Tevez equalises

By Chris,
May 13 2009

Manchester United need just one more point to secure another league championship following a hard-fought 2-1 win at Wigan on Wednesday evening. United’s Lancastrian rivals took the lead on the half-hour mark – but second-half goals from Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick secured a typical second-half fightback which means United can tie up the title at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.

Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes from the side that comfortably beat Man City on the weekend. Rooney returned to the attack and partnered Dimitar Berbatov. Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Anderson all came into the midfield; whilst utility man John O'Shea replaced Rafael at right-back.

Wigan enjoyed a strong start with United showing glimpses of complacency. Luis Valencia squandered an excellent one-on-one opportunity, whilst Michael Brown had a long-range effort blocked by an unsettled Reds backline. The Latics were then denied a decent penalty shout on ten minutes as Nemanja Vidic seemed to clip Valencia's legs as he aimed a shot at a goal; but United eventually settled and began to dictate the play.

On twelve minutes, Wayne Rooney somehow glanced a header over from only six yards before Michael Carrick sent a shot inches over the bar. United were starting to really boss possession but were left frustrated by some off-colour finishing and some stubborn defending from the home side.

Wigan, however, stood firm and broke the deadlock against the run of play on the half-hour mark. Nemanja Vidic slipped as he looked to clear a Lee Cattermole punt forward and Hugo Rodallega takes advantage by steering the ball beyond Edwin van der Sar.

The Latics looked increasingly comfortable after the break and Sir Alex Ferguson quickly changed things from the bench. Brazilian midfielder Anderson, largely ineffective again, was dragged off and Carlos Tevez was thrown on to add impetus to a three-pronged frontline.

If Tevez felt he'd made a defiant statement in Sunday's Manchester derby, his immediate impact at the JJB Stadium was even more so. The Argentinean had been on the pitch only four minutes when he scored another brilliant strike.

He met Carrick's scuffed long-range shot with an audacious back-heel which found its way beyond the goalkeeper in front of the delighted away supporters. The travelling masses sang "Fergie, Fergie, sign him up" as Tevez continues to stake his claim for a permanent deal.

United pushed forward for a winner and started to really boss proceedings - but the search appeared to be in vain until Michael Carrick settled the contest with less than five minutes of normal time remaining. Ronaldo drew three Wigan defenders on the right-flank, allowing O'Shea the space and time to latch onto a short pass, cut inside and square for Carrick who floated home an exquisite finish.

United held on comfortably at the end despite a late Wigan free-kick and corner. The result means United need just a point against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon to seal the destiny of the title race. The result means Chelsea's hopes of winning the title are now a mathematical impossibility.

The Scousers now need a miracle. The eighteenth league championship is in touching distance - but can Fergie's men seal the deal this weekend against Arsene Wenger's Gooners?

Full Time – Wigan Athletic 1-2 Manchester United
Attendance – 21,286

Tevez & Carrick leave United one point from glory

Discussion started by manutdweb.com , 13/05/2009 22:06

manutdweb.com
13/05/2009 22:06

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emptyred
13/05/2009 23:08

Not our best performance, but we gained the 3 points we needed.

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Rogero
13/05/2009 23:48

Did just enough although we should have bben three up in the first half an hour!

Wigan couldn't sell all their tickets even for our visit, and with a following of 5,000 the home crowd was about 16,000 !!

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Irish Red
14/05/2009 00:13

Very tough conditions but a reat result. We were slipping all night and as usual we ground it out. We cam eout in the second half fighting and came from behind again

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Red Flag
14/05/2009 08:10

Another great result, dug out the 3 points that has taken us on the verge of winning yet another title, a record equelling 18th. What is that we hear the scousers cry ? " Forever in our shadow " F*ckin shadow my a.rse.

Bring on the title winning party saturday lunchtime

New In Ed Hardy Tee's Summer 2009

www.snowandshine.co.uk

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redlyn
14/05/2009 08:54

A home celebration on the cards for a change. Come on boys one last push!

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sweetmusicman
14/05/2009 13:16

Yeah it was a slippery slide. I feel for Tevez. His frustration to perform on par every single game or atleast when he gets a chance to play.

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Mick_MUFC
14/05/2009 14:39

Couldn't believe Tevez didn't start after how well he played on Sunday, hopefully it means he will play against Arsenal though. We didn't really play well at all but if Rooney and Carrick had buried those early chances it would have been a different game. Berbatov was absolute@#$%&last night, surprised he lasted the full 90.

Disappointed to Rooney play the full game out wide again. I really hope we aren't converting him in to a wide man because its just not right. I really hope he gets put back up top.

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Irish Red
14/05/2009 16:45

Rooney will be a wide for the rest of the season. I believe next season he will be used up front. Berbatov was poor.

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emptyred
14/05/2009 21:10

He has been all season, so nothing new really there then.

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Mick_MUFC
14/05/2009 23:02

He wouldn't be top of the assist table if he had been poor all season.

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Irish Red
15/05/2009 10:08

I like Berbatov. I think people have unfairly jumped on him. I dont think people get this but we DONT want him tearing all over the place like Rooney or Tevez. We have that in Ronney and Tevez!!! Why do we want someone else to do it?

We need something different, a bit of guile and Berba has that.
Yes, he could have had a better season but get rid of him as some suggest??? Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous

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redlyn
15/05/2009 10:49

cheers irish. Reason at last. He could be much better, and I'm hoping he will come good, I'm couting on it. Johny evans when he was at sunderland said at half time v spurs he was terrified of coming back on with berbatov still in the mix. We paid over the odds for him, but hows that his fault. support the lad and get off his back. If he's @#$%& next season then i'll say yes, we made a mistake.

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