Reds grind out crucial Barcodes win
Berbatov won it
By Chris,
March 5 2009
Manchester United claimed a crucial win at St.James’ Park on Wednesday evening to re-open a seven point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Red Devils fought back from a goal down to claim a hard-fought 2-1 win. The result will have dealt a huge blow to the Scousers and Chelsea – both of whom won on Tuesday evening.
No doubt the cheers were as loud in parts of Merseyside and West London as they were inside St.James' Park as Newcastle opened the scoring after only nine minutes.
The Barcodes broke the deadlock with Peter Lovenkrads putting the final finish to an impressive counter-attack. However, it was an Edwin van der Sar blunder that gifted the Dane the goal - the United ‘keeper fumbling Jonas Gutierrez' long-range effort into the path of the former Rangers winger.
It was the first league goal VDS has leaked for some 1,302 minutes - and United looked shell-shocked. Newcastle, anxious to ease their relegation troubles, surged forward in numbers and came close to doubling their advantage.
However, United's travelling fans were making all the noise soon after as Wayne Rooney restored parity on the twenty minute mark. John O'Shea picked out the England frontman who turned beautifully and dispatched a fine finish passed Steve Harper courtesy of a slight deflection.
Newcastle continued to threaten and things threatened to boil over at half-time Steven Taylor and Cristiano Ronaldo headed a collision between the two sets of players. Taylor was booked for his efforts - and was again at the centre of attention soon after the break as some comical defending gifted the Red Devils the lead.
The defender tried to chest Rooney's long-ball back to Harper and Ji-Sung Park took full advantage. The South Korean latched onto the ball and found Berbatov who easily steered home.
United really had to grind out this win. Lovenkrands and Obi Martins both tested VDS as the Toon nearly snatched a late equaliser, but the Reds held on for a crucial win that could prove crucial come the end of the season.
Full Time - Barcodes 1-2 Manchester United
Attendance - 51,636