Aston Villa squandered a two-goal lead as Manchester United clinched a 2-2 draw in dramatic fashion in their Premier League clash at Villa Park.
Ashley Young broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, and Marc Albrighton swiftly doubled his side's lead as the hosts looked to have put a hefty dent in United's pursuit of Chelsea at the top of the table.
Sir Alex Ferguson threw on Federico Macheda, and within eight minutes of his introduction the Italian pulled one back, before Nemanja Vidic headed United level five minutes from time to salvage an improbable point.
Gerard Houllier was forced to field a side bereft of eight first-team players, with diminutive rookies Barry Bannan and Jonathan Hogg forming an unfamiliar central midfield partnership, while Ferguson reverted to 4-4-2 with Javier Hernandez in attack alongside Dimitar Berbatov.
One area of the field where experience was in abundance was in both goals, but neither keeper was troubled early on as Villa, in particular, were left to rue having just one forward as countless deliveries from outwide came to nothing.
The first clear-cut chance of the game was carved out by the visitors in the 17th minute: Berbatov beat the offside trap to meet Hernandez's through ball, but the forward fired wide in very shoddy fashion to hand the hosts a real reprieve.
Villa enjoyed an increased share of possession as the first half developed, and Edwin van der Sar was forced to make a sprawling save down low to his right to deny Ashley Young, whose rasping volley from the edge of the United box on the half hour mark looked destined for the corner of the net.
Just a minute later United should have broken the deadlock themselves as Nani found Evra with an incisive drill straight from the training ground from a regulation free-kick but, inexplicably, no United player made a run to convert the Frenchman's stunning delivery across the six-yard box.
Villa were on the front foot at the end of the half, and Stewart Downing was almost wheeling away in premature celebration two minutes before the break as his piledriver from the edge of the box was somehow deflected wide of the near post by Rio Ferdinand.
Villa began the second half with real purpose and passion: first Ji-Sung Park was bundled off the ball by Marc Albrighton, whose pinpoint cross was met by Agbonlahor's head inside the United box, albeit with insufficient power; then the forward had a shot deflected wide by Ferdinand seconds later.
There was a touch of acrimony in the 53rd minute as Nani was booked for leading with his elbow in a challenge with Warnock on halfway: the reaction was one of unbridled fury from the Villa players, and replays suggest the Portugese was perhaps fortunate to remain on the field.
Seconds later, the hosts were almost rewarded for their electrifying start to the second half as Downing forced his way down the left and picked out Albrighton at the back post with a pinpoint delivery, only for the winger to head wide from close range.
James Collins came within a few inches of netting the opener in the 67th minute as the forward rose imperiously to rattle the crossbar with a powerful header. And, if Houllier was rueing his side's luck after that, his frustration was compounded seconds later as Agbonlahor beat Ferdinand to a loose ball inside the United box and struck the near post with a fierce shot with Van der Sar comprehensively beaten.
But Villa's incessant pressure was finally rewarded in the 72nd minute as Young dispatched his penalty kick with aplomb after he was bundled over clumsily by Brown in the United box.
Ferguson swiftly responded with a double attacking change as the ineffectual Hernandez and Berbatov were hauled off to allow Macheda and Gabriel Obertan a chance to make an impact.
But it was Villa who inflicted further damage as Downing broke at pace down the left, before Albrighton capped off a stunning counter-attack with an opportunistic finish at the back post.
Macheda's introduction did force the desired effect for Ferguson five minutes later, however, as the Italian received a pass from Fletcher in innocuous fashion on the edge of the Villa box, then lashed an unerring strike into the top corner of the net.
Both sides pressed for the three points in an enthralling finale, but it was the hosts who were the more disappointed with the point after having seen their lead so swiftly eroded.
Villa remain unbeaten at home as a result of the draw, while United have yet to be defeated all season as Ferguson's side move to within three points of Chelsea, albeit having played a game more than the league leaders.
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Premier League - Premier League previews
A look ahead to Saturday's Premier League games which include Manchester City against Birmingham.
Click on the links under the picture for video previews (UK only) plus match facts and team news for each game.
Manchester City enjoy flexing their financial muscles but if a title challenge is to materialise teams like Birmingham City, who visit Eastlands on Saturday, must start feeling the force on the field.
Manager Roberto Mancini's main concern against lowly Birmingham will a victory to consolidate their top-four position but fans of the club, despite the millions spent, could be forgiven for feeling short-changed in the entertainment stakes.
City have managed just seven goals in six home matches and have found the net only 15 times this season, a poor return and one that could undermine their hopes of barging into the title race.
Leaders Chelsea have scored 28, and second and third-placed Manchester United and Arsenal have bagged 24 each.
City ground out a timid 0-0 draw at home to United on Wednesday, wasting the perfect opportunity to lay down a marker against their illustrious rivals.
It was telling that United manager Alex Ferguson appeared disappointed that two points had been dropped while City's Roberto Mancini preferred to stress the fact that his side had avoided defeat.
"I thought Nigel de Jong played well, as did Gareth Barry," Mancini said of two of his defensive midfield shield. "It was good we did not concede any goals in stoppage time like we did last season".
For all the millions spent on players since City became the play thing of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in 2008 the club is struggling to throw off an inferiority complex and the team, while tough to beat, lacks personality.
Skipper Carlos Tevez has scored half City's goals this season and of the rest of the expensively assembled squad only Mario Balotelli, who is suspended for Saturday's clash with Birmingham, has managed more than one in the league.
England winger Adam Johnson was overlooked for a starting berth against United with Tevez again left to run himself into the ground.
Emmanuel Adebayor has looked a shadow of the player that used to terrorise defences at Arsenal and City get few goals from their defensively-minded midfield.
Despite City's caution, they remain well-placed on 21 points, seven behind leaders Chelsea, two behind Arsenal and three shy of United, none of the top three are firing on all cylinders.
Manchester United face Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime knowing victory would close Chelsea's gap to a point but Ferguson will be wary of facing old adversary Gerard Houllier.
They crossed swords many times when Houllier was in charge of Liverpool and the Frenchman achieved the rare feat of five successive victories over United from 2000 to 2002.
Houllier's return to English football has been low-key with mid-table Villa struggling for consistency and Wednesday's last-minute win over Blackpool was their first in the league since September.
Chelsea, who host Sunderland on Sunday, have been the model of consistency at Stamford Bridge, winning all six home league games this season without conceding a goal and the champions hope to have Frank Lampard back.
The England midfielder has been sidelined since August with a groin injury and his return is timely in the light of Michael Essien's suspension after his red card in the 1-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday.
Arsenal are away to Everton on Sunday while at the other end of the table on Saturday time appears to be running out for West Ham manager Avram Grant to turn around the London's club's fortunes. Defeat at home by Blackpool could leave the Hammers dangerously adrift at the bottom.
Click on the links under the picture for video previews (UK only) plus match facts and team news for each game.
Manchester City enjoy flexing their financial muscles but if a title challenge is to materialise teams like Birmingham City, who visit Eastlands on Saturday, must start feeling the force on the field.
Manager Roberto Mancini's main concern against lowly Birmingham will a victory to consolidate their top-four position but fans of the club, despite the millions spent, could be forgiven for feeling short-changed in the entertainment stakes.
City have managed just seven goals in six home matches and have found the net only 15 times this season, a poor return and one that could undermine their hopes of barging into the title race.
Leaders Chelsea have scored 28, and second and third-placed Manchester United and Arsenal have bagged 24 each.
City ground out a timid 0-0 draw at home to United on Wednesday, wasting the perfect opportunity to lay down a marker against their illustrious rivals.
It was telling that United manager Alex Ferguson appeared disappointed that two points had been dropped while City's Roberto Mancini preferred to stress the fact that his side had avoided defeat.
"I thought Nigel de Jong played well, as did Gareth Barry," Mancini said of two of his defensive midfield shield. "It was good we did not concede any goals in stoppage time like we did last season".
For all the millions spent on players since City became the play thing of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in 2008 the club is struggling to throw off an inferiority complex and the team, while tough to beat, lacks personality.
Skipper Carlos Tevez has scored half City's goals this season and of the rest of the expensively assembled squad only Mario Balotelli, who is suspended for Saturday's clash with Birmingham, has managed more than one in the league.
England winger Adam Johnson was overlooked for a starting berth against United with Tevez again left to run himself into the ground.
Emmanuel Adebayor has looked a shadow of the player that used to terrorise defences at Arsenal and City get few goals from their defensively-minded midfield.
Despite City's caution, they remain well-placed on 21 points, seven behind leaders Chelsea, two behind Arsenal and three shy of United, none of the top three are firing on all cylinders.
Manchester United face Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime knowing victory would close Chelsea's gap to a point but Ferguson will be wary of facing old adversary Gerard Houllier.
They crossed swords many times when Houllier was in charge of Liverpool and the Frenchman achieved the rare feat of five successive victories over United from 2000 to 2002.
Houllier's return to English football has been low-key with mid-table Villa struggling for consistency and Wednesday's last-minute win over Blackpool was their first in the league since September.
Chelsea, who host Sunderland on Sunday, have been the model of consistency at Stamford Bridge, winning all six home league games this season without conceding a goal and the champions hope to have Frank Lampard back.
The England midfielder has been sidelined since August with a groin injury and his return is timely in the light of Michael Essien's suspension after his red card in the 1-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday.
Arsenal are away to Everton on Sunday while at the other end of the table on Saturday time appears to be running out for West Ham manager Avram Grant to turn around the London's club's fortunes. Defeat at home by Blackpool could leave the Hammers dangerously adrift at the bottom.
Chelsea won't miss Wilkins
Ray Wilkins's removal as Chelsea's assistant manager is an odd one, alright.
Last night, he sat next to Carlo Ancelotti during the 1-0 win against Fulham, and today he watched a reserve team match at the Blues' Cobham training ground.
At half-time, he was reportedly called away and given his marching orders.
Hardly the most dignified exit for a man who brought a welcome touch of grace and humility to Chelsea.
Everyone in football agrees that Wilkins is a thoroughly nice man. Yet, whatever the circumstances of his sacking, his absence will not be keenly felt.
Not because there is anything wrong with Wilkins, you understand. But because the position of assistant manager simply isn't that important - especially for clubs with competent managers.
We like to imagine that number twos are actually the brains of the operation, the power behind the throne.
Brian Clough's assistant Peter Taylor is a case in point - the film version of The Damned United is basically a love story between the two, culminating in Clough's admission that he is nothing without Taylor.
But that is cinema. In any case, Taylor was a special case whose chief skill was actually as a scout, identifying players for Clough to bring in.
His importance was also increased by Clough's cavalier attitude to tactics and training.
The same slapdash trait does not exist in Carlo Ancelotti or any other of today's leading bosses.
Assistant managers might sit in the same dug-out as the gaffer, and do the odd post-match interview, but do not be fooled into thinking they are important.
Steve Clarke was hailed as Mourinho's training-ground general, yet remarkably the Special One has coped without the Scot at Internazionale and Real Madrid.
Clarke's so-called magic was not enough to keep Gianfranco Zola in a job at West Ham, and both men are now unemployed.
When Alex Ferguson's long-time assistant Brian Kidd left Manchester United in 1998, many predicted dire consequences.
A year later, United had won the treble and Kidd had got Blackburn relegated.
Steve McClaren, Jimmy Ryan, Carlos Queiroz (twice) and Walter Smith (briefly) all came and went without any appreciable effect on United's results. Mike Phelan now sits next to Fergie and talks to the BBC for him.
And what of Pat Rice, Arsene Wenger's trusty lieutenant? How much credit does he deserve for the Gunners' success?
I suspect Wenger had kept him on simply because he's good at putting out cones on the London Colney training pitch and he knows where the biscuits are kept.
As for Liverpool, Paco Ayestaran's departure in 2007 has been pinpointed by many as the beginning of the end for Rafa Benitez's reign.
But that didn't stop Benitez's Paco-less Reds finishing second in the Premier League two years later, losing just twice in 38 games.
What of Chelsea without Wilkins?
Ancelotti wrote in his recent autobiography: "Ray is a real blue-blood, Chelsea flows in his veins. Without him, we couldn't have won a thing."
Kind words, but the fact the Italian was happy to lose Wilkins suggests he might have been exaggerating a touch.
Butch was a familiar and friendly face around the club, and perhaps an important figure in helping Ancelotti to bring the squad on side.
But the manager's English is now up to scratch, and the players trust him, making Wilkins expendable.
His removal is unexpected and ruthless, but don't expect the effects to be felt on the pitch.
At half-time, he was reportedly called away and given his marching orders.
Hardly the most dignified exit for a man who brought a welcome touch of grace and humility to Chelsea.
Everyone in football agrees that Wilkins is a thoroughly nice man. Yet, whatever the circumstances of his sacking, his absence will not be keenly felt.
Not because there is anything wrong with Wilkins, you understand. But because the position of assistant manager simply isn't that important - especially for clubs with competent managers.
We like to imagine that number twos are actually the brains of the operation, the power behind the throne.
Brian Clough's assistant Peter Taylor is a case in point - the film version of The Damned United is basically a love story between the two, culminating in Clough's admission that he is nothing without Taylor.
But that is cinema. In any case, Taylor was a special case whose chief skill was actually as a scout, identifying players for Clough to bring in.
His importance was also increased by Clough's cavalier attitude to tactics and training.
The same slapdash trait does not exist in Carlo Ancelotti or any other of today's leading bosses.
Assistant managers might sit in the same dug-out as the gaffer, and do the odd post-match interview, but do not be fooled into thinking they are important.
Steve Clarke was hailed as Mourinho's training-ground general, yet remarkably the Special One has coped without the Scot at Internazionale and Real Madrid.
Clarke's so-called magic was not enough to keep Gianfranco Zola in a job at West Ham, and both men are now unemployed.
When Alex Ferguson's long-time assistant Brian Kidd left Manchester United in 1998, many predicted dire consequences.
A year later, United had won the treble and Kidd had got Blackburn relegated.
Steve McClaren, Jimmy Ryan, Carlos Queiroz (twice) and Walter Smith (briefly) all came and went without any appreciable effect on United's results. Mike Phelan now sits next to Fergie and talks to the BBC for him.
And what of Pat Rice, Arsene Wenger's trusty lieutenant? How much credit does he deserve for the Gunners' success?
I suspect Wenger had kept him on simply because he's good at putting out cones on the London Colney training pitch and he knows where the biscuits are kept.
As for Liverpool, Paco Ayestaran's departure in 2007 has been pinpointed by many as the beginning of the end for Rafa Benitez's reign.
But that didn't stop Benitez's Paco-less Reds finishing second in the Premier League two years later, losing just twice in 38 games.
What of Chelsea without Wilkins?
Ancelotti wrote in his recent autobiography: "Ray is a real blue-blood, Chelsea flows in his veins. Without him, we couldn't have won a thing."
Kind words, but the fact the Italian was happy to lose Wilkins suggests he might have been exaggerating a touch.
Butch was a familiar and friendly face around the club, and perhaps an important figure in helping Ancelotti to bring the squad on side.
But the manager's English is now up to scratch, and the players trust him, making Wilkins expendable.
His removal is unexpected and ruthless, but don't expect the effects to be felt on the pitch.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Premier League - Hargreaves out for five weeks
Luckless Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves is set to be ruled out for five weeks with a hamstring injury.
He suffered yet more injury misery on Saturday when he trudged off shaking his head just five minutes into his long-awaited return.
More than two years since his last start, in which time chronic tendinitis in his knees has cursed his career, he was recalled to face Wolverhampton Wanderers after illness swept the Old Trafford club but the 29-year-old's joy turned to despair.
Now Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the player, who cost £17 million from Bayern Munich in 2007 but has become the club's forgotten man, will be out of action until the middle of next month although it is possible Hargreaves could play some part in the Christmas programme.
"We were at the stage where we knew Owen's knee was okay," Ferguson told Key 103.
"His training performances for eight or nine days previously had been terrific.
"He had done really well, which is why we took the chance.
"But maybe the tension in the build-up for the lad was too much and he suffered because of it."
The former England midfielder's career has stalled at United as he battles the knee problems that have required surgery in the United States.
Before Saturday, Hargreaves last started a game in September 2008 against Chelsea and has since made just one brief appearances as a substitute at the end of last season.
Ryan Giggs has also been ruled out of Wednesday's Manchester derby and there is only an outside chance that Nani will recover from the groin injury he suffered in last week's Champions League triumph over Bursaspor.
The veteran Welshman was hoping to make a record 34th derby appearance at Eastlands but after feeling the hamstring injury that has kept him on the sidelines for all but one of United's last nine games in a session just prior to Saturday's win over Wolves, Ferguson has reluctantly ruled Giggs out of his plans.
Ferguson is crossing his fingers that the virus that has swept the camp since their return from Turkey last week does not wreck their bid for a derby-day win.
After losing several key players for the weekend win over Wolves, Ferguson had to send more home from training on Monday - reportedly as many as 10 players have had the bug at some point - and admits he has no idea what the make up of his side to face Roberto Mancini's men at Eastlands will be.
He suffered yet more injury misery on Saturday when he trudged off shaking his head just five minutes into his long-awaited return.
More than two years since his last start, in which time chronic tendinitis in his knees has cursed his career, he was recalled to face Wolverhampton Wanderers after illness swept the Old Trafford club but the 29-year-old's joy turned to despair.
Now Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the player, who cost £17 million from Bayern Munich in 2007 but has become the club's forgotten man, will be out of action until the middle of next month although it is possible Hargreaves could play some part in the Christmas programme.
"We were at the stage where we knew Owen's knee was okay," Ferguson told Key 103.
"His training performances for eight or nine days previously had been terrific.
"He had done really well, which is why we took the chance.
"But maybe the tension in the build-up for the lad was too much and he suffered because of it."
The former England midfielder's career has stalled at United as he battles the knee problems that have required surgery in the United States.
Ryan Giggs has also been ruled out of Wednesday's Manchester derby and there is only an outside chance that Nani will recover from the groin injury he suffered in last week's Champions League triumph over Bursaspor.
The veteran Welshman was hoping to make a record 34th derby appearance at Eastlands but after feeling the hamstring injury that has kept him on the sidelines for all but one of United's last nine games in a session just prior to Saturday's win over Wolves, Ferguson has reluctantly ruled Giggs out of his plans.
Ferguson is crossing his fingers that the virus that has swept the camp since their return from Turkey last week does not wreck their bid for a derby-day win.
After losing several key players for the weekend win over Wolves, Ferguson had to send more home from training on Monday - reportedly as many as 10 players have had the bug at some point - and admits he has no idea what the make up of his side to face Roberto Mancini's men at Eastlands will be.
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