United
were never really in it, but never really out of it either. Despite scoring the
quickest goal in FA Cup final history and dominating the first half, it was,
amazingly, all square at half-time.
A combination of squandered chances and
more dodgy refereeing meant that an awful Man U were on level terms. This is
how I suspected the game would go.
On Saturday morning my mates were commenting
on how City would embarrass our neighbours and win at a trot. Yes, if the game
was at the Etihad we would have chinned them, but away from home City can be
got at. Micah Richards called it at 2-1 to City and I agreed. We were both
right in the end. Gundo got the job done with one in each half. The first was a
peach. It dropped, sweet as a nut, on to his trusty right peg and he put it
where De Gea was never going to get it. I'm pretty sure collectively Man U
hearts despaired at that point, only 12 seconds in, but the chinning never
came.
A few moments later Rodri hit the side netting with a deft header. If
that had went in then maybe City would have run away with it, but it didn't,
neither did two good Haaland chances. Man U were creating nothing, but that
dreaded feeling was starting to rise that United would get one against the run
of play. Just like they did at Old Trafford earlier in the season, when dodgy
reffing led ultimately to a Man U victory and a Howard Webb apology.
This time
Grealish was judged to have handled the ball. It did touch his hand but he was
jumping for the ball, the Man U defender was behind him. It came off the
defender's head and hit Grealish before he could react. It was not deliberate
and Grealish's hand was not in an unnatural position, but the penalty kick was
given. Despite being men against boys, it was 1-1.
City's winner came early in
the second half and was an absolute howler by the United keeper. I've no doubt
he will be out of the club in the next few weeks. If Man U want to challenge
for the big two competitions again, they will have to find a better keeper than
De Gea. Gundo swung a leg at a pulled back corner, and despite not connecting
properly, the ball trundled past a floundering De Gea. Mucho embarrassment for
the big Spaniard.
Man U looked to their bench to change the course of the game
and brought on Weghorst and Garnacho. Neither looked a real threat, but with
only a goal between the teams, the chance of them sneaking another against the
run of play was real. They were super motivated to stop the treble, but
ultimately failed.
It is now down to Inter and another nervous watch for us
City men. City look imperious and incredibly focused, but you just never
know . . .
 |
| Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports |
If you lot play like the first half second leg against Real it's nailed on for Saturday. I always watch it with my son but now he wants to watch it with his mates, I told him not to miss it, reckon this CL final will be explosive.
ReplyDeletePre 1994 , the domestic double had only been completed 6 times . Since then - Utd , Chelsea , City have done it so often , it's become meaningless . Good luck to Inter # 2 - 1 # Dzeko on the double
ReplyDeleteHard to see Inter do it. City's nerves might be a problem for them but if they settle quickly it should be theirs.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the FA Cup Final. Thought Utd showed fight and could have forced it into extra time in the last minute.
De Gea - was at fault for the second goal although Gundogan should never have been allowed that space on the edge of the area.
Well done to West Ham tonight for winning their first major trophy in 43 years.
ReplyDeleteFirstly the name "Man U" is offensive, certainly to my own generation. It has often been used by bigots, some years ago granted, as short for "manure" and has been referenced in the past to those who perished at Munich.
ReplyDeleteUnited need a goalkeeper who can play the modern game from the back, an out and out centre forward, not Harry Kane who, good as he is, is 30 years of age. Personally I see no reason not to play .Mason Greenwood, fuck the media, amd somebody of Casemiros class, but younger in midfield.
If City do beat Inter, and I hope not, it will not carry the weight of our treble of 1999. Man United were the first and the first are always remembered, plus it was United who stopped Liverpool in 1977 making the achievement of 1999 on what would have been Matt Busby's 90th birthday all the more memorable. Come on Internazionale.
Caoimhin O'Muraile
Don't care, fuck Man u! LOL! And Fuck The Glens while we're at it LOL!
Delete