JAVIER HERNANDEZ RESCUES SLOPPY UNITED

MANCHESTER UNITED 3 - BRAGA 2:

Javier Hernandez completed the comeback

Wednesday October 24,2012

MANCHESTER UNITED persist in doing things the hard way despite all the vows to change.

While it is making life interesting for their fans, it is exasperating manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

For the eighth time in 12 games this season they conceded the first goal – after just 80 seconds this time. Not content with that, they handed Braga a second after 20 minutes.

Thanks to two goals from Javier Hernandez and one from defender Jonny Evans they stormed back to secure a third successive Champions League win – but they cannot keep giving teams head starts. Better teams than Braga will simply not let them back into the game

After last season’s shock of failing to qualify for the knockout stages, they are virtually through with three games to spare this time.

Ferguson will be pleased about that but furious about the constant sloppy starts that are leaving them with an uphill fight in just about every game

United went into the game with the message that their controversial America owners have no plans to sell despite plenty of interested parties.

The decision of the Glazer family to sell off 10 per cent of their shares in August had raised questions over their long-term involvement.

But United vice-chairman Ed Woodward said: “There is always interest in this business. It is a phenomenal brand and club but they [the Glazers] are not willing sellers at all, they won’t even engage, they are long-term investors.”

The Glazers may have thought about changing that view, however, had they been at Old Trafford to witness another nightmare start. Despite all the warnings from Ferguson about being on their toes from the kick-off, United were at it again. The goals raised serious questions over the wisdom of Ferguson’s decision to save the legs of experienced defenders Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra ahead of Sunday’s trip to Chelsea.

Their replacements, Michael Carrick and Alexander Buttner, were at fault for the goals.

For the first goal, Elderson played the ball back for former Newcastle forward Hugo Viana to launch a cross to the far post where Alan got in front of a slow-reacting Buttner to steer a header into the far corner.

Evans gave Buttner a look that suggested he felt the young Dutchman should have put in a far stronger challenge.

It got worse after 20 minutes when Carrick – pressed into action as a defender because of Ferdinand’s omission – was beaten out on the touchline by Eder who cut the ball back from the byline for Alan to despatch a clinical first-time shot. United’s defenders looked at each other in utter dismay. Even between the goals, Braga had underlined their threat on the counter-attack when Buttner got in the way of Evans and headed the ball straight into the path of Ruben Micael who fired a yard wide.

United badly needed to get a foothold in the game and after 25 minutes they pulled a goal back. Referee Milorad Mazic did well by waving play on after Robin van Persie was felled by Leandro Salino. It gave Shinji Kagawa the chance to cross to the far post where the unmarked Hernandez headed in, keeper Beto getting his hands to the ball but unable to keep it out.

Hernandez should have had a second moments later but Van Persie’s low cross spun off his toe as Beto came off his line.

Ferguson could barely contain his anger in his half-time TV interview. It wasn’t hard to guess he had given his players the hairdryer treatment as well as making a change to personnel and formation. He abandoned the midfield diamond and sent on Nani for Kagawa to give his team some width.

There was immediate improvement in tempo with Nani having something of a point to prove against a team from his native country. Beto beat away a vicious Van Persie free-kick as United set up camp in the Braga half and won a succession of corners. From one they equalised after 62 minutes with the two centre backs playing a big part.

Carrick flicked on Van Persie’s corner and having contrived an air shot with his first attempt, Evans scored with his second after the ball had bounced back to him in a crowded penalty area off Braga skipper Alan.

It was Evans’ second goal in three games having scored once in his first 131 appearances for United.

There looked only one winner now. Nani saw his shot brilliantly beaten away by Beto but United’s incessant pressure paid off in the 75th minute.

The Braga defence went missing as Tom Cleverley swung over a superb cross to the far post where the unmarked Hernandez powered a header past the helpless Beto.

Hernandez received a standing ovation when replaced by Ryan Giggs three minutes later as Ferguson looked to preserve the victory.

But they had to survive some nervy moments, although Van Persie fired a good chance over the bar when he should have put United in the comfort zone with a fourth goal.

Man Utd (4-3-1-2): De Gea; Rafael, Carrick, Evans, Buttner; ­Cleverley, Fletcher, Kagawa (Nani 46); Rooney; Hernandez (Giggs 79), Van Persie. Goals: Hernandez 25, 75, Evans 62.

Braga (4-2-3-1): Beto; Leandro Salino, Nuno Andre, Paulo Vinicius, Elderson; Custodio, Hugo Viana; Ruben Amorim (Barbosa 80), Alan (Mossoro 86), Ruben Micael (Ze Luis 88); Eder. Booked: Custodio, Elderson. Goals: Alan 2, 20.

Referee: M Mazic (Serbia).

CHELSEA TOPPLED BY SIZZLING SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Chelsea's hopes of defending their Champions League crown suffered a setback in Donetsk as Shakhtar dominated a firecracker of a match.

 

By Ben Smith BBC Sport

 

With John Terry back captaining the side, Chelsea were well beaten thanks to goals from two Brazilians.
Alex Teixeira poked home after three minutes before Fernandinho doubled Shakhtar's lead in the second half.
Oscar thumped in a late consolation for Chelsea, who would have lost more heavily but for goalkeeper Petr Cech.
The defeat, Roberto Di Matteo's first in the Champions League, means English teams have now failed to win in Donetsk in four attempts and leaves Chelsea with a less than straightforward path to the last 16.
The failure of Juventus to beat Nordsjaelland in Denmark was the only saving grace, but Shakhtar are now firmly in control of Group E.

Defeat capped a week of a distraction and disruption at Stamford Bridge. But at the final whistle Terry's return was nothing more than a footnote, as he led Chelsea out for the first time since accepting a four-match ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand a year to the day since the pair exchanged those infamous words.

Chelsea saw this as an opportunity to draw a line under the controversy but Shakhtar's formidable record could not be ignored. The Ukrainian champions came into the game unbeaten in 11 months on the back of a record 21 consecutive league matches without a loss and having scored in every game in that run.
They provided a perfect demonstration of just why inside three minutes as Chelsea were caught cold.
Luiz Adriano controlled a quickly taken throw-in on his chest, surged beyond David Luiz and shot hard and low at goal, only for Terry to block. The ball rebounded kindly to Teixeira, who kept calm to roll a low shot through the legs of Ashley Cole and across the advancing Cech into the bottom corner.
Shakhtar were tremendous throughout, shredding the Chelsea defence time and again - they pressed and ran, created and scored. The intensity of their football was embodied by the magnificent Willian, who only added to his burgeoning reputation with this dynamic display.
The Brazilian played with pace and intelligence, attacked with gusto and controlled the play with his trickery and precise passing. On three occasions he created shooting opportunities, with a drop of the shoulder and twinkle of the toes. He created openings too, feeding Darijo Srna whose goal-bound shot was blocked by Terry.

Shakhtar give Chelsea the blues

• This was Chelsea's first Champions League defeat under Robert Di Matteo. He had won five and drawn three of the previous eight matches in charge of Chelsea.
• Chelsea have four points from their first three Champions League matches this season. Barcelona also had four points from three games as they attempted to defend their title in 2009-10.
• Chelsea have only conceded one earlier Champions League goal than against Shakhtar. In 2006 Deco put Barcelona ahead in two minutes and 52 seconds.
• Source: Infostrada

Cech was keeping Chelsea in the tie as half-time approached. First he needed to be at full stretch to tip Henrik Mkhitaryan's fierce shot over, before diving low to his left to somehow deny Tomas Hubschman after a goalmouth scramble from a corner.

Chelsea were always a threat, however, even after Frank Lampard limped off with an injury after 18 minutes to be replaced by Eden Hazard. The best of their opportunities fell to Torres, but on each occasion the Spaniard was denied either by goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov or saw a shot smothered by the Shakhtar defence.
The only consolation for Chelsea was that they remained in touch at 1-0. But not for long.
With Chelsea pushing on in search of an equaliser, Shakhtar landed a decisive blow. Fernandinho dispossessed Hazard in the centre circle, Adriano gathered it up, broke forward and played the ball sideways to Fernandinho who finished emphatically with a low shot that flashed across Cech and into the far corner.
Chelsea improved after the goal, with Hazard going close with a shot that was well-saved by Pyatov. But Shakhtar always looked more likely to score.
Fernandinho might have scored his second after a neat exchange with Willian, while Cech denied Mkhitaryan with another fine save. Hubschman had perhaps the best chance of the second half, but failed to make contact when the ball fell to him four yards from goal.
As it was, Oscar snatched a late consolation for Chelsea, turning in a low cross after a surging run from Branislav Ivanovic, but the damage was done.

JORDI ALBA BREAKS CELTIC'S HEARTS

Celtic produced a performance full of heart and tactical discipline but lost out to an injury-time Jordi Alba goal.

 

The visitors led after the presence of Georgios Samaras helped force Javier Mascherano to divert a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick into his own net.
Barcelona were not at their best, but produced a moment of sheer class to allow Andres Iniesta to equalise.

Celtic stood firm in the face of relentless pressure until the dying seconds when Alba stole in to score.
It was incredibly cruel on Celtic, who were outstanding to a man.
They remain second in Champions League Group G but now trail Barcelona, who maintain their 100% record, by five points. Spartak Moscow, who beat Benfica earlier in the day, are a point behind Neil Lennon's side with the Portuguese side bottom with a single point.
It had looked ominous for the visitors as early as the second minute when Barcelona sliced through their defence for the first time, Iniesta providing the killer ball, only for Alexis Sanchez to dink the ball wide of Fraser Forster's right-hand post.
That apart though, Celtic began the match comfortably, coping well with the constant passing and movement of the Catalan side.
Forster's first major test came 17 minutes in, and he dealt with it brilliantly.
Lionel Messi floated the ball over the Celtic defence, Iniesta turned it across goal where Marc Bartra flashed a header on target, only for the giant Celtic keeper to push it away.

Celtic's opener silenced the home crowd

And moments later, Celtic shocked the hosts by moving in front.
A Mulgrew free-kick from the right was attacked by Samaras, but it was Mascherano who inadvertently knocked the ball past a static Victor Valdes.
Barca had dominated possession, but Celtic's organisation was superb and there was almost half an hour gone before the home side fashioned another decent chance.
Again Iniesta was the source, but his chip was headed wide by Bartra.
Then, as the Barcelona pressure grew in intensity, Kelvin Wilson threw himself in the way of a Xavi drive to divert it over the bar and Adriano Correia tested Forster at his near post from the resulting corner.
Messi, by his own high standards, was having a quiet game but worried Forster with a couple of free-kicks that curled inches off target.
Celtic were dealt an enormous blow just before the break as Samaras was forced off, having rolled his ankle as he was fouled contesting a high ball.
And his replacement James Forrest had not touched the ball before Barca drew level in exquisite fashion.
Messi found Iniesta just inside the box and a lightning-quick one-two with Xavi allowed Iniesta to direct the ball just out of Forster's reach and inside his left-hand post.
The timing of the equaliser was tough on Celtic, who had executed their manager's tactical instructions almost to perfection.
They nearly moved back in front seven minutes after the interval.

Again, the opportunity arose from a Mulgrew set-piece - this time a corner from the right - but Victor Wanyama failed to test Valdes from an excellent position.
Celtic lost the tenacity of Scott Brown with just over an hour gone, his long-term hip problem seemingly taking its toll once more.
Soon after, Forster held efforts from both Messi and then Iniesta from outside the box as Barcelona upped the ante yet further.
Midway through the second half, Alexis Sanchez fed Pedro Rodriguez on the right of the Celtic box and when his low cross found Messi on the six-yard box, a second Barca goal seemed inevitable, but Forster stuck out a hand and somehow denied the Argentine.
The Celtic keeper was performing heroically and he was swiftly off his line to deny Alexis before an unbelievable flying save kept Messi's diving header from finding the back of the net.
Celtic were becoming more and more hemmed in, but a wayward Xavi effort told the story of Barcelona's increasing frustration as time ticked away.
Barca substitute David Villa struck a post late on as it appeared Celtic would hold on, but in the fourth minute of injury time, Alba sneaked in at the back post to knock Adriano's cross past the helpless Forster from just a yard out.
Despite the bitter pang of disappointment, Celtic can be hugely proud of their side's display ahead of the return fixture against Tito Vilanova's side in Glasgow on 7 November.

NOW LET'S SEE HOW MANY CAN THINK DEEP OR ARE WISE!

GIVE THE ANSWER
You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night. You pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:
        1.   An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
        2.   An old friend who once saved your life.
        3.   The perfect man (or) woman you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer ...

a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car?

You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect dream lover again.
                     WHO WILL GIVE THE RIGHT ANSWER

                        Moenkutty