|
|
MANCHESTER UNITED v MIDDLESBROUGH ANALYSIS AND PLAYER RATINGS 21-3-07
Udayan Mukherjee
Middlesbrough's cup dream ended for another season at the hands of Manchester United in a result that left the supposedly unbiased national media reaching for the Kleenex. Yet again it transpired that an act of blatant cheating would condemn us to defeat, and fact that makes the bill pill of defeat even more difficult to swallow.
Although it can be said that we battled and scrapped, and even had occasional bright spells where we worried United, many will say that they were much more fluid and dynamic than the Boro, and were it not for yet another dive by that cheat they call Cristiano Ronaldo, we may have been celebrating a clear route through to the final of the FA Cup.
Following the match, I was asked about what I thought about TV replays being incorporated into our game by a fan of rugby league, a game in which technology is routinely used. The arguments for and against are clearly defined, but according to this fan, video technology does not slow down the game as the only time the game is stopped is to scrutinise match changing decisions.
In the event, this kind of technology is probably not good for the game because it removes the heated debates in the pub following the match, and the spice added to the atmosphere when a decision goes against your team. An argument in favour that may be put forward by clubs such as our own is that decisions routinely go for the bigger teams and that we are sick of it. The bottom line is that we had made some decent breaks in the game, and with Woodgate in imperious form there seemed to be no way through for Manchester United.
However, it is important to recall that although we may get narked off at things like this, we have benefited from decisions like this, namely Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's dive for the penalty against Roma last season, without which there would have been none of the magic we experienced on the way to Eindhoven.
It is equally as important to note this; Manchester United have benefited from three very soft decisions against us, which have lead to dropped points and missing out on the FA Cup semi-final. The assertation that we have a 'complex', an accusation levelled against us by Alex Ferguson is utterly preposterous. After years of our managers metaphorically licking the arse of Ferguson, it is refreshing to see Southgate telling the old timers exactly what he thinks; that is to say that he felt that United have yet again cheated their way to victory, and it sure as hell leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
If such a petulant and conniving character can achieve a knighthood, then maybe my theory about them being given away free in packets of Kellogg's Cornflakes may be proved correct.
United started the brighter of the two sides, as the Boro looked to avoid conceding. Such was the ferocity of the initial United attack, with two early chances falling to Rooney and Vidic with the former shooting just wide and Vidic heading powerfully at Schwarzer.
After surviving the initial onslaught, Boro began to find their feet and nearly shocked the massed ranks at Old Trafford when Mark Viduka sent a shot very narrowly wide. It would have given the Boro something to hold onto, but alas it was not to be.
United came on strong though out the rest of the half, and looked certain to take the lead when Ronaldo played in Alan Smith, who was dismayed to have the ball taken off his toes by a simply superlative challenge from Jonathan Woodgate.
United were to come even closer before the half was up, when Rooney was played in with a wonderful ball from Ryan Giggs, a man who you suspect could grow a full grown beard in under three hours. Boro's collective hearts were in their mouths, but not for the first time that evening, or indeed in the preceding ten years, Schwarzer saved the day with a very smart stop at the England striker's feet.
Boro then broke forward to enjoy their best spell of the match. The Teessiders were giving a good account of themselves at this point, and should have taken the lead through Stewart Downing. Mark Viduka played some quite wonderful stuff out on the left hand side, and cut it back to Downing who shot high wide and not particularly handsome. It was a chance that Boro needed to take.
Soon after, the previously anonymous Yakubu darted between two defenders only to hit a disappointingly weak shot straight at Tomas Kusczcak.
On seventy-five minutes Ronaldo darted beyond Jonathan Woodgate, pouncing on an uncharacteristic mistake by the England defender. With Ronaldo having gotten to the byline, Woodgate attempted to rectify the situation by sticking his foot out, but ultimately refraining from making contact with the United winger. As per usual, the opportunity to 'win' his side a penalty seemed to good an opportunity to resist from the greasy schemer and the referee, unsurprisingly it has to be said, was duped. Justice was yet again not done as Schwarzer was beaten from a Ronaldo penalty for the third time this season.
There was to be no miraculous comeback from Boro however, but there was time for an X rated tackle by James Morrison, which led to a straight red card. It was a tackle borne out of frustration, and was something that every Boro fan and indeed many across the country would love to have done.
While ComeOnBoro.com does not condone violence (that's the official line; word has it that Gordon Dalton of Tale of the Tape indulges in ritualistic beatings of dwarves and such like), this tackle was fucking ace. Acer than the Ace of Spades by Motorhead. Which is ace.
As it happened it was just an act of defiance in the last moments of a game game in which the Boro could justifiably say "We was Robbed".
Player ratings
Schwarzer - Made several crucial saves, including one out of the very top drawer from Rooney. - 9
Woodgate - Was imperious at the back, save for the fact that he allowed Ronaldo to get away from him in the lead up to the penalty. - 9
Pogatetz - Crucial at the back. - 8
Xavier - Made several darting runs forward, and defensively was sound in the main. - 7
Taylor - Decent, but up against a very impressive performer in Ronaldo. - 7
Downing - Made some decent runs, but needs to be much more consistent with his balls into the box, as they often fail to beat the first man. - 7
Arca - Class. Again. Was bizarrely taken off for Rochemback in the second half. - 8.5
Boateng - Was the beating heart in the centre of the midfield, but still absolutely shite at passing, meaning that the heart is a bit fatty and possibly has an atrial flutter (Google it). - 7
Cattermole - Battled, but was ultimately a little bit out of his depth. - 6
Yakubu - Held the ball up reasonably well (well, better than usual) when he was involved but was involved far too rarely - 6.5
Viduka - Played well, could have scored in the first half. Did wonderfully to set up Downing for a glorious opportunity. - 8
Subs
Morrison - Decent, and then he went and wiped out Ronaldo - fuck it, 20 for the lad
Rochemback - Not that good - 5.5
Huuuuuuuuth - not much time to make a difference - 6
NOW HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE NEW HOLGATE FORUM
BACK TO UDAYAN MUKHERJEE INDEX
|
|
|
|
