Man United vs Man City Recap, the Bellamy Attack, and Rooney to the Rescue

Published by William | Filed under Football (aka soccer), Premier League

Rooney, Rooney, Rooney….


The Wonderboy struck again Wednesday night sending the defending League Cup champions through to the finals to defend their title and the boys of City home crying to their mothers as their unwelcome title drought lives to see another day. I truly feel for you good folks in powdered blue…


Fans of either Manchester side or not, the semifinal second leg was one to remember and will surely go down as one of the matches of the year. Manchester City came into this match with a 2-1 advantage on aggregate thanks in part to an inspired brace by the red hot Carlos Tevez at City of Manchester Stadium and you can’t ask for much more than that. Of course, lying ahead was the daunting task of defending their lead in the second leg at none other than Old Trafford. Unfortunately for City, the task proved to be a little too daunting…


The first 45 minutes could not have gone much better for the boys in blue. Aside from giving up 4 corners in the first 6 minutes, City’s defense was great in limiting United’s chances in the first half. Rooney was pretty much a non factor as well as the rest of the attackers in Red. Offensively, they didn’t exactly dominate but they certainly seemed to have a clear advantage in possession, fluidity, and creating chances. United had more shots in the first half with 6 to City’s 4 but I still felt the match was playing right into the hands of the Citizens. I was a bit confused as to why they were so keen to keep working the left side of the pitch with Craig Bellamy? It seemed for a while, that’s all they did.


As for the second half, let’s just say….not so much. United came out looking like an absolute different team and it all started with Paul Scholes putting one into the bottom left corner in the 52nd to go up 1-0 in the match and knot things up at 2-2 on aggregate. However, since they scored in the prior match at City, United held the advantage on away goals which meant City had to score.


The goal was sort of weird to be honest. Right before, City winger Craig Bellamy was struck in the head with what is believed to be a large coin as he was preparing to take a corner. There was much talk heading into the match about extra police and such being brought on for any disturbances within the stands en lieu of the recent Carlos Tevez – Gary Neville saga. I guess that fires up the men who aren’t on the pitch. Anyways, the classy douches of Old Trafford didn’t disappoint. Luckily, Bellamy was able to shake it off and continue on. The trouble is that after United regained possession from the corner, it seemed like the City defense got hit in the head, not Bellamy. The goal came out of a little cluster f!@# inside the box and somehow Scholes was able to come away with a netter. Too bad for City because they had ample opportunities to clear it but just couldn’t get it done.


Not too long after, it was Michael Carrick who served up the thought-to-be dagger as he put one just inside the far post from the right side of the box. Given came out of the net to try and poke one out of the box and never fully recovered. Trafford went nuts, Rooney jumped on Carrick’s shoulders, and I think even the announcer said something about this one being over. But in the words of the infamous Lee Corso (look it up), “Not so fast my friend!”


Just five minutes later, it was none other than Mr. Carlos Tevez that brought the boys in blue right back into the match. Like honestly, who else would it have been? The goal was absolutely sensational. They worked it down the left flank to Bellamy (this is why I write, not coach) and crossed it into the middle to Tevez who basically put a no-look flick just inside the post with his back to the net. It was unbelievable. 3 goals in the two legs against his old team that for some reason or another seems to have a hankering for putting the Old Bulldog down. He must have really not meshed well within the United clubhouse because all I’m seeing are magical plays after another. Anywho, 3-3 and we are on our way to extra time. Or so we thought…

The no-look flick

City had a chance or two right after the Tezez equalizer but just couldn’t convert. Tevez in particular had an open shot at Van der Saar in the 88th but took one too many dribbles to get a good shot before being blocked. Then the clock hit 90′ and it was over. Given saved a sensational Fletcher header that looked like it was going to be it. Then off the following corner from the Given save, Rooney delivered with the beautiful go-ahead header. Again, who else? Rooney is having the season of his life and who better than the Wonderboy to stick it to their bitter, crosstown rivals. Anyways, blah, blah. United will be playing at Wembley once again for another piece for their mantle.


Thoughts


Man City: Tevez is unbelievable and I’m officially a fan. I was truly never fond of the Argentine. Not sure why. He just annoyed me. Anyways, forget all that. He is the man and his effort and will is truly a joy to watch. Despite the loss, he has reason to start negotiating a raise.


Robinho did not feature just like most expected and was officially loaned to Santos today. In my opinion it’s just too bad. I was yelling for the entire match to put him in. Sorta like a ‘last chance to prove himself’ kind of thing. However, he didn’t and it is what it is. It’s probably good for Robinho honestly. Clearly, the English league is not for him. Maybe ALL of Europe for that matter. It’s just too technical. It may be good for him to go back to Brazil where he can wreak havoc, shoot at will, and gear up for what he cares about most, the World Cup. He was great in the Confederations Cup over the summer and I expect the same when he rejoins Brazil.


Good to see Emmanuel Adebayor back and smiling. He came in late in the second half and although he didn’t do much, glad to see he’s doing ok after what had to have been nothing less than traumatizing.


Man United: They did it again and I’m not sure how. Actually, yes I do. His name is Wayne f@$#ing Rooney. Thank the lord he bleeds red and black and is secretly Sir Alex’s illegitimate bastard son because if not, they would suck. Not to sound anti-United or anything but I will say I have a tendency to root for the underdog. Anyways, Rooney is probably one of the top 3 strikers in the world at the moment with Ronaldo and Messi and that was further confirmed on Wednesday. You guys have to agree with me though. Without him, where would they be?


Rio Ferdinand got away with what could have been a disastrous situation had he been red carded for his early game swipe at Tevez. He is scheduled to go in front of the FA disciplinary committee tomorrow for his stint pulled against Hull City and that surely would have been all she wrote on the appeal. Congrats Rio.

The drought continues…

In closing, the game was awesome and I’d like to thank Espn360 for allowing me to catch in online. Absolutely amazing. Catch y’all on the flip side.