Terrace Talk

After a crushing victory over the Magpies in January, the Red Devils started the game convinced that they could repeat that amazing result. Earlier in the day the Gunners were held to a draw after a late equalizer by James McFadden at St. Andrew’s Stadium. The fact that Arsenal slipped was most likely the boost of confidence the Reds needed.

United dominated the game from start to finish, to prove that the result in January at Old Trafford, wasn’t purely luck or a one off. Both teams played very well in the beginning of the match. A lot of fast play, accompanied by long range passes, quick counter-attacks and some hard tackles really sparked the crowd and left observers on the edge of their seats. Newcastle managed to concede three yellow cards during the first half to underline the physicality of the game. Both teams certainly came to play.

The first goal of the game came on the 25th minute. Ronaldo set up Rooney with a great cross, leaving him having to just direct the ball into the net.  Newcastle looked demoralized after the conceded goal. Tevez missed a great chance to double United’s lead five minutes before the break, heading a Nani cross wide from seven yards. Just seconds before half time, came the second goal. Carrick set up Ronaldo with a fine pass and the Portuguese winger then just executed past the keeper.

Patrice Evra picked up a knock in the first half and was substituted by John O’Shea at the break. At the half many thought that United were pleased with the result and they would not play very offensively in the second half. But they were wrong. Half time talks from both managers inspired both teams after the break and both started the second half with confidence. But again Ronaldo was too fast and too skilled, as he managed to score the third goal after a great pass from Fletcher. Ronaldo got the ball past the last defender, dribbled around the goalie and got the goal that was meant to put United out of sight.  Ronaldo was denied the chance for another hat-trick, being substituted by Louis Saha with 25 minutes left.

United relaxed a bit after Ronaldo’s goal and that was exactly what the Magpies were waiting for. They final managed to score going forward as Faye smashed the ball into the net, after a goalmouth scramble. Newcastle fans got excited, thinking that they could get something from this game after all, but in reality, they had woken the sleeping giant.

Scholes, who came in for Vidic and was looking for his first goal since August, almost scored after a one-two with Nani, but his header was pushed over by Harper. Then came Rooney’s second goal, only two minutes after Faye’s goal. He picked up the ball at the edge of the box, after the Magpies cleared the corner, and curled the ball into the top-right corner. A marvelous goal, and it was Rooney’s eighth in 10 matches against Newcastle.

Former United player, Allan Smith came close to a goal, but Edwin Van der Sar was up to the task and tipped the shot over the bar. As the time was almost up, nobody was expecting anyone else to get on the score sheet. But Louis Saha, who has been very criticized by United fans for his never ending streak of injuries, made up for lost time firing from inside the box to cap another resounding win for the Reds over their north-east rivals.

The United defensive line looked very strong during the whole match, giving headaches to Newcastle forwards. Brown played a decent match, but he wasn’t seen as much in front as in defense. Rio was rock solid as usual along side Vidic. Sir Alex Ferguson preferred to substitute Evra than to risk further injury, after the Frenchman got a knock in the first half, but O’Shea was an adequate deputy.

The midfield looked strong again, with Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher and Nani, helping defenders and serving the forwards with passes. In addition, Ronaldo got two goals, and has scored 29 in all competitions – an important step in his race to equal George Best’s record of 32 goals in one season for a winger. Michael Carrick played more defensively, but still managed to assist Ronaldo in his first goal with an absolutley sublime pass, and also provided some nice long range passes throughout. Darren Fletcher had a decent performance as he didn’t manage to shine as he did in the match against Arsenal. Nani again proved to be very useful with his dribbling and crosses into the box. The lad is improving with every match and will make it difficult for Ryan Giggs to return to the starting lineup.

In my opinion, the attacking line wasn’t as brilliant today as the scoreline shows. Something was wrong. Maybe, it wast just that Tevez had some bad luck today. He missed several chances to score, but helped a lot in the build-up play. Wayne Rooney checked another great match with fine play and a wonder goal, which can be compared to the one scored by Henry against Celtic on Wednesday. However, United are still not as fluid as they have been, which wasn’t aided by Ronaldo’s substitution and Rooney being moved to the left wing. Louis Saha missed a few chances, but ultimately scored in the 91^st minute. A good game by him, though he did not have much time too get involved in the action. With time, his form should improve.


Team Line-ups

Newcastle United: Given (Harper 46); Beye, Taylor, Faye, N’Zogbia; Milner (Geremi 84), Butt, Barton (Carroll 61), Duff; Smith, Owen.

Subs not used: Cacapa, Ameobi.

Booked: Butt, Faye, N’Zogbia, Owen


Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Vidic (Scholes 74), Ferdinand, Evra (O’Shea 46); Ronaldo (Saha 67), Carrick, Fletcher, Nani; Rooney, Tevez.

Subs not used: Kuszczak, Anderson.


Attendance: 52, 291

And now, after a very beautiful victory over the Magpies, we are looking forward to the next match against Fulham, which promises to be an entertaining one.

Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images