| By Sam Fox,
on 14-04-2007 21:39
|
Views : 691 |
Favoured : 7 |
Richard's first match report describes how he saw United through to the F.A. Cup final.
It was not one of United’s better performances this season but the killer touch was enough to help them overcome bottom of the league Watford and reach the FA Cup final for the 18th time. Wayne Rooney was the hero scoring twice and a goal each from winger Cristiano Ronaldo and late substitute Kieran Richardson saw United through. Patrice Evra and Paul Scholes were the only changes coming in for John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher. Watford has to replace the ineligible Ben Foster with experienced goalkeeper Richard Lee. The opening minutes of the game were quiet with United mainly passing the ball around but it didn’t take that long for United to break the deadlock. After seven minutes Michael Carrick’s through ball was dummied by Ryan Giggs and Alan Smith letting Wayne Rooney in. He brought the ball inside his marker before smashing the ball home from outside the box. United almost doubled their lead minutes later when good work from Rooney set up Alan Smith but his shot from outside the area whistled just wide. It looked like a long afternoon for the Hornets. Watford though came back well and pressured but Hameur Bouazza could only find the stand behind the goal with his curling effort. Chaos rained in United’s box for the next few minutes, firstly, Edwin Van Der Sar took a boot to the nose after a stray kick out from Clarke Carlisle. With the keeper rattled Hameur Bouazza finally volleyed in but it took a big deflection of Gabriel Heinze. But United came back in true United style. Just two and a half minutes after the equaliser Alan Smith put through Rooney whose shot was saved only for Cristiano Ronaldo to tap the ball home from close range. United were back in front. The game calmed down before half-time with Rio Ferdinand limping off with a groin injury to be replaced by Darren Fletcher. United did have a chance to go 3-1 up but Rooney’s shot was superbly saved by Richard Lee. Watford came out looking more lively in the second-half but it was United who broke free as Alan Smith crossed for Rooney who tapped home his second and surely put United on the road to Wembley. Rooney and Carrick were booked for late tackles and Watford went all out for it at 3-1 down. Steve Kabba and long absentee Marlon King replaced James Chambers and the lively Tamas Priskin. Kieran Richardson came on for Ronaldo and soon added his name to the scoresheet with a neat lob over Lee. United almost had a penalty late on but Darren Fletchers cries were turned away by referee Howard Webb who had an inconsistent game. It made no difference to United though who will travel to Wembley in five weeks to face either Chelsea or Blackburn. La librairie GD n'est pas activée sur votre serveur.
Last update : 18-04-2007 12:05
|
