Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United 4 Manchester City 3: Owen's grabs last-gasp winner for Fergie's men
Michael Owen's injury-time winner gave Manchester United victory in a staggering seven-goal derby extravaganza against Manchester City at Old Trafford.[LNB]The England striker latched on to Ryan Giggs' precise pass and stabbed home in the 96th minute to deny Mark Hughes' City a share of the spoils.[LNB]Wayne Rooney opened the scoring for United in only the second minute before Gareth Barry replied for City.[LNB] Late show: Michael Owen fires home the winner for United in the dying seconds[LNB]United's Darren Fletcher twice had goals cancelled out by Craig Bellamy but Owen popped up with virtually the final kick to leave City on theirknees.[LNB]Carlos Tevez shrugged off the effects of a knee injury to take hisplace in City's starting line-up. He had been a major doubt aftersuffering the problem on international duty with Argentina earlier thismonth.[LNB]But, with four-goal Emmanuel Adebayor suspended and record signing Robinho outwith an ankle problem, Tevez's presence was a boost for the high-flying Blues,who were looking to extend their 100 cent start to the season.[LNB][LNB]Two good: Craig Bellamy celebrates his second goal[LNB]United had some good news of their own with Rio Ferdinand back after missing the midweek Champions League victory over Besiktas.[LNB]Dimitar Berbatov was unable to make the most of a stray earlyclearance from Wayne Bridge, then Ben Foster and Nemanja Vidic gottheir wires crossed at the other end, which almost let Tevez in.[LNB]It was the City defence who were nearly caught napping seconds lateras Micah Richards was forced to make a last-ditch tackle on WayneRooney to prevent the England star charging clear.[LNB]On his 30th derby appearance, Giggs spotted City sleeping and took aquick throw to release Patrice Evra inside the penalty area.[LNB]Evra slipped a pass to Rooney, who skipped past both Kolo Toure andNigel de Jong before prodding the ball past the out-rushing Shay Given.[LNB]Yet the equaliser was just around the corner, thanks to an awfulmisjudgment from Foster, who completely failed to notice Tevez closingdown what should have been a routine clearance.[LNB] Back of the net: Darren Fletcher gives United the lead again from this header[LNB] As Foster waited for the ball to enter his area, Tevez flew in,nipping the ball away as the United keeper tried to scramble it backinto his box and tapping a pass to Barry, who gleefully swept afirst-time shot past Vidic on the line.[LNB]Tevez jumped to reach Shaun Wright-Phillips' far-post cross but was unable to keep his header down.[LNB]Joleon Lescott cleared when Park Ji-sung charged on to a return pass from Rooney and crossed from the right.[LNB]Tevez was booked just before the half-hour when he went straight through the back of Ferdinand.[LNB] Rooney chipped a shot wide after using his strength to get the ball off Barry, then Anderson was cautioned for a foul on Tevez.[LNB]Berbatov should have done better than glance a near-post header overfrom Giggs' free-kick. Vidic was the next man booked for a cynical foulon Wright-Phillips.[LNB] Goal happy: Gareth Barry nets Manchester City's first half equaliser with ease[LNB]Tevez came within an inch of giving City the lead when Toure strodeonto an aimless Rooney back-heel, then slid a pass through to theArgentina star.[LNB] The striker thought his right-footed shot was going in. Instead it bounced away off the outside of the post.[LNB]United had clearly been stung by some harsh words from their manager and aftersome excellent work by Evra, who not only got to a mis-directed Giggs pass butprovided the Welshman with a chance to cross, they managed to get their noses infront once more.[LNB]Gone are the days Darren Fletcher's contribution to the Red Devilscause is derided. And it was the Scot who got above Barry at the farpost to power home.[LNB]Yet the hosts' lead lasted just three minutes as Bellamy collectedTevez's short pass, then cut inside John O'Shea and fired magnificentlyinto the far right corner from 20 yards.[LNB]Park drilled wide at the other end in a game that was turning into aclassic. Bellamy was booked for a foul on Anderson, then Giggs glanceda header wide from Rooney's cross.[LNB] First blood: Wayne Rooney thunders the ball in past Shay Given after two minutes[LNB]Antonio Valencia replaced Park after an hour, then Berbatov nearlyset up Rooney with an inspired backheel before Given produced amarvellous reaction save to turn away the Bulgarian's header frompoint-blank range.[LNB]Ireland booted a Vidic header off the line, then Giggs got pastRichards to cross for Berbatov, whose low header seemed certain to goin, until Given plunged to his left to save.[LNB]The Irishman denied Giggs shortly afterwards, the Welshman crossing well forBerbatov the next time United attacked, only for the striker to nod wide.[LNB]It was the Bulgarian's final meaningful involvement before he was replaced by Owen 13 minutes from time.[LNB]Owen would have been a natural matchwinner. And he was near enoughas Giggs floated over another dangerous free-kick from the United left.[LNB]But yet again, Fletcher got up highest and guided another header into the far corner.[LNB]Anderson curled a shot wide, then, with two minutes left,Wright-Phillips brought a smart save out of Foster and Richards shouldhave scored in the scramble that followed the corner.[LNB] High on life: Sir Alex Ferguson jumps for joy after Owen's late winner for United[LNB][LNB]But there was still one twist left as Ferdinand casually tried to flick a pass to Valencia.[LNB]Instead he found Barry, who released Bellamy for a 60-yard burstwhich ended with him sliding a shot into the far corner beyond Foster.[LNB]It seemed to be all over. Owen had other ideas, and his precise finish from Giggs' pass stole the show.[LNB] When asked if that would confirm hero status with United fans, Owen told SkySports: 'Yes, if there was any doubt before then maybe. It was always going to create noise when I joined but even if the fans didn't take to me you're never going to pass up an opportunity to play for team like this.'[LNB]'We dominated and the lads played well for a lot of the game. There were individual mistakes but over the years before I was here the defence has been fantastic.'Fletcher added: 'It was an unbelievable match, we showed great character to come back. The goals were mistakes but we look at the positives - we showed character to the end.'[LNB]United boss Ferguson says he noticed Owen's sharpness improving in recently weeks.[LNB]The United boss told Sky Sports: 'To be fair we noticed in the last two weeks he's adjusted to training and has been sharper.[LNB] Dejected: Former United player Carlos Tevez just cannot believe it as Owen nets[LNB]'He's been really good in terms of the intensity of the training and he has got better and better. Even when he came on against Besiktas, he showed that sharpness.[LNB]'We were saying that we were going to have to get him on and get him game time because he's been doing very well.'[LNB] While Owen only needed one chance to strike, Dimitar Berbatov kept getting denied by City goalkeeper Shay Given[LNB]Ferguson added: 'It was a fantastic performance from Dimitar. He was the unluckiest player on the pitch and could have had five goals.[LNB]'I felt the game would be in their box. There was no doubt about that in the last 20 minutes we sensed that and there is no one better than Michael Owen when that happens.'[LNB]Ferguson felt it was one of the classic derby matches but would have preferred to have won by a bigger margin.[LNB] 'What can you say? We've given three goals to them. It could have been an embarrassment, 6-0 or 7-0, if we defended our proper way. We could have won by a big score but by making mistakes, which was the essence of the game, we probably were in the best derby game of all time.[LNB]'What do you choose? Win the best derby game of all time or win 6-0? I'd probably pick 6-0.[LNB]Rio Ferdinand made an error for Bellamy's second goal, with Ferguson admitting the England defender will be relieved after Owen's winner.[LNB]'I'm sure he is," Ferguson said. 'We did make terrible mistakes but it is a collective thing at this club, don't blame Rio himself.'[LNB] Mark Hughes reveals he came close to quitting Manchester City before Sheik Mansour bought the clubManchester City will challenge The FA's improper conduct charge against Emmanuel Adebayor, insists Mark Hughes Manchester United facing Chelsea-style transfer ban over kids MANCHESTER UNITED FC
