Looks like here’s one that’s started on the right note for Manchester United. The ball doesn’t seem to want to leave the Red Devils, and Bolton players are being made to work hard. A 5th minute goal for Manchester United cements their position early on. Evra shows his mastery with a deft pass to Berbatov, which is intercepted by the Bolton defenders but to no avail because the speed of the ball and deflection, ensures that the ball goes straight to the back of the net. Before the Bolton players can stabilize, Man Utd almost scores again with a great header from Giggs but the goalie does save it this time.
A great goal scoring opportunity for Berbatov in the 12th minute but spins out of direction after hitting Owen. Bolton does manage to get the ball to their end soon after, but fail to convert a goal. The game has lost some pace with most of the action concentrated around midfield for the next few minutes. A great pass from Giggs to Carrick in the 22nd minutes but Carrick fails to score. Te next minute Valencia almost gets the back of the net but yet again the goalie saves face for Bolton. Taylor does raise hopes for Bolton but misses a great goal scoring chance created out of nothing. The ball is yet again with Manchester United, and another skillful pass by Gary Neville sees Valencia score in the 33rd minute. One thing for certain is that Berbatov is very alert in his game today. A very well paced game for Manchester United for the rest of the first half with no scope of Bolton equalizing. An additional 1 minute of injury time doesn’t bear testimony to any last minute goals.
The second half doesn’t see Bolton as perked as you’d expect and they’re still scrambling for the ball. An early foul on Evra lands Man Utd a free kick. Soon after, Bolton acquires a free kick after Anderson climbs over a Bolton, certainly not a foul, and that’s why Anderson is mad. A great try by Bolton, but Van Der Sar saves and holds on in style. Another great try by Owen to score but it misses the corner. A brilliant pass by Berbatov to Owen would have certainly seen Man utd score but Owen fumbles despite having left his defenders behind.
If anyone ever has doubts about Giggs playing standards, there was another exhibition in the 55th minute. Ball control isn’t an overnight trick and Giggs can vouch for that. Despite missing the goal, his ball control to outplay defenders is a beauty to watch. A lucky save by the Bolton goalie for a goal that should have seen Berbatov score, a striking shot in close quarters but the goalie gets lucky on this one. A feeble attempt from Cohen in the 60th minute, it being a long shot points to the fact that no one else from Bolton was ready for the shot.
A strange outcome in the 70th minute when Bolton things they’ve scored but in reality, Van Der Sar had been fouled upon. Finally Bolton has something to cheer for when Taylor converts in the 75th minute. Looks like Bolton has woken up from slumber late and are trying to make up for lost time and generating some pace in the game. The 82nd minute sees Man Utd substitute Evra, and Owen for O’Shea and Welback. In the 85th minute Paul Scholes steps in, in place of Anderson.
Berbatove sustains an injury that needs medical attention, so Man Utd continues play with 10 men for a bit. Extra time sees Giggs hold ground for a Mn Utd corner in the 4th and last minute of injury time. Bolton had every chance of equalizing from close quarters at the very end of the game but van Der Sar doesn’t falter and Man Utd takes home another 3 points.
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