What. A. Game! If there ever was a marque game for the Premier League it was this one. Great goals, drama, penalties, a wonderful comeback, and horrible refereeing. A lot of people are of the opinion that Howard Webb was Uniteds best player of the day, but the “best referee in the world” had an off day for both sides. United and Chelsea got crucial decisions against them, some more obvious than the other, but as most great United games go the ABU fanbase quickly came out with refereeing decisions to try and overshadow a wonderful comeback. Who can forget the 5-2 comeback win against Spurs in 2009, the first goal coming from a penalty that was given “only because it was at Old Trafford”? Or the 3-2 comeback at Blackpool last season, with literally everybody trying to point out how Rafael should have had a penalty awarded against him rather than look at Fergie’s brave, and decisive decision to take Rooney off for Hernandez with 30 minutes to go?
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Manchester United produced a trademark comeback to force a draw at Stamford Bridge.
Two Wayne Rooney’s penalties and a late equaliser by Javier Hernandez saw United snatching a draw from the jaws of defeat, after having been 3-0 down at one stage, while David DeGea produced two outstanding saves deep in injury time to deny Chelsea and earn United a deserved point on a bitterly cold afternoon in West London.
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Manchester United returned to the top of the table after beating Stoke City 2-0 at Old Trafford, while City fell to a Darron Gibson strike away at Goodison Park. Dimitar Berbatov and Javier converted one penalty each on either side of half time, and a United side going into the game without 14 first-team players looked comfortable throughout.
With De Gea sick and Lindegaard on crutches, Ben Amos got his Premier League debut for United, and luckily for him the defence kept Stoke at bay for most of the game. The backline consisting of Smalling, Evans, Rio and Evra managed to stop the threat of Crouch and Jones, and although the latter had a couple of shooting opportunities they often went high or wide.
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Dirk Kuyt scored two minutes from time to knock United out of the FA Cup and send Liverpool through to the first round for the first time since 2008.
A makeshift United side was two minutes away from forcing a replay when the Dutchman pounced on Andy Carroll’s flick and made the most of some poor defending by Patrice Evra to slot the winner home.
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Danny Welbeck scored ten minutes from time to beat Arsenal and seal an important away win for United.
United looked set for a draw after Robin Van Persie had cancelled out Antonio Valencia’s opener but Welbeck’s finish keeps United within three points of City.
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Manchester United are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup after defeating Manchester City in a pulsating encounter at Eastlands.
Goals from Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck sent United fans into raptures as Fergie’s men reclaimed local rights, while City were left incensed by referee Chris Foy’s decision to send Kompany off.
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Blackburn produced arguably the shock of the season so far by defeating Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford in an unexpected set back for the champions.
A Dimitar Berbatov brace wasn’t enough to rescue United as goals from Yakubu and Grant Hanley sealed a famous victory for under pressure manager Steve Kean.
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Dimitar Berbatov delivered a late Christmas present to United fans, scoring three in a 5-0 demolition of 10-men Wigan, to send Ferguson’s team joint top with Manchester City, albeit behind on goal difference.
Park Ji Sung and Antonio Valencia also got on the scoresheet, as Wigan were furious with referee Phil Dowd, whose decision to send off Conor Sammon virtually sealed Roberto Martinez’ men destiny.
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Craven Cottage has been a difficult ground for Manchester United through the years, with only 1 point from 9 during the Reds’ last three visits there. If that is not bad enough, United had conceded 7 goals from those three games, which is painful reading for a team that puts a lot of emphasis on being solid in defence. But Wednesday’s game was a joyful occasion for every red, with United scoring five and keeping only their second clean sheet at the ground since Fulham joined the Premier League in 2001. Welbeck, Nani, Giggs, Rooney and Berbatov all got their name on the scoresheet, making it the second time this season that five different United players have found the net in the same match. The Red Devils now stand only 2 points behind leaders City at Christmas.
What is even more pleasing for United fans is the football on show, with chances and goals arriving at will. What has happened to United? Following 8 games where United managed to find the net only once per game, they have now scored 11 in 3, and it could easily have been more. Why the sudden change?
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