EPL Recap: Birmingham City vs. Manchester United
Manchester United continued their unconvincing record away from home as they stumbled to yet another draw. Birmingham City snatched a late equaliser to ensure themselves a share of the spoils, with the match ending 1-1.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side has managed only one win in eight attempts on the road. But despite this, the Red Devils are likely to retain the top spot in the Barclays Premier League until the end of the year.
The match got off to a fantastic start, with both sides looking to get an early breakthrough. Berbatov made a run into the box, forcing Larsson to come across and make the tackle. At the other end, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cameron-Jerome-c8284 found himself on the end of an inviting cross,
but the striker could not manage to keep his header down. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stephen-Carr-c34141. However,
Rooney could only curl his shot straight into the hands of a grateful Ben Foster.
The Red Devils almost took the lead through a wayward cross from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Craig-Gardner-c9475
started to assert himself in the match soon after. Fortunately for United, both his shots flew wide of Van der Sar’s goal. The half ended as it began, with both sides still looking for that elusive first goal.
Birmingham came out in the second half with all guns blazing. Larsson flicked a header across the face of goal, but no Birmingham player could get on the end of it. A Lee Bowyer effort was deflected just wide and Gardner’s volley in the 55th minute
went straight to Van der Sar. However, it was United who drew first blood. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ben-Foster-c7445 made a valiant effort to stop the shot, but the ball
was just out of reach as it found its way into the corner.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish reacted quickly, bringing on Alexander Hleb, Nikola Zigic and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Phillips-c20763 in the hopes of salvaging a point from the game. His tactics paid off just one minute before the final whistle. Johnson’s deep cross was knocked
down into the path of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lee-Bowyer-c21864. The former England midfielder took his chance superbly, guiding the ball past a helpless Van der Sar.
The match ended 1-1. The result means that while Manchester United still occupy first place but their grip at the top is starting to loosen.
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