SUNDERLAND SEEN OFF

 

Last time around, United had a bit of a hiccup against Sunderland, and drew 0-0 with them at the Stadium of Light in what was a dire affair. During the festive period though managed to beat the Mackems 2-0 at Old Trafford with goals either side of half time, United taking the title with Sunderland finishing midtable. The last time we were able to do the double over the Black Cats though was back in 08/09. United legend Roy Keane started that season as Sunderland gaffer but was replaced by former MUFC reserves coach Ricky Sbraglia before they faced United. We went on to beat them 1-0 at Old Trafford and 2-1 at the Stadium of Light with Paul Scholes and Frederico Macheda(currently on loan to Lazio).

In the summer of '09, another former United captain Steve Bruce became Sunderland gaffer and he's still there now though once again the Mackems find themselves at the wrong end of the table. The big deal this weekend of course was that MUFC was celebrating the 25th anniversary of Fergie becoming manager! 25 years, the best part of 20 of them with United at the top of the tree or thereabouts, the team that just can't be kept down. As for the current Premiership match at Old Trafford, well it was Lindegaard in goal followed by a 4-4-2 with Vidic(captain) and Rio were central defence, Evra left back, Nani right mid, Fletcher and Rooney centre mid, Park left mid and Hernandez and Wellbeck up front.

United certainly looked to be running the show in the early stages of the game posession wise but yet again this season their posession didn't count for much, they didn't even threaten the opposition goal to any real extent. In the mean time, the Mackems looked to have their uses at the other end, it was nothing our defence weren't able to handle but still, the Reds certainly needed a wake up call if they were going to collect the three points. As it was they eventually broke through in injury time with a Nani corner getting headed in by former United defender Wes Brown! Thanks for that one mate, at least that put us in good shape for the second half.

In the early stages of the second half, United were again happy to cruise about passing the ball. Any continentals watching the game would have been quite happy with that style of play even though it often isn't particularly effective. Still, we certainly could have gotten a second goal but the biggest eyebrow raiser came when Sunderland seemingly got a penalty only for the ref to realise that it was in fact visiting defender Dong-Won Ji who had handballed. That wasn't their last chance of the match either but the bottom line is, their weren't able to hit the net. Another sub-par performance for United, but another three points so I'm not complaining too much.

Elsewhere, Man City beat QPR 3-2 at Loftus Road. The home side actually opened the scoring but City managed to find an equaliser before half time and turn the game round early in the second half. The home side equalised before City hit the winner. Chelsea beat Blackburn 1-0 at Ewood Park. The first half proved to be a dullsville affair with the Blues opening the scoring early in the second half being the only thing that woke Rovers up but they couldn't find an equaliser. That means that United remain 2nd in the Premiership and on course for the Champions League group stages. They lie five points behind leaders Man City and three points ahead of Chelsea and having to go via the playoffs.

North of the border, Aberdeen were due to face St Johnstone in the SPL. Slight problem, there was a ton of fog in the Perth area over the weekend and the match got postponed. Furthermore an attempt to get the match rescheduled quickly didn't come off. Having a match postponed is annoying because it'll cause a headache for the Dons at some point down the line and it also seemed a good way to get three points so they could make their way back up the league table. Still, what's done is done and now Craig Brown's crew will just have to remain idle while the international break goes on and hope they can pick things up with a win afterwards.

Elsewhere, Dunfirmline faced Hibs at Easter Road. The Pars opened the scoring early on through Austin McCann before sitting back and defending against a determined but ultimately unimaginative home performance. Credit to Hibs, they kept banging on the door in the second half but the Dunfirmline goalie kept geting in the way and ultimately a game that won't exactly go down as a classic faded out without any more goals. That means that Aberdeen drop to 11th in the SPL, five points behind St Mirren(who drew 0-0 with Hearts at St Mirren Park) and the top half of the table but with a game in hand and level on points with Inverness CT(who beat Kilmarnock 6-3 at Rugby Park) and the bottom of the table though the Dons have a +6 goal difference advantage and a game in hand.

Back south of the border and going down a few level, the FA Cup 1st round draw has been made and though United have yet to enter the party, Exeter do enter the tournament at this stage and will face Walsall in an all-L1 tie at St James's Park. This has not been a good season to be a Grecians fan with City constantly fighting against relegation from the division. However Walsall are in the same boat and currently slightly behind the Grecians. City could certainly have had an easier draw. However home advantage should count for something on this occasion and therefore the safe bet is that City make it through to the next round and we see what happens after that.

Click here to visit the football archive

Comments get emailed here

Click here to return to sports homepage

Click here to return to Matt G's homepage