Red Universe: Keano Steals The Plaudits As Rooney Faces Lengthy Lay-Off…
As United faced up to yet another Wayne Rooney injury, it was the Premiership’s goalkeepers who stole the show in the second act of the first day of the new season.
Arsenal’s Jens Lehmann looked to have claimed headlines for all the wrong reasons when his first minute unforced error gifted Fulham new boy David Healy his first Premiership goal.
Then, stand-in sticksman Tony Warner denied Arsenal the opportunity to rattle up a cricket score against their London neighbours, winning duel after duel with the likes of Van Persie, Hleb and Rosicky.
But it was all in vain, as a well-organised Fulham side wilted in the face of sustained Arsenal pressure and conceded two late goals.
Sir Alex might have even more reason tonight to regret not finding the £25 million needed to sign Michael Essien, after his late goal enabled Chelsea to beat United old boy Steve Bruce’s newly promoted Birmingham side by the odd goal in five.
Tottenham were equally devastated to lose to Sunderland, managed by United’s prince-in-waiting Roy Keane. Spurs boss Martin Jol, who turned down the chance to work alongside Fergie, is already dodging gunfire in north London.
“We didn’t play with urgency and we didn’t create,” he said mournfully. “I could come up with all the excuses but I won’t. We thought we were strong enough for the test but we were not. The strikers didn’t work hard enough and create enough, the delivery was not good enough and we couldn’t protect the score at 0-0.”
Jol’s summer spending has raised the pressure on him to deliver Champions League qualification this season. Losing to Sunderland on the opening day is not yet a disaster and at least, he can turn to Defoe and Bent if dissatisfied with Keane and Berbatov.
Far more cheerful is Blackburn’s manager Mark Hughes. The ex-United striker showed the touch of Ferguson in Barcelona circa 1999, with his substitutions which brought two goals and a well-earned 2 - 1 win over hapless Middlesbrough.
Boro’s Yakubu might start packing his suitcases for real any time soon if Gareth Southgate’s team continue to perform in this manner.
Also likely to be looking for his passport or a roadmap at least is Bolton’s Nicolas Anelka, especially after his well-taken goal could not prevent Newcastle, featuring ex-United striker Alan Smith, from making an excellent start to the campaign. Obafemi Martins claimed the plaudits with an excellent acrobatic first goal, as Sam Allardyce’s men ran away to a 3-1 victory.
Liverpool left it late at Villa before Stevie Gerrard’s fabulous free-kick gave them a deserved 2-1 win over the Midlands side. Liverpool’s players were good value for the win except for the leftback Alvaro Arbeloa. Doesn’t he read the newspapers? Doesn’t he know that Gabriel Heinze will use any means necessary to take his place at Anfield any time soon? Isn’t that reason enough to perform?
United’s midweek opponents Portsmouth will be confident of repeating last season’s victory, despite only managing a 2-2 draw with relegation favourites Derby. Everton meanwhile, smiled at the prescence of Titus Bramble in Wigan’s defence and surprised no-one by registering a 2-1 home win. Tick tick tick Chris Hutchings!
New City boss Sven Goran Erikkson had better luck. He poked his detractors in the eye, by sending out five new players, none of whom he had seen in the flesh before signing and watched them help City to a 2 - 0 victory over West Ham.
With Rooney out and City on a high, desperate to erase the painful Pearce years, next week’s derby could be a humdinger.
