Manchester United showed exactly why they’re on target to win another title – they simply refuse to get beaten even when they are comprehensively outplayed away from home by a good Blackpool side and trailing by two goals at half time. United made one of their now famous comebacks as they roared back to surge five points clear at the top of the table. Completely on top with a good lead, it appeared Blackpool would end United’s unbeaten record and achieve a result that would go down in their history books. But those goals from Craig Cathcart and DJ Campbell were not enough to deny United as they exploded into life with the introduction of Ryan Giggs and Javier Hernandez.
‘Chicharito’ struck the equaliser with 15 minutes remaining but once again it was Dimitar Berbatov who did the damage for United tapping home his side’s first just two minutes earlier before driving home his 20th goal of the season – and his fifth in four days – to send The Reds five points clear of their rivals.
Blackpool 2 v Manchester United 3
Daily Telegraph – If they are looking for a new, white knuckle ride to tempt more visitors to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, they should call it the Manchester United Experience and issue a health warning that it is not for the faint hearted. Sir Alex Ferguson’s team now sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League having extended their unbeaten league run to 28 games with an incredible victory at Bloomfield Road.
Outplayed for 70 minutes and trailing 2-0 to Ian Holloway’s spirited Blackpool team, United appeared destined to emerge from their trip to seaside with nothing more than a painful hangover. But two goals in three minutes from Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez cancelled out Blackpool’s lead before Berbatov, a hat-trick hero at the weekend, won the game with his second on 88 minutes. With 20 minutes to go, the title race was set to be blown wide open. At full-time, it appeared all over bar the shouting. Full Report
Blackpool Gazette – Blackpool did themselves proud against Manchester United at a packed Bloomfield Road, but ultimately it all ended in disappointment. The Seasiders raced to a two-goal lead courtesy of headers from Craig Cathcart and DJ Campbell. But in what could be Charlie Adam’s last game for the club, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Reds scored three second half goals to spoil Pool’s party.
The evening started superbly. Cathcart struck on 15 minutes, sending a powerful header into the roof of the net from Adam’s wicked right wing corner. The stadium erupted. Most Blackpool fans turned up just hoping to see their team score, let alone get a result. Nemanja Vidic almost headed past Edwin Van Der Sar, then Elliot Grandin blasted over after being teed up by Luke Varney. Incredibly it really was one-way traffic and it got even better moments before the break, a second goal arriving from another Adam corner from the right. Full Report
Manchester Evening News – Manchester United roared back from two goals down to defeat Blackpool at Bloomfield Road and stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League. Former Red Craig Cathcart headed the Seasiders into the lead before DJ Campbell doubled the advantage just before half time. Shortly after the break, referee Peter Walton was unmoved after Rafael’s hefty challenge on Luke Varney in the box, leaving Blackpool boss Ian Holloway fuming on the sidelines.
Dimitar Berbatov pulled a goal back before substitutes Ryan Giggs and Javier Hernandez combined for the Mexican to slot home the leveller. And with just two minutes of normal time remaining, Paul Scholes sent Berbatov clear and the Bulgarian slammed home his 20th goal of the season. The only worry for United was Rafael’s departure with what appeared to be concussion in the second half. The result leaves United five points clear of second-placed Arsenal and maintains their unbeaten run this season. Full Report
Blackpool – Kingson, Cathcart, Evatt, Adam, Vaughan, Varney (Phillips 67), Baptiste, Eardley, Taylor-Fletcher (Harewood 74), Campbell, Grandin – GOAL Cathcart 14m, Campbell 43m
Manchester United – Van der Sar, Rafael (Anderson 80), Smalling, Vidic Evra, Scholes, Gibson (Giggs 45), Fletcher, Nani, Rooney (Hernandez 65), Berbatov – GOALS – Berbatov 72m, 88m Hernandez 74m
I found it interesting just how much more dangerous united looked in the final third after Rooney got subbed off. Within just a couple of minutes of coming on, Hernandez was through on goal after springing the offside trap, and his movement and general attacking play continued to be fantastic for the rest of the game.
If Rooney isn’t performing, he shouldn’t be starting. It’s as simple as that.
Bravo to Sir Alex…his substitutions worked brilliantly!!!….first replacing Gibson and putting Giggs at half time and then putting Javier for Rooney when many thought Berba will be the one who’ll be removed…Giggs for me won it…his presence was enough for united to seal a comeback…he was tremendous as usual in the left wing…bow to the LEGEND!!…he did it…and Javier would have always scored!!!….Berba showed that he can score away from home as well…and well people say that he is a lazy player and don’t run after the dead balls and blah blah!!!…in both the games, that is against Birmingham and now Blackpool…he was full of energy and was a vital figure for us towards the end!!!…proud of you red devils!!!…great character showed by our team….brilliant performance in the 2nd half…
I think Wayne’s overall performance have been good recently…he was fantastic against Birmingham in the weekend…before that he was one of the few united players along with Vidic and Rafael who performed well against spurs…the only problem with him right now is that he’s not scoring…and the the most vital thing for a striker is to score…but he’s a supportive striker…creating spaces for Berbatov…roaming around in the midfield passing around the ball pretty well…initiating some important moves…playing his brilliant one touches….and don’t worry… sooner or later he’ll start scoring again…and he’ll be unstoppable!!!
Javier been more clinical than him…and been brilliant as well…but i’ll still prefer Rooney over him…he was poor in the 1st half against Blackpool but we should realize that all united players were poor in the 1st half…right now i’m happy with javier coming as a sub and scoring for us when most needed…