Firstly, let me just repeat myself once again and say that it's not easy being a Manchester United fan. Yesterday's League Cup final was supposed to be one of those few finals when our hearts never increase the pace at which they are beating---something like Milwall in the 2004 FA Cup final. Instead, we had to settle for a nervy encounter that lasted even longer than many of us had anticipated.
This is not an understatement of United's efforts in the match because to be fair, Spurs are probably the most difficult opposition we've faced outside the top four this season. They make it very difficult for players to get shots off. Harry Redkanpp knows how to build a compact and stubborn team.
Unfortunately, I my electricity failed me just when the match was about to kick-off. I had to rely on Internet feeds for the opening half and according to what I've read, we didn't do so badly in the opening half. Spurs dominated the last few minutes of the half and in the end we probably deserved to go into recess level.
The second half was more evenly balanced but I thought that O'Shea was lucky to escape with just a yellow card after a series of fouls. I for one thought that Chris Foy would not hesitate giving the red as he is a well known Scouser. Having said all that, Ronaldo was unlucky to be booked when in fact he had been brought down illegally in the box by Ledley King.
Tevez and Anderson were then guilty of missed chances but the biggest gasp of all was saved for last when Ronaldo beat Gomes with seconds left in normal time but failed to beat the frame of the goal. It was slowly but surely turning out to be a replay of the 2005 FA Cup final which could have gone on for the whole day and we still fail to get a goal.
Extra time was the last thing on my mind because we clearly need our players fresh enough going into the business end of the season. It's one thing losing a trophy after 90 minutes but it's another losing it after 120 minutes! So going into extra time for me meant that our season would take a major blow if we failed to lift it. After another half hour of missed chances to reflect upon, penalties were now the yardstick. Our record at the right goal (TV view) has not been great as far as I can remember. Infact, we lost our last shoot out there---the 2005 FA Cup final. Interestingly, we have won all our shootouts at the goal on the left side. So I was alittle bit worried when the kicks were to be taken at the right. Fortunately, ours went in and they missed a couple hence the victory.
There are a couple of things that deserve mention after this game. Firstly, the performance of Ben Foster was man of the match material! Three times in the match, United were desperate for him to pull of a save and he did not disappoint. Some of the saves he pulled off did really show us what a goal-keeper we have in the making! England should be happy about that as he's only 25!
If he can learn a few things from EVDS before the veteran retires, then that's another position secured for a long while. I had reserved my opinion about Foster until I saw him perform on the big stage so now I join the millions backing him to succeed in United colours--at least the manager does think so!
The next big thing for United now is to turn attention to Wednesday when we play away to Newcastle. They robbed us of two points at the start of the season so hopefully we won't let others drop there. It will also be encouraging to keep our distance from our title rivals. Lampard reckons United will drop points so we ought to show them that we mean business in this title race. Every fan will want us to wrap up the title a little earlier so as to keep ourselves in the mood for more Cups. Having said that, we United fans don't usually get it that easy!
Labels: THE LEAGUE CUP
