EPL 33/38 (25 Apr 2009)
United 5 Spurs 2
Ronaldo 2 (1p), Rooney 2, BerbatovWhat a comeback. Down 0-2 at halftime, it looked like United's championship challenge was going to suffer a potentially fatal blow. But five goals in 22 magnificent minutes turned things around emphatically.
A lot of the attention - especially from ABUs - has been on the disputed penalty that ref Howard Webb awarded, which started the comeback rolling. But even if Spurs keeper Gomes got a fingertip to the ball, Carrick could still have latched on to the loose ball and tapped it in - if not for the fact that Gomes' body had taken out his legs. So, at the very least it was clear obstruction, for which a penalty and yellow card were appropriate. Not really that different from the penalty that Liverpool earned when Brad Friedel impeded Torres a few games back against Blackburn - and Friedel got sent off for that (although the red was conveniently rescinded so he could face United the following week).
The fact is, Spurs only have themselves to blame. Even after the penalty, they were still 2-1 up and could've dug in. Instead, they completely collapsed, as if they gave up playing in protest at the penalty. Although it was really the irrepressible flow and pace of United's attacking that undid Tottenham - it's not often (in fact, has it ever happened?) that United play all four of our top strikers at the same time - Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov and Tevez - and they simply swept aside the Spurs defense.
A word on Berbatov - he was as fired up as someone so innately relaxed can be. You could see he was trying harder. However, it's undeniable that the injection of energy which Tevez brought with him in the second half was a crucial turning-point. Ultimately, neither of them has played like a 20-30 million pound player this season - can't we just have both of them for the price of one?
Finally, amidst the celebrations for yet another stunning fightback by United, it must be said that Evra had an awful game. He was skinned repeatedly by Aaron Lennon, who put in the crosses for Spurs' two goals. Not promising when he will be facing Theo Walcott's pace next. Fergie's tactical switch of moving Rooney to the left, to help cover Evra, was crucial.
Oh, and Nani simply isn't United quality.
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