This was far from a great performance from United but, given that this was a local derby, City were even poorer. Ball managed to be their most influential player on the pitch, first somehow avoiding a straight red for stamping on Ronaldo and then fouling the same player in the box to give United a penalty. Ronaldo duelly converted the chance and give United the lead.
With 10 minutes to go Ball was rather generously adjudged to have been fouled and earn City the chance to score their first goal at Eastlands since the turn of the year. Vassell was charged with the duty of taking the spot kick and with keeping Chelsea's title chances alive. Typical of a side that had only scored 10 goals at home this season Vassell failed to convert, firing down the middle allowing van der Sar to save with his legs. When the final whistle went, United celebrated as if they has won the title, which they duelly did the next day when Chelsea could only draw with Arsenal.
Both Rooney and Ronaldo matched Ruud's 23 goal tally from last season and United had 23 different scorers so far this season, scoring 23 more goals than they did last season.
An hour into this game, it finally looked like United's title challenge was going to falter. 2-0 down while Chelsea were beating Bolton, it seemed that United were set to drop 8 points in 12, and giving the London club the advantage prior to their game at Stamford Bridge.
That was before Everton keeper Turner spilled the ball at O'Shea's feet who glady converted to give United hope. This was swiftly followed by Phil Neville scoring an own goal as he tried to prevent Ronaldo's shot crossing the line. Ten minutes later Rooney scored against his boyhood club before Chris Eagles finished the comeback.
In the meantime, Chelsea could only manage a draw. Truly a game of two halves.
Ronaldo gave United the perfect start, mostly thanks to Dida palming his header into the net but Kaka soon took control of the tie, scoring twice before half-time and showing just how poor United's makeshift defence was, the second goal in particular farcical with Evra and Heinze colliding.
United slowly started building in the second half and Rooney equalised on the hour. It was Rooney again who snatched the winner in the final minute with a spectacular drive.
After Richardson opened the scoring after 3 minutes, it looked as if United were going to take all 3 points and cement their position at the top of the league. However, Viduka equalised just before half-time, heading in a cross that the injured Ferdinand couldn't cut out. Ferdinand finally went off at half-time, adding to United's defensive crisis and this result meant that United had only take 4 points out of 9 in their last 3 league games. Fortunately for them, Chelsea capitulated the next day, playing out a goaless draw at Newcastle.
After the two cup games it was back to the business part of the season. United weren't at their best but were still good enough to dispatch Sheffield United with goals from Carrick and Rooney.
Rooney opened the scoring before Bouazza equalised acrobatically. In the second half United regained their lead through Ronaldo. Ronney added his second and Richardson finished the scoring giving United an FA Cup final visit to the new Wembley.
After the disappointment of the last 2 games, United came back with a bang. Carrick in his best game for United opened the scoring after 11 minutes. 8 minutes later they were 3-0 up, Smith and Rooney adding to Roma's misery as United gave a master class in attacking football. Ronaldo scored either side of half-time, Carrick added another before de Rossi could get Roma on the score sheet. Evra came on to score to finsh the rout and put United through to the semi-finals.
United suffered a hangover from their midweek loss in Europe, cutting their lead to just 3 points at the top of the league. O'Shea managed a last minute consolation.
After Derbyshire took the lead in the first half, it looked like United might finally be showing the strains of a long campaign yet they showed patience and just after the hour mark Scholes equalised. Carrick gave United the lead while Park and Solskjaer put the result beyond doubt.
Rooney opened the scoring but Cattermole just before half-time. Boateng gave Middlesbrough the lead almost immediately from the restart before a Ronaldo penalty earned United a replay.
If United do go on to win the league this season, many will look to this game as the one that announced them as the champions elect. Ronaldo's last minute winner had echoes of Bruce's winner against Sheffield Wednesday, a pivotal part of delivering the title to Old Trafford after 26 years. The length of time since United's last title may be much smaller but you get the feeling that this would be just as important to Ferguson as his first.
This was one of United's poorer performances of the season and Fulham took full advantage after 17 minutes. A ball lifted over the United defence saw a mix up between Van der Sar and Vidic. The ball deflected into the path of McBride, running into the area from the right, hitting it first time, his shot striking the inside of the far post and rebounding into the net.
Fulham attempted to capitalise on United's hesitant start and would have rued not taking their chances when United equalised after half an hour. Giggs found Rooney on the left and continued his run towards the back post. Meeting the cross with the top of his boot, the Welshman volleyed the ball past Lastuvka and curled it into the net from a tight angle.
Depsite the setback Fulham continued to dominate the match, only Van der Sar and the cross bar denying Davies and Radzinski early in the second half. United refused to settle for the draw though and battled until the end. With only minutes left to go, Ronaldo received the ball on the left wing, just inside the United half. Charging forward, he beat both Volz and Dempsey before cutting inside and shooting. The shot may have took a slight deflection but nothing was going to sour United's celebrations.
This was like the plot of a Sylvester Stallone film; the aging champion, supposedly past their best and living on former glories pitted in a re-match against the young upstart who had bloodied their nose a year previously. And while the action on the pitch was far from the action you'd expect to see on the sliver screen, it was none the less an intriguing encounter.
The first half barely mustered a clear chance on goal, both teams cautiously going toe to toe, swapping possession, looking for weaknesses in defence, jabbing and probing, hoping to catch their opponents with their guard down. Just before half-time, Larsson and Rooney's hard work set up Ronaldo inside the Lille penalty area. Rapidly closed down, his shot went straight to the Lille keeper, who blocked well. Stung by the first real attack of the game, Lille responded instantly, Bodmer firing wide from 20 yards.
As Audley Harrison discovered at the weekend, it sometimes only takes one blow to finish a contest and United should have delivered it early on in the second half. Ronaldo surging into the area should have done better than to blast his shot straight to keeper Sylva, while Ronney could only manage to send the rebound over the bar. Again Lille countered immediately as Bodmer found himself in space, his shot knocked away by the alert Van der Sar's foot.
An hour in, Lille looked to have found the winner, the ever dangerous Odemwingie beating Vidic to head the ball in only to have been adjudged to have pushed the United defender to win the ball. Both teams continued trading blows, both realising the game was there for the taking.
In the end it was experience that proved the winner. With less than 10 minutes to go, Lille needlessy gave away a freekick on the edge of the area for impeding Saha. Rooney picked up the ball and placed it on the ground, barely releasing it as Giggs wrapped his left foot round it, sending it curling into the Lille goal at the far post. Sylva still trying to arrange his wall was caught flat-footed and could do nothing to stop it.
The Lille players protested, Sylva getting himself booked in the process but the goal rightly stood. At the re-start Lille kicked the ball into touch and started to leave the pitch at the request of their management. Sanity was slowly restored and the game continued, United managing to maintain their vital lead and leave them confident of progression. Previously written off many times, it looks like United may make as many comebacks as the Rocky series.
Given the visit to Lille on Tuesday and Coppell's insistence on concentrating on the league, it was no surprise that both managers fielded weakened teams. The only surprise was that United failed to finish off a well organised Reading. What started as a routine run out for United finished as an entertaining cup tie.
With 3 central defenders and only Kitson up front, Reading clearly signalled their game plan. United were frustrated by Reading's organisation and lack of attacking intent and the first half saw little of the fluid football that has characterised United's season. Park worked hard as ever and got himself into threatening positions on at least 4 occassions, only to lack the composure to finish any of them. Credit does have to go to the Reading defence, who were quick to close him down and give him little time on the ball.
Solskjaer did manage to score but the goal was wrongly ruled to be offside and it looked like a dull half was to finish in stalemate until Ronaldo went on another of his runs. Finding himself running towards a dead end, he laid the ball off for the Carrick to run onto. Although nearly 30 yards out, his drive was low and accurate, flying in at the near post beyond Federici's reach.
Reading continued to defend deep in the second half, forcing United to abandon their usual short passing game and attempt to punt long balls to their forwards. Ronaldo did have several chances to finish the game, one time through with only the keeper to beat but managing to shoot across goal and wide. Reading rarely ventured forward but on one of their rare attacks, they forced a corner. Oster crossed and Gunnarsson, given too much space by Silvestre, headed the ball beyond Kuszczak's reach. It was a poor goal to concede leaving Ferguson making immediate changes to a team that should have won easily.
Larsson, Scholes and Evra all came on, with Larsson almost scoring straight away only to see his shot pushed away thanks to Federici's quick reactions. The last quarter of the game was played in the true cup spirit. United didn't want a replay and Reading saw the chance for an upset, United's nerves in the final minutes forcing errors that Reading attempted to capitalise on. Saha had a chance to win the game as he ran through the Reading defence but only managed to shoot wide when laying the ball off to the left would have played in either Larsson or Ronaldo.
In the end it finished a draw, a result that only Chelsea will be pleased about.
United made several changes to the team that beat Spurs, bringing in Park and Fletcher for Ronaldo and Carrick. It was the absence of these two players that meant that United often looked disjointed, lacking a cutting edge or someone to distribute the ball and retain possession. Charlton also offered far more here than the 20-1 odds they were given would suggest and if this was meant to be a mundane defeat, nobody had informed them.
Park blazed over the bar and Carson saved well from a Giggs shot in the early exchanges but the visitors also had good chances with Rommedahl hitting the side netting from 15 yards. Charlton battled far harder than their league position suggests and the sight of Vidic being forced off the ball by Matt Holland ideally illustrated this. The resultant throw-in gave Charlton a good chance to go ahead and Kuszczak was at full stretch to stop Ambrose's header from going into the bottom right corner.
Despite Charlton's efforts a United goal always seemed likely and they managed to take the lead in the 24th minute. Evra's attempted cross took a deflection, sending it looping into the penalty area. Park was first to react, running and leaping to meet the ball and head it across Carson and into the net. Rooney had an excellent chance to extend the lead showing his full skills, controlling the ball then lifting it over the onrushing Diawara before just shooting wide across the goal.
Charlton continued to fight in the second half and United struggled to extend their lead, lacking the fluency they normally display. At 1-0 Charlton carried the threat of an equaliser and United looked nervous. Ferguson replaced Giggs with Larsson hoping to inject some movement into the team.
Again Charlton went close, a Rommedahl free-kick just going wide of the post and it wasn't until the final 10 minutes that United finished the game as a contest. Again Larsson and Rooney linked up, exchanging passes and leaving Rooney with sight of goal. His shot was parried by Carson and as he received the rebound and was closed down by the Charlton defence, Rooney sent the ball to the far post where a diving Fletcher headed in.
United will be grateful to have been able to rotate the squad and still take all 3 points although they made much harder work of it than was necessary. They face Reading in the FA Cup in a week's time where again players will be most likely rested, ready for the trip to Lille in the Champions League.
What was supposed to be one of United's potential banana skins, particularly after losing twice in the capital already this season, saw their opponents dispatched by a generous margin and the game finishing in party spirit, with O'Shea the unlikely recipient of the visiting fans' songs.
Watching the first half would not had led anyone believing that United would finish with such ease. It was a scrappy affair and one of United's worse performances thus far. It took a disputed penalty just before half-time to separate the teams and United must have left the field grateful to be ahead. There should have been a penalty awarded at each end prior to this but out of the three claims, referee Clattenburg awarded the weakest. Ronaldo was adjudged to have been impeded by Malbranque despite trying to pull his foot away at the last second much to the home fans fury. Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot and despite Robinson diving the right way the ball had too much pace and accuracy for him to prevent the goal.
United restarted the second half with all the vigour they lacked in the first. Robinson was forced into 2 crucial saves before being beaten by a forceful header from Vidic, who rampaged through the area to meet Carrick's corner. Within minutes the lead was increased to 3.
Ronaldo cut across from the right into the penalty area, as he did for the penalty early. Lee Young-Pyo hesitated and was left standing, allowing Ronaldo to drive the ball across the face of the goal. Robinson could only deflect the ball into the path of a sliding Scholes who somehow managed to the bundle the ball over the line.
Saha came on for an injured Rooney and in the 77th minute his hard work and vision paid off as he released Giggs, who had timed his run perfectly, surging into the box and striking the ball home with his left foot.
While that was the last of the goals, the entertainment wasn't over. After making all 3 substitutions, United found themselves down to 10 men, Van der Sar taken off with a broken nose after a challenge by Keane. O'Shea took over goalkeeping duties with 5 minutes left on the clock. Within minutes he was called into action, a suicidal backpass from Ferdinand playing in Keane. O'Shea was quick to run out of the area and take the ball off his feet much to the amusement of the United bench and fans. 'Ireland's number one' was the chorus from the United faithful.
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.
This game gave United the opportunity to settle several questions that had recently been raised. First, it seemed that during his half-time talk, Arsene Wenger had suggested that United run out of steam after 70 minutes. Later, Wenger disputed this but it was enough to anger Ferguson. Secondly, some had started to question Rooney's contribution to the team, having only scored only 9 goals this season, and before the Arsenal game, suffering from confidence in front of goal.
So, the game was perfectly set up for Rooney to come on as sub and score twice in the last 20 minutes to lay to rest both questions, his second goal so sublime it should be used to as illustration whenever anyone asks for the definition of the word exquisite.
Rooney's efforts shouldn't have been needed but Portsmouth defended stubbornly throughout the game. Lady Luck also appeared to be on Pompey's side and until Rooney's addition, they looked to be heading for a replay at Fratton Park. First Mendes, who claimed he deserved some luck at Old Trafford after the goal that never was for Spurs, hooked Vidic's header away after it had crossed the line. Second, Larsson scored a stunning volley, only for it to be wrongly ruled offside by the assistant referee. Gary O'Neil also had a penalty claim turned down but it was one of few chances by Portsmouth, Andy Cole's spurned chance early after the restart practically their last of the game.
United's first goal came from the pace and passing that has featured throughout their season. Carrick playing yet another visionary pass that left Portsmouth flat footed, Larsson knocked it into the path of Giggs, who played it across the 6-yard box for Rooney to tap in.
The second was an individual effort, Rooney's first touch from Neville's pass perfect, allowing him to turn and run at the defence before chipping the ball so precisely that David James could only stop and watch it sail over his head and dip under the crossbar. Primus and Campbell had been outstanding for Portsmouth but there was nothing they could do in the face of such audacity.
Mendes managed to fully use the luck he was owed in the closing minutes, his powerful drive deflecting off Kanu and past the wrong-footed Kuszczak, giving the game a greater respectability than Portsmouth deserved.
The disallowed goals were particularly galling, considering their effect on the Ruudometer, but nevertheless United go through to the next round of the FA Cup. A home tie against Reading awaits.
With Chelsea losing against Liverpool, this game offered United the opportunity to go 9 points clear and, with only 10 minutes to go, it looked like they were on target and about to inflict Arsenal's first defeat at their new ground. The first half was intriguing, if a little cautious by both teams. Neither side hide clear chances although Henry did have a penalty appeal turned down and Lehman had to be at his best to deny Rooney, touching his half-volley onto the crossbar. Larsson nearly headed in from the resultant corner only to be denied, again by Lehman.
The second-half started with the fixture still very much in the balance but it was United who broke the deadlock with nearly a quarter of an hour gone. Ronaldo played in the ever increasingly impressive Evra down the left wing, who cross found Rooney, who made a difficult header look easy. A just reward for a player for whom the goals had deserted him ddespite his best efforts.
Having taken the lead, United seem content to let Arsenal come at them and this tactic seemed to be working. Unable to make headway through the middle, Arsenal attacked down the right flank and immediately found joy. Scholes and Evra battled against Rosicky and Fabregas as the ball buffeted between the four but it was Arsenal who took the ball away. The resulting cross evaded Henry but substitute van Persie made no mistake, catching Neville by surprise and yard off the pace.
With fulltime approaching United were happy to settle for the point but Arsenal had not finished. Again, attacking down the right flank, Eboue crossed and, both Ferdinand and Vidic, who had been outstanding, failed to stop Henry from heading home. For once, it wasn't United that snatched the winner in the dying seconds.
If familiarity breeds comtempt no one has told Martin O'Neil. This was the third meeting between the two sides in 23 days and despite 3 defeats the Villa manger had praise for Ronaldo before this game and Scholes afterwards.
The previous meeting was a tight one with a goalkeeping error being the deciding factor in injury time while this was game was over with 35 minutes gone. There was always the fear that a manager of O'Neil's ability may be able to find a way to neutralise United after having to face them in so short a period of time, but this was not to be.
Park opened the scoring, the Villa defence failing to clear their lines after his initial shot, allowing him to lash the ball home at the second time of asking. After Carrick set up the initial goal, Park returned the favour and Carrick teed up the ball with one touch and volleyed into the goal with his second. Carrick enforced his man of the match performance by crossing the ball in the 35th minute for Ronaldo to head in his 13th goal of the season. The game was over as a contest by half-time and even Agbonlahor's goal in the second half did little to threaten the result.
Still 6 points clear, United have much sterner tests ahead of them. Their visits to North London in the next few weeks will go a long way in showing just how serious this title push should be taken while the visits to Anfield and Stamford Bridge later in the saason could be pivotal. For the time being though, they can enjoy their performance and position at the top of the table.
All eyes were on Sweden's Henrik Larsson, making his first start for United after a surprise loan deal from Helsinborg, but it was United's other Scandanavian that came on and saved the day when Villa looked to have earned themselves a replay.
Any questions on how Larsson would cope in England were quickly laid to rest. In the opening exchanges he was impressive and nearly opened the scoring after latching on to Carrick's defence splitting pass from the half-way circle only for Kiraly to somehow get a block in despite diving the wrong way.
Yet again, United were the dominant side but Villa resisted, allowing them the comfort of finishing the half on equal terms. United needed someone to make the breakthrough and it was no surprise that with 10 minutes of the second half gone, Larsson was the inspiration, flicking up Rooney's pass and passing it past Kiraly.
United failed to extend their lead, despite their chances and Baros, coming on as a substitute to give Villa a more attacking 4-4-2 formation, capitalised with a little over 15 minutes left. It looked like it would be enough to force a replay until United cruelly struck in injury time. It was Solskjaer, replacing Larsson, that provided another vital last ditch winner. Rooney laid the ball to him on the edge of the area and Ole's shot somehow squirmed through Kiraly's arms and into the net.
Sometimes, even when this impressive, it takes a little luck to get a result. Solskjaer and United didn't care and the 4th round visit of Portsmouth awaits.
