Sunday Wrap Up December 23, 2007

Great escape at Old Trafford. He is cocky, brash and he dives like an olympian, but my god Ronaldo can be fun to watch. His goal in the 22nd minute from twenty yards out gave the home crowd a glimpse of the electricity that this young man can bring to a game. But, Tim Cahill’s strong header just five minutes later gave the travelling Toffees hope that they might be able to go home with a point.

This was scrappy, like it always is (23 fouls total for the game), with four yellow cards in just fifteen minutes. Rooney got a card but no goals although he and Tevez both got off some really good shots. The Red Devils out shot Everton 19-5, but Everton just wouldn’t co-operate until Steven Pienaar stuck out a foot in the box and tripped up Ryan Giggs. This one was so obvious that even David Moyes couldn’t disagree. Ronaldo sent the ball where Tim Howard wasn’t and with two minutes to spare he closed the gap again on Arsenal. Manchester United 2-1 Everton.

                                     

Viduka saves Newcastle. Derby County have one win in the Premiership this season, against Newcastle. For thirty minutes the Toon Army had to sit in anguish at the thought that they might be the only team in the top flight to lose all six points to the worst team in the league. The Australian striker saved some embarassment when he pounded home a goal from the corner of the box. Stephen Bywater made 11 saves to give the Rams a shot at this one, he just couldn’t stop Viduka’s 87th minute equalizer. Too bad because Derby were worked hard and yet they still hung in. Nothing against Sam Allardyce I would like to have seen the underdog win this. Newcastle United 2-2 Derby County.

                        

Rovers rue chances at Ewood. Joe Cole’s superb strike half way through the first half proved to be all that Chelsea needed to pull within six points of the Gunners. But, the story of this match was the tenacity of Mark Hughes’ side as they took the game to the Blues for large chunks of the game. Roque Santa Cruz missed a number of chances to get on the score sheet and when Petr Cech hobbled off with a hip injury in the second half, a draw seemed immenent. Henrique Hilario made a couple of good saves when he stepped between the posts for Avram Grant’s side. However, the Chelsea defense did a great job of tightening up in the box and the Blackburn rally never materialized. Blackburn 0-1 Chelsea.