.contact us |.about us
News > Sports News...
Search:
    Advertisement
Miller stuns Man Utd at Molineux
( 2004-01-18 10:35) (skysports.com)

Wolves produced the biggest shock of the Premiership season as Kenny Miller's second half goal vanquished Manchester United.

The Scotland international poached his first Premiership goal to sink The Red Devils midway through the second half and, in the process, lift Wolves off the foot of the table.

The hosts started vigorously and refused to allow the champions to settle, with Paul Ince and Alex Rae leading the fight with a string of bone-crunching tackles.

United slowly asserted and controlled possession for the first half but could not take advantage of the vast expanses of space they found on the right flank.

For Wolves, Ince and Rae were both off target with long-range shots while Ruud van Nistelrooy lofted the ball over his head and crossbar after collecting John O'Shea's cross.

Midway through the first half, Darren Fletcher's deep cross picked out Paul Scholes at the far post but the England international could only head wide when unmarked.

After surviving a cast-iron penalty shout against Newcastle last week, The Red Devils were cursing this Saturday after Wolves keeper Michael Oakes appeared to bundle over Fletcher in his despairing efforts to grasp the ball. Referee Andy D'Urso was not impressed by the visitors' appeals for a spot kick.

The league leaders continued to press in search of an opening goal but were repeatedly frustrated by a stubborn Wolves back-line, although the home side offered little as an attacking force with Steffen Iversen devoid of support.

In the closing five minutes of the half, Wolves overcame a brace of scares to ensure they went in at the interval with their clean sheet intact.

Firstly, O'Shea's flat ball in to the box wriggled its way through to Cristiano Ronaldo but the Portuguese starlet's shot was deflected wide by Jody Craddock.

From the resulting corner, Ronaldo whipped the ball fiercely in to the six-yard box but van Nistelrooy miraculously headed over in front of goal after seemingly being caught by surprise.

Wolves lived dangerously immediately after the restart when Denis Irwin's weak header almost allowed van Nistelrooy to steal in but the Dutchman was quickly closed down by Oakes.

Despite being penned back for the bulk of the time, Wolves came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when former United midfielder Ince struck the woodwork with a beautifully curled shot from 25 yards.

Rio Ferdinand's farewell appearance before his suspension ended in disappointment as he was substituted five minutes in to the second half after failing to recover from a knock sustained early in the opening period.

United's best move of the match on 57 minutes provided Scholes with a sight on goal but his fizzing shot was pushed away by Oakes after O'Shea and van Nistelrooy had combined swiftly to create the opening.

Midway through the second half, Wolves grabbed a shock lead after Miller took advantage of Wes Brown's slip to race in on goal and slip the ball beyond Tim Howard, although the United States international will feel he should have kept out the Scot's shot.

Wolves were indebted to the heroics of Oakes on 75 minutes when Scholes' pass squirmed through to David Bellion but the United substitute was denied by a magnificent save.

Oakes needed safe hands minutes later to clasp Diego Forlan's low shot as a trio of United players were ready to pounce if the keeper made a mistake.

The host soaked up incessant pressure from the visitors with Oakes palming away a van Nistelrooy drive as Wolves clung on for a famous victory.


 
Close  
   
  Today's Top News   Top Sports News
   
+U.S.-China military ties on the mend
( 2004-01-18)
+Beijing: Referendum plan provocative
( 2004-01-17)
+China confirms two more SARS cases
( 2004-01-16)
+Fishing boats back to Xiamen from Diaoyu islands
( 2004-01-17)
+Vietnam reports 2 more bird flu suspects
( 2004-01-18)
+Yao and Rockets bring Timberwolves back to earth
( 2004-01-18)
+Miller stuns Man Utd at Molineux
( 2004-01-18)
+Flitcroft strike denies Man City
( 2004-01-18)
+China lose to South Korea in women's basketball
( 2004-01-17)
+Barca confirm Vieri interest
( 2004-01-17)
   
  Go to Another Section  
     
 
 
     
  Article Tools  
     
   
     
   
        .contact us |.about us
  Copyright By chinadaily.com.cn. All rights reserved