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Rooney shows City the door out of the FA Cup

Comment: 0 January 9th, 2012 by: admin

Etihad Stadium witnessed an intense battle between the Premier League’s top 2 clubs and bitter rivals on Saturday, with Wayne Rooney scoring a double to help Manchester United beat Manchester City 3-2 in the third round FA Cup derby.

The victory also gave the Red Devils a much-sought after means of redemption after the 6-1 drubbing City gave them at Old Trafford in 2011.

This also advanced United to the fourth round to face Liverpool.

The Red Devils came out assertive and immediately tried to test the City defence. They finally succeeded on the 10^th minute when Rooney headed the ball coming from Antonio Valencia’s cross.

The match displayed brutal physicality and challenges with intent as shown by a total of four yellow cards for United and a controversial red card for City.

The red card occurred on the 12^th as City defender and captain Vincent Kompany went in for a two-footed slide against Nani. Although Nani avoided most of the contact, referee Chris Foy booked the skipper, reducing City down to 10 men.

Rooney’s attacking partner, Daniel Welbeck, doubled the lead on the 30^th with a right-footed blast that went through the defence and into the goal.

United’s third goal was Rooney’s second after scoring on the rebound of his own missed penalty kick. City’s Aleksandar Kolarov challenged Welbeck inside the box and accidentally clipped the attacker. Rooney lined up his shot and blasted it on the right side of the net, only to be saved by Costel Pantilimon. Unfortunately for City, Pantilimon was sent so far right that the when the ball bounced back to Rooney, he had an open goal to securely head the ball in.

The league leaders came back strongly in the second half, only needing three minutes to score their first goal. Kolarov tried to make up for the penalty he gave up by scoring from just outside United’s box via a direct free kick from a Patrice Evra challenge.

In the 64^th, Sergio Aguero aided City’s resurgence with a left-footed goal. His initial attempt was blocked by Anders Lindegaard but the ball bounced back to the Argentine for the finish.

Unfortunately, City’s efforts failed to secure a third goal.

After the game, City manager Roberto Mancini commented on his captain’s sending off in the 12^th.  According to Mancini, “Rooney told [Foy] his decision,” referring to Rooney approaching Foy and showing him two fingers to remind the official that Kompany’s challenge was two-footed and merited a straight red.

When directly asked if Foy’s decision was influenced by Rooney, he simply answered: “Yes.”

As for Sir Alex Ferguson, he thought that the decision was correct. “I’ve seen him do it before. He (Kompany) has got away with it before.” he states.

When Ferguson was asked about Paul Scholes’ return from retirement, he said “He’s kept himself in great shape and I always felt that he had another season in him. It’s terrific to have him back.”

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