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Fulham 2 United 0
United's abberation against Liverpool became a blip as Fulham inflicted another shock defeat for the champions at Craven Cottage.
The damage caused by Danny Murphy's first-half penalty and Zoltan Gera's late goal on the break was compounded by red cards for Paul Scholes, for handling a goalbound effort, and substitute Wayne Rooney for two bookable offences. With Nemanja Vidic already banned, the Reds now have three players unable to face Aston Villa on Sunday 5 April.
Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes to the side that suffered a demoralising home defeat to Liverpool. Jonny Evans replaced the suspended Vidic; the other four adjustments recalled Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes to the midfield and brought Dimitar Berbatov into attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fulham fielded the same team that impressively beat Bolton away last weekend but was crushed 4-0 by United at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup only a fortnight ago. Clint Dempsey had been the Cottagers’ main doubt with a bout of food poisoning but he was involved from the start and how, suffering the first foul from Scholes inside 20 seconds and then striking the first shot wide of the target moments later.
United returned fire with Berbatov heading over from an Evra cross but otherwise Fulham enjoyed most of the opening moments in the spring sunshine. Bobby Zamora and Simon Davies also flexed their shooting muscles, albeit inaccurately.
13 Year Old Dad!
Now, i know this has got nothing to do with music but i just had to post it. A 13 year old kid in England just became a father after his girlfriend 15 gave birth to their baby.
Baby-faced Alfie, who is 13 but looks more like eight, became a father when his girlfriend Chantelle Steadman gave birth to 7lb 3oz Maisie Roxanne.
He told how he and Chantelle, 15, decided against an abortion after discovering she was pregnant.
“I didn’t think about how we would afford it. I don’t really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me £10.”
Alfie, who is just 4ft tall, added: “When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble. We wanted to have the baby but were worried how people would react.
“I didn’t know what it would be like to be a dad. I will be good, though, and care for it.”
Alfie’s dad Dennis told how the lad does not really understand the enormity of his situation — but seemed desperate to be a devoted and responsible father.
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United 1 Liverpool 4
It had looked rosy when Cristiano Ronaldo converted a first-half penalty, but an uncharacteristically nervy display at the back allowed Liverpool back into this match; and the subsequent 4-1 defeat means the Reds’ lead at the top is chopped to four points, albeit with a game in hand.
Ronaldo put United ahead but three defensive mistakes led to Liverpool goals, and Nemanja Vidic’s second-half sending off, which preceded the visitor’s third goal, put paid to taking any points. In truth, this wasn’t a great day at the office, it never quite clicked into place. But one thing is certain: this defeat must be used to propel the Reds’ forward in the title race. The team responds well to set-backs, and this is only minor stumble.
United made three changes from the team that beat Internazionale in midweek. Whereas Sir Alex chose the experience of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs against Jose Mourinho’s men, the Reds boss favoured the energy and youthful vigour of Anderson and Ji-sung Park, while Carlos Tevez partnered Wayne Rooney in place of Dimitar Berbatov.
It must have stuck in throats of Liverpool’s players and fans when United were welcomed onto the field as “the Champions of England, the Champions of Europe, and the Champions of the World”. Such is United’s dominance these days that the roles are reversed from when Liverpool dominated at home and abroad years ago.
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CR7 Vs Zlatan
The lightning-fast feet of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will light up one of the biggest games of the season as two of Europe’s elite clubs clash head-on.
And to give their game an injection of turf-burning speed, CR7 and Zlatan will be the first players in the world to wear the new Mercurial Superfly.
The boot is the product of obsessive design and development over the last 10 years of speed. Revolutionary Flywire technology at the heart of the Superfly make it even lighter and faster – giving both players deadly pace. Never before has the evolution of a boot been such big a part of an athlete’s onfield armoury.
With 15 goals each already this season, CR7 and Zlatan have a total of 30 strikes between them. And from the moment they lace up their Superflys for a double European debut, the race for number 31 is on.
It’s all on the line.
GAME OVER
United 2 Inter 0
United reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the third successive season – but the holders were made to work by a spirited Inter side.
After Nemanja Vidic had headed the Reds into an early lead, the Italian champions provided several nervy moments until Cristiano Ronaldo netted the all-important second goal five minutes after the restart.
It was a cushion United never looked like relinquishing and most of the 75,000 fans in attendance went home satisfied after another thrilling European night at Old Trafford.
So, the defence of the trophy continues and we’ll wait with baited breath to see who the Reds face next when the draw for the last eight is made on March 20.
As so often on the big occasions, Sir Alex Ferguson had looked to his experienced men to guide his side through, naming Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs in midfield – the latter starting in his old-fashioned left-wing role.
There was the boost, too, of Rio Ferdinand in the starting XI; the defender was declared fit on Tuesday after recovering from the ankle knock he picked up against Fulham.
A deafening roar greeted the players as they took to the field, while Jose Mourinho received a cacophony of boos from the Stretford End as he made his way down the touchline. Thankfully, there was to be no repeat of the Portuguese dancing down it later.
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Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly
Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly Technology:
Engineered Flywire Thread is positioned to meet the needs of the fastest players, providing optimal support precisely where the foot needs it.
Composite Upper combines five ultra thin layers that encase the Flywire threads to create a finely tuned shell that functions in harmony with the foot and improves comfort.
Teijin Synthetic Skin exterior surface, only 300 microns thick, to ensure the best possible fit and feel.
Flywire, Composite Upper and Teijin Skin combine to create Nike’s thinnest football upper to date and provide a uncompromising foot to boot, boot to ball fit.
Lightweight Traction Sole Plates incorporate a higher density inner structure providing the necessary integrity yet allowing the extraction of unnecessary weight from the centre of the studs. These super-light, super-strong direct injected dual-density molded studs deliver optimal traction.
7-layer carbon composite outsole shaves off weight while delivering maximum resilience, strength and flexibility.
Minimal Internal Heel Counter provides added integrity in the heel for ultra explosive players.
One-piece Seamless Heel Pod Liner offers added comfort and fit.
As to be worn by world stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Inter striker Ibrahimovic.
Fulham 0 United 4
United booked a return trip to Wembley after a sublime display at Craven Cottage earned them a 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Fulham.
After a slow start, the Reds soon clicked into gear with Carlos Tevez putting Sir Alex’s men 2-0 up in the first half with a close-range header and right-foot rasper. Wayne Rooney curled home a third after the break, before Ji-sung Park added a fourth nine minutes from time as the rampant Reds sealed an FA Cup semi-final spot in style.
With Internazionale and Liverpool both looming, Sir Alex was expected to make wholesale changes to the side that had earned a hard fought victory at Newcastle three days earlier. As it turned out, the United manager made just two, bringing in Anderson, in place of the rested Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tevez who took Dimitar Berbatov’s position up front with the Bulgarian dropping to the bench. It was the first time since Boxing Day that Tevez had started alongside Rooney and it didn’t take the duo long to create United’s first opening of the game after just three minutes.
Rooney pounced on a poor clearance from Brede Hangeland and lifted the ball into Tevez’s path. As it dropped, the Argentine fired a powerful low drive goalwards with only an excellent palmed clearance from Mark Schwarzer preventing the ball from nestling in the far corner; the rebound just eluded Rooney as Fulham cleared their lines.
Nemanja Vidic, a tower of strength all afternoon, had to literally clear off his own line on 14 minutes when Simon Davies’ lofted pass was flicked towards goal by Andy Johnson as Edwin van der Sar rushed to meet him.
Newcastle 1 United 2
United re-established a seven point lead at the head of the Premier League table, but were pushed all the way by a pepped-up Newcastle United side at St James' Park.
Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov struck goals in either half to seal the points, but not before Peter Lovenkrands had fired the hosts into an unlikely early lead. With Chelsea and Liverpool both winning on Tuesday, this was a potentially massive win in United's bid for a third successive Premier League title.
The Magpies were at United from the very first whistle and, with Jonas Gutierrez and Obafemi Martins on song, set out with an open gameplan devised to catch the visitors cold, which they duly did.
For all the praise lavished upon Edwin van der Sar for his long run without conceding a goal – which stretched back to November – the Dutchman was guilty of a handling error as the hosts took an unexpected lead on nine minutes.
Gutierrez cut in from the left wing and aimed a speculative shot towards the far corner. The Argentine’s effort dipped in front of van der Sar, who could only palm it out to Lovenkrands for a simple finish.
United’s response was unflustered, with passes fizzing around the snow-kissed St James’ Park turf with accuracy and incision. Rooney tested Steve Harper with a left-footed curler, but a lightning-quick break from the hosts ended with Martins drilling a shot just past van der Sar’s upright.
United 0 Spurs 0 (4-1 on pens)
Ben Foster saved superbly from Jamie O'Hara and David Bentley missed the target altogether, allowing Anderson to score the winning penalty after Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo had all successfully converted.
It was no more than United deserved for bossing much of the match itself. Ronaldo came closest to winning the cup in normal time, but his powerful effort was denied by the post in the dying seconds of a close-fought final.
True to his word, Sir Alex kept faith with the players who had taken the Reds to Wembley. With the exception of Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand, every member of the starting XI had started at least one match earlier in the competition.
Ronaldo had Heurelho Gomes worried twice inside the opening six minutes, firstly with a 25-yard free-kick which fizzed over, then with a half-hit shot on target after good build-up play from Nani and Tevez.
United's crisp passing and non-stop movement had Tottenham chasing shadows during the opening exchanges. Gibson was inches away from netting a 25-yard scorcher, only for his effort to fade just past Gomes' top corner with the Brazilian beaten.
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