May 2007
LATE DROGBA GOAL WINS DIRE WEMBLEY FA CUP FINAL
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FA Cup Final
Saturday 19th May 2007, Wembley Stadium
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Chelsea
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Manchester United
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1
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0
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Chelsea: 4-5-1
Cech, Ferreira, Essien, Terry, Bridge, Mikel, Makelele, Lampard, Wright-Phillips (Kalou 93), Drogba, Joe Cole (Robben 46), Robben (Ashley Cole 108)
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Diarra
Booked: Makelele, Ferreira, Ashley Cole, Kalou
Manchester United:
4-4-1-1
Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Fletcher (Smith 92), Scholes, Carrick (O'Shea 112), Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs (Solskjaer 112)
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Evra
Booked: Scholes, Vidic, Smith
Att: 89,826
Ref: S Bennett (Kent)
Corners:
Chelsea 1
Man Utd 6
Goal Attempts:
Chelsea 16
Man Utd 11
On Target:
Chelsea 2
Man Utd 3
Possession: Chelsea 47% Man Utd 53%
League table after this game:
| |
P |
W |
D |
L |
+/- |
PTS |
| 1 |
UNITED |
38 |
28 |
5 |
5 |
+56 |
89
|
| 2 |
Chelsea |
38 |
24 |
11 |
3 |
+40 |
83 |
| 3 |
Liverpool |
38 |
20 |
8 |
10 |
+30 |
68 |
| 4 |
Arsenal |
38 |
19 |
11 |
8 |
+28 |
68 |
| 5 |
Spurs |
38 |
17 |
9 |
12 |
+3 |
60 |
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United rating:
United were far too negative and seemed content to play Chelsea at their own cagey game. Key players like Ronaldo, Rooney and Giggs failed to produce much and never took hold of the game. Yes, the Giggs effort was over the line but if the ref had seen it no doubt he'd have given a free kick.
Opposition rating:
Typical Chelsea tactics meant this was never going to be a classic. Chelsea were no better than United and can hardly take much pride in this turgid victory. It might have saved Mourinho from the sack though.
Man of the Match: Wayne Rooney
Made some fine surging runs and looked like the only player capable of scoring.
How is Fergie? 
Upset at losing obviously and he felt the United performance was a tired one. He also was unhappy that United were denied a penalty when Giggs was fouled.
Final Verdict? 
After all the hype, this was a terrible final and one instantly forgettable. The two best teams in England played out a real stinker for the opening of the new Wembley. This was the final no one deserved to win.
The only good thing is that at least United didn't lose on penalties again. And Ferguson would not swop his Premiership title for Mourinho's two cups.
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Links
to Match Reports for this game:
www.manutd.com
bbc.co.uk
www.soccernet.com
Skysports
The Guardian
Manchester Evening News
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Links
to photographs for this game:
Yahoo
Manchester United pictures
Getty sports pictures
bbc.co.uk
www.manutdpics.com
http://www.empics.com
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UNITED GET THEIR TROPHY BACK AND HAMMERS SURVIVE
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Barclay's FA Premier League
Sunday 13th May 2007, Old Trafford
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Manchester United
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West Ham United
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0
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1
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|
|
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Manchester United: 4-4-2
Van der Sar, O'Shea, Brown, Heinze, Evra (Giggs 57), Solskjaer, Carrick (Scholes 58), Fletcher, Richardson, Smith (Ronaldo 58), Rooney
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Vidic
West Ham United:
4-4-2
Green, Neill, Collins, Ferdinand, McCartney (Spector 28), Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Noble, Boa Morte, Zamora (Harewood 63), Tevez (Mullins 82)
Subs Not Used: Walker, Davenport
Booked: Collins, Tevez
Att: 75,927
Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire)
Corners:
Man Utd 14
West Ham 3
Goal Attempts:
Man Utd 28
West Ham 6
On Target:
Man Utd 20
West Ham 4
Possession: Man Utd 58% West Ham 42%
League table after this game:
| |
P |
W |
D |
L |
+/- |
PTS |
| 1 |
UNITED |
38 |
28 |
5 |
5 |
+56 |
89
|
| 2 |
Chelsea |
38 |
24 |
11 |
3 |
+40 |
83 |
| 3 |
Liverpool |
38 |
20 |
8 |
10 |
+30 |
68 |
| 4 |
Arsenal |
38 |
19 |
11 |
8 |
+28 |
68 |
| 5 |
Spurs |
38 |
17 |
9 |
12 |
+3 |
60 |
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United rating:
The Reds were on cruise control today and started slowly. They increased the pressure in the 2nd half, creating a lot of chances but just couldn't breach the West Ham goal.
Opposition rating:
West Ham wanted the victory more and once they took the lead were tough to break down and dangerous on the counter-attack.
Man of the Match: Carlos Tevez
Made the difference with the winning goal and was a big threat to the United defence. Wether he should ever been allowed to play at all is another matter....
How is Fergie? 
He'll not care much about this defeat on the day United celebrated the Premiership title and have the FA Cup final to look forward to on Saturday.
Final Verdict? 
A magnificent League campaign all round. Back in August it looked like Chelsea had it sown up before a ball was kicked but the Reds were determined from the start to mount a challenge.
United scored the most goals, played the best football and made sure Chelsea never caught them. We thoroughly deserve to be champions and there could be more silverware to come yet...
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Links
to Match Reports for this game:
www.manutd.com
bbc.co.uk
www.soccernet.com
Skysports
The Guardian
The Daily Mail
|
Links
to photographs for this game:
Yahoo
Manchester United pictures
Getty sports pictures
bbc.co.uk
www.manutdpics.com
http://www.empics.com
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CHAMPIONS PLAY OUT TAME STALEMATE WITH CHELSEA
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Barclay's FA Premier League
Wednesday 9th May 2007, Stamford Bridge
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Chelsea
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Manchester United
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0
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0
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|
|
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Chelsea: 4-4-2
Cudicini, Diarra (Morais 88), Ferreira, Terry, Bridge, Makelele, Wright-Phillips, Essien, Mikel (Joe Cole 46), Kalou, Sinclair (Sahar 54)
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Geremi
Booked: Mikel, Diarra, Essien
Manchester United:
4-4-2
Kuszczak, Lee, Brown, O'Shea, Heinze (Carrick 65), Eagles, Smith, Fletcher, Richardson, Solskjaer, Dong (Rooney 73)
Subs Not Used: Van der Sar, Ferdinand, Scholes
Booked: Heinze, Lee, Brown, Eagles
Att: 41,794
Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire)
Corners: Chelsea 8 Man Utd 1
Goal Attempts: Chelsea 15 Man Utd 5
On Target: Chelsea 10 Man Utd 0
Possession: Chelsea 54% Man Utd 46%
League table after this game:
| |
P |
W |
D |
L |
+/- |
PTS |
| 1 |
UNITED |
37 |
28 |
5 |
4 |
+57 |
89
|
| 2 |
Chelsea |
37 |
24 |
10 |
3 |
+40 |
82 |
| 3 |
Liverpool |
37 |
20 |
7 |
10 |
+30 |
67 |
| 4 |
Arsenal |
37 |
19 |
10 |
8 |
+28 |
67 |
| 5 |
Everton |
37 |
15 |
12 |
10 |
+16 |
57 |
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United rating:
This was a Manchester United team worthy of the Carling Cup and it showed. They had a few bright moments and could have got a penalty but overall the Reds never looked like winning the game and were happy with a draw.
Opposition rating:
With a stronger team out than the Champions, the home side would have expected to win. Towards the end it was Chelsea who pushed for a winner but could'nt get the ball in the net. Perhaps that's why their trophy's gone?
Man of the Match: Wes Brown
Defended well, especailly late-on when Chelsea came close and pressurised the United goal.
Title prospects?
N/A: We are the Champions!!!!
How is Fergie? 
He's happy tonight as his weakened team emerged unscathed for the FA Cup final and denied Chelsea a small morale boosting victory.
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Links
to Match Reports for this game:
www.manutd.com
bbc.co.uk
www.soccernet.com
Skysports
The Guardian
|
Links
to photographs for this game:
Yahoo
Manchester United pictures
Getty sports pictures
bbc.co.uk
www.manutdpics.com
http://www.empics.com
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DERBY VICTORY PUTS REDS ON BRINK OF TITLE GLORY
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Barclay's FA Premier League
Saturday 5th May 2007, City of Manchester Stadium
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Manchester City
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Manchester United
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0
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1
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|
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Cristiano Ronaldo (pen 34)
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Manchester City: 4-5-1
Isaksson, Onuoha, Dunne, Distin, Ball, Hamann (Jihai 46), Vassell, Johnson, Ireland (Dickov 69), Beasley (Sinclair 61), Mpenza
Subs Not Used: Weaver, Samaras
Booked: Johnson, Dickov
Darius Vassell (pen miss 81)
Manchester United:
4-4-2
Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Smith (Fletcher 73), Rooney (O'Shea 87)
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Solskjaer, Richardson
Booked: Van der Sar, Giggs
Att: 47,244
Ref: R Styles (Hampshire)
Corners:
Man City 5
Man Utd 3
Goal Attempts:
Man City 4
Man Utd 6
On Target:
Man City 3
Man Utd 3
Possession: Man City 39% Man Utd 61%
League table after this game:
| |
P |
W |
D |
L |
+/- |
PTS |
| 1 |
UNITED |
36 |
28 |
4 |
4 |
+57 |
88
|
| 2 |
Chelsea |
35 |
24 |
8 |
3 |
+40 |
80 |
| 3 |
Liverpool |
37 |
20 |
7 |
10 |
+30 |
67 |
| 4 |
Arsenal |
36 |
19 |
9 |
8 |
+28 |
66 |
| 5 |
Everton |
37 |
15 |
12 |
10 |
+16 |
57 |
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United rating:
This was potentially a banana skin but the Reds never had to get into top gear for the victory. They had lots of possession but made few clear chances. Looked a little tired after midweek and lacking ideas up front.
Opposition rating:
Easy to see why they have the worst ever home scoring record in Premiership history as even when they got gifted a penalty they still missed it. City were on a damage limitation exercise.
Man of the Match: Edwin Van der Sar
His crucial penalty save gave United the vital three points that means Chelsea have to beat Arsenal or else...
Title prospects? 
After this result the trophy has red, white and black ribbons on it already. Come on Arsenal and finish the job for us!!!!
How is Fergie?
He's ecstatic as his team have bounced back from the Milan defeat to take all three points today. He's knows a 9th Premiership title is surely heading to Old Trafford now.
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Links
to Match Reports for this game:
www.manutd.com
bbc.co.uk
www.soccernet.com
Skysports
The Guardian
Manchester Evening News
The Sun
Daily Mail
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Links
to photographs for this game:
Yahoo
Manchester United pictures
Getty sports pictures
bbc.co.uk
Daily Telegraph
www.manutdpics.com
http://www.empics.com
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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DREAM ENDED BY MILAN IN SAN SIRO
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UEFA Champions League: Semi-Final 2nd Leg
Wednesday 2nd May 2007, San Siro
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AC Milan
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Manchester United
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3
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0
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Kaká (11)
Clarence Seedorf (30)
Alberto Gilardino (78)
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AC Milan won 5-3 on aggregate
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AC Milan: 4-3-2-1
Dida, Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski, Gattuso (Cafu 84), Pirlo, Seedorf, Ambrosini, Kaka (Favalli 86), Inzaghi (Gilardino 66)
Subs Not Used: Kalac, Bonera, Serginho, Brocchi
Booked: Ambrosini, Gattuso
Manchester United:
4-3-3
Van der Sar, O'Shea (Saha 77), Brown, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Ferdinand, Smith, Solskjaer, Richardson, Eagles
Booked: Ronaldo
Att: 78,500
Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)
Corners:
AC Milan 4
Man Utd 5
Goal Attempts:
AC Milan 12
Man Utd 12
On Target:
AC Milan 7
Man Utd 2
Possession: AC Milan 53% Man Utd 47%
League table after this game:
| |
P |
W |
D |
L |
+/- |
PTS |
| 1 |
UNITED |
35 |
27 |
4 |
4 |
+56 |
85
|
| 2 |
Chelsea |
35 |
24 |
8 |
3 |
+40 |
80 |
| 3 |
Liverpool |
36 |
20 |
7 |
9 |
+29 |
67 |
| 4 |
Arsenal |
36 |
19 |
9 |
8 |
+28 |
66 |
| 5 |
Everton |
36 |
14 |
12 |
10 |
+13 |
54 |
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United rating:
United started the game in a daze, perhaps in awe of the San Siro atmosphere and let Milan batter them. Poor defending and lack of attacking fluency typified a timid performance. Key players like Ronaldo, Rooney, Carrick, Scholes and Giggs simply did not perform as we hoped they would.
Opposition rating:
Came out with all guns blazing and stormed into a 2-0 lead. Milan looked the vastly superior team and thoroughly deserved their victory. Lets just hope they play as well in Athens.
Man of the Match: Kaka
Just like the first leg at OT, his quality shone through for all to see. Surely one of the world's greatest players.
How is Fergie?
Magnanimous in defeat, he accepted his team were poor on the night and can have no arguments about not reaching the final.
Final Euro Verdict? 
Reaching the Semi-final stage was as good as we could have hoped for back in August. But failing to reach the final after this beating is painful, epecially with our bitter rivals succeeding.
United's European home form was brilliant but the away form has been weak this season and has ultimately cost us. Fergie will have to continue the research in the summer....
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