25 November 2012

Comeback Kings Once More: Manchester United 3 QPR 1

The returning Darren Fletcher celebrates as he put United in the lead with a cool header
Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK

Starting Lineups (from Soccerway.com)

Goals of the Game
Manchester United: Evans (63'), Fletcher (68'), Hernandez (72')
QPR: Mackie (52')

Harry Redknapp, QPR's new manager, have a lot of things to do to save his new club from relegation as the Londoners, initially on the road to making an upset, lost 3-1 to the true Comeback Kings of the English League, Manchester United.

The home team started the game at Old Trafford at the helm of possession, but ominously similar to their last match against Norwich, registered no real chance at the beginning. Van Persie's first an effort on goal met two QPR defenders. The ball would spill forward and reach Scholes, who got tackled inside the penalty box. Ashley Young was also felled inside the box, playing Derry's tackle for the penalty. The ref gave no penalties to both. QPR, in contrast, almost scored a goal when Cisse, from the center, delivers a short cross to Jamie Mackie who heads the ball past Lindegaard and into the back of the net. The goal would be disallowed, though, as Mackie was a good distance offside.

QPR's Jamie Mackie (fourth from left, in blue and white stripes) prods in the night's first goal
Image retrieved from The Telegraph UK

Mackie would get the job done come the second half. Dyer's short corner saw Jamie Mackie left dangerously unmarked by the United defense. As Taarabt's attempt on goal was blocked by Lindegaard, Mackie would get the rebound in. QPR continued to press after that. Taarabt almost made it 2-0 in a few minutes from a free kick. At this point, the first order of business for Sir Alex was to bring in Anderson and Hernandez to replace Young and Scholes, who clearly underperformed this night.

United defender Jonny Evans (Red no. 6) heads in the equalizer
Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK

QPR's new manager Harry Redknapp (third from left) looks on from the stands; It was assistant Mark Bowen who lead the Londoners for tonight's game.
Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK

Then came the familiar twist in the plot. United, the Comeback Kings, capitalized on QPR's weakness on corners and Evans got the equalizer home. Five minutes later, another corner. Rooney sends it to Darren Fletcher, who heads the ball in to put the Red Devils in the lead. Fletcher, who was sidelined due to a bowel condition last year, returned to the Premier League in dramatic fashion as his goal put United in the lead. With QPR were obviously rattled, substitute player Anderson made a mad dash towards goal. He made a pass towards Chicharito, who rocketed the ball in. QPR tried to create chances but could simply not recover. Manchester United fans (including the writer of this blog) breathed a sigh of relief as their team held on and won the game 3-1.

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