The resonance of any magic trick lies in the initial deception. The curator will create the set-up, develop the spectacle before reaching the most improbable of crescendos. It is what precedes the finale that makes it all the more incredible.
Those who have followed Wayne Rooney's spectacular rise and fall over the past year may be better placed to see the relevance of the aforementioned sorcery.
Almost a year since Rooney's life, on and off the pitch, capitulated the striker delivered an emphatic moment of self expression to claim all three points against Manchester City.
Nullified for most of the match by a superb Vincent Kompany - who marvelled in his role as the magicians assistant by keeping Rooney on a tight leash throughout the game - it took until the 78th minute for the Manchester United striker to pull the biggest rabbit from his hat.
After shanking a pass into the air, a passage of play that typified Rooney's so-far miserable day, Paul Scholes delivered a driven pass to the flanks where Nani was occupied.
The winger's cross was hoisted further into the air, the pace of the ball, crucially, dissipating, having skimmed Pablo Zabaleta. Rooney, cloaked in red, sensed his opportunity, leaping into the air and with his back to the goal unleashed a violent scissor kick into the far top corner. Joe Hart stood rooted in the middle of his goal, spellbound.
Sir Alex Ferguson recalled Dennis Law when he described it as the best goal he had seen scored at Old Trafford. As flattering as it was for Rooney to be compared to The King, the goal was more akin to something another former red, Mark Hughes, might have scored. Sprinkled with the exuberance of Eric Cantona.
Much of the prelude to Rooney's goal will have been confined to distant memory by the time The striker was reeling away but United were, for large swathes of the game, especially the second half, on the back foot.
City should have been up in the opening minutes when David Silva, permeating the gaps behind midfield and defence, lacked curl on his close range effort to find Edwin Van der Sar's bottom corner. The Spaniard, a constant fixture in City's nest spells, had another attempt blocked by Patrice Evra.
If Silva was City's biggest threat it was his Iberian counterpart Nani who shone for United. The Portuguese winger tormented Zabaleta throughout, cutting and weaving into shooting positions.
He as rewarded with a goal just before half time. Ryan Giggs, selected in a 5 man midfield, slid the ball into Nani's path who easily out-paced Aleksandar Kolarov to side foot pass Hart.
Roberto Mancini would have been right to feel slightly hard done by as his side were the more probing of the two. It was unfortunate for the Sky Blue's that their attacks were stubbed out by Nemanja Vidic and a classy Chris Smalling who stepped into replace the injured Rio Ferdinand.
The way Smalling contained Carlos Tevez would have delighted Ferguson especially given Johnny Evans' continuing nightmare and upcoming fixtures against Chelsea and Liverpool in the league.
City though were rewarded for their positive approach. Shawn Wright-Phillips, yes, him, cut in from the right flank and squared a ball to substitute Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian's strike clattered against Silva and fell into the net.
But with only twelve minutes remaining Rooney's perfectly executed scissor kick left United with all three points and City's title hopes disappearing in a puff of smoke.
Cheers!
Monday, 21 February 2011
Monday, 7 February 2011
Neville's Heart Hard To Replace
The door had only just slammed shut and the ink on contracts barely dry on one of the most the chaotic winter transfer windows in recent times. Over £200million was spent by British sides this January as chairman sought to arm their managers without the best talent money could buy.
Instinctive strikers, midfielder architects and marauding defenders all changed hands in the great free market that has become a staple of English football.
The timing then of Manchester United's Gary Neville's retirement could hardly have been more ironic.
As the commoditization of players' services was once again crystallised, perhaps the most fundamental of all assets required of a footballer was devoid in the window's dealing's: passion.
Neville, having made over six hundred appearances for his boyhood club, decided to call it a day after bodily impairments had seen him slip to Sir Alex Ferguson's fourth choice right back.
The right back, winner of 8 Premier league titles and 1 Champions League as well as 3 FA Cups and 2 League Cups, said that during an illustrious career he had "fulfilled every dream I've ever had".
Aware, almost to the point of self deprecation, that he never possessed the skills of his peers from the famous 1991 Youth Cup winning side (an almost dynastic team that featured brother Phil, Nicky Butt, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs) Neville had to work hard to earn his place in United's first XI.
He earned his first England cap in 1995 and eighty four later had played in 5 five major international tournaments.
For club and country Neville epitomised wearing one's heart of his sleeve. Sometimes unapologetically.
Despite his success at club and national level, the right back will be partly, if not entirely in certain parts of the north west, thought of for his fervent loyalty and incandescent determination.
And although this proved to be his making it was also Neville's machiavellian flaw. Not many players, current or former, can claim to irritate, scrap that, infuriate beyond reasonable means, as many away fans as Neville.
For his pantomime goading of Liverpool fans after a late Old Trafford winner he is loathed on Merseyside. The blue half of the same city will no doubt recall when he kicked a ball into the Everton stands, earning a red card.
Mark Hughes, a team mate during Neville's early United day's, branded him a "lunatic" for his incitement of Manchester City fans despite the fact that he was a substitute for United that day.
United will therefore miss Neville the great inspirer if not, especially on current from, the performer. Not since Roy Keane has United had a player who instills the managers winning mentality, an ingrained affinity to succeed and a drive to knock down anyone who stands in their way. Qualities money cannot buy.
Instinctive strikers, midfielder architects and marauding defenders all changed hands in the great free market that has become a staple of English football.
The timing then of Manchester United's Gary Neville's retirement could hardly have been more ironic.
As the commoditization of players' services was once again crystallised, perhaps the most fundamental of all assets required of a footballer was devoid in the window's dealing's: passion.
Neville, having made over six hundred appearances for his boyhood club, decided to call it a day after bodily impairments had seen him slip to Sir Alex Ferguson's fourth choice right back.
The right back, winner of 8 Premier league titles and 1 Champions League as well as 3 FA Cups and 2 League Cups, said that during an illustrious career he had "fulfilled every dream I've ever had".
Aware, almost to the point of self deprecation, that he never possessed the skills of his peers from the famous 1991 Youth Cup winning side (an almost dynastic team that featured brother Phil, Nicky Butt, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs) Neville had to work hard to earn his place in United's first XI.
He earned his first England cap in 1995 and eighty four later had played in 5 five major international tournaments.
For club and country Neville epitomised wearing one's heart of his sleeve. Sometimes unapologetically.
Despite his success at club and national level, the right back will be partly, if not entirely in certain parts of the north west, thought of for his fervent loyalty and incandescent determination.
And although this proved to be his making it was also Neville's machiavellian flaw. Not many players, current or former, can claim to irritate, scrap that, infuriate beyond reasonable means, as many away fans as Neville.
For his pantomime goading of Liverpool fans after a late Old Trafford winner he is loathed on Merseyside. The blue half of the same city will no doubt recall when he kicked a ball into the Everton stands, earning a red card.
Mark Hughes, a team mate during Neville's early United day's, branded him a "lunatic" for his incitement of Manchester City fans despite the fact that he was a substitute for United that day.
United will therefore miss Neville the great inspirer if not, especially on current from, the performer. Not since Roy Keane has United had a player who instills the managers winning mentality, an ingrained affinity to succeed and a drive to knock down anyone who stands in their way. Qualities money cannot buy.
Tottenham Spurned By 10-man United
Tottenham Hotspurs failed to compound their title credentials yesterday as Manchester United were able to hold on for a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane.
Spurs will rue not creating enough second half chances especially in the last twenty minutes during which United were down to 10 men having had Rafael Da silva sent off for a second bookable offence.
United’s central defensive partnership of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were imperious, nullifying Peter Crouch and Rafael Van Der Vaart, and ultimately deserved to gain a point.
The draw takes United back to the top of the Premier League with two games in hand over second placed Manchester City.
Tottenham remain in fourth spot below north London rivals and fellow championship contenders Arsenal.
Billed as the main event to a grand slam Sunday that had already seen three draws, the home side looked as though they would take the early initiative against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
Player of the year season so far Gareth Bale caused Brazilian right back Rafael problems despite the similar speed and agility of the counterparts.
Crouch, whose partnership with Van Der Vaart has flourished, was able to beat Ferdinand to a near post cross only for his controlled volley to fly inches wide.
United struggled to mount a suitable response having dissipated Spurs’ bursts forward. Wayne Rooney, reinstated in the side having recovered from an ankle injury, was his usual energetic self but, as has become a regular feature of the striker’s game, lacked the quality control and ingenuity expected of him.
Dimitar Berbatov, playing against the side that sold him to United, gave a performance worthy of showing how prudent Spurs had been to sell the Bulgarian. His season of spurts continued until he was replaced by the livelier Javier Hernandez. Anderson, who replaced Nani on the hour mark, failed to engineer anything similar to what his recent form would suggest.
It was almost difficult to tell who were the side’s goalkeepers such was the profligacy of possession and creativity. Wilson Palacios twice reminded Harry Redknapp why he ought to stick to his defensive duties, slicing two shots a dizzy height above Edwin Van Der Sar’s goal.
The Dutch keeper’s compatriot, Van Der Vaart, also stuck identical free kicks into his arms before a curling effort, the closest of the contest, went inches beyond the far top corner .
The tide turned for the remainder of the match following Rafael’s red card. Tracking Benoit Assou-Ekotto, the defender crossed the full back’s path and accidently caught his heel while in pursuit.
Mike Dean didn’t hesitate in showing him his second, then third, card of the match to the chagrin of the player himself and Rooney. Replays suggested Dean was a little harsh to brandish the reprimand.
United, typified by towering performances in defence, battled to see out the match and preserve the most untypical of undefeated records.
Tottenham Hotspurs failed to compound their title credentials yesterday as Manchester United were able to hold on for a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane.
Spurs will rue not creating enough second half chances especially in the last twenty minutes during which United were down to 10 men having had Rafael Da silva sent off for a second bookable offence.
United’s central defensive partnership of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were imperious, nullifying Peter Crouch and Rafael Van Der Vaart, and ultimately deserved to gain a point.
The draw takes United back to the top of the Premier League with two games in hand over second placed Manchester City.
Tottenham remain in fourth spot below north London rivals and fellow championship contenders Arsenal.
Billed as the main event to a grand slam Sunday that had already seen three draws, the home side looked as though they would take the early initiative against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
Player of the year season so far Gareth Bale caused Brazilian right back Rafael problems despite the similar speed and agility of the counterparts.
Crouch, whose partnership with Van Der Vaart has flourished, was able to beat Ferdinand to a near post cross only for his controlled volley to fly inches wide.
United struggled to mount a suitable response having dissipated Spurs’ bursts forward. Wayne Rooney, reinstated in the side having recovered from an ankle injury, was his usual energetic self but, as has become a regular feature of the striker’s game, lacked the quality control and ingenuity expected of him.
Dimitar Berbatov, playing against the side that sold him to United, gave a performance worthy of showing how prudent Spurs had been to sell the Bulgarian. His season of spurts continued until he was replaced by the livelier Javier Hernandez. Anderson, who replaced Nani on the hour mark, failed to engineer anything similar to what his recent form would suggest.
It was almost difficult to tell who were the side’s goalkeepers such was the profligacy of possession and creativity. Wilson Palacios twice reminded Harry Redknapp why he ought to stick to his defensive duties, slicing two shots a dizzy height above Edwin Van Der Sar’s goal.
The Dutch keeper’s compatriot, Van Der Vaart, also stuck identical free kicks into his arms before a curling effort, the closest of the contest, went inches beyond the far top corner .
The tide turned for the remainder of the match following Rafael’s red card. Tracking Benoit Assou-Ekotto, the defender crossed the full back’s path and accidently caught his heel while in pursuit.
Mike Dean didn’t hesitate in showing him his second, then third, card of the match to the chagrin of the player himself and Rooney. Replays suggested Dean was a little harsh to brandish the reprimand.
United, typified by towering performances in defence, battled to see out the match and preserve the most untypical of undefeated records.
Spurs will rue not creating enough second half chances especially in the last twenty minutes during which United were down to 10 men having had Rafael Da silva sent off for a second bookable offence.
United’s central defensive partnership of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were imperious, nullifying Peter Crouch and Rafael Van Der Vaart, and ultimately deserved to gain a point.
The draw takes United back to the top of the Premier League with two games in hand over second placed Manchester City.
Tottenham remain in fourth spot below north London rivals and fellow championship contenders Arsenal.
Billed as the main event to a grand slam Sunday that had already seen three draws, the home side looked as though they would take the early initiative against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
Player of the year season so far Gareth Bale caused Brazilian right back Rafael problems despite the similar speed and agility of the counterparts.
Crouch, whose partnership with Van Der Vaart has flourished, was able to beat Ferdinand to a near post cross only for his controlled volley to fly inches wide.
United struggled to mount a suitable response having dissipated Spurs’ bursts forward. Wayne Rooney, reinstated in the side having recovered from an ankle injury, was his usual energetic self but, as has become a regular feature of the striker’s game, lacked the quality control and ingenuity expected of him.
Dimitar Berbatov, playing against the side that sold him to United, gave a performance worthy of showing how prudent Spurs had been to sell the Bulgarian. His season of spurts continued until he was replaced by the livelier Javier Hernandez. Anderson, who replaced Nani on the hour mark, failed to engineer anything similar to what his recent form would suggest.
It was almost difficult to tell who were the side’s goalkeepers such was the profligacy of possession and creativity. Wilson Palacios twice reminded Harry Redknapp why he ought to stick to his defensive duties, slicing two shots a dizzy height above Edwin Van Der Sar’s goal.
The Dutch keeper’s compatriot, Van Der Vaart, also stuck identical free kicks into his arms before a curling effort, the closest of the contest, went inches beyond the far top corner .
The tide turned for the remainder of the match following Rafael’s red card. Tracking Benoit Assou-Ekotto, the defender crossed the full back’s path and accidently caught his heel while in pursuit.
Mike Dean didn’t hesitate in showing him his second, then third, card of the match to the chagrin of the player himself and Rooney. Replays suggested Dean was a little harsh to brandish the reprimand.
United, typified by towering performances in defence, battled to see out the match and preserve the most untypical of undefeated records.
Tottenham Hotspurs failed to compound their title credentials yesterday as Manchester United were able to hold on for a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane.
Spurs will rue not creating enough second half chances especially in the last twenty minutes during which United were down to 10 men having had Rafael Da silva sent off for a second bookable offence.
United’s central defensive partnership of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were imperious, nullifying Peter Crouch and Rafael Van Der Vaart, and ultimately deserved to gain a point.
The draw takes United back to the top of the Premier League with two games in hand over second placed Manchester City.
Tottenham remain in fourth spot below north London rivals and fellow championship contenders Arsenal.
Billed as the main event to a grand slam Sunday that had already seen three draws, the home side looked as though they would take the early initiative against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
Player of the year season so far Gareth Bale caused Brazilian right back Rafael problems despite the similar speed and agility of the counterparts.
Crouch, whose partnership with Van Der Vaart has flourished, was able to beat Ferdinand to a near post cross only for his controlled volley to fly inches wide.
United struggled to mount a suitable response having dissipated Spurs’ bursts forward. Wayne Rooney, reinstated in the side having recovered from an ankle injury, was his usual energetic self but, as has become a regular feature of the striker’s game, lacked the quality control and ingenuity expected of him.
Dimitar Berbatov, playing against the side that sold him to United, gave a performance worthy of showing how prudent Spurs had been to sell the Bulgarian. His season of spurts continued until he was replaced by the livelier Javier Hernandez. Anderson, who replaced Nani on the hour mark, failed to engineer anything similar to what his recent form would suggest.
It was almost difficult to tell who were the side’s goalkeepers such was the profligacy of possession and creativity. Wilson Palacios twice reminded Harry Redknapp why he ought to stick to his defensive duties, slicing two shots a dizzy height above Edwin Van Der Sar’s goal.
The Dutch keeper’s compatriot, Van Der Vaart, also stuck identical free kicks into his arms before a curling effort, the closest of the contest, went inches beyond the far top corner .
The tide turned for the remainder of the match following Rafael’s red card. Tracking Benoit Assou-Ekotto, the defender crossed the full back’s path and accidently caught his heel while in pursuit.
Mike Dean didn’t hesitate in showing him his second, then third, card of the match to the chagrin of the player himself and Rooney. Replays suggested Dean was a little harsh to brandish the reprimand.
United, typified by towering performances in defence, battled to see out the match and preserve the most untypical of undefeated records.
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