United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Away Win
By Chris O'Brien
December 26 2007
Manchester United returned to the top of the Premier League with a comfortable 4-0 victory against Roy Keane's Sunderland. Goals from Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo were more than enough to give the Red Devils three valuable points that see them leap-frog Arsenal to the top of the festive tree.
Sir Alex Ferguson felt comfortable in starting without the likes of Ryan Giggs, Andersen and Carlos Tevez and his judgement proved correct as the Champions cruised to an easy win in the North East.
The deadlock was broken on 20 minutes thanks to a well-taken 18-yard finish from Wayne Rooney and, from there, you sensed no way back for the Black Cats.
Rooney, superb throughout, then turned provider for United's second as he found Louis Saha who fired home an excellent volley to double the lead.
Sunderland had got off to a promising start but they lost all belief when Rooney opened the scoring and the result was beyond doubt before the interval as Ronaldo curled home a free-kick.
The home side looked content to sit on their three goal disadvantage after the interval but United managed to rub more salt into their festive wounds with as Saha fired home from the penalty-spot after Danny Colling brought down Nani.
This was an excellent performance from United who oozed class throughout. We go top of the league, for the time being at least, with Arsenal travelling to Portsmouth on Boxing Day night.
Full Time - Sunderland 0-4 Manchester United
Attendance - 47,360
Sunderland: Gordon, Whitehead, McShane, Higginbotham, Collins, Wallace (Leadbitter 46), Etuhu, Yorke (Richardson 61), Waghorn, Jones, Chopra (O'Donovan 86).
Substitutes Not Used: Ward, Cole.
Manchester Utd: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic (Pique 73), Brown, Ronaldo (Park 57), Fletcher, Carrick, Nani, Rooney, Saha.
Substitutes Not Used: Heaton, Evra, Tevez.
United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: manutdweb.com (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2007 18:27
United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: craigduck (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2007 19:09
Till Arsenal k.o. at 745 om 
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: ManUnited4Life (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2007 21:59
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: emptyred (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2007 22:06
Yup Arsenal kick off and at the end of their game we were still top of the league.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: ManUnited4Life (IP Logged)
Date: 26/12/2007 22:33
Bwana Wenger
manure will top the league for 3 days and then it will be business as usual on Monday
He is right in a way this bad result against Portsmouth is the start of their usual bad run of results. Alot of there players are off to the African Cup of Nations soon so they'll start @#$%& up then but when they all return they'll @#$%& up as a squad.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2007:12:26:22:35:53 by ManUnited4Life.
manure will top the league for 3 days and then it will be business as usual on Monday
He is right in a way this bad result against Portsmouth is the start of their usual bad run of results. Alot of there players are off to the African Cup of Nations soon so they'll start @#$%& up then but when they all return they'll @#$%& up as a squad.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2007:12:26:22:35:53 by ManUnited4Life.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: Rogero (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 09:17
We shall see, as far as I'm concerned normal service has been resumed!
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: Rooneyslyn (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 11:35
couldnt watch the match but will see extended highlights later. Great day allround it seems.
1) Conformtable commanding display like the champions we are
2) Louis the forgotten man back on scoresheet which can only do his confidence a world of good.
3) Rooney showing us exaclty what he brings to the team.
4) Parky got a good run out after umteen moths.
5) Key players subbed or fully rested.
6) Chelski and the Arsenal dropping points. Livers grabbing victory from the jaws of mediocrity.
Lifes great innit?
1) Conformtable commanding display like the champions we are
2) Louis the forgotten man back on scoresheet which can only do his confidence a world of good.
3) Rooney showing us exaclty what he brings to the team.
4) Parky got a good run out after umteen moths.
5) Key players subbed or fully rested.
6) Chelski and the Arsenal dropping points. Livers grabbing victory from the jaws of mediocrity.
Lifes great innit?
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: negotiator (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 11:45
this year the league was always gonna be a walkover, i said at the start we will win this league by 10 points
only 2 times a team in the last 15 years have had a better run then us after christmas.
After christmas we do our famous sprint to da league title.
plus we have the easier fixtures left home games against arsenal and liverpool, we been to portsmouth at man city at everton its all done and dusted
only tough one is away to chelsea, but thats good that chelsea home record will be broken
only 2 times a team in the last 15 years have had a better run then us after christmas.
After christmas we do our famous sprint to da league title.
plus we have the easier fixtures left home games against arsenal and liverpool, we been to portsmouth at man city at everton its all done and dusted
only tough one is away to chelsea, but thats good that chelsea home record will be broken
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: Ares (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 13:21
*yeah right*
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: PKGooner (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 13:35
Quote:Alot of there players are off to the African Cup of Nations soon so they'll start @#$%& up then but when they all return they'll @#$%& up as a squad.
Toure and Eboue.
Eboue wouldn't get into our fully fit side anyway, and we've got 3 defenders to cover for Toure.
You'll need better excuses than the ACON to make yourself feel more comfortable about your lead at the top.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007:12:27:14:41:15 by pk_gunner.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: negotiator (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 13:54
only if sheva and ballack play to there best will we see a challenge and thats it
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: ManUnited4Life (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 14:44
Quote:pk_gunnerQuote:Alot of there players are off to the African Cup of Nations soon so they'll start @#$%& up then but when they all return they'll @#$%& up as a squad.
Toure and Eboue.
Eboue wouldn't get into our fully fit side anyway, and we've got 3 defenders to cover for Toure.
You'll need better than the ACON excuses to make yourself feel more comfortable about your lead at the top.
Yep its all excuses. Your great escape against 13th place Tottenham, your draw against 7th place Pompey and not to mention your draw against Newcastle and lose to Boro this month are indications of the beginning of your bad run of results.
But keep it on the hush we want your follow Arsenal supporters to believe that you have a chance at winning the league that way it is more fun when you dont.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: Rogero (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 18:27
Arsenal will finish behind United.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: PKGooner (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 19:57
So your saying we have no chance of winning the league?
You've had a bad run of results too, which is why your only 1 point ahead of us in the league, which is nothing.
You've had a bad run of results too, which is why your only 1 point ahead of us in the league, which is nothing.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: emptyred (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 20:23
at this stage no one has won a thing. Chelsea and Liverpool are still in it. There are 19 games to go and i don't think we have really hit top form yet.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: ArsenalForever (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 21:14
you had a couple of easy games for the last couple of weeks....derby, fulham, sunderland
and dont go on about kolo toure leaving for the anc...as long as we have song, djorou, senderos and gallas fit i think we will be fine....eboue wont be a miss as walcott and hleb and suitable replacements for him
you lot had your bad spell in the beginning of the season...we are having it now and we are only 1 point behind you guys
and dont go on about kolo toure leaving for the anc...as long as we have song, djorou, senderos and gallas fit i think we will be fine....eboue wont be a miss as walcott and hleb and suitable replacements for him
you lot had your bad spell in the beginning of the season...we are having it now and we are only 1 point behind you guys
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: emptyred (IP Logged)
Date: 27/12/2007 23:31
we could say that you had the easier start to the season. However we have lost 2 games to your one and we are top by a point. We also have taken 7 points from our title challengers. You have taken only 5.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: PKGooner (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2007 02:03
The stuff about easy games over the pats week or at the start of the season is bollocks.
At the end United and Arsenal will have played the same games, and will have played every team twice.
At the end United and Arsenal will have played the same games, and will have played every team twice.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: Mick_MUFC (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2007 13:53
And we'll have won the league and you won't.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: ArsenalForever (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2007 17:40
if you win congratulations on buying the title yet again
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: emptyred (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2007 19:05
ah such bitterness - only a few weeks previously you gooners were telling us how you were going to win the league- 7 points clear and all that.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: ManUnited4Life (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2007 23:50
Quote:emptyred
ah such bitterness - only a few weeks previously you gooners were telling us how you were going to win the league- 7 points clear and all that.
Did it involve beginner mode, fifa 2008 and a playstation 2?
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: ManUnited4Life (IP Logged)
Date: 28/12/2007 23:52
Quote:ArsenalForever
if you win congratulations on buying the title yet again
A tad bitter i see. If that makes you sleep better at night when we do win the league then good on you.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: 80'sGoona (IP Logged)
Date: 30/12/2007 17:41
I dont see how man utd have got easier games left. Weve been to all the hard away grounds, just bolton left and they arent the same team anymore. when the top 4 play each other it can go either way. I love man united away because man utd try to play an open game and the outcome will be another arsenal win. I hope scholes plays instead of anderson, even more open. and btw, your 3 games then will be arsenal, blackburn away then chelsea away, you could easily come out of that in 3rd or 4th place in the league.
And now that weve tasted 2nd place and regained top spot, we wont make any silly mistakes, 100% concentration for every game, get van persie back, its only up from here.
empty red is right that nothing is won yet but as YOUR manager said, its important to be top at new years. So happy new years boys, esp you c0(ky negotiator.
And now that weve tasted 2nd place and regained top spot, we wont make any silly mistakes, 100% concentration for every game, get van persie back, its only up from here.
empty red is right that nothing is won yet but as YOUR manager said, its important to be top at new years. So happy new years boys, esp you c0(ky negotiator.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: Rooneyslyn (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 09:59
Quote:ian7
its important to be top at new years.
enjoy it while you can. As you can see, we are breathing down you neck.
you've got to go the bridge and play liverpuke too. I say we all have ticky ties ahead. But sometimes those are not even the ones that throw us curve balls.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: Mick_MUFC (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 14:46
Its even more important to be top at the end of the season 
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: 80'sGoona (IP Logged)
Date: 31/12/2007 15:37
You still have to go to chelsea, newcastle, tottenham and blackburn. as well as play us. lets see what happens.
Re: United go top with Boxing Day knock-out
Posted by: ManUnited4Life (IP Logged)
Date: 01/01/2008 01:47
Funny because you have to play Citeh, Chelsea as well as us all away. Now do you still remember the point you had?
All you're doing is making it harder for you and the Goonsyte fans, like always, to come up with excuses for when you dont win the league. Dont worry im sure that if you all put your heads together you can come up with an excuse.
All you're doing is making it harder for you and the Goonsyte fans, like always, to come up with excuses for when you dont win the league. Dont worry im sure that if you all put your heads together you can come up with an excuse.