Postmatch Report – Away to Manchester United
Manchester United 2 – 1 Bolton Wanderers
Ground: Old Trafford | Attendance: 67,858 | Referee: Steve Bennett
- [8] N’Gotty [OG] – MUFC
- [33] Speed – Bolton
- [44] Saha – MUFC
- [68 Ronaldo - MUFC
- [90] Ronaldo – MUFC
As Ferguson whinged so much about The Trotters having a rest, Bolton decided to give them the upperhand early in the game. Bruno N’Gotty gave United the lead with an own goal which he neatly slotted into the bottom left from about 12 yards out.
Bolton battled but Manchester United really commanded the game with Rooney going close a couple of times.
With half an hour played Bolton proved to be kings of the set piece with a long Okocha throw-in, flicked on by Faye from the left of the six, over to the right and headed in by Gary Speed to put The Wanderers back on level terms.
Man U nearly took the lead again soon after Speed’s equaliser when Ronaldo hit the post.
United’s persistence paid off just before the break as their continued attacks forced a defensive error giving Louis Saha to take the home side ahead again.
More to follow later
Bolton changed everything for the second half by bringing on Ricardo Vaz Té replacing Tal Ben Haim. Obviously not a straight swap, Vaz Té took his place up front along side Kevin Davies changing the formation to a 4-4-2.
Early in the second half Bolton took command, getting their first corner early on. Nothing came of Stelios’s corner despite Van der Sar’s efforts it was Silvestre who proved invaluable to Manchester United by clearing the ball properly, taking away a chance for Okocha.
Soon after Bolton’s early efforts Manchester United took total control.
Saha broke free, but was caught offside but the battle continued as attacks poured into the Bolton penalty area. Bolton pulled back to strengthen their defences. Rio Ferdinand and Cristiano Ronaldo missing gifted opportunities within Bolton’s six-yard-box.
It was Ronaldo to who took a shot from 25 yards, went close but yet again off target.
Ronaldo had no chance of missing in the 68th when Wayne Rooney skilfully set him up with a pass across Jussi’s goal enabling him to score from the right into the bottom right of the goal – overall an impressive goal. Ronaldo got himself booked for unsporting behaviour during his celebration, little consolation for The Wanderers.
No matter what The Wanderers tried Man Utd turned it to an attack as Allardyce’s men looked tired. The pressure was relentless right up to the final whistle when Ronaldo scored his second from the left side of Bolton’s penalty area following a short pass from Ruud van Nistelrooy.
4-1 to The Urinals in what some will say was a well deserved win – bloody pundits!
A disappointing end to what has been a largely successful year for The Wanderers.
