
Michael Owen and Chicharito rescue a lacklustre Red Devils side against The Saints…
Match Report – Southampton 1-2 Manchester United
Competition: FA Cup, Fourth Round
Kick-Off & Date: 5:15pm, Saturday 29th January
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton (Away)
Attendance: 28,792
Sir Alex Ferguson worked his magic once more, as his changes saw Manchester United edge past Southampton in an tight FA Cup Fourth Round tie with Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium. Second half goals from Michael Owen and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez reversed the home side’s lead, after they had been fired ahead by Richard Chaplow just before half time. The Red Devils continue to win no matter how they play…
Anders Lindegaard made his debut in-goal for United, with John O’Shea captaining the side. Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Fabio Da Silva completed the back-four line-up, while Gabriel Obertan switched from wing to wing. Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t go for width, as Darron Gibson, Paul Scholes and Oliveira Anderson – all centre midfielders – were packed into the middle of the park. Javier Hernandez started up-front, alongside Michael Owen.
The Saints came marching in early on, with Lindegaard making a number of solid saves within the first 10 minutes. In the opening stages, Southampton had the ball in the back of the net – however Dan Harding, the scorer, had strayed offside. At the other end, second choice goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski was forced to make some routines saves, but there was nothing for United to exploit.
Michael Owen nearly put The Reds into the lead mid-way through the first half, when his cross hit the far post, giving Bialkowski a scare. But it was Southampton who looked the most dangerous of the two, winning the midfield battle against Sir Alex’s side. And just before the break, Richard Chaplow was allowed space inside the box, making the most of Rickie Lambert’s through pass by latching onto the ball, leaving Lindegaard flat-footed.
Richard Chaplow scores on 45 minutes for Southampton…
Fabio Da Silva was one of the few United players having a go at the opposition, but Fergie decided to replace the young Brazilian defender with Wes Brown before the second half, after he suffered a slight injury. The spotlight was firmly on sought-after Saints midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and he certainly didn’t let his onlookers down, giving The Red’s defence a run around on many occasions. Nevertheless, Southampton failed to increase their lead.
It was the introduction of Ryan Giggs and Luis Nani for Darron Gibson and Oliveira Anderson that changed the face of the game on 58 minutes, both wingers providing extra width to The Red Army. A goal was coming, as Southampton were placed on the back foot for the first time in the game.
Gabby Obertan, who had a quite game in the first half, sent in a cross that deflected off Danny Seaborne and onto Michael Owen’s head for the equaliser on 65 minutes. The goal was major sigh of relief for United fans, finding their voice amongst the League One side’s supporters in St. Mary’s. The Red Devils were back in it…
Michael Owen nets a leveller for The Red Devils with 65 minutes gone
Southampton didn’t lie down however, but Giggs put in a brilliant shift in midfield to reignite United’s chances of booking a place in The FA Cup 5th Round. Scholes was reinvented in the second half, much of it down to his veteran colleague. Nani and Obertan woke-up on either side, and The Reds were back in it. Lindegaard kept his cool in goal for United, as did our defenders.
United were certainly a changed side, and when Owen pounced on a mistake by Ryan Dickson, he didn’t think twice about passing it straight to Giggsy. The 37-year-old continues to amaze, and his beautiful through ball into a certain Mexican striker was rolled past Bialkowski, onto the post and into the back of the net. Chicharito, you legend !
The Saints had 15 minutes to find a way back into the game, and weren’t helped by referee Martin Atkinson – who stopped the game for the slightest of infringements – with both sides clearly unhappy. But the game ended with United winning by 2-1, again grabbing a late win. Fergie’s men are now in the 5th Round, but will have to smooth the edges to avoid any more scares…
Chicharito puts himself on the line to score a 75th minute winner for United !
United Team: Anders Lindegaard, Chris Smalling, Fabio Da Silva (Wes Brown ’46), John O’Shea, Jonny Evans, Luis, Oliveira Anderson (Luis Nani ’58), Paul Scholes, Gabriel Obertan, Darron Gibson (Ryan Giggs ’58), Michael Owen, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.
Goals: Owen ’65, Chicharito ’75