Derby County 0-1 Manchester United
Soccer Saturday Expert Reaction
After Chelsea had put six past them, Manchester United were expected to put seven, eight or nine past hapless Derby County.
In the end, they had to settle for just one. And they had to wait for it.
Thommo: United left it late
Cristiano Ronaldo finally settled nerves at Pride Park, with a 76th minute goal, and sent Manchester United to the top of the Premier League. Phil Thompson watched it, drama and all, for Soccer Saturday.
"In the first 30 minutes, 35 minutes, it was all Manchester United, when were they going to score?" he said. "It was attack after attack without too many clear cut chances.
31 goals for Ronaldo, that is absolutely astonishing.
Phil Thompson, Soccer Saturday
Quotes of the week
"Then all of a sudden there was just a little bit of wind of change in the game and Derby changed. They had two fantastic chances and (Ben) Foster made two fantastic saves. All of a sudden there was belief there and up until half-time they gave as good as they got.
"I think Paul Jewell will be asking himself, 'where did this performance come from? Why have we been so lacking in all the other games?' Not just against the big boys but against all the other teams where they could maybe see wins coming from.
"There was passion, there was commitment, there was good football and there were chances, which they probably haven't had in other games. This was certainly the best performance that I have seen from Derby in all departments."
For Manchester United meanwhile, Thompson said it could be a good sign for the Champions, winning when not at their best.
He also said that the relationship between Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo is looking as strong as ever.
"It was one of those games where they were maybe not at their best, all round, but they still had enough, they still made chances.
"It is the partnership between Rooney and Ronaldo. They seem to see each other, they sense each other, they know where each other are and they seem to set each other up for most of the chances.
"31 goals for Ronaldo, that is absolutely astonishing."
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