The away end at Selhurst Park was rocking even before kick-off as news filtered through that title rivals Aston Villa were losing at Blackburn. After 26 long years without a league championship, victory against Palace would take United to within touching distance of the trophy. The Eagles provided stern resistance but Mark Hughes volleyed in a spectacular opener 26 minutes before the end and Paul Ince ran through to clinch the points in the closing stages to spark great celebrations in anticipation of ending the agonising wait.
2. Chelsea 21/10/95 (A) 4-1
Stamford Bridge has proved to be a difficult place to visit in the Premier League era but United made light work of this particular assignment. After being told a couple of months earlier that we’d win nothing with kids by a certain BBC pundit, this match proved to be a glowing illustration of Paul Scholes’ potential as he scored twice inside the first nine minutes. A goal for former Reds striker Mark Hughes hinted at a Blues comeback but Ryan Giggs and Brian McClair completed a resounding victory en route to another Double.
A famous comeback at White Hart Lane produced the same scoreline earlier in the season but we’re going to focus on another thrill-a-minute fixture that was lapped up by the travelling fans. The Reds were twice forced to come from behind as Steve Lomas and Frederic Kanoute scored for the Hammers, with David Beckham and Nicky Butt replying. Beckham’s goal was a thing of beauty, a superb chip over David James, and Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put United in the ascendancy. Although Jermain Defoe pulled one back, a Beckham penalty sent Sir Alex’s team top – even though we had to settle for third place in the final table.
4. Tottenham 27/4/03 (A) 2-0
Tension was in the air as United headed south to White Hart Lane needing three points to take a major step towards the title. Spurs looked to be doing their arch-rivals Arsenal a favour as Kasey Keller repelled everything the Reds could throw at him. A well-worked goal finally undid the hosts as Scholes fed Giggs and the Welshman returned the favour with a pinpoint cross for the midfielder to head home and celebrate wildly. Ruud van Nistelrooy added a second in stoppage time and another Premier League trophy was within United's grasp.
5. Arsenal 1/2/05 (A) 4-2
Chelsea proved uncatchable in the title race but this stirring success showed United were still capable of champagne football good enough to see off top-class opposition. Although best remembered for Roy Keane’s infamous tunnel address to Patrick Vieira, a rousing 90 minutes followed. Vieira and Giggs traded goals before Dennis Bergkamp fired in for 2-1. Serious questions were being asked of the Reds but Cristiano Ronaldo offered evidence of his blossoming talent with a double strike. Mikael Silvestre’s sending off should have signalled a nervous ending but John O’Shea stole the show by chipping in a sublime finish.
No comments:
Post a Comment