A FEAST FOR UNITED

 

Last time around, Wigan were gaffered by Steve Bruce and due to various other commitments, we didn't actually face them till relatively late on in the season. We opened up by beating them 1-0 at Old Trafford which was a case of us going relatively easy again. Yet again we faced the Latics for a second time going into the title run in. This time around they gave us a match at the JJB stadium but we still saw them off to the tune of 2-1 despite an iffy performance. To paraphrase the chant, that's why we were and are champions. Wigan didn't do that badly this time around and and managed to cruise their way into midtable by the end of the season.

Now, Wigan have a new manager, Roberto Martinez, Swansea's former Spanish manager and ex-Wigan player from their lower division days - and also the youngest current Premiership manager. So far, like United, their Premiership record this season stands at one win, one defeat. They also have renamed their stadium to the DW Stadium but their standard of play should be the same. For United, Gary returned as both right back and captain, Vidic and Evans central defence, Scholes and Fletcher centre mid, Valencia right mid, Nani left mid, Rooney and Berbatov up front. A lineup hopefully good enough to make up from the howler midweek.

Problem was, for the second match in a row the United attackers looked like they weren't up to the job. While we again started the game on the front foot our first effort was seen off by the Wigan defence and so were the next few. The home side were completely at our mercy and yet we again were unable to find the net. Finally Wigan came up with something midway though the half but Jason Koumas couldn't make their chance count. United kept attacked but were again unable to find the net. At least this time round we came in with a clean sheet and were doing a lot more then we did last time around. Still couldn't find the net though.

After another good Wigan chance early on in the second half, United finally got going. Valencia crossed to Rooney in the 56th minute and the England assasin got his 100th goal for United. And then the floogates opened. In the 58th minute Scholesy set up Berbatov to make it two. The Bulgarian assasin then set up Wayne's second in the 65th minute. Pessure off, on come some fresh legs. Slight problem for Wigan though, one pair of those fresh legs belonged to a hungry Owen and Nani found the former England star in space to grab his first competitive United goal from a tight angle in the 85th minute. Finally Nani had the last word with an injury time free kick. In short, we got people's attention.

Elsewhere, Hull beat Bolton 1-0 at the Kingston Communications Stadium thanks to a second half winner while Man City beat Wolves 1-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium with the Blues getting their winner early on. Fulham were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at Craven Cottage, West Ham were beaten 2-1 by Spurs at Upton Park and Liverpool were beaten 3-1 by Villa at Anfield(I thought MUFC were the big name that was meant to be falling apart?). That leaves United surging up to 4th and on course for a Champions League playoffs spot. Level on points with Arsenal(4-1 win over Portsmouth at the Emirates Stadium) and a straight run to the group stages but with a -3 goal difference deficit and the Gunners also have a game in hand. We're also level on points with City and a Europa League spot but with a +2 goal difference advantage.

North of the border, Aberdeen faced Hamilton at New Douglas Park. This time around the Dns looked to get their act together quickly with Mulgrew opening the scoring after a freekick then Considine made it two pretty quickly. Hamilton started having some decent opportunities before half time and early in the second half but the Dons were then banging on the door for a third and got it when Maguire scorched in a volley. From there on in it was game over and the Dons collected their first competitive win of the Mark McGhee era. More new signings are on the way and now we have the first signs that the former legend might be able to turn things round.

Elsewhere, Celtic beat St Johnstone 5-2 at Celtic Park in what was one heck of a reality check for the SPL new boys. St Mirren drew 0-0 with Dundee United at St Mirren Park in a match where the home side defefinately had the better of the play. Motherwell then beat Kilmarnock 3-1 at Fir Park with the Well dominating procedings, the Killie goal coming as a late consolation as they fell to one of this season's early form sides. That allowed the Dons to rise to 6th in the SPL, one point behind Motherwell and another go at the Europa League next season while level on points, goal difference and goals scored with Kilmarnock and the bottom half of the table - they would need a special playoff tie to settle those spoils.

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