Wolves 2 Manchester United 1: Kevin Doyle halts Red Devils' unbeaten run at 29 games

So it was not at Stamford Bridge to the millionnaires of Chelsea that Manchester United surrendered their unbeaten record; nor was it the exquisite skills of Arsenal that did for Sir Alex Ferguson's men.No, it was humble Molineux and bottom-of-the-table Wolves that managed to do what no-one else could and halt this seemingly invincible team.The Premier League may lack much of its quality of three years ago, but it cannot be faulted for entertainment. A side that seems doomed for relegation has managed to defeat Liverpool, Chelsea and now United in a quite extraordinary five weeks. That they have lost every other Premier League game other than those mattered little to their ecstatic fans last night. On the rise: Kevin Doyle makes it 2-1 Heroes abounded, most obviously inGeorge Elokobi, who had seemingly scuppered all hope within threeminutes by allowing Nani an early goal but then led the revival; butalso Kevin Doyle, often a lonely figure up front, holding up play andrunning tirelessly; and not least Karl Henry and Nenad Milijas, whoheld the midfield together. But if this was an outstanding teamperformance, it also exposed the myth of this United team. Had theysurvived the season unbeaten, it would have been a travesty, so far arethey from being a vintage United side. Their mental strength isundeniable but their all-around quality has declined notably since thedepartures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. So desperate wereUnited at the end that Paul Scholes was resorting to punching the ball goalwards, an act of folly that earned him a yellow card. Ryan Giggs was lucky not to receive worse when on 85 minutes he needlessly chopped down Doyle in his rush to get the ball back into play. And Wayne Rooney earned his caution by going through the back of Ronald Zubar in an otherwise non-descript display. Head boy: George Elokobi outjumps the Manchester United defence to restore parity When Nemanja Vidic, invited to set up a last chance deep into injury time, could see no options and simply played the ball straight out of play, it signified a wider lack of creativity throughout the team.Ferguson was unemotional about the whole affair.His side remain four points clear at the top of the table and the title is still his to be won. 'It's disappointing,' he said. 'It's been a long run and the players have done us all proud but in the second half we didn't really get going.' His only gripes might have been losing Rio Ferdinand in the warm-up to a calf injury and a late penalty shout, Patrice Evra's cross striking Zubar's hand, yet seemingly without intent.Mick McCarthy was equally measured 'It would be nice if they gave us five points for beating Manchester United but they don't,' he said. 'It's all right basking in the sun of victory over United but we have to do it to other teams to make sure we preserve our Premier League status.' Yesterday, his team excelled in all areas and United's best moments were confined to the opening 10 minutes. Indeed, their first attack on three minutes deflated any early optimism as Nani dashed down the right, stopped on the ball - bewildering Elokobi - and shot past the left-back, beating Wayne Hennessey at the near post.Quick off the mark: Nani fires United ahead Poor Elokobi had been humiliatedand Wolves looked fragile, with Dimitar Berbatov teeing up Rooney, whoshould have scored a minutelater.'We winged it a bit,' said McCarthy. 'A lot of teams would have capitulated and it speaks volumes for my players that we didn't.' Indeed, what transpired was exhilarating and, for Elokobi, redemptive.On10 minutes Matt Jarvis swung in a challenging cross andwho should be onthe end of it but Elokobi, whose header past Edwin van der Sar wasunstoppable. With their spirit restored, Wolves began to pass the ball around with confidence. Jamie O'Hara went close on 30 minutes when Van der Sar did well to parry with his feet and Milijas' free-kick was deflected off the wall and landed just wide. United had responded with a Berbatov header on to the roof of the net and a Nani free-kick which was just over, but the momentum was clearly with Wolves. On 40 minutes, Milijas provided a master delivery from a free-kick, driving it into the near post where both Elokobi and Doyle dived to get a touch. Doyle was adjudged to have made the final contribution to make it 2-1 but the debate raged on untilMcCarthy had the final say. 'I'm not bothered who got it.''They can give it to Rooney if they like,' added the Irishman. For he had just engineered a victory over Manchester United and the details seemed unimportant.WOLVES (4-5-1): Hennessey; Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Milijas (Ebanks-Blake 88min), Henry; Hammil (Ward 64), O'Hara (Foley 59), Jarvis; Doyle.Subs (not used): Hahnemann, Edwards, Craddock, Fletcher. Booked: Henry, O'Hara.MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-2): Van der Sar; Rafael, Evans (Smalling 65), Vidic, Evra; Nani, Fletcher, Carrick (Scholes 46), Giggs; Rooney, Berbatov (Hernandez 65). Subs (not used): Kuszczak, Owen, Anderson, O'Shea.Booked: Rooney, Scholes. United's warrior breed will never lose thirst for titles, insists FergusonMick McCarthy backs defender Ronald Zubar after horror pass condemns Wolves to defeatAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinionAll the latest Wolves news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: Paul Scholes, Kevin Doyle, Matt Jarvis, Ryan Giggs, Dimitar Berbatov, Rio Ferdinand, Edwin Van Der Sar, Nani, Nenad Milijas, Alex Ferguson, Karl Henry, Mick McCarthy, Jamie O'Hara, Wayne Hennessey, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra Places: Liverpool

Source: Daily_Mail