FA Cup « Bytes and Dice

Match corresponding to the FA Cup 3rd Round

Wow, Spectacular news before kick off. The Ginger Prince is back answering the clarion call of the club so bereft of centre midfielders! A cracker of a match that saw, in the first half, three goals, a missed penalty and a very undeserved sending off for City. Rooney scored a peach of a header followed by a truly class volley from Welbeck. He then had a penalty saved but scored off the rebound. Things looked rosy for United and a revenge attack for the 1-6 at Old Trafford was on the cards. However this game was truly a game of two halves as Kholarov scored a spectacular free kick past Lindegaard (for the second match in a row the Dane is beaten from a set piece). Sergio Aguero then scored City’s second and we were set for a grand stand finish. Both teams had legitimate penalty appeals turned down. United brought in Scholes for his second debut, and Anderson to boss midfield and keep possession to keep the 10 men running around after the ball. Credit to City for never giving up and the two subs Mancini made at half time helped City to maintain their shape. 93rd minute saw the City goalkeeper get his head to a City corner just after Kholarov once again nearly scored from a free kick. The ref blew his whistle just after that corner and City, defending cup holders, were out of the Cup and United into the fourth round. A great advert for this most exciting of sports.

Manchester United Team

34 Anders Lindegaard

3 Patrice Evra

5 Rio Ferdinand

12 Chris Smalling

4 Phil Jones

17 Nani

16 Micheal Carrick

11 Ryan Giggs

25 Antonio Valencia

10 Wayne Rooney (2 Goals)

19 Danny Welbeck (Goal)