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Rooney aiming for Best's heights
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-28 14:22
Instead of the traditional minute's silence, fans marked Best's contribution
to football with 60 seconds of raucous applause before Uniteds supporters loudly
chanted his name.
Supporters show a
banner in memory of deceased former Manchester United player George Best,
saying 'Bye George, your soccer... the Best' during the Italian Serie A
major league soccer match between Roma and Fiorentina at Rome's Olympic
stadium, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The match ended 2-1.[AP] |
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"We owe a big thanks to the West Ham fans," Sir Alex Ferguson said.
"We were lucky to come to a football club which appreciates great players and
this was proof of the great sporting relationship between the two teams," the
United manager added.
His side had to come from behind when Harewood struck after 52 seconds, the
former Nottingham Forest forward's first-time shot from Matthew Etherington's
precise left-wing cross stunning the visitors.
But the Red Devils rallied and only some fine saves from former United keeper
Roy Carroll, who joined West Ham in the close season, prevented Ferguson's team
equalising in the opening period.
But within 10 minutes of the re-start United found a way through. First
Rooney slammed in a low shot after twisting past Danny Gabbidon, and then his
corner was powerfully headed in by OShea nine minutes later.
Pardew admitted he was disappointed by his team's second home defeat of the
season but stressed: "We came up against a great side. They gave us more
problems defensively than we have had all season and our goalkeeper had to play
very well.
"We scored a great goal and it was a fantastic start. We were well set and
they weren't causing us too many problems, but when they scored at the start of
the second half, we lost a bit of belief.
"We know that against the top teams it's going to be very difficult for us,
but we're not that far away from them," added Pardew, whose team occupy a highly
respectable ninth place.
"We're capable members of the Premiership and the aim is to make sure we're
still here next season".
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