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Manchester United dropped more points in the title race at Everton in the early lunchtime kick-off, then it the afternoon it was finally derby day delight at home for Sunderland over Newcastle and Hull City’s fairy tale start to the season continued a pace  with a 3 - 0 victory at West Brom.

You will have to say that Man United will no doubt rue several first half chances at Everton.  It was a first half they totally dominated and could have raced away to a very comfortable half-time lead.  However, it was Marouane Fellaini’s second half header that cancelled out Darren Fletcher’s opener from the first period. United have of course been flying lately and they travelled to Goodison Park chasing a seventh successive win in all competitions. 

Like I said United were excellent if the first half and if it hadn’t have been for Tim Howard in the Everton goal the contest would have been over at half-time as Vidic, Ronaldo and Giggs all threatened to add to Fletcher’s opener.

But as is so often the case, it was a game of two halves and the team in blue that emerged in the second half was completely different to the one that played the first. In deed the same can be said of the team in red.  For as much as they were brilliant in the first half, they were terrible in the second, with many individual mistakes and Man Utd were in fact lucky to leave Goodison Park with 1 point.  If it hadn’t been for a good save by van der Saar, Everton would have won this game.

If you have seen the game and you can tell me what Ronaldo was up to, rolling around on the ground, after the “tackle” by Phil Neville, I’d to hear from you.  What a disgrace!  Can he really think he’s fooling anyone?  Does he not realise what an idiot he looks like rolling around on the floor like that.  It beggars belief, it really does!  For me, the bottom line is he obviously no longer wants to be playing for United, they should cut their “losses” and get rid quite frankly.  If you don’t believe me, take a look at his goal “celebration” against West Brom last week.  He couldn’t have been more disinterested if he’d tried!

Anyway, as awful as that display by Ronaldo was, the free-kick by Kieran Richardson for Sunderland against Newcastle from the edge of the box gave Sunderland their first win on home soil against their neighbours since a 1-0 victory at Roker Park back in April 1980, was brilliant.  Had to believe that statistic, isn’t it?  Not beaten their closest rivals at home for 28 years, amazing!

Roy Keane’s team really got stuck into their visitors from the kick-off.  It was ex Liverpool Djibril Cisse who  broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, when his outstretched leg diverted Steed Malbranque’s screwed shot beyond Shay Given.  You could see from his celebration what it meant and that he is happy playing for his team!

Joe Kinnear has since his arrival at least instilled greater fight and steel to Newcastle Utd and a travelling Toon Army were rewarded for their, as ever, wonderful support, Ameobi leveled the score after half an hour.

But it was Richardson’s fantastic free-kick, hit with such power, from just outside the penalty area that settled the derby.  It was past given before he twitched a muscle and it resulted in wild scenes of celebration from the Sunderland faithful.  In fact, it would appear they got a little too excited, maybe not surprising having to wait 28 years, but apparently the Police have been involved after the fans invaded the pitch and a full enquiry is to take place.

What can you say about Hull City?  It is truly unbelievable, isn’t it?  And fair play to them.  You have to say they are were they are, 3rd, because they deserve it.   It was an excellent game At The Hawthorns and quite frnakly if West Brom had ended up winning the game, nobody would have thought it strange.  They had some great chances in the first half and could easily have been 2 - 0 ahead at half-time. But in this contest between two promoted clubs, Hull came out better in the second half and ended up taking the spoils, finally winning 3-0.  

As I said, West Brom played some enterprising football of their own but were again undone by a familiar Achilles heel, they can’t seem to score goals. Their manager said after the game that if they could just get their defence and attack working together, they would be fine.  And you can’t argue with that, they do play some attractive football, but if you can’t get the ball into the net, you are going to struggle no matter how pretty the football is.

In the final game of the day, the later kick-off at Ewood Park, there was a very late and dramatic injury time header from Benni McCarthy that saved Blackburn from defeat by Middlesbrough. 

Although Blackburn dominated possession for much of the game, not surprising as the home team, but Boro were always their equal and were always in wit a chance to take something away from the game.  Middlesbrough may even feel as though they could have taken all 3 points if a good goal by Tuncay hadn’t been ruled out for an offside that replays show wasn’t!  Both sides also struck the woodwork in the first half.

The Teessiders then looked as if they had snatched victory as Afonso Alves lashed an excellent finish home from the edge of the box.  But with the game into the fourth minute of into injury time and unmarked McCarthy rose to head home and seal a share of the spoils for Rovers.

Cheers

Rik

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