How To Win Fans, By Mickey Owen

By: Rob | September 20th, 2009

What a Manchester Derby. Man United took the lead three times, only to find local rivals Man City come back three times, at least untill the 95th minute, where Michael Owen forever endeared himself to the Man United support by popping up with a last gasp goal.

An absolute sucker punch for City, whose spirit was admirable as they kept going behind, but constantly worked so hard to get back into the game. There’s a bit of controversy about United scoring in the 95th minute when 4 minutes was held up at the end of the game, but as we all surely know it is a minimum of 4 minutes.

Other news, after Owen’s dramatic goal, a fan came on the pitch and managed to get into a confrontation with Craig Bellamy, which is a pity as Bellamy actually put in the performance of his life during the 90 minutes.

Darren Fletcher is another player who is beginning to come into his own, scoring two very well taken headed goals. It seemed for ages that he looked out of place in the United team, but now he looks likes the vital cog in the Champions midfield.

Ben Foster meanwhile looked lost in the Man United goal. He could be put to blame for two of the City goals (though one Rio Ferdinand has to take a bit of credit for). Disappointing for England fans hoping that he would start really well for United with Van der Saar injured, but he hasn’t established himself at all well.

But what a great game. Derby matches are sometimes disappointing as both sides are so desperate not to lose, but perhaps that early goal from Wayne Rooney set the game alight. Whatever it was, I’m glad for it.

United went up in the first few minutes thanks to Rooney’s goal, but crazy keeping from Foster allowed Tevez to play in Barry to score. Fletcher rose up and headed in his first, before a blinding goal from Craig Bellamy levelled the score. Fletcher seemed to have won the game with his second, but Rio Ferdinand’s stupid pass in the 90th minute and Fosters poor keeping allowed Bellamy to feel like the hero. Untill Owen’s 95th minute strike ended the match.

City can certainly take heart from the game. Man United were probably the better team over the 90 minutes, but City kept plugging away and never let their heads drop. I think alot of people have worried about the mentality of some of the players joining City, but they showed today there is alot of desire to go head to head with the best of them.