| By Sam Fox,
on 04-02-2007 17:13
|
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 The match ended 4-0 with goals from Ronaldo, Vidic, Scholes and Giggs. However minutes before time Van Der Sar got clattered by Robbie Keane resulting in a broken nose for the keeper and first Rio then O'Shea going in goal after Fergie had used up all his subs.
Sportinglife.com Manchester United restored their six-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership but victory at Tottenham was tinged with controversy as Cristiano Ronaldo was accused of diving. Ronaldo scored the opener at White Hart Lane on the stroke of half-time but he did not appear to be touched by Steed Malbranque or Lee Young-Pyo to earn the penalty he slammed home. Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs scored goals in the second half but John O'Shea finished in goal after Edwin van der Sar picked up an injury. Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick made his return to White Hart Lane for the first time since leaving Spurs in the summer for £18.6million. Following the midweek win over Watford, Edwin van der Sar, Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Henrik Larsson were restored to the starting XI. Aaron Lennon was back in the Spurs line-up after missing the midweek defeat to Arsenal in the Carling Cup through illness. Jermaine Jenas picked up an ankle injury at the Emirates Stadium and was ruled out, while Dimitar Berbatov returned after a groin injury. Predictably, Carrick was jeered by home supporters when he touched the ball during a fast-paced start to the game where referee Mark Clattenburg had to produce an early yellow card. Scholes had already mistimed a challenge on Lennon and Didier Zokora had tripped Gary Neville, but it was Nemanja Vidic who picked up the first booking when he went through the back of Jermain Defoe. Cristiano Ronaldo, United's leading scorer, had a speculative attempt on goal, while Berbatov was wide with another effort from long-range, but clear-cut chances were not created in the opening passage of play. Defoe almost had a sight of goal in the 19th minute from Steed Malbranque's cross from the left but Vidic was able to block. Carrick tried his luck from long range but his powerful shot lacked direction. The first real chance of the game fell to Ronaldo but the Portugal winger blazed over after collecting the rebound when Carrick's header from a corner had been saved by Paul Robinson. Michael Dawson then required treatment when he cleared the ball and also caught Wayne Rooney with his follow-through. United thought they should have had a penalty in the 29th minute when Anthony Gardner appeared to trip Larsson in the area, but Clattenburg waved away the protests that lasted minutes after the incident. Tom Huddlestone, billed as Carrick's replacement, set up Spurs' first chance but Berbatov, after taking a touch around Rio Ferdinand, saw his finish tipped around the post by Van der Sar. Rooney had been living on the edge and earned a yellow card for a challenge on Lee Young-Pyo after he had lost the ball. Ronaldo earned a penalty with two minutes left in the half when Steed Malbranque tripped the winger. Ronaldo slotted home to give United a half-time lead. Replays of the penalty incident were greeted with howls of derision during the interval, as Ronaldo did not appear to be touched when he went down. Fans chanted 'cheat' at the winger but he responded with a turn of pace on the right wing and an effort which had Robinson scrambling towards his near post. The England goalkeeper tipped over from Vidic and Carrick but was beaten in the 48th minute when Vidic met Carrick's corner with a thumping header. The lead was extended in the 53rd minute when Ronaldo surged down the right and crossed for Scholes to bundle in. Rooney curled an effort just wide from the edge of the area as United threatened to embarrass Spurs further. Spurs thought they should have had a penalty on the hour mark when Berbatov was challenged by Ferdinand, but Clattenburg waved play on. Berbatov could have pulled one back when he got behind the United defence but van der Sar saved his effort. Robbie Keane was brought on for Defoe and the Republic of Ireland international was booked for leaving a foot in on Ferdinand. Van der Sar had to tip over from Berbatov but United extended their lead with 14 minutes left when substitute Louis Saha played Ryan Giggs through to finish. Berbatov could have pulled a goal back when he got behind the United defence but Van der Sar saved his effort. The Dutch goalkeeper could not finish the game after picking up an injury in a clash with Keane, and John O'Shea played the remaining five minutes in goal. La librairie GD n'est pas activée sur votre serveur.
Last update : 04-02-2007 17:13
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