United Survives 2nd Half Collapse

Manchester United 4 - Hull City 3
Scorers
Manchester United: Ronaldo (2, 43), Carrick (29), Vidic (57)
Hull City: Cousin (23), Mendy (69), Giovanni (pen 81)

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Neville, Carrick (Giggs 72), Anderson (O'Shea 88), Nani (Tevez 64), Ronaldo, rooney, Berbatov

My terrible weekend just seemed to get worse. The laptop I was using may have been old and slow, but it gave me plenty of hope when I caught the early game between Everton and Fulham. The stream was flawless and I was hoping it would be the same for the all important United game against the Tigers.

Unfortunately that's where my luck ended. I was happily going thru the lineups when all of a sudden the screen went blank. After a frantic 15 or so minutes trying to get it to work, I finally gave up and decided to travel to the coffeeshop 200 metres away from my apartment to hopefully catch the game. With Arsenal and Chelsea both playing at the same time, I was pretty sure it wouldn't be showing the United game. But I made the trip anyway. Better to have a glimpse of hope than to sulk in front of the laptop. Moreover, I would probably hurt myself trying to kick it.

At least there was a bit of good fortune there when I arrived, it was showing the United game. And we were one goal up. Then I realised I forgot to bring my wallet along. So I had to scramper back to get it. It was probably the longest 400 metres (200m to and fro) I had to freaking endure. By the time I huffed and puffed my way back, the scores were level and a good 25 minutes had passed.

Carrick didn't disappoint Ferguson's selection as he ran thru the Tigers' defense and put us into the lead with a good goal.

Ronaldo is currently on red hot form and he added his second from a corner. His header hit a Hull defender and bounced beyond the keeper.

We were 3-1 up at the half and I could finally catch my breath, while watching the first half highlights. I must say I'm pleasantlu surprised by Ronaldo's recent run of goals. His first goal was created by good interplay between Berbatov and himself.

Hull City's equalizer was a typical inability to defend from a set play. It's something I've been constantly criticizing. It's a weakness we've yet to rectify for some years.

At least we played well in the first half to be up 3-1 and looked to maul the Tigers in the second.

We had the majority of the possession in the second half and it wasn't long before Vidic found himself on the scoresheet from yet another corner. For once we're helluva efficient exploiting the corners.

Then we completely went to sleep. Mendy pulled one back when Evra's horrible header left him one on one with Van der Sar. Mendy looped the ball over Van der Sar and into the net, despite Vidic's last gasp attempt to clear it.

Rio made matters worse with ten minutes to go. He pulled Mendy down in the box and Giovanni brought the score to 4-3.

The last ten minutes were nervewrecking at best. We completely lost our composure and kept hoofing the ball up into the Hull half. Tevez and Rooney were on a mission to get themselves sent off.

For once I was glad we had Giggs in midfield and even happier when Ferguson brought on O'Shea late in the game. Both were tremendously cool, holding the ball when everyone around them was panicking.

Ferguson needs to address this recent trend of 2nd half collapses. This is the third game in a row we've played like little school girls in the 2nd half. Moreover Rooney and Tevez are just trying too damn hard to score. They should be letting the game come to them.

I just hope we fair better against Celtic in midweek. I hope my laptop fairs better in midweek too or I'd have to make another trip down to the coffeeshop filled with ABUs.