Ricardo's report v Man U

[ricardo 8,034]

To be present at such a wonderful game at Carrow Road and yet feel feel a touch deflated encapsulates all of Ricardo''s feelings this afternoon. The distance we have travelled in football terms  was laid out before us in all it''s immensity. I have seen may defeats at CR over the years but never one where every person stood and applauded the boys in yellow and green at the final whistle.It didn''t start off too well although a couple of crosses had tested the United defence before Nani''s dipping cross left Scholes with a simple close range header. Ricardo looked in vain for an offside flag but none materialised and it seemed that it would be an uphill task for the rest of the match. Johnson was booked harshly for the first foul as the ref earned boo''s from the crowd but it was a pretty clean game on the whole. It was ding dong for a while with City slinging the ball about well but unable to unsettle the United defence. Jacko was very lively and earned a couple of free kicks in promising positions. On 20 minutes Fox''s cross was scrambled away for a corner with Holt waiting to pounce and from there on City held the lions share of possesion. A great move on the right ended with Pilks cross neatly back headed by Holt but De Gea was well placed to clutch the goal bound effort. Then Pilks again got through on the right and only a desperate block from De Gea''s feet prevented the equaliser. United were dangerous with what little possession they had and Hernandez was twice foiled by good saves from Ruddy. Wellbeck looked dangerous for united with some really classy footwork and speed but when the halftime whistle went City could feel pleased with the way they had bounced back from that early setback.PL introduced Wes for Jacko as the second period began and he quickly set Pilks away down the right only for his cross to be glance wide by Andy Surman. United must have had the hair dryer treatment because they were holding the ball better but City still maintained the ascendancy. Pilks and Surman combined again when the later volleyed a cross from an angle that was blocked and scrambled away. Fox was matching Scholes pass for pass in midfield as play swung back and forth but Wellbeck should have doubled Uniteds lead only for Whitbread to clear off the line a lob that had Ruddy beaten. Naturally PL was going to go for it and he brought on Bennett for Johnson and then Wheelie for Pilks. Giggs then clipped the bar as united looked to catch City on the counter. Wheelie was causing trouble in the air and it almost paid dividends as the big man headed back a cross into the path of Ward. As he was about to pick his spot Scholes nudge did enough and the ref failed to spot the foul. The crowd urged on every City attack and as Wheelie was gifted a ball 30 yards out he made ground and his goalbound screamer was acrobatically turned over by the keeper. City were not to be denied however as from the corner Whitbreads header found Holt who turned and lash the equaliser high into the net. It was no more than City deserved and with the crowd baying for more we dreamed of a winner. It hurts me to say it but United now showed why they are champions. With Scholes dominating they came forward time and again. Wellbeck headed a sitter wide and Ward and Whitbread made last ditch clearances. City could not hold the ball upfront and as the three added minutes began the defence was stretched and Youngs cross was turned in by the evergreen Giggs. Sickening indeed and a hard lesson after such a sterling display. Every man was a hero today and the game highlighted two things. One, City are well worth their place in this league and two, that there is a very fine line between success and failure. United had just that touch of resilience and quality to edge it at the death but by Christ it was a very thin line.Foxy superb, Ward and Whitbread dominating Holt absolutely peerless. We really are a Premier league outfit in every sense.

[Rudolph Hucker 0]

Fox''s work sadly goes unnoticed by a lot of people.

 

Last week the fans felt sorry for themselves; this week the fans felt sorry for their players who looked much more crestfallen than they did against leicester.

 

But this league can turn on you very quickly. Swansea will be feeling nervous all of a sudden and we go to their conquerors, Stoke next week. Stoke are a good side hampered until now by a fruitlessly long European Cup run but they are looking to put things right and will be a very stern test. We have Wigan at home afterwards but I don''t want us to have to see that as a '' must win'' in the worst aspect of the term.

 

It is therefore vital we get over a disappointment today, concentrate on the positives as Drury emphasised in his post match interview and don''t think we are in a poor run ie our first double defeat by a side under PL; consecutive defeats; a poor cup exit followed by nothing from a game where we really exerted ourselves because we could end up with three on the spin.

 

There was no league position or relegation clearence harm done to ourselves today; there were lots of positives in the game and the squad is getting fitter and stronger. As fans it is hard not to think about what might have been though.

 

How good was it to see those Man Utd fans after we scored - they could see the title slipping away - and the taunting was great. Well done to the Club too for supporting home fans; what Utd fans there were around the ground kept a low profile for fear of being kicked out and as supporters it was one of the best performances against Utd and probably the best of the season.

[Gingerpele 0]

''Fox''s work sadly foes unnoticed by a lot of people''

Really?

[Wings of a Sparrow 1,708]

Caveat to Rudolph''s post...

"Fox''s work sadly goes unnoticed by a lot of people"

....but not Gingerpele.

[ricardo 8,034]

[quote user="RUDOLPH HUCKER"]We have Wigan at home afterwards but I don''t want us to have to see that as a '' must win'' in the worst aspect of the term.

 

[/quote]I think you can forget "must wins", Rudolph. Certainly in any relegation sense. There are 5 teams who won''t get to 35 points this season.[;)]