SALFORD RED
08-12-2007, 07:19 PM
Man Utd 4-1 Derby
Manchester United overcame Derby's resilience to move within a point of Premier
League leaders Arsenal.
Ryan Giggs put United ahead with his 100th league goal, slotting home after
Ronaldo's shot was only parried.
Carlos Tevez made it 2-0 from a Ronaldo free-kick before Wes Brown teed up the
Argentine striker for a third.
Wayne Rooney and Giggs hit the woodwork before Steve Howard bundled home
a late reply for Derby but Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty sealed a fine United victory.
It has been a dismal season on the road so far for the Rams but boss Paul Jewell
can at least take encouragement from Howard's strike, even if the big striker
seemed to know little about it.
It was Derby's first goal in seven games and their first away from home this
season. It was also Howard's first of the season for good measure.
For more positive signs, Jewell can also point to the way his side adapted well to
the treacherous conditions at Old Trafford and, although they failed to create any
clear-cut openings, kept United quiet early on.
When United did attack they found the visitors in determined mood.
The Rams' attitude was exemplified by a brilliant Jay McEverley tackle which
denied Wayne Rooney as he shaped to convert Ronaldo's cross.
But Derby's lack of a serious attacking threat was always going to limit their
hopes of upsetting the champions.
And United's midfield, which included Michael Carrick as a late replacement after
Owen Hargreaves was injured in the warm-up, gradually took a grip on the
game.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men still had to wait until the 40th minute to take the lead
through Giggs' opportunistic strike but they quickly had the game sewn up.
After Rooney had hit the post with a cheeky chip, Tevez added a second goal -
firing home at the second attempt when Ronaldo's free-kick was not properly
cleared.
Derby did not give up and Giles Barnes' shot gave United keeper Edwin van der
Sar problems before Claude Davis tried his luck with an acrobatic effort from the
resulting corner.
United were still looking dangerous though, and Giggs hit the post with a volley
from Wes Brown's cross before Tevez made it 3-0 with a powerful finish.
Howard got on the end of Tyrone Mears' cross to pull a goal back for the Rams
but it was United who had the last word.
Ronaldo, who was booked for diving against Fulham earlier in the week, tumbled
in the area under challenge from Mears and got up to convert the spot-kick for
his 14th goal of the season.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"It was a big win. Things can happen in these conditions, they didn't suit us.
"I am surprised there was no announcement about Ryan's milestone.
"Maybe no-one knew but I certainly did. It is a fantastic achievement, absolutely
marvellous.
"Not many players have scored 100 league goals but the service Ryan has given
us, quite apart from the goals, is outstanding."
"Ryan is a great character, a great person and a fantastic servant to us all.
Derby manager Paul Jewell:
"We did well in the first 25 minutes and kept them quiet.
"But the disappointing thing was that we gifted United too many goals. We are
not going to win any matches like that.
"We have to get better but I will take the positives and at least we scored a goal
and showed a bit of courage and conviction in the second half."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand (O'Shea 71), Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick,
Anderson (Fletcher 62), Giggs (Saha 64), Rooney, Tevez.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Nani.
Goals: Giggs 40, Tevez 45, 60, Ronaldo 90 pen.
Derby: Bywater, Griffin, Moore, Davis, McEveley (Howard 46), Lea****, Fagan (Mears 46), Oakley, Pearson, Barnes (Teale 61), Miller.
Subs Not Used: Price, Earnshaw.
Booked: Davis, Griffin.
Goals: Howard 76.
Att: 75,725
Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
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
.
Manchester United overcame Derby's resilience to move within a point of Premier
League leaders Arsenal.
Ryan Giggs put United ahead with his 100th league goal, slotting home after
Ronaldo's shot was only parried.
Carlos Tevez made it 2-0 from a Ronaldo free-kick before Wes Brown teed up the
Argentine striker for a third.
Wayne Rooney and Giggs hit the woodwork before Steve Howard bundled home
a late reply for Derby but Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty sealed a fine United victory.
It has been a dismal season on the road so far for the Rams but boss Paul Jewell
can at least take encouragement from Howard's strike, even if the big striker
seemed to know little about it.
It was Derby's first goal in seven games and their first away from home this
season. It was also Howard's first of the season for good measure.
For more positive signs, Jewell can also point to the way his side adapted well to
the treacherous conditions at Old Trafford and, although they failed to create any
clear-cut openings, kept United quiet early on.
When United did attack they found the visitors in determined mood.
The Rams' attitude was exemplified by a brilliant Jay McEverley tackle which
denied Wayne Rooney as he shaped to convert Ronaldo's cross.
But Derby's lack of a serious attacking threat was always going to limit their
hopes of upsetting the champions.
And United's midfield, which included Michael Carrick as a late replacement after
Owen Hargreaves was injured in the warm-up, gradually took a grip on the
game.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men still had to wait until the 40th minute to take the lead
through Giggs' opportunistic strike but they quickly had the game sewn up.
After Rooney had hit the post with a cheeky chip, Tevez added a second goal -
firing home at the second attempt when Ronaldo's free-kick was not properly
cleared.
Derby did not give up and Giles Barnes' shot gave United keeper Edwin van der
Sar problems before Claude Davis tried his luck with an acrobatic effort from the
resulting corner.
United were still looking dangerous though, and Giggs hit the post with a volley
from Wes Brown's cross before Tevez made it 3-0 with a powerful finish.
Howard got on the end of Tyrone Mears' cross to pull a goal back for the Rams
but it was United who had the last word.
Ronaldo, who was booked for diving against Fulham earlier in the week, tumbled
in the area under challenge from Mears and got up to convert the spot-kick for
his 14th goal of the season.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"It was a big win. Things can happen in these conditions, they didn't suit us.
"I am surprised there was no announcement about Ryan's milestone.
"Maybe no-one knew but I certainly did. It is a fantastic achievement, absolutely
marvellous.
"Not many players have scored 100 league goals but the service Ryan has given
us, quite apart from the goals, is outstanding."
"Ryan is a great character, a great person and a fantastic servant to us all.
Derby manager Paul Jewell:
"We did well in the first 25 minutes and kept them quiet.
"But the disappointing thing was that we gifted United too many goals. We are
not going to win any matches like that.
"We have to get better but I will take the positives and at least we scored a goal
and showed a bit of courage and conviction in the second half."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand (O'Shea 71), Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick,
Anderson (Fletcher 62), Giggs (Saha 64), Rooney, Tevez.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Nani.
Goals: Giggs 40, Tevez 45, 60, Ronaldo 90 pen.
Derby: Bywater, Griffin, Moore, Davis, McEveley (Howard 46), Lea****, Fagan (Mears 46), Oakley, Pearson, Barnes (Teale 61), Miller.
Subs Not Used: Price, Earnshaw.
Booked: Davis, Griffin.
Goals: Howard 76.
Att: 75,725
Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
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
.