Weekend review

Munich remembered as a city is united

By Alex Dunn   Last updated: 11th February 2008

Weekend review

Fergie and Sven united

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On a weekend in which the past took precedent over the present, Manchester United paid their respects to those that perished in the Munich air disaster of 1958.

The 50th anniversary of the tragedy saw the usually sparring red and blue sides of a city united as supporters of both clubs paid tribute to the Busby Babes in revered silence.

Concern over whether sections of Manchester City's support would observe the minute's silence proved ill-founded as Old Trafford stood as one, with Sir Alex Ferguson and Sven Goran Eriksson laying floral tributes in the centre-circle prior to kick-off.

Ryan Giggs insists United were not overawed by the occasion but in truth, only a specially commissioned kit echoed the verve and spark of their 1950s counterparts as Ferguson's side were meek and mild in falling to a 2-1 defeat.

City gave scant regard to their hosts' title aspirations, as with European aims of their own, they set about United with an infectious tenacity.

Goals from Darius Vassell and debutant Benjani Mwaruwari put them in control at the interval and while Michael Carrick scored an injury time consolation, City deservedly held on to secure their first double over their neighbours since 1970 and in the process, inflict on United their first home defeat of the season.

With United's championship hopes dampened, Chelsea had the perfect opportunity to reaffirm their position in the title race with a Stamford Bridge clash against Liverpool.

If the money men in Japan, Dubai and LA were watching, Richard Scudamore better hope they covet not just the opportunity to host Premier League football abroad but also a cure for insomnia.

The football conjured was as entertaining as stapling your thumb to your cheek as neither side demonstrated they had sufficient flair to keep those present awake; let alone mount a realistic tilt for the title.

Mike Riley's comedy fall was the undoubted highlight in yet another war of attrition between the two clubs.

Rewind 24 hours and Kevin Keegan was morphed into a man who dropped a tenner and found a penny after watching his Newcastle side capitulate in the second half, to fall to a 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa.

Michael Owen made light of being dumped by Fabio Capello to head Newcastle into a first half lead but after the interval Newcastle defended as only Keegan sides can.

John Carew played bully-boy to perfection in muscling his way to a hat-trick, while the fact Wilfred Bouma helped himself to a goal at the 76th time of asking is testimony to the paucity of Newcastle's defensive resolve.

Villa's win moves them to within three points of fourth placed Everton, who cling onto the final UEFA Champions League spot after grinding out a 1-0 win over a free-falling Reading.

David Moyes' Toffees were mediocre but Phil Jagielka's looping header ensured the Goodison faithful returned home content in the knowledge they continue to look down on their Merseyside rivals.

Portsmouth are reportedly putting a new away kit in production following their smash-and-grab job on Bolton; black and white strips with their new sponsors Swag featuring prominently in the design.

David James was in inspired form to repeatedly frustrate Bolton boss Gary Megson, but it was the sight of Lassana Diarra firing in a late winner, despite looking a yard offside, that will grate most.

Sunderland's home form looks like it could prove enough to ensure the Stadium of Light is not enveloped in darkness come the season's close, as Dickson Etuhu's header and Daryl Murphy's wonder-strike saw them leap frog over opponents Wigan in the battle to beat the drop.

Tottenham were never quite at their fluid best at Pride Park but thankfully for Juande Ramos, you don't have to be to beat Derby.

Paul Jewell's doomed County competed manfully until the 68th minute but once Robbie Keane's 19th goal of an impressive campaign broke the deadlock, there was only ever to be one winner.

Younes Kaboul showed he's not just a cumbersome defender in side-stepping his way to an eyebrow arching second, before surprise substitute Dimitar Berbatov dispatched a penalty with the nonchalant swagger of a man who can't quite believe he's on the same pitch as Andy Todd.

The samba beats could be heard as far as Hartlepool as Afonso Alves came off the bench to make his Middlesbrough debut in the 1-0 win over Fulham.

Boro's record signing says he likes his new surrounds as they remind him of Heerenveen. Safe to say then Heerenveen is unlikely to become the new Reykjavik.

Saturday's solitary stalemate ensued in the capital as Birmingham showed admirable endeavour to come from behind to secure a point at West Ham.

Freddie Ljungberg scored his first goal for West Ham, indeed his first Premier League effort in 18 months, only to have his day ruined by James McFadden's penalty after the Scot was felled in the box by Lucas Neill.

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