First Half Report: Bolton v Manchester United 1-1 - Zat Knight and Nani score
Manchester United and Bolton went into their locker rooms at 1-1. The home team gave Manchester United a real run for their money in the early proceedings at the Reebok Stadium, but the red devils got themselves back in the match and leveled.
It was a bright start by United, with Nani stretching his legs early on. Wayne Rooney also found Dimitar Berbatov with a superb diagonal ball but the Bulgarian's quite optimistic effort from a distance and tight angle out on the right meant that it went
way off target.
The old warhorse, Ryan Giggs bent in a dangerous cross that was headed clear with Rooney and Berbatov waiting. United were definitely in the Wide Awake Club by the looks of things.
Bolton had seemed off pace by then, but it all changed soon as Wanderers got their first attack that saw Chung-Yong Lee's shot deflected wide and from the resulting corner, Zat Knight got to the ball ahead of Jonny Evans to divert it into the bottom corner
of the net with a deft flick of his boot.
The visitors looked shocked on this but still there was more than enough time to get back. There was a decent response by United as Darren Fletcher did well to get forward down the right, and his pull-back found Giggs near the penalty spot...Giggs had a
pop but his low shot flew straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Rooney, who was getting a bit of stick from the Bolton fans, showed his frustration by punching the ball away after being caught offside from Berbatov's chipped pass.
At the 15th minute mark, there was another good run by Fletcher, who brought a decent diving stop from Jaaskelainen after latching on to Dimitar's pass. The game had been lively till then.
Moments later following a foul, Bolton got another set-piece chance. Stuart Holden lofted a free-kick into the box; Kevin Davies got a flick while Edwin van der Sar had to be alert to keep the ball out as Johan Elmander tried to reach it.
With 24 minutes gone, there was a moment of inspiration by Nani; it was an absolutely superb solo goal that brought United level. Nani picked up the ball near the half-way line and made his run for the goal. Bolton had plenty of men around him but didn't
get a challenge in - and Nani went past at least three players before beating Jaaskelainen with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
The home side, however, did not sit back after getting leveled. Bolton like getting forward down the wings and putting in crosses, and it was a tactic that was working for them. Martin Petrov and Chung-Yong Lee were seeing plenty of the ball but they had
to be careful because United looked dangerous when they attacked on the break.
After the goal there was a decent spell of pressure by United but their final ball - usually a cross or a lay-off- was not getting to the intended target. The pattern continued for the last few minutes and the half ended on level terms. Manchester United
certainly look like they have the bit between their teeth and should be able to get a winner or even 2 goals in the 2nd half.
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