Feb 24
Newcastle 1-5 Man Utd: Newcastle Taken To The Cleaners At Home
Was that headline an exaggeration? I didn’t think so. However, yesterday’s win was achieved with minimum fuss, for most part, as a poor Newcastle side was run over by a team that had enough incentive to close the gap on league leaders, Arsenal. Arsenal were surprisingly held to a draw by Birmingham, with a last gap penalty from James McFadden. Although, it must be said that a horrible, horrible injury to Eduardo — something that, I pray, must never happen again to a footballer, ever — would have left the players in a state of shock throughout the game. Players need protection, and that’s what SAF was very concerned about a few weeks ago, bemoaning the fact that Ronaldo gets kicked about for fun and hardly gets much protection.
Back to the match report, though.
Ronaldo returned to goal scoring form by bagging yet another brace, while Rooney showed why he loves scoring against Newcastle by bagging a brace for himself. Saha topped it up by scoring a late one in stoppage time. However it was the first couple of goals that really killed things off for Newcastle. The first one, with a typical Ronaldo run down the left wing, a turn and a cross found Rooney who tapped it in on the volley. The second was an outstanding slide rule pass from Carrick that found Ronaldo, who, usually in these situations, can hardly do wrong.
After that the goals flowed. I think I’ll link you to the MOTD highlights (watch it before it gets taken down).
But more than United taking the Barcodes apart it was a case more of Newcastle being piss poor; when a midfield containing Fletcher can overrun you so badly, heaven knows what might have been had it been Anderson. And the defending, what of that! When Ronaldo can slip and still recover well enough to find himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper it shows the level of comedic defending that was on display. They seemed to let their shoulders droop so easily after going down too early, and that’s why I did feel a little sorry for their fans.
Anyway, on to player performances. I thought Rooney was coming back to his best, for quite sometime, now. Yesterday he found his shooting boots as well. His first was well taken, but his second was an absolute belter. Playing Nani on the wing was another nice move from the manager. It shows his growing faith in the Portuguese winger, and he didn’t disappoint. His crosses were again inch perfect on more than a couple of occasions. In fact, Tevez somehow contrived to miss a header from a Beckham-esque cross from Nani, from 5 yards out! Carrick has improved and his passing was more positive and advanced. It’s good to see that the lad has a bit of a fight in him, seeing the competition for places in the centre of the park. Fletcher continued in the same vein as he did against Arsenal.
It was nice to see Saha join in the action and also help himself to a goal. It is important for a striker to have a feel of the football, foremost, and then see a shot sail into the net. Those two things will certainly help the Frenchman, if he does, in fact return to more regular action.
So how important is this result. Well, we have closed the gap by three points. But not too much must be read into a performance against a team that, at best, resembled a pub team. The players will be told that a 5-1 doesn’t change things still. They will be told to prepare for the next game after a brief pat on the back.
The title race is hotting up and is very delicately poised. The title run-in, in particular, is tricky for both Arsenal and United, so this season promises to be exciting. So, lad, fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Update on Red Rants
- Man Utd vs Newcastle Utd: Preview
- Man Utd 2010/11 Season Fixtures Announced
- Keegan ‘I’d Love It’ Returns To Geordie-land. Heh!
- Four League Wins in a Row for United?
Tags: Match Reports
Opti (542)
Stephen (493)
RedDevilEddy (462)
Craig Mc (349)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
Scholes and Giggs are both great players, but they shouldnt be in the starting lineup anymore. If neither Anderson or Nani played for the club, I would say Ginger Prince and Ryan should be in the starting lineup every week. But now they seem to have lost their hunger and passion for the game. That is the most worrying thing. Scholes was great before this seasons injury, but since the injury was so serious(four months wasnt it?) it may take some time before he gets back to his best. But time is something Scholes doesnt have. He is 33 years old, Anderson and Carrick playing like a dream and Fergie seems to use him as a sub most of the time. For me that is great, because he is a magnificent player, no doubt, but the way that Anderson is playing now, Andy should be the first one on the team sheet! Giggs havent had a good game all season, and he has lost pace, hunger and the only great cross I can remember him making this season was the one against Dynamo Kiev away, for Ronaldos first goal. This should be our first 11 now
VDS
Brown/Simpson/Pique Rio Vida Evra
Ronaldo Carrick Anderson Nani
Tevez Rooney
subs: PIG Oshea/Brown/Simpson/Pique Scholes Giggs/Owen Saha
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Scholes and Giggs are not exactly the players we should be worried about. They can still add to the team, and most importantly, they currently cost us nothing!
Hargo on the other hand we paid £17m for. I know Anderson’s arrival on the scene fucked up all SAF’s previous midfield ambitions, but how will we justify having a £17m pound player warming the bench? (if not him, then Carrick, also at the same price?). And, this does not even take their wages into account. I’m not a rocket-scientist, but I highly doubt the Glazers would like that idea.
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Anderson article – LOL
No one can say he’s not entertaining.
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our ginger ninja stil has lots to offer. not only as a sub. that i am definitely sure of. hes just came back from surgery and it would take awhile for him to be back at the level he was last season. unlike some of you here, i think that he and giggs would really be crucial come the champs league run-in. my thoughts.
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I agree with grognard…only I would swap scholes for giggs.For a winger giggs is just embarrassing right now.He cant cross,cant beat a man,cant score,cant create(dont mistake one good pass a WHOLE game as a contribution).His game was based on pace but now its gone.Scholesy can still play,just needs some match fitness.just wait..
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SHANNON; Stop acting like a racist ass clown. I couldn’t care less if he is Canadian born. Also, although I understand his decision, I was pissed off when he chose to play for England over the colors of his birth country Canada. Grow up and think a bit before you make inflammatory statements in the future.
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To some of you who make the claim that Scholes and Giggs have lost their hunger and assion for the game I say you are flat wrong. Players like that have plenty of hunger and passion when they put on the colors of United. They are just too old and their bodies do not cooperate 100% with what their minds tell them to do. Still, they are better than most of the starters playing their positions in the Prem just on the basis of experience and skill. Let them contribute from the bench and at the training ground where all this knowledge and experience can really benefit the club.
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