MATCH OF THE DECADE???

The Manchester derby was certainly one of the best games of the Premier League era.

It had everything from goals and controversy, not to mention outrageous errors. It included players rolling back the years, other players wishing they could roll back the years, and helpless fans getting whacked by star players.

Firstly, I want to give my view on the stoppage time saga. According to Fifa's directives, referee Martin Atkinson got it right. He added on the right amount of time for Craig Bellamy’s goal celebration and for Michael Carrick’s substitution (a very canny move by Sir Alex).

The reason the whole affair is such an issue is that these directives do not always appear to be carried out correctly. Even with a goal in stoppage time, referees never seem to add on so much time.

For example, if three minutes stoppage time is allotted, usually, give or take a few seconds, three minutes is allowed.

I think many of us are blinded by the fact that the game was at Old Trafford and therefore it is a bigger issue than it should be.

It is, after all, so rare for two goals to be scored after 89 minutes 47 seconds, as was the case on Sunday. This is the reason why added on time lasted so long, and why it’s grabbed everyone’s attention.

Many people have correctly pointed out that in the seven minutes added on, Manchester City could also have scored, so why are they so unhappy?

What also has to be said is that the momentum is always with Manchester United when they are the home side, and, it was always going to favour the Champions to have the extra ‘extra’ minutes.

Manchester City though, only have themselves to blame. I don’t know if it’s the effects of having swine flu in the summer, but Michar Richards’ positioning for Michael Owen’s winning goal was unforgivable.

However, it was a super finish and once again the former Liverpool star has proved many doubters wrong just at the right time.

That goal was typical Owen. There are few strikers in world football who are better equipped in such a high pressure situation. That’s why he’s so special, and that’s why he was bought.

It’s moments like this which illustrate why Owen should be in the England squad. Even as a substitute he can change a game in an instant. Be honest, who would you rather have in that position at that time? Michael Owen or Jemaine Defoe?


Another thing which struck me about Sunday was an unexpected, but welcome statistic.

Of the 22 players who started the Manchester derby on Saturday, 14 were British or Irish born. In addition, Michael Carrick and Michael Owen also made substitute appearances.

In the modern English game, where so much is said and written about the lack of players from the British Isles playing at the very highest level, both teams had plenty of players from these shores. Better still, all seven goals were scored by British players.

Manchester United, Manchester City, plus Tottenham and Aston Villa (both of whom also have a large pool of English first team regulars) will probably all finish in the Premiership top eight this season. This is encouraging and keeps a respectable amount of authenticity that many people thought has disappeared from our game.

Two of those seven goals were scored by the enigma, better known as Craig Bellamy. Is he finally living up to his undoubted talent at the age of 30?

It’s just amazing how something always happens to Bellamy which makes us forget how well he played in the game.

Both of the Welshman’s goals were terrific. One goal was engineered due to superb technique, while the other goal was glittered with frightening pace and awareness.

However, at the end of the match in true Bellamy style, he appeared to slap a helpless fan (who, granted, shouldn’t be on the pitch) while the stewards are holding him back. It was like something out of a Godfather film.

The FA have said they will take no further action, but is this incident not worse than Adebayor’s goal celebration last weekend? Surely it is.

Equally as bad as Adebayor’s antics, in my view, were those of Gary Neville’s. A player with 85 England caps he may be, and that may be the reason he got away with it.

The way in which the Manchester United skipper celebrated towards the Manchester City fans was quite comical, but under the FA’s guidelines should definitely be classed as incitement.

No action will be taken against Neville either. But why does he escape any punishment?

Again there is no consistency from the FA, and they appear to be just as incompetent as UEFA.


There were endless talking points during Sunday’s contest, and it does have to be said that the best team won the game. However, the victors have issues that need addressing.

As an England fan I am particularly concerned about Rio Ferdinand.

It’s not just the individual errors that are worrying. The former Leeds captain is prone to those on rare occasions. It is the fact that he was outpaced so emphatically by Bellamy, a player also injury prone and approximately the same age.

At his best, Ferdinand is one of the world’s top defenders and very rarely gets beaten for pace. But it is alarming how frequently he gets injured these days.

The veteran of three World Cups has had both back trouble and calf trouble in recent years, but also seems to pick up injuries that crop up in different areas of the body. These types of injuries are, to some extent, of more concern than a one-off long term injury, because they suggest the body is breaking down.

I just hope that two of Ferdinand's poor performances this season (one on Sunday and one for England in Amsterdam last month) were down to lack of match practice and not the rapid decline of a great player.


Talking of great players, it would be churlish to sign off without once again heaping praise on Ryan Giggs.

Like many, I questioned his PFA award last year and placed it down as a sentimental gesture.

However, in the last three games the veteran has been nothing short of sensational.

One slalom style run he had on Sunday was vintage Giggs and it was almost like the clock had been turned back to 1994.

Despite the poor performance of Michar Richards at right back, Giggs showed that if you keep yourself in good shape, you can play at the very highest level well into your thirties. His pass to Michael Owen for the winning goal was wonderful awareness.

It must be remembered that the 35 year old has had many injury problems throughout his career. But now, maybe the long, frustrating lay off’s have actually helped keep him fresh and prolonged his career.


The former Welsh captain is one of the few United players of the last fifteen years who seems to be respected by everyone, fans and players alike, whatever team they support. He fully deserves his Indian summer, and we will all miss him when he finally retires, if he ever does.....

Even Liverpool and Manchester City fans should take a bow to this true legend of the game.