The odds offered for a Watford win here were longer than those quoted for Manchester winning the bid for the Super Casino but there was little chance of another surprise result. Watford may have taken some hope from the inclusion of O'Shea and Richardson, replacing Scholes and Giggs, but unlike previous season's Ferguson's squad rotation did not case United to falter. This was not so much David versus Goliath but, as Watford manager Boothroyd had put it, Muhammed Ali against Jimmy Krankie.
United had the superior firepower in their artillery but Watford defended stoutly and even after United had made the breakthrough, it took until well into the second half before they made that superiority count. Even then, the first 2 goals were down to Watford making costly mistakes.
First DeMerit needlessly pulled down Solskjaer in the penalty area as he tried to run onto a loose ball. Ronaldo made no mistake converting the subsequent penalty as Lee dived in the opposite direction and with 20 minutes gone United were ahead.
It then took the 60 minute mark for the second to arrive. Richardson crossed from the left, attempting to find Ronaldo, who seemed well marked. Doyley attempting to stop the cross could only head the ball past Lee. After a brave fight, Watford's spirit broke, architects of their own downfall.
Larsson replaced Solskjaer and had an immediate impact. From a move starting in the United half, he and Rooney cut a swathe through the Watford side, rampaging down the middle, exchanging one-twos, with Rooney's final disguised pass leaving Larsson free to calmly pass the ball past Lee and into the net.
A minute later it was Rooney's turn to score. Ronaldo ran across the penalty area and dinked the ball over the Watford defence as Rooney ran into space to meet the ball. One touch the tame the bounce and a second to sidefoot it over Lee and watch it loop into the net.
Anything less than a win would have been a huge shock here but 4 goals increase the goal difference compared to Chelsea's. With both Ronaldo and Larsson scoring, the Ruudometer has reached its target, showing that United can still find goals after selling their main striker despite what the press may have thought.
Next target: 100 goals
No comments:
Post a Comment