United Victorious in F.A Cup Derby Cracker

Despite it being February 14th, there was no love in the air! A cracking atmosphere swept around Old Trafford, probably the best all season, and despite six goals the main talking point after the game was Gary Neville's head-butt aimed at Steve McManaman, which resulted in the defender receiving a red card. A player of his experience really should have known better, but to be fair he does really hate Scousers!

United dominated the first-half, with the Reds playing some mouth-watering attacking football and the City defence looked shaky. Goalkeeper Arason saved well from Roy Keane after twenty minutes, as United continued to create chances and looked the most likely to break the deadlock.

City's brave fight to keep the scores level lasted only 34 minutes with England international Paul Scholes sending the 58,000 United fans in attendance into ecstasy with the opening goal of the game from close-range. Ryan Giggs sent a neat cross into the Citizens penalty area, and Scholes slotted the ball home from only yards out.

You would have been forgivven for thinking that United might have been in for a comfortable ride into the last 8 of the prestigious competition, with City showing few signs of making a game of it for the majority of the first-half. However, the game exploded on 38 minutes with Gary Neville shown red and it became clear that we did have a game on our hands!

The right-back charged into the United penalty area, but he foolishly dived when challenged by Tarnat. A furious Steve McManaman confronted Neville, and United's number two lashed out at the Scouser with his head! Neville was booked by referee Jeff Winter, who dealt with the incident quite poorly letting a scuffle between the two sides take place before reaching a decision, for the dive and then showed the defender a red card for his head-butt. Steve McManaman was only booked for his part in the clash.

The man advantage came as a real morale boost to the visitors who finished the first-half the stronger and came out of the blocks very well at the start of the second period. It was clear City's best chance of an equaliser would come at the start of the second-half, and despite a period of almost twenty minutes of dominance they couldn't make their possession and man advantage pay. United have Tim Howard to thank for keeping them ahead though, with the American making three splendid saves.

Shaun Wright-Phillips, Warren Barton and Robbie Fowler all had good chances saved by the United 'keeper, who recieved a standing ovation from the United masses. Howard has been a target for criticism in recent weeks after a run of poor displays, but he made up for it with a fantastic performance today and his spell of saves after the break won the tie for United.

It looked as if United would get a narrow victory at best, but the 10-men doubled their advantage with twenty minutes remaining on the clock sparking off a goal feast. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was fantastic throughout, sent in a neat cross to Ruud Van Nistelrooy and the Dutchman finished from close-range.

Two minutes later the match was effectively over, with the inspirational Ronaldo grabbing a deserved goal for himself. Ryan Giggs saw his shot miraculously saved by the City 'keeper, but the Portuguese teenage sensation was on hand to bundle the ball home.

To their credit, City kept battling and gave their 9,000 supporters packed into the extended Cup-day away end something to cheer about with a goal that gave the Citizens just a glimmer of hope. Tarnat ran into the box unmarked and volleyed the ball past Howard from an acute angle. It was time for worrying for the United fans, and the usual "If they get one now" comments were fluttering around the ground.

Fortunately, panic was over minutes later with Ruud Van Nistelrooy completing his brace with another goal from close-range coming from Roy Keane's header. Despite the absence of Louis Saha, who was Cup-tied, United looked fantastic going forward which compensated for another mixed display at the back

Robbie Fowler, who recieved constant stick all game, earned consolation for City with a free-kick that neither Tim Howard or the United wall had prepared themselves for. Large numbers of the City fans had already left Old Trafford by this time. Aren't you sick of hearing how great they are? The ones that remained should have seen there side get a third goal, with the United defence failing to pick up men and City had a couple of chances as the game reached its end. If one had gone in, who knows that could have happened?!

A fantastic day on the whole, with victory over City and F.A Cup wins always enjoyable! Victory ensures another win of City winning nothing, and the 28 year chants will be 28 year chants for next season! It was a great attacking display from United, with Cristiano Ronaldo surprising everyone with a highly impressive display. The defence was again disappointing, and had it not been for some lacklustre City finishing and a tremendous performance from Tim Howard, City could easily have scored more than the two goals they put on the scoreboard. With 10 goals conceded in 4 games, the defence clearly needs a shake-up from Sir Alex Ferguson, and Gary Neville's suspension will not help.

Still, a great win! Roll on the Quarter-finals!

ManUtdWeb Man of the Match - Tim Howard / Cristiano Ronaldo
A joint award for today's game with both Howard and Ronaldo putting in cracking performances. Howard's saves kept United ahead, and Ronaldo's pace kept City on their toes throughout the game. Fergie's pre-season purchases have come under scrutiny from many supporters, but two of his purchases put in 5-star displays today. Well done lads!

Full Time - Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City
Attendance - 67,228

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