R. Richard
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2003
- Posts
- 10,382
For those who wondered if the Red Devils were ruined once Glaser took over, perhaps this is an answer. Comment?
United edge Celtic in five-goal thriller
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first European goal in three years sealed a 3-2 win for Manchester United over Celtic in a thrilling Champions League encounter.
The eagerly-anticipated Battle of Britain, which surpassed expectations in terms of entertainment if not quality, was thrown open when Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink fired Celtic into the lead mid-way through the first half.
A Louis Saha double, the first from the penalty spot, allowed United to re-establish their grip on the match only for Shunsuke Nakamura's superb free-kick to leave the teams level at half-time.
But with Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes back in harness after serving three-match domestic bans, United had too much creative power for Celtic to come back for a second time after Solskjaer found the net within two minutes of the restart.
It was the Norwegian's first goal in the competition since he suffered a career-threatening knee injury in a match against Panathanaikos in September 2003.
The tone for the first competitive meeting between the two clubs had been set by Gordon Strachan's decision to introduce Czech international Jiri Jarosik to a five-man midfield at the expense of an attacking partner for Vennegoor of Hesselink.
For the opening 20 minutes, the Scottish champions struggled to emerge from their own territory as United generated some promising early chances.
After heading Gary Neville's cross fractionally beyond the far post, Saha met Gary Caldwell's headed clearance with a volley that dipped only inches over Artur Boruc's bar.
It was Celtic however who landed the first real blow, with the help of Rio Ferdinand.
The England centreback completely misjudged Boruc's massive clearance on the edge of his own area, allowing the ball to run on into the path of Vennegoor of Hesselink.
The Dutch striker still had some work to do, but his low left-foot shot was struck firmly enough to beat Edwin van der Sar's dive to his left.
United's response was predictably fierce but the home side appeared fortunate to be awarded the penalty which allowed Saha to equalise.
Ryan Giggs's run into the box appeared to be carrying him into touch when the Welsh winger tumbled in reaction to the lightest of touches from Boruc, incurring an injury in the process that ended his involvement in the match.
Boruc could do nothing about Saha's confident spot-kick and the Frenchman was similarly assured ten minutes later, slipping a shot under the Polish goalkeeper after Scholes had played him into the Celtic box.
Minutes earlier Vennegoor of Hesselink had spurned an opportunity to give Celtic the lead again, directing a free header into the arms of van der Sar, and the visitors were worthy of the equaliser they claimed through one of Nakamura's trademark dipping freekicks after Wes Brown had fouled Jarosik.
The Japanese midfielder's good work was undone within two minutes of the restart after Thomas Gravesen lost possession in midfield, as he had done in the build-up to United's second.
On this occasion, Boruc was able to save Saha's shot but could do nothing when the rebound spun into the path of Solsjkaer, who was left with a tap-in.
United never looked like surrendering control once more and Saha could count himself unfortunate to be denied a hat-trick by a combination of Boruc, who did superbly well to palm away a goalbound header midway through the half, and the referee, Lubos Michel, who failed to spot Stephen McManus's blatant tug on the Frenchman's shirt as he muscled his way towards goal.
Wayne Rooney, still looking for his first goal in the competition since scoring a hat-trick on his debut, was also denied by Boruc and Celtic had another let-off when substitute Paul Telfer headed against his own post.
United edge Celtic in five-goal thriller
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first European goal in three years sealed a 3-2 win for Manchester United over Celtic in a thrilling Champions League encounter.
The eagerly-anticipated Battle of Britain, which surpassed expectations in terms of entertainment if not quality, was thrown open when Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink fired Celtic into the lead mid-way through the first half.
A Louis Saha double, the first from the penalty spot, allowed United to re-establish their grip on the match only for Shunsuke Nakamura's superb free-kick to leave the teams level at half-time.
But with Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes back in harness after serving three-match domestic bans, United had too much creative power for Celtic to come back for a second time after Solskjaer found the net within two minutes of the restart.
It was the Norwegian's first goal in the competition since he suffered a career-threatening knee injury in a match against Panathanaikos in September 2003.
The tone for the first competitive meeting between the two clubs had been set by Gordon Strachan's decision to introduce Czech international Jiri Jarosik to a five-man midfield at the expense of an attacking partner for Vennegoor of Hesselink.
For the opening 20 minutes, the Scottish champions struggled to emerge from their own territory as United generated some promising early chances.
After heading Gary Neville's cross fractionally beyond the far post, Saha met Gary Caldwell's headed clearance with a volley that dipped only inches over Artur Boruc's bar.
It was Celtic however who landed the first real blow, with the help of Rio Ferdinand.
The England centreback completely misjudged Boruc's massive clearance on the edge of his own area, allowing the ball to run on into the path of Vennegoor of Hesselink.
The Dutch striker still had some work to do, but his low left-foot shot was struck firmly enough to beat Edwin van der Sar's dive to his left.
United's response was predictably fierce but the home side appeared fortunate to be awarded the penalty which allowed Saha to equalise.
Ryan Giggs's run into the box appeared to be carrying him into touch when the Welsh winger tumbled in reaction to the lightest of touches from Boruc, incurring an injury in the process that ended his involvement in the match.
Boruc could do nothing about Saha's confident spot-kick and the Frenchman was similarly assured ten minutes later, slipping a shot under the Polish goalkeeper after Scholes had played him into the Celtic box.
Minutes earlier Vennegoor of Hesselink had spurned an opportunity to give Celtic the lead again, directing a free header into the arms of van der Sar, and the visitors were worthy of the equaliser they claimed through one of Nakamura's trademark dipping freekicks after Wes Brown had fouled Jarosik.
The Japanese midfielder's good work was undone within two minutes of the restart after Thomas Gravesen lost possession in midfield, as he had done in the build-up to United's second.
On this occasion, Boruc was able to save Saha's shot but could do nothing when the rebound spun into the path of Solsjkaer, who was left with a tap-in.
United never looked like surrendering control once more and Saha could count himself unfortunate to be denied a hat-trick by a combination of Boruc, who did superbly well to palm away a goalbound header midway through the half, and the referee, Lubos Michel, who failed to spot Stephen McManus's blatant tug on the Frenchman's shirt as he muscled his way towards goal.
Wayne Rooney, still looking for his first goal in the competition since scoring a hat-trick on his debut, was also denied by Boruc and Celtic had another let-off when substitute Paul Telfer headed against his own post.
