Manchester United 4-0 West Bromwich Albion
By Jemma Tappenden
November 7 2008
West Bromwich Albion travelled to Old Trafford on the back of two 1-0 victories, which had seen them complete their best ever start to a Premiership season. For the visit to the European Champions Chris Brunt made a return after a two week absence, replacing Ishmael Miller as Mowbray adopted a five man midfield.
It was Manchester United’s Ronaldo who produced the first shot of the game, firing in a low hard effort after five minutes played, which Baggies keeper Scott Carson held well. Albion enjoyed long spells of possession in the early ages of the first half, to the extent that the travelling army of 2,400 fans applauded and cheered every pass. But the sideways possession wasn’t creating any chances for Mowbray’s men, who took 14 minutes to produce a chance, when Brunt tried his luck from 30 yards.
Morrison made an awful mistake in the 23rd minute, allowing Ronaldo to thread through Wayne Rooney. Morrison was almost made to pay the ultimate price for his mistake as England’s inform striker gave Zuiverloon the slip to curl home an effort from inside the area. But his effort was ruled out as the ref adjudged him to have fouled the right back.
Rooney wasn’t about to allow the Baggies defence any respite however, and two minutes later he was back, this time Carson did well to hold on to his goal bound effort after he had latched on to Giggs’ left wing free kick. Albion chances on goal had been few and far between, and in the 28th minute a rare chance went begging after Koren shot well wide from 25 yards after playing a clever one two with Roman Bednar.
Ten minutes before the break Sir Alex Ferguson was forced into an early change as the injured Evra was replaced by O’Shea. It didn’t stop united from pressuring the Baggies however, and as half time approached Olsson made a vital last ditch clearance to deny Berbatov.
Half Time: Manchester United 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
United started the second half strongly, only a miss-hit from Rooney prevented them from taking an early second half lead. In the 49th minute Morrison fed Brunt 20 yards out from goal, but despite taking his time lining up his shot Brunt sent his effort horribly high of the target.
In the 53rd minute Mowbray made a change, swapping front man for front man as Miller made his way on in place of Bednar. But just three minutes later the Baggies were caught out on the break, and clever footwork from Berbatov set up Rooney to put the Red Devils a goal up.
Berbatov and Rooney teamed up again on the hour mark – this time Carson made the save to keep Albion in with a chance. But in the 69th minute Rooney was left in acres of space as the Baggies fell a kip in midfield, allowing him to play in Ronaldo who made no mistake in placing his effort through the legs of Carson to secure United’s second goal.
The nightmare continued, and less than two minutes later United had added a third. Olsson allowed Nani to slip the ball through his legs, leaving Berbatov with a simple tap in. The Baggies almost grabbed a consolation goal in the 87th minute, Miller coming within just inches after he had made a chance for himself from 25 yards.
But well down and out he Baggies allowed United the last say, and in the final seconds of the game Albion’s weary legs allowed Nani to slip in and grab a fourth goal for the Red Devils.
Full Time: Manchester United 4-0 West Bromwich Albion
Rooney (56)
Ronaldo (69)
Berbatov (71)
Nani (90)
Attendance: 75,451