Utd Kids Wife

United yet again left it late (yet again!) to really rub it in Man Citys’ nose as a goal in extra time from Paul Scholes gave the champions all three points. The crucial win took them to within a point of Chelsea who play later on in the evening.

With United struggling in the previous match Wayne Rooney returned to the squad yet a groin injury kept Rio Ferdinand out. Jonny Evans was drafted in to take his place.

As expected the first half started with a lot of intensity but few real clear-cut chances for both sides with United having slightly more possession.

Carlos Tevez, who always feels he has a point to prove when playing against United, has made a habit of scoring against them this season. He almost added another to his collection when he curled a free kick over the wall destined for the top corner. However, the quality of Van der Sar made his save look easier than it actually was.

Towards the end of the 2^nd half, United created a couple of chances that should have yielded a couple of goals. First, Valencia headed into Rooney’s path who made space for himself but ended up dragging his shot wide where he would usually finish with aplomb.

They then went even closer a minute before half-time. Again Valencia was the instigator as his cross fell for Giggs at the near post but his shot was straight at Shay Given.

The second half predictably started in the same vein. City had the first chance with Tevez playing in Bellamy who was completely unmarked on the left side but for some reason he thrashed at the shot at fired well wide of the goal.

After an hour played United showed their attacking intent by bringing on Nani for the ineffective Gibson as United started to put more pressure on.

As the game wore on on and a draw being no good for either team Gareth Barry tried to hoodwink the referee by going down tamely in the box but the City penalty appeals were correctly dismissed. From that incident United broke and a long ball sent Giggs clear on goal but Given came out quickly to deny him and United.

With 5 minutes to go the chance of the match fell to City. A corner saw Van der Sar scrambling to clear the ball but neither Onuoha nor Tevez unable to take advantage of a panicky defence and somehow the visitors survived.  

With two games between the two sides being settled by a last minute goal fate was again kind to United. City obviously don’t learn from their mistakes. Two minutes into stoppage time Evra floated in a cross and found Scholes who rolled back the years to direct a beautifully placed header past Given and low into the bottom corner.

Predictable the visitors celebrations to do the double over their rivals with another stoppage goal were wild and it must be said thoroughly deserved.

Win Spurs surprisingly beating Chelsea 2-1 later in the afternoon United are now one point behind in the table and the title is still very much on.

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