carlyluvsunited
24-11-2007, 06:04 PM
Bolton 1-0 Man Utd
Anelka's goal earned Megson his first win in six games in charge
Gary Megson claimed his first win in charge of Bolton with the unlikely scalp of
Manchester United, thanks to Nicolas Anelka's early strike.
Anelka slotted home Ivan Campo's free-kick 10 minutes in.
Meanwhile, an out-of-sorts United were left frustrated as Jussi Jaaskelainen kept
out Owen Hargreaves' free-kick and Carlos Tevez screwed wide in the box.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had to watch from the stands after the break
following a touchline argument.
Although Manchester United's trip was less than 20 miles down the road from Old
Trafford, the gap between the two sides in the Premier League could not be
much bigger.
United, vying for the top spot with Arsenal, experienced their only previous
league defeat this season back in August - against Manchester City - whereas
that same month marked Bolton's only win in the Premier League - 3-0 against
Reading.
Having already notched up four draws and a loss, Megson's side have clearly
become harder to beat but few would have expected Bolton to take an unlikely
lead less than 10 minutes in.
Megson reaped the rewards of Anelka's return from a recent hamstring injury
when the Frenchman took advantage of United defender Gerard Pique's mistake
to slot home.
Campo's cheeky chipped free-kick had set up the goal with Pique mis-timing his
leap and leaving Anelka unmarked with the ball in front of goal.
While Bolton looked lively and dangerous on the break, the visitors made a
lacklustre start - perhaps missing the touch of winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who
was rested after playing in two Euro 2008 qualifiers over the past week.
United's chances at the other end were few in the first half with Hargreaves
screwing a 20-yard effort wide, and Tevez just failing to get on the end of Rio
Ferdinand's long ball.
Their frustrations were deepened by ongoing battle between Bolton striker Kevin
Davies and United defender Patrice Evra - which resulted in angry United boss
Alex Ferguson being sent the stands after the break.
Davies was lucky to get away with just one booking after two heavy-handed late
challenges and a nasty clash of heads with the Frenchman but referee's decision
brought Ferguson to the touchline to express his disgust.
However the tactical substitution of Pique for Oliveira Anderson just before the
half hour mark seemed to reinvigorate Ferguson's side and moments later,
keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to keep out Owen Hargreaves' dipping free
-kick with a flying dave.
United kept turning the screw and Carlos Tevez should have done better when
he sliced Evra's cross wide from just a yard out 70 minutes in.
Although the visitors continued to pile forward, Megson's men held on for a
famous win.
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discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
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Anelka's goal earned Megson his first win in six games in charge
Gary Megson claimed his first win in charge of Bolton with the unlikely scalp of
Manchester United, thanks to Nicolas Anelka's early strike.
Anelka slotted home Ivan Campo's free-kick 10 minutes in.
Meanwhile, an out-of-sorts United were left frustrated as Jussi Jaaskelainen kept
out Owen Hargreaves' free-kick and Carlos Tevez screwed wide in the box.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had to watch from the stands after the break
following a touchline argument.
Although Manchester United's trip was less than 20 miles down the road from Old
Trafford, the gap between the two sides in the Premier League could not be
much bigger.
United, vying for the top spot with Arsenal, experienced their only previous
league defeat this season back in August - against Manchester City - whereas
that same month marked Bolton's only win in the Premier League - 3-0 against
Reading.
Having already notched up four draws and a loss, Megson's side have clearly
become harder to beat but few would have expected Bolton to take an unlikely
lead less than 10 minutes in.
Megson reaped the rewards of Anelka's return from a recent hamstring injury
when the Frenchman took advantage of United defender Gerard Pique's mistake
to slot home.
Campo's cheeky chipped free-kick had set up the goal with Pique mis-timing his
leap and leaving Anelka unmarked with the ball in front of goal.
While Bolton looked lively and dangerous on the break, the visitors made a
lacklustre start - perhaps missing the touch of winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who
was rested after playing in two Euro 2008 qualifiers over the past week.
United's chances at the other end were few in the first half with Hargreaves
screwing a 20-yard effort wide, and Tevez just failing to get on the end of Rio
Ferdinand's long ball.
Their frustrations were deepened by ongoing battle between Bolton striker Kevin
Davies and United defender Patrice Evra - which resulted in angry United boss
Alex Ferguson being sent the stands after the break.
Davies was lucky to get away with just one booking after two heavy-handed late
challenges and a nasty clash of heads with the Frenchman but referee's decision
brought Ferguson to the touchline to express his disgust.
However the tactical substitution of Pique for Oliveira Anderson just before the
half hour mark seemed to reinvigorate Ferguson's side and moments later,
keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to keep out Owen Hargreaves' dipping free
-kick with a flying dave.
United kept turning the screw and Carlos Tevez should have done better when
he sliced Evra's cross wide from just a yard out 70 minutes in.
Although the visitors continued to pile forward, Megson's men held on for a
famous win.
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php