Sticky toffees draw with united
Everton hold Manchester United as Rooney draws a blankEverton 1-1 Manchester United
Photograph: Tony Marshall/Empics
A second-half header from the
Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini frustrated
Manchester United - and the returning Wayne Rooney - in what was a compelling 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
Much of the pre-match hype had predictably surrounded Rooney, who had the opportunity to score his 100th goal in club football against the club for whom he scored his first as a precocious 17-year-old. But Rooney's performance more closely resembled the petulant youth than the cultured striker he has since become, and he was substituted midway through the second half shortly after being booked for a crude challenge on Mikel Arteta, after which he pointedly kissed his United badge in front of the Everton supporters.
The incident capped a frustrating afternoon for both sets of players and fans, each of whom will believe they might have won the match. The first half belonged to United who went ahead in the 22nd minute when Fletcher's shot from distance was charged down, but only into the path of Ryan Giggs, returning from injury. His astute pass picked out the Fletcher's continued run into the box and after his first touch took him around Joleon Lescott, his second was drilled low through the legs of Tim Howard, giving United a deserved lead.
Minutes later, Howard saved well when Ronaldo evaded the attentions of two Everton defenders to fire a rasping shot from 30 yards and United enjoyed a period of sustained pressure, with Dimitar Berbatov and Rooney going close after more good work in midfield from Giggs.
Everton's best chance of the first half fell to Yakubu, who blazed over after Nemanja Vidic failed to cut out a flicked pass over the top from Arteta. But United continued to dictate a frenetic pace and combined with the trickery of Ronaldo, Berbatov, Rooney and Ji-Sung Park down the right, always posed more of a threat.
The breakneck pace continued into the opening of the second half, with Leon Osman and Pienaar pushing up from midfield to force United to defend deep, and although the visitors continued to threaten on the counter-attack, with Berbatov in particular enjoying the additional space, Everton were soon rewarded for their increased endeavour.
Phil Neville collected a knock-back from his short throw by the corner flag, before whipping an excellent cross onto the head of the Belgian midfielder Fellaini, who out-jumped Vidic to head low past Edwin Van de Sar.
United then looked decidedly fragile and Everton might have gone ahead two minutes later when Rio Ferdinand's woefully underhit back-pass allowed Yakubu through on Van de Sar. The goalkeeper just managed to reprieve his centre-back, palming Yakubu's shot onto a post.
United's frustration grew as they began to chase the game, with Rooney goaded into his show of petulance by the continued abuse from sections of the crowd. Sir Alex Ferguson replaced him with Nani, and shortly after sent on Carlos Tevez for Fletcher.
But Everton continued to look the more likely to win the game and Wes Brown was booked for cutting down Yakubu in the centre circle, escaping with a yellow card even though he was arguably the last defender between the striker and the goal.
Ronaldo then squandered a late chance to win it for United, when Joseph Yobo did exceptionally well to get a foot in when the Portuguese winger only had Howard to beat.
الإثنين أكتوبر 27, 2008 1:19 am
