08/12/2007 13:59, Report by Ben Hibbs
Report: United 4 Derby 1
Once United had broken Derby County’s spirit with two goals at the end of the first half, this was a simple three points. But battling against the elements – wind and persistent heavy rain – the Reds had to earn it.
Ryan Giggs got United started, followed by a brace for Carlos Tevez – one either side of half time. The victory could have been by a greater margin, but this was a steady and efficient display.
Owen Hargreaves was withdrawn from the starting eleven shortly before kick-off due to injury. Michael Carrick took his place in midfield alongside Anderson, while Nani was promoted to the bench.
Conditions were hardly ideal. Near-constant rain in Manchester for two days prior to kick-off had formed surface water on the Old Trafford pitch, making it difficult for United to play the usual passing game.
Derby boss Paul Jewell perhaps welcomed the stifling conditions as the rain continued to lash down at the start of the game. With Derby rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and his personal record against United suggesting he needed all the help he could get. In seven games against the Reds as a manger – twice for Bradford City, five times for Wigan Athletic – his teams have never won and have conceded 24 goals.
United probed right from the start to add to that figure. In the first five minutes Tevez performed a neat one-two with Patrice Evra, who crossed for Rooney. The Reds front man flicked his shot goalwards, but failed to direct it under close attention from Darren Moore. Moments later Ronaldo, who isn’t short of
confidence with 11 goals in his last eight starts, went close with a surging run and a low shot that skidded wide.
The Portuguese winger then combined with Giggs to create space down the left side. Ronaldo squared his cross to Rooney, but Derby defender James McEveley somehow wrapped his foot round to clear the ball four yards from the line.
United were gradually edging closer to a breakthrough. But, although Derby didn’t really pose an attacking threat that suggested they would take the lead, their physical back four and five-man midfield – added to the tricky conditions – made for a frustrating first 40 minutes for the Reds.
Anderson proved pivotal in breaking Derby’s resistance. The Brazilian midfielder not only proved a point that he can play in most compromising of wintry conditions, his energy and passing kept the visitors under pressure and pinned back in their own area. It soon paid off. On 41 minutes, Ronaldo’s parried shot fell kindly to Ryan Giggs, who had the simple task of tapping in his first goal since the middle of October, his 100th league goal for the club.
Rooney then struck a post as United lifted the tempo. Giggs’ diagonal pass put the striker through, but although his chipped finish beat Stephen Bywater, his shot rebounded off the upright. A second goal did arrived with seconds of the half to spare, Tevez finishing well after a frantic scramble in the box.
Derby’s spirit was clearly broken and it became harder in the second half to resist United’s advances. Giggs struck a post on 58 minutes and it was
merely a matter of time before a third goal arrived. In fact, it took just two minutes. Tevez unleashed a skidding, low drive from just inside the area for his second of the match.
Anderson departed shortly after, replaced by Darren Fletcher, to a fully deserved standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd. Sir Alex had the chance to rest Ferdinand and Giggs ahead of the busy Christmas period.
Derby did manage to snatch a fortunate consolation strike with just under fifteen minutes remaining. From Tyrone Mears’ cross on the right, Wes Brown and Steve Howard challenged for the ball, which ended up trickling over the line, despite the best efforts of Nemanja Vidic to clear it off the line. It’s only the second league goal United have conceded at Old Trafford this season. But Sir Alex is unlikely to be too concerned given that, at this stage of the campaign, three points are the main priority.
United capped off the day with a fourth goal in injury time. Ronaldo was fouled by Mears in the area and referee Chris Foy pointed to the spot. It may be the Christmas season, but Ronaldo wasn't about to be charitable and give Tevez a shot at his hat-trick. Instead, the Portuguese stepped up to fire home his 14th goal of the season.
Team Line-ups
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand (O’Shea 71), Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Anderson (Fletcher 63), Giggs (Saha 65); Tevez, Rooney. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Nani.
Derby County: Bywater; Griffin, Davis, Moore, McEveley (Mears 46),
Leacock, Oakley, Pearson, Barnes (Teale 61), Fagan (Howard 46), Miller. Subs not used: Price (GK), Earnshaw.
Attendance: 75,725
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