An outstanding performance and result, especially after last week’s disappointment at Anfield.
In the first half I felt we got the ball down and played some good football, and also managed to contain United’s numerous attacking threats well.
Roque’s goal may have had a air of fortuity about it in the way the ball broke but it was still a superb finish to notch up his 20th of the season - another Hughes bargain.
It would be fair to say that the United onslaught we endured in the second half was always on the cards, but I thought we defended superbly for the most part, there were some great last-ditch tackles flying in. Brad Friedel was simply world-class, something even Carlos Queiroz conceded.
Highlights from Match of the Day 2
The goal when it came was not only disappointing because of the timing but because it really was poor marking. Scholes was left open to win the initial header, and then Tevez applied the finish.
A result that all but ends our UEFA Cup hopes, and leaves the Intertoto as our best bet.
The performance was quite poor throughout, particularly our inability to retain possession, and going forward we looked void of ideas.
After the early Gerrard penalty appeal, and the calls for Samba to be sent off after a collision with Torres, to be on level terms at half-time was pretty unbelievable.
But what was worse was the fact we didn’t improve after the break, and once Gerrard had opened the scoring the rest was a formality. At the moment we’re carrying too many passengers in the likes of Pedersen and the usually inventive Reid, and we’re paying because of it.
Next up United, where a big improvement will be needed if we are planning to get anything from the game.
Although I don’t think this is a bad result, at the same time I don’t think its enough.
Spurs are without doubt a much better side than their league position suggests. And for the early exchanges they were the dominant team, resulting in the Berbatov goal, in which they cut our defence apart.
But to be fair we responded well, and our goal was a good build-up with a wonderful touch and cross from Bentley and yet another goal for Pedersen.
And then the penalty, which it has to be said, should have been a penalty. Although it was difficult for Giberto to get out of the way, he raised his leg to make sure Bentley wasn’t getting past, in a way it was clever defending.
With Villa and Portsmouth with a game in hand on us, sixth spot and an intertoto place is slowly getting away from us. With Liverpool, Manchester United and Portsmouth our next three games, you feel that anything less than six points won’t be enough. And that is a tall order.
It’s never easy to go to a side who are battling for survival but these are games you’ve to be winning if you want to push for the higher places.
In truth it was a dire game of football, although there was a moment of amusement which quickly turned to despair when the assistant referee failed to notice the four Rovers players in an offside position, but Zurab should of scored.
I was encouraged to see Nelsen return and put in a solid performance, and Jason Roberts caused problems as well. A point gained or two points lost, either way it isn’t enough.
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Match Reports | Tagged: Cruz, Manchester, Match, report, Roque, Rovers, Santa, UNited | 
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