Controversy, bad luck and marvelous defensive play denied Manchester United a victory against Newcastle United on Saturday as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side only went home with a 1-1 draw despite playing at Old Trafford.
The result obviously disappoints the Red Devils a lot as they could lose more grip in the title chase with Manchester City, should their city rival managed to grab all three points in their weekend game on Sunday.
Coming into the game after a draw in the Champions League, Man United looked really hungry for a victory as they were pushing forward in the early 10 minutes of the match, through Luis Nani, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez. However, after failing to break down Newcastle‘s defense in that early minutes, the away team apparently grew confidence and started to play better football which eventually gave Man United plenty to think at the back.
Both teams failed to make any breakthrough until the first half whistle blown, but more drama arrives in the second period especially after Man United, ‘luckily’ opened the scoring very early after the re-start. ‘Chicarito’ Hernandez once again showed his poaching ability by netting the first goal in the match after accidentally turning Ryan Taylor’s attempted clearance passed Tim Krul on Newcastle‘s goal, who was just a bit out of position after previously saving Wayne Rooney’s shot.
However, just when another three points seemed to be a certain for United, bad luck arrives when Rio Ferdinand’s tackle on Hatem Ben Afra in the penalty area was being judged as a foul by the referee, resulting in a spot kick for the away team. Demba Ba coolly converted the penalty by forcing David De Gea to move in a different area, giving Newcastle an unlikely goal since the home team were starting to completely taking control of the match.
The equalizing goal stunned the home team as their rage were being transferred on the playing field by creating tons of great goal scoring chances which amazingly just couldn’t be slotted on Newcastle‘s goal. Beside Krul’s out of the world performance, some stunning defensive effort by the away team’s back-line simply earned the Toons Army a valuable points in keeping their dream in staying in the Champions League zone alive at least until another weeks.
Man United v Newcastle United 1-1
Goals: Hernadez 49 (Man United); Demba Ba 64 pen (Newcastle)
Man United: De Gea; Fabio(Smalling 90), Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra(Macheda 87); Nani, Carrick, Giggs, Young; Rooney, Hernandez
Newcastle: Krul; Simpson, Taylor, Coloccini, Taylor; Obertan(Ameobi 64), Cabaye, Guthrie(Perch 73), Gutierrezz; Ben Arfa(Lovenkrands 80); Ba
photo credit: americanistadechiapas
