Utd Are Unconvincing And Lucky

It was a very scrappy and unconvincing first win of the season for Manchester United yesterday at Old Trafford. It was a goal by new signing Nani that saw off a resilient Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs can also count themselves a little unlucky. One week Chelsea were awarded a penalty that never should have been, whilst Spurs have just cause to argue they could, maybe should, have been awarded one too.

However, the deadlock was broken half way through the second half when the summer signing from Sporting Lisbon proved to be the match-winner. It was a 30-yard shot that brushed off fellow new signing Carlos Tevez en route to the goal.

Carlos Tevez battles with Steed Malbranque

But, as I said, Spurs will definitely feel aggrieved at the manner of their latest defeat, having come closest to scoring on numerous occasions during the game. Robbie Keane , the Irish international forward even clipped the Utd bar in the first 30 seconds of the game. It could have been oh so different for Utd. However, it was the nearest either side came to breaking the deadlock during an opening period. The main highlight of the first period were the for the frequent chants of backing for Martin Jol from the traveling fans. What else stood out in the first half was the the number of times United got to within 40 yards of the visitors’ goal and created absolutely no threat whatsoever. You have to say they were very lucky not to end the day still second from bottom of the league! Ferguson may have got his first 3 points of the season but he has to be a little worried even at this early stage.

Spurs had even more chances with both Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown clearing off the line in the second half, although both incidents had Spurs demanding a penalty.

The current champions definitely had to hang on for the points, whilst the Spurs manager Martin Jol will hope the performance of his players is enough to keep the wolves from the door. Both he and his players deserved a lot better yesterday.

For Utd it was the home debut of Owen Hargreaves. He had two long-range efforts but was off target with both. Paul Scholes flicked a shot wide and Michael Carrick shaved the post with a 25-yard effort. And that was about it!

In the second half, Spurs had the best chance as Ricardo Rocha climbed above Ferdinand but, from barely six yards, could only head Gareth Bale’s free-kick wide.

After former Spurs midfielder Michael Carrick was taken off, it proved to be the spark for a 10-minute period in which Tottenham came agonisingly close to scoring.

Berbatov must have thought he had opened the scoring when he rose first after a tangle with Vidic, then pocked a shot through Van der Sar’s legs, only for Ferdinand to boot clear from on his own line.

Minutes later, Steed Malbranque threaded through a pass for Berbatov, who flicked the ball over the onrushing Van der Sar.

As he lined up his shot, the ball struck Brown, with one angle showing it to hit his chest, and the other suggesting a hand may have been involved, with Spurs’ protests only drawing a yellow card for Berbatov and not the desired penalty.

With United riding their luck, Nani collected the ball 30 yards from goal and unleashed a fierce shot which nicked Tevez on its way past the fingertips of Robinson.

Spurs pressed for an equaliser in the final 10 minutes, but were unable to create another opportunity as Jol saw his side slip to a third defeat in four games. But as I say, they certainly deserved better and Utd definitely didn’t deserve three points.

Utd’s next game will see the return of one of their favourite sons, as Roy Keane takes his Sunderland side to Old Trafford. What odds on Ferguson’s old talisman handy him yet more problems? If Utd keep playing like this it might be worth a little bet!

The Soccer Blogger