Controversial Goal Gives United a Slender Lead (Lille 0 - Manchester United 1)

I missed the first half coz I was at Cow's house playing mahjong and rushed back in time to set up the computer to catch the second half. According to the commentators, the first half was a putrid affair and I'm glad I didn't miss anything. The second half started with two really sweet chances by Rooney and Ronaldo, and largely us dominating the proceedings. But the dominance was shortlived.

A switch was suddenly turned on in the Lille players. They started to play football and started dominating possession. In fact they started controlling the game and looked the likelier scorers of the first goal. We didn't make things any easier on ourselves by playing scared and backing off from the Lille players, Carrick looked like the worst culprit here. The good thing was that it wasn't entirely one-sided. We still looked really good on the counter attack, without producing though.

In the 83rd minute, Saha was manhandled just outside the penalty box and the referee awarded a freekick. Giggs cheekily took the freekick before the Lille defense was ready and scored before the referee blew the whistle. It sparked a livid protest and a near walkoff from the Lille players ala Singapore vs Thailand in the National Stadium.

It looked like a dodgy goal but Giggs did look like he had the permission from the referee to take the quick freekick. What was more important was that the referee allowed it. Had Lille walked off the pitch, they probably would have immediately lost the tie, incurred a hefty fine as well as a suspension from future UEFA sanctioned competitions. Good thing common sense prevailed and the match did eventually play out.

I'm sure the controversy will continue and would be interesting to read the statements from the referee as well as the opinions in the papers on this matter.

As for the bottomline, we got an away win, an away goal and the lead in the tie. We just need to finish the job at Old Trafford in a fortnight's time.