and it was verging on the amateur. You can play your best and most experienced defenders and still lose.

"We were perhaps a bit bold and sometimes you get punished and sometimes it pays off – we were punished here. We shot ourselves in the foot. We have a group of players who bounce back well. Taking a drubbing today, people will ask whether if will affect confidence but in the dressing room, they are more angry than anything else."

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Shock change of heart as Rooney stays at United

Photo: Reuters

Wayne Rooney performed a stunning U-turn on Friday by signing a five-year contract to stay at Manchester United and end a week of bombshells with yet another shock.

The England striker had looked destined to leave Old Trafford in the next transfer window after saying on Wednesday that he wanted to quit because of United's lack of clout in attracting more top players to the club.

He attributed his change of heart to manager Alex Ferguson, whom Rooney called a "genius" and said had convinced him that he belonged at United.

Ferguson, who had been visibly shaken this week when describing how his striker had wanted to quit, said Rooney had apologized to him and the players and had changed his mind after understanding "what a great club Manchester United is."

But Rooney, who earlier this month publicly contradicted Ferguson by saying he was not injured when his manager said he was, still faces the tricky job of winning over fans who feel betrayed.

"I'm delighted to sign another deal at United," Rooney said in a statement. “In the last couple of days, I've talked to the manager and the owners and they've convinced me this is where I belong.”

"I'm signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history -- which is the reason I joined the club in the first place."

Ferguson had been locked in talks with chief executive David Gill to sort out what he said was in danger of becoming a 'saga'.

His bemusement turned to delight, with a photo on the club's website showing a beaming Ferguson with his arm around a smiling Rooney after the announcement of a deal that would keep the player at the club until at least June 2015.

"He apologized to me this morning and the players and I think he'll do that with the fans which is important because we've all been hurt by the events of the last couple of days," Ferguson told MUTV.

"I always feel it's a quality in a person when they say they're sorry and realizes he's made a mistake, particularly young people, I admire that in people.

“The job now is to put it behind us, get Wayne Rooney back on that pitch and playing the way that Wayne Rooney can play."

Build bridges

Ferguson had said in an earlier statement that Rooney had "accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United's great players."

The news stunned the footballing world, with former United player Lou Macari telling Sky Sports News: "I thought it was April 1. Nothing has shocked me more in football ever than this week."

Despite pledging his commitment to the club, in a deal where the financial details were not revealed, Rooney may still have some bridges to build with fans who felt angry over his exit plans and players who may have felt let down by their team mate.

"I'm sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they've read and seen," said Rooney.

"But my position was from concern over the future. The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it's up to me through my performances to win them over again."

After a 34-goal season last term, Rooney has struggled to find his form this season with just one club goal, a penalty.

Fans will hope the removal of the burden of uncertainty over his future, which had hung over him since telling Ferguson on August 14 that he wanted away, will let him return to his best.

Rooney had been linked with a move across the city to neighbors Manchester City, inciting anger among United fans. Police said they had to disperse a crowd of 20-30 people who had gathered outside his home on Thursday in protest.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Angry Man Utd fans besiege Rooney’s home

Photo: Reuters

Police have dispersed angry Manchester United fans who were besieging the house of club superstar Wayne Rooney reportedly in protest at his decision to quit.

Officers were called out late on Thursday after a mob of up to 30 supporters descended on the star's US$7.25 million mansion in Prestbury, close to Manchester.

It came shortly after a crisis meeting at the club failed to resolve the future of Rooney, whose decision to walk away from Manchester United after six years has sent shockwaves through the world of English football.

Fans have been incensed by the news, and reports that the striker could be snapped up by local arch rivals Manchester City have only added to their sense of betrayal.

The balaclava-clad fans arrived at Rooney's house - which he shares with his wife Coleen and son Kai - in a convoy of cars and repeatedly buzzed on his intercom, reported Britain's Sun newspaper.

They warned the striker not to sign for Man City before police arrived and threatened to arrest them unless they dispersed, said the paper. Six security guards reportedly came to stand watch at the house after the incident.

A local police spokesman told AFP that at 8:30pm on Thursday (0630 AEDT on Friday) "a call was received from a resident in Prestbury regarding 20 to 30 people assembling outside their address.

"Police attended the scene and the group dispersed peacefully. No offences were committed."

Earlier on Thursday, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson held talks with the club's chief executive David Gill and Rooney's representatives but the club said afterwards there were "no developments" and asked fans to remain patient.

On Wednesday, Rooney said he was leaving because he believed United were no longer able to match his ambition by being able to compete in the transfer market for the world's best players.

Rooney's comments appeared to slam shut any chance of the striker being able to settle his differences with the club after Ferguson said on Tuesday the door was still open to a solution.

A furious Ferguson had reacted on Wednesday by telling reporters following United's 1-0 Champions League victory over Bursaspor that the club had called a meeting in order to "put the issue to bed".

But the club did not release any further details on why Thursday's talks had failed to resolve the issue.

Ferguson has not speculated on what course of action he may take but it seems likely that Rooney has played his last game in a United shirt and that the club will seek to sell him as soon as the January transfer window opens.

Rooney, the figurehead of the United team and one of the world's most talented footballers, had stunned his employers by breaking off negotiations over a new contract and informing them he wished to leave.

With only 18 months left to run on his current $113,000 per week deal, United are now likely to offload Rooney as quickly as possible before his value, around STG50 million ($A80.53 million), begins to depreciate.

Rooney would be able to leave United for free if he saw out the remainder of his contract.

Most reports have said that Manchester City are the favorites to sign Rooney.

City, owned by Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, would comfortably be able to pay both the $79.2 million transfer fee and Rooney's salary demands, expected to be more than $316,600 per week.

Ferguson warned Rooney that any move to a new club was unlikely to be an improvement on United, where he has already accumulated eight major trophies in the six years since he signed from Everton as a teenager in 2004.

"Sometimes you look in a field and you see a cow and you think it's a better cow than the one you've got in your own field," Ferguson remarked.

"And it never really works out that way."

While the football world waits to discover Rooney's fate, his teammates are trying to block out the controversy as they focus on Sunday's Premier League trip to Stoke. United are already five points behind leaders Chelsea.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Sunderland thwart Manchester United title hopes

Photo: Reuters

Manchester United's faltering-away form continued to blight their Premier League title challenge when they were held to a 0-0 draw at Sunderland on Saturday.

The match started 20 minutes late after a burst pipe damaged their dressing room causing part of the ceiling to collapse.

But there was nothing so destructive about the United attack, as a well-disciplined home defense held them to a fourth successive away draw in the league this season.

Chelsea, who host Arsenal on Sunday, are top with 15 points, followed by United on 13 and Arsenal on 11. United have dropped eight points in their opening four matches on their travels.

Tottenham Hotspur are fifth on 11 points after coming from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1, Everton got their first win this season with a 2-0 success at Birmingham City and West Ham United now prop up the table after a 1-1 home draw with Fulham.

Hit post

Sunderland, who have now drawn their last four league games, went closest to scoring at the Stadium of Light when Boudewijn Zenden hit the post in the first half, but United manager Alex Ferguson said he was happy to leave with a point.

"I think you have to give credit to Sunderland, their home record this season has been fantastic," he told Sky Sports.

"The most important thing for us to do was not lose a goal because that's the area we've been weak in away games this season."

He said the incident before the match, when part of the roof of the visitors' dressing room collapsed, was not an issue.

"The staff at Sunderland were fantastic, and it did not disturb our build-up to the match very much."

Van the man

Rafael van der Vaart's rip-roaring week continued when he scored both goals as Spurs won at White Hart Lane to inflict a first defeat on Gerard Houllier since he became Villa manager.

Villa took the lead when Marc Albrighton tapped in at the far post after 16 minutes to score his first goal for the club.

However, Spurs stormed back when Van der Vaart headed them level in stoppage time at the end of the first half and put them ahead with a well-taken strike 15 minutes from time.

The Dutchman's performance followed his adventures on Wednesday when he missed a penalty, scored a goal and got sent off in the Champions League win over Twente Enschede.

Everton, the only one of the 92 League clubs without a win before kickoff, ended that unwanted record when they climbed off the bottom of the table by beating Birmingham at St Andrews.

Roger Johnson put through his own net after 54 minutes and Tim Cahill added the second with a header for his 100th English League goal after the 90th as Birmingham lost at home in the league for the first time since September last year.

The victory lifted Everton into 17th place and sent their local arch-rivals Liverpool into the relegation zone at least until they host Blackpool on Sunday.

Fulham's Clint Dempsey, who caused England goalkeeper Robert Green huge embarrassment when he scored a soft goal against him for the United States in the World Cup in June, beat him again after 33 minutes when he scored against West Ham United at Upton Park -- but this time Green had no chance of saving.

Dempsey controlled the ball with his chest before firing home from 12 yards. Frederic Piquionne equalized for the Hammers early in the second half and the match ended 1-1. West Ham have five points, the same as Wolves who lost 2-0 at Wigan Athletic.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Owen landmark rescues United at Bolton

Manchester United's Michael Owen controls the ball

Photo: AFP

Michael Owen's 200th career goal in England rescued Manchester United from defeat as Sir Alex Ferguson's side were held to a 2-2 draw by Bolton at the Reebok Stadium Sunday.

Martin Petrov's first goal in a Bolton shirt looked to have earned the hosts a famous victory before substitute Owen popped up with a 74th-minute equalizer.

United went into the game knowing that victory would take them to within a point of leaders Chelsea.

But it required a brilliant piece of individual skill from Nani to cancel out Zat Knight's early opener in what was an absorbing contest.

United were looking to take advantage of the unexpected defeats suffered by Chelsea and Arsenal the previous day yet found themselves behind as early as the sixth minute.

Bolton had lost 10 of their previous 11 meetings against United and were hammered 4-0 in the corresponding fixture last season.

Yet the team that had not won at home since the final day of last season made the early breakthrough when Knight, who had only scored three top flight goals in three years, got ahead of Johnny Evans to divert the ball over the line following a corner.

It was a disastrous start by Ferguson's team whose defending has come under the microscope after conceding seven times in their previous five league outings.

In what was a frantic start, United responded with efforts by Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher but neither could beat Jussi Jaaskelainen, the Finland keeper who was returning from a three-match suspension.

Bolton might have been tempted to sit on their lead but Owen Coyle's side poured forward, Edwin van der Sar smothering the danger after Kevin Davies got a flick that almost set up Johan Elmander.

United were clearly unsettled and it required a brilliant individual run by Nani for them to draw level midway through the first half.

The Portuguese winger picked up a loose ball inside his own half before embarking on a powerful run in which he motored past three players before beating Jaaskelainen with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

United ended the half strongly, Wayne Rooney flashing a powerful effort narrowly over the bar after creating space for himself on the edge of the area.

But Bolton were by no means overawed and it required a timely challenge by Fletcher to deny Elmander after the Swedish striker had burst through the visitors defence.

The frustration was beginning to show. Rooney, subdued by his usual standards, lasted just 16 minutes of the second half before he was replaced by Federico Macheda while a hamstring problem brought Giggs' afternoon to a premature end.

Dimitar Berbatov, six goals in his previous five league outings, forced a fine save from Jaaskelainen before Petrov's excellent 67th minute finish left home fans dreaming of a first win over United since 2007.

The Bulgarian produced a sweet finish after being teed up by Kevin Davies following great vision from Chung-Yong Lee.

But Bolton were unable to hang on to their lead and three minutes after replacing Fletcher, Owen equalized with a clever back header following Nani's free kick - a thrilling end to a great game.

Giant embroidered picture on display

Friday, September 24, 2010

Liverpool humbled by Northampton while Chelsea go out

Tottenham Hotspur's Sandro (R) challenges Arsenal's Samir Nasri during their English League Cup football match at White Hart Lane in London September 21, 2010

Photo: Reuters

Liverpool suffered a humiliating home defeat on penalties by League Two Northampton Town in the English League Cup third round on Wednesday.

Northampton, 17th in the fourth tier of English soccer, forced a 2-2 draw after extra time before winning 4-2 in the shootout to continue Liverpool's poor start to the season under new coach Roy Hodgson.

The other big upset came at Stamford Bridge where Newcastle United became the first team to beat champions Chelsea this season, striker Shola Ameobi scoring with a glancing header in the final minute to secure a thrilling 4-3 win.

Big-spending Manchester City also went out, losing 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion after taking the lead, but holders Manchester United survived an early scare to crush Scunthorpe United 5-2.

Liverpool, fielding a largely second-string team, took a lead through Milan Jovanovic but Northampton, who spent one season in the top flight in the mid-1960s, took the match to extra time through a 56th-minute strike by Billy McKay.

Northampton silenced Anfield by taking the lead eight minutes into the extra period through Michael Jacobs before a goal by striker David N'gog four minutes from time leveled the scores at 2-2 and sent the game to penalties.

The fourth division team controlled the shootout and Abdul Osman converted his spot-kick to secure a memorable 4-2 victory.

"Quite frankly, when they took the lead in extra time it was going to be an uphill battle," Hodgson told Sky Sports.

"We all know penalty shootouts are a little bit of a lottery but on the other hand when you are at home and you are kicking them in front of the Kop, you do harbor hopes at least that it's going to be your team that comes out on top," he added.

First defeat

Chelsea, also playing a much-changed side, lost a competitive match for the first time since April when Newcastle came from behind to claim their first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1986.

Chelsea went ahead early through defender Patrick Van Aanholt, but Newcastle roared into a 3-1 lead soon after halftime with goals from Nile Ranger, Ryan Taylor and Ameobi.

The hosts, reduced to 10 men after using all their substitutes, struck back with two Nicolas Anelka goals before Ameobi headed the winner.

"Nobody thought that we could win (on)coming here, hopefully it will give us momentum for the games coming up," Newcastle manager Chris Hughton told reporters. "We showed great character and some good finishing to get back in the game."

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said he was pleased with his young team's display.

"We are disappointed about the result, but absolutely not about the performance," he said. "We had a fantastic reaction and showed good spirit when it was 11 against 10.

"We now know we can count in the future on these young players, but tonight was not our priority for the season."

Former England striker Michael Owen struck twice to send holders Manchester United through to the last 16 after coming from a goal down at Scunthorpe United.

Josh Wright put Scunthorpe ahead in the 19th minute before Darron Gibson equalized to open the floodgates.

Defender Chris Smalling made it 2-1, former England striker Owen grabbed his first after halftime and Park Ji-sung scored with a low shot into the corner.

Frenchman Gerard Houllier celebrated a 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers in his first match as Aston Villa manager with Ashley Young scoring twice in two minutes.

West Brom knocked out big-spending Manchester City 2-1 with two second-half goals in two minutes after Jo had put the visitors ahead.

Striker Simon Cox grabbed the winner in the 57th minute, tucking a precise shot past goalkeeper Shay Given.

Liverpool humbled by Northampton while Chelsea go out