Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants his side to cut out the mistakes that played a key role in the champions’ thrilling 4-3 derby victory over Manchester City.
United’s jaw-dropping win on Sunday was sealed by Michael Owen’s injury-time goal and Ferguson immediately described it as one of the greatest derbies of all time, but the Scot was unhappy with the way his defense allowed City to come from behind three times.
“It spoiled a really emphatic victory because we could have won by six or seven and the fact that we made the mistakes probably made it the best derby game of all time,” Ferguson said. “Would we have rather won 6-0 or had the greatest derby game of all time? I’d rather have won 6-0.”
PHOTO: REUTERS
City boss Mark Hughes was fuming after watching fourth official Alan Wiley signal for four minutes of injury-time, only for referee Martin Atkinson to allow six minutes, giving Owen time to hit his winner.
“In the end we feel really frustrated and, if it is not a too strong word, robbed because the ref has played seven minutes,” Hughes said. “Alan Wiley tried to explain he added the time for our celebration, but I looked at the video and that lasted 45 seconds. Where he has got the extra minutes from I have no idea. We’re desperately disappointed because I felt we deserved something.”
There was more bad news for Hughes as cameras picked up an incident between Craig Bellamy and a fan, with suggestions the City striker pushed the supporter in the face.
“I’m sure people will make a nuisance about that,” Hughes said. “I seem to recall Brian Clough clipping someone around the ear and he was lauded as a national hero. Maybe it will be the same case with Craig, but I doubt it.”
United took the lead in the second minute when Patrice Evra poked a pass to Wayne Rooney, who took a touch before stabbing his shot past Shay Given.
City striker Carlos Tevez, who received a predictably hostile reception from the Old Trafford crowd on his first return to United, had recovered from a knee injury in time to start and played a key role in his side’s 16th-minute equalizer.
He refused to give Ben Foster time to clear the ball and, as the United goalkeeper dithered, Tevez stole possession before slipping a pass for Gareth Barry to shoot into the empty net.
United regained the lead in the 49th minute when Darren Fletcher headed home a Ryan Giggs cross.
Their advantage was short-lived as Bellamy curled in a stunning long-range effort three minutes later.
Fletcher struck again in the 80th minute with another header, this time from Giggs’ free-kick.
City looked to have stolen a point when Bellamy out-paced Rio Ferdinand and squeezed in a 90th-minute equalizer, but Owen, on as a substitute, had the last word when he converted Giggs’ pass in the sixth minute of injury-time.
There was more derby drama in London as Chelsea extended their 100 percent start to the season with a controversial 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Leading 1-0 through Ashley Cole’s 32nd-minute goal, Chelsea were fortunate not to concede a penalty when Robbie Keane tumbled under Ricardo Carvalho’s late challenge.
Chelsea took full advantage of that escape as Michael Ballack poked in Frank Lampard’s pass in the 58th minute, before Didier Drogba added a third goal five minutes later.
Everton defeated Blackburn Rovers 3-0 at Goodison Park to claim just their second win in five league games.
Wolverhampton Wanderers claimed their first home win of the season as Mick McCarthy’s men beat Fulham 2-1.
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