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www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Mon Apr 26 06:31:09 GMT+00:00 1999
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. FERGIE PLEASED WITH POINT
2. PFA player of the year: The PUNDITS WERE ALL WRONG!!!!!
3. Cole goal earns roses point ««
4. COLE AND SCHOLES OUT OF ENGLAND SQUAD
5. Official report: COLE SAVES POINT FOR OFF-COLOUR REDS
6. COLE RESCUES A POINT FOR UNITED
7. Uefa deny 'fourth berth' rumours
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Monday 26th April 1999:
26/4/1952:
United crush title rivals Arsenal 6-1 at Old Trafford to clinch their third
League Championship watched by 53,651. Jack Rowley 3, Stan Pearson 2
and Roger Byrne wreck the Gunners hopes who needed to win by seven
clear goals. Team was: Allen, McNulty, Aston, Carey, Chilton, Cockburn,
Berry, Downie, Rowley, Pearson, Bryne.
26/4/1956: Uniteds Duncan Edwards scores a great goal for England as they
defeat World Champions West Germany 3-1 in Berlin.
26/4/1965: United clinch their sixth League title by beating Arsenal 3-1 at Old
Trafford watched by 51,625. George Best and Denis Law 2 scored the goals,
Law's League tally for the season becoming 28. Team was: P.Dunne, Brennan,
A.Dunne, Crerand, Foulkes, Stiles, Connelly, Charlton, Herd, Law, Best.
*********************
Barry Daily Comment:
For more match reports see Sunday's digest at
http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/99/250499.htm
Monday morning and we lie 2nd for the first time since early 1999!
Now for a run in of 5 games, 3 of them away.
We will have to win 4 out of 5 that should be a ticket for the Premiership.
INJURY INFO
Johnsen is out for two weeks , basically with the same injury
he had last month. Ronny was injured in the very last minute of Juventus.
Calling Canadian Reds
Liverpool-Man U on Sportsnet on Wed may 5th at 7.30 pm for the East Region
(Quebec + Maritimes). For the other regions check local listings. Enjoy.
Latest sound interviews in Real Audio here:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/sound/99
Everyone who wants the goal in Real Time Video 300k now thanks to RED CAFE!
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/texts/report98/domestic/arse-fa2.htm
FA Cup Semi Final Replay
14 April 1999
Manchester United 2:1 Arsenal
Villa Park
Download Ryan Giggs Goal! (Real Video: 300K)
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/real/giggs-goal.ra
Thanks to the Theatre of Dreams
Important European Cup Ticket Info: (thanks to Mike)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
UEFA Champions League final tickets information
The following has appeared on the UEFA website regarding tickets for the
final. Subject to the minor matter of beating Juventus next week, this is of
particular interest to supporters outside England, since applications will
not be accepted from the countries of competing clubs.
UEFA Champions League final tickets information
UEFA Champions League Final
Venue Camp Nou (Estadi FC Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
Date Wednesday 26 May 1999
Kick-Off 20.45 CET (19.45 GMT)
Apart from ticket orders from supporters residing in the countries of the two
finalist clubs - Manchester United FC (England) or Juventus FC (Italy) and
Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) or FC Bayern München (Germany) - which, for security
reasons, must be submitted to the clubs concerned, ticket orders for the
general public irrespective of their country of residence can be ordered
through the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (Spanish Football Federation).
Ticket Order Methods: Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
Post Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
Alberto Bosch, 13
E-29014 MADRID
Spain
Telephone ++34-91-369 5045
++34-91-369 4771
++34-91-369 4129
Fax ++34-91-429 8428
E-Mail rfef@tsai.es
Closing Date Thursday 29 April 1999
No supporter may purchase more than four tickets, subject to availability.
Tickets are for personal use only, and must not be resold or used for
commercial purposes. The Real Federación Española de Fútbol (Spanish Football
Federation) may reject or reduce any ticket order considered to be
unwarranted.
Tickets
Prices Pesetas
Category 1 14,000 Ptas
Category 2 10,000 Ptas
Category 3 7,000 Ptas
Category 4 4,500 Ptas
Written confirmation - by fax or mail - will be forwarded on receipt of an
order for tickets for this match, and the amount for the total price of the
tickets will be transferred to the Banco Popular Español.
Account Number: 0075-0591-17-0600300602
Banco Popular Español, Agencia 51, Calle Ruiz de Alarcón 25, E-28014 MADRID
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MANCHESTER UNITED STATS v ALL teams on the Web
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats.htm
Previous News:
BSKYB Takeover news/pics at http://www.red11.org/mufc/bskyb.htm
Brian Kidd Press conference, pic, real audio
http://www.iol.ie/~redcafe/kidd.htm
Peter Schmeichel's last Season at United!
http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/schmeichel.htm
Next games:
ALL Result/Fixture Index:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm
If you would like ALL the final fixtures for
UNITED/Arse/Chelsea then go to http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899.htm
Next Games:
May
1 Aston Villa (H) 15.00 PL
5 Liverpool (A) 20.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
9 Middlesbrough (A) 16.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
12 Blackburn (A) 20.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
16 Tottenham (H) 16.00 PL Live on Sky Sports UK
22 FAC Final Wembley Newcastle (N) Live on Sky Sports UK
26 European Cup Final Bayern Munich Nou Camp
UNITED Stats v All teams:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 24/04/99 ***
Aston Villa 2-0 Nottingham Forest 34,492
Blackburn Rovers 1-3 Liverpool 29,944
Derby County 0-0 Southampton 26,557
Everton 4-1 Charlton Athletic 40,089
Leicester City 1-0 Coventry City 20,224
Middlesbrough 1-6 Arsenal 34,630
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 West Ham United 36,089
Wimbledon 1-1 Newcastle United 21,172
*** RESULTS AND ATTENDANCES ON 25/04/99 ***
Leeds United 1-1 Manchester United 40,255
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Chelsea 21,652
*** LEAGUE TABLE AS AT 25/04/99 ***
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Arsenal 34 19 12 3 54 15 39 69
2 Manchester United 33 19 11 3 73 33 40 68
3 Chelsea 34 17 14 3 49 26 23 65
4 Leeds United 34 16 12 6 54 30 24 60
5 Aston Villa 35 15 10 10 47 39 8 55
6 West Ham United 35 15 9 11 41 42 -1 54
7 Middlesbrough 35 12 14 9 47 48 -1 50
8 Derby County 34 12 12 10 37 41 -4 48
9 Liverpool 34 13 8 13 60 44 16 47
10 Tottenham Hotspur 34 11 13 10 41 40 1 46
11 Leicester City 34 11 13 10 36 41 -5 46
12 Newcastle United 35 11 11 13 46 50 -4 44
13 Wimbledon 35 10 12 13 39 56 -17 42
14 Sheffield Wednesday 35 11 7 17 39 40 -1 40
15 Everton 35 10 10 15 35 42 -7 40
16 Coventry City 35 10 7 18 35 48 -13 37
17 Blackburn Rovers 34 7 11 16 36 49 -13 32
18 Charlton Athletic 35 7 11 17 37 52 -15 32
19 Southampton 35 8 8 19 31 63 -32 32
20 Nottingham Forest 35 4 9 22 30 68 -38 21
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 25/04/99 ***
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/08/98 Leicester City Home D 2-2 11 55,052
22/08/98 West Ham United Away D 0-0 11 26,039
09/09/98 Charlton Athletic Home W 4-1 9 55,147
12/09/98 Coventry City Home W 2-0 5 55,193
20/09/98 Arsenal Away L 0-3 10 38,142
24/09/98 Liverpool Home W 2-0 3 55,181
03/10/98 Southampton Away W 3-0 2 15,251
17/10/98 Wimbledon Home W 5-1 2 55,265
24/10/98 Derby County Away D 1-1 2 30,867
31/10/98 Everton Away W 4-1 2 40,079
08/11/98 Newcastle United Home D 0-0 3 55,174
14/11/98 Blackburn Rovers Home W 3-2 2 55,198
21/11/98 Sheffield Wednesday Away L 1-3 2 39,475
29/11/98 Leeds United Home W 3-2 2 55,172
05/12/98 Aston Villa Away D 1-1 2 39,241
12/12/98 Tottenham Hotspur Away D 2-2 1 36,079
16/12/98 Chelsea Home D 1-1 2 55,159
19/12/98 Middlesbrough Home L 2-3 3 55,152
26/12/98 Nottingham Forest Home W 3-0 3 55,216
29/12/98 Chelsea Away D 0-0 3 34,741
10/01/99 West Ham United Home W 4-1 3 55,180
16/01/99 Leicester City Away W 6-2 2 22,091
31/01/99 Charlton Athletic Away W 1-0 1 20,043
03/02/99 Derby County Home W 1-0 1 55,174
06/02/99 Nottingham Forest Away W 8-1 1 30,025
17/02/99 Arsenal Home D 1-1 1 55,171
20/02/99 Coventry City Away W 1-0 1 22,596
27/02/99 Southampton Home W 2-1 1 55,316
13/03/99 Newcastle United Away W 2-1 1 36,500
21/03/99 Everton Home W 3-1 1 55,182
03/04/99 Wimbledon Away D 1-1 1 26,121
17/04/99 Sheffield Wednesday Home W 3-0 1 55,270
25/04/99 Leeds United Away D 1-1 2 40,255
*** TEAM STATISTICS - MANCHESTER UNITED - AS AT 25/04/99 ***
AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE: 55,188
HIGHEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 27/02/99 - Southampton (55,316)
LOWEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 15/08/98 - Leicester City (55,052)
BEST WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
BEST HOME WIN: 17/10/98 - Wimbledon (5-1)
HEAVIEST HOME DEFEAT: 19/12/98 - Middlesbrough (2-3)
BEST AWAY WIN: 06/02/99 - Nottingham Forest (8-1)
HEAVIEST AWAY DEFEAT: 20/09/98 - Arsenal (0-3)
*****
Champions League:
Group D P W D L F A Pts
Bayern Munich 6 3 2 1 9 6 11
Man United 6 2 4 0 20 11 10
Barcelona 6 2 2 2 11 9 8
Brondby 6 1 0 5 4 18 3
Dec 9 Brøndby 0-2 Barcelona
Dec 9 Man Utd 1-1 Bayern Munich
******
CHAMPIONS' LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS
Manchester Utd 2 v 0 Inter Milan
Real Madrid 1 v 1 Dynamo Kiev
Juventus 2 v 1 Olympiakos
Bayern Munich 2 v 0 Kaiserslautern
**DYNAMO KIEV 2 v 0 REAL MADRID (Agg:3-1)
FC KAISERSLAUTERN 0 v 4 **BAYERN MUNICH (Agg:0-6)
INTERNAZIONALE FC 1 v 1 **MANCHESTER UNITED (Agg:1-3)
OLYMPIAKOS 1 v 1 **JUVENTUS (Agg:2-3)
Semi Finals
Manchester United v Juventus 4-3agg 1-0 [1-1]
Bayern Munchen v Dynamo Kiev 4-3agg 1-0 [3-3]
UEFA Champions League Final MANCHESTER UNITED v BAYERN MUNICH
Venue Camp Nou (Estadi FC Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
Date Wednesday 26 May 1999 Kick-Off 20.45 CET (19.45 GMT)
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Click on pic for all Champions League Results
Subject: FERGIE PLEASED WITH POINT
Sunday, April 25, 1999 13:52
Alex Ferguson seemed happy to take a point away from Manchester United's
big game at Leeds. Talking after the draw, the Boss said: "It wasn’t a bad
result for us, all things being equal.
It’s not an easy place for us to
come to, but I think we coped very well." The Reds' top goalscorer Dwight
Yorke missed a glorious chance to win the match with the final kick, but
Fergie insists United fans can "forgive him."
Asked about the title race
with Arsenal, the manager said: "It’s still in our hands but there are some
twists and turns to come, and points to be dropped by both teams."
Click on pic for all Champions League Results
Subject: PFA player of the year: The PUNDITS WERE ALL WRONG!!!!!
Real Audio from BBC:
BBC Radio 5 Live introduces the six contenders who were up for the PFA prize
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/325000/audio/_328318_player_wrap.ram
BBC Radio 5 Live commentators
Mike Ingham, Alan Green, Ron Jones, Ian Brown and John Murray give their
choices
Dwight Yorke, Dwight Yorke, Roy Keane, Petit, Dwight Yorke "Plays the game
with a smile on his face"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/325000/audio/_328318_commentators.ram
Ginola named player of the year
Ginola is renowned as one of the Premiership's true crowd-pleasers
Tottenham winger David Ginola has been named as Player of the Year by the
Professional Footballers' Association.
BBC Radio 5 Live introduces the six contenders who were up for the PFA prize
The French maestro was given the accolade from his fellow professionals
after an outstanding season of skill, punctuated by some truly spectacular
goals.
The former Newcastle star has lit up a rejuvenated Spurs team who have
claimed the Worthington Cup, a place in next season's UEFA Cup and reached
the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, who had been favourite for the
award after scoring 27 goals this season, was pipped into second place with
Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit in third.
BBC Radio 5 Live commentators Mike Ingham, Alan Green, Ron Jones, Ian Brown
and John Murray give their choices
United's David Beckham and Roy Keane and Arsenal striker Dennis were the
other nominees for the award.
Ginola received his gong at the 26th annual awards dinner at London's
Grosvenor House Hotel.
French clean sweep
Arsenal's Nicolas Anelka was voted as the Young Player of the Year, making
it a French double at the awards ceremony.
Anelka's goals have helped Arsenal to the top of the table
The teenage frontman held off last year's winner Michael Owen and Harry
Kewell of Leeds.
Two more Leeds players, Lee Bowyer and Alan Smith, were shortlisted for the
award, along with Aston Villa's Lee Hendrie.
Manchester United and Arsenal, who are fighting it out for the title,
dominated the Premiership team chosen by the PFA's members, with eight of
the 11 players.
The three Gunners, Petit, his midfield partner Patrick Vieira and Bergkamp,
are joined in the XI by five Manchester United stars - Yorke, Beckham,
Denis Irwin, Gary Neville and Jaap Stam.
Premiership team:
1 Nigel Martyn (Leeds)
2 Gary Neville (Man Utd)
3 Denis Irwin (Man Utd)
4 Patrick Vieira (Arsenal)
5 Sol Campbell (Tottenham)
6 Jaap Stam (Man Utd)
7 David Beckham (Man Utd)
8 Dwight Yorke (Man Utd)
9 Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal)
10 Emmanuel Petit (Arsenal)
11 David Ginola (Tottenham)
----------------------------
Ginola is player of the year
Sunday April 25, 1999
David Ginola last night confounded the pundits when the flamboyant French
forward became the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year.
Manchester United's Dwight Yorke had been widely tipped to be receiving the
award, after voting among his fellow players. Instead Ginola's
swashbuckling performances for Tottenham, which have included a number of
extraordianary goals, saw him finish at the top of the nominated list made
up of Yorke, his Old Trafford team-mates David Beckham and Roy Keane, and
Arsenal's Dennis Bergkamp and Emmanuel Petit.
Luis Alberto has been given a two-year contract to coach Saudi Arabia's
Olympic team. The Brazilian is the Saudis' 10th coach in four years. The
German Piet Hamburg was sacked after a first-round elimination from the
World Youth Championship.
Click on pic for all Champions League Results
Subject: Cole goal earns roses point ««
LEEDS 1 v MAN UTD 1 FULL TIME
Hasselbaink 32 Cole 56
LEEDS 1 v MAN UTD 1 FULL TIME
Hasselbaink 32 Cole 56
11:30:00 Kickoff - fprem
Leeds: Martyn, Jones, Radebe, Wetherall (s), Harte, Bowyer, Batty, McPhail,
Kewell, Smith, Hasselbaink, Wijnhard (s), Ribeiro (s), Halle (s), Robinson
(s),
Man Utd: Schmeichel, Neville, G, May, Brown, Neville, P (s), Beckham, Butt,
Keane, Sheringham (s), Yorke, Cole, van der Gouw (s), Scholes (s), Curtis (s),
Manchester United's Premiership aspirations took a knock at Elland Road
after old foes Leeds held them to a 1-1 draw in a passionate roses encounter.
Alex Ferguson will probably be grateful for the point after a tired-looking
United were completely overun by an impressive Leeds side in the first
half, to earn the draw that moves them to within a point of leaders Arsenal
with a game in hand.
However, United could have capped one of the most memorable weeks in their
history with a victory that would have sent them back to the Premierships
summit had Dwight Yorke finished a glorious opportunity with literally the
last kick of the game. As it was, Andy Cole's early second half strike was
enough to earn United a share of the spoils after Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
had given Leeds a first half lead.
The Whites were totally dominant in the first half and attacked United from
the very first whistle, with Harry Kewell the driving force and inspiration
behind everything good that Leeds did.
Indeed, Leeds took the lead after some Kewell magic when he picked up a
sloppy Nicky Butt pass in midfield before racing forward and sliding a
glorious ball through Wes Brown to Hasselbaink, who after adjusted his body
shape superby to slide a beautiful goal under the advancing Peter
Schmeichel and in off the upright.
Chances came and went for the home side as United rode their luck and will
have been grateful to make it to half time just one goal down.
The trend for the match was set as early as the second minute, when Leeds
created a great early chance when Kewell broke down the left, avoided Roy
Keane's challenge and floated a great ball over to the far post where Lee
Bowyer sent a flying header just inches over the bar.
Kewell, who continually got the better of the tired-looking Gary Neville,
again sent a deep cross over from the left five minutes later, it was
picked up by Alan Smith on the right hand side of the area, who centred it
for Steve McPhail who's first time effort was blocked by Schmeichel's huge
frame.
But United also had their chances and Elland Road old-boy Denis Irwin broke
clear down the left and from the resultant corner, David Beckham - who
seemed to come under less stick from the Leeds faithful than he has in past
visits - floated a ball that fell invitingly to David May six yards out.
However, May failed to connect properly and his effort was half cleared on
the line by Lucas Radebe, before falling to Andy Cole, who's poke from two
yards was blocked on the line by Nigel Martyn's studs and then booted to
safety.
Kewell once again broke down the left and sent a ball to the edge of the
area where the in-coming Bowyer flashed a half volley well over the bar.
Then Kewell decided to get in on the act and met an Ian Harte in-swinging
corner full-force, but the Australian's glancing header flew a few yards wide.
Kewell then went on yet another sorte forward, evaded two tackles and teed
up Smith who blasted wide with only Schmeichel to beat, before more Kewell
magic - who tormented Gary Neville throughout - allowed Hasselbaink to open
the scoring.
United's response was to attack Leeds from the next whistle and Jesper
Blomqvist had a chance when a ball was floated in from the right, and after
escaping Matthew Jones' attentions, the Swede failed to make any proper
connection with the goal at his mercy.
McPhail's cross then picked out Kewell and his diving header flew just
inches wide of the goal in the last action of the first period.
After an obvious half time ticking off from Ferguson, United came out with
renewed determination in the second period and attacked the home side from
the restart. Indeed, Lucas Radebe saved Leeds when he headed the ball over
the bar from the goalline after Blomqvist floated a good ball to the far
post. Yorke then failed to keep a header on target after another Blomqvist
cross. However, all of these warnings were not heeded by Leeds and United
were soon to get their reward in fine style.
Inevitably, the goal wasn't long in coming and Andy Cole finished off a
superb move orchestrated by Keane, who sent a glorious curling ball
floating to the far post. The on-rushing Butt stole in on the blind-side of
Jon Woodgate, saw a powerful header well saved by Martyn, but there was the
Cole to stab home the loose ball from a few yards out.
The equiliser promoted another swing of the pendulum and Leeds once again
stepped up their pressure, with Kewell embarking on another run forward and
having a shot that curled just wide of the goal.
The Aussie then burst down the left and cut a good ball back to
Hasselbaink, but his first time left footer was deflected wide.
With ten minutes left, Smith had a good chance after robbing Brown, but his
low shot was straight down Schmeichel's throat, whilst Keane had a drive
from distance that went just too high at the other end.
Winjhard came on for goal hero Hasselbaink with a few minutes left and the
sub was instantly involved when ran at the United defence but his shot from
the edge of the was straight at Schmeichel.
In the dying moments, Dwight Yorke had a glorious chance to win the game
when he bore down on goal, played a neat one-two with Cole, and
clean-through on goal, blasted his left foot effort over the bar with what
was to prove to be the last kick of the game.
So United end one of the most memorable weeks in their history with a
hard-fought draw at Elland Road, a point away from Arsenal's lead at the
top of the table. However, with a game in hand on the reigning champions,
and by picking up a point against a team they often come away from with
nothing, United are still very much in the hunt for an unprecedented treble.
Click on pic for all Champions League Results
Subject: COLE AND SCHOLES OUT OF ENGLAND SQUAD
Kevin Keegan's preparations for England's friendly against Hungary on
Wednesday have been thrown into disarray by the withdrawal of Andy Cole,
Paul Scholes, Sol Campbell and Jonathon Woodgate.
Scholes picked up an ankle injury during United's Champions' Cup semi-final
second leg victory over Juventus in Turin and only appeared for the final
six minutes of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Leeds at Elland Road.
Manchester United spokesman Ken Ramsden confirmed: "They (Cole and Scholes)
have both pulled out. Andy has an ankle problem and Paul a knee injury.
Alex has spoken to Kevin Keegan and it's all been sorted."
Cole played the whole match and scored United's 56th-minute equaliser - his
23rd goal of the season. Ferguson said on Friday that both players had been
doubtful to play in the Premiership showdown.
Leeds centre-back Woodgate suffered the bitter disappointment of having to
pull out of the England squad after sustaining a knee injury in the United
clash.
Woodgate was forced to limp off Leeds manager David O'Leary, who this
morning pledged his future to the club by signing a new five-year deal,
confirmed: "Woodgate's out. He'll be disappointed that he'll be missing out
on England, but it's a case of getting him fit for this Saturday (at West
Ham)."
Tottenham captain Sol Campbell, who is carrying a hamstring injury, has
also withdrawn just a few days after admitting he was uneasy at the
prospect of making the trip to Budapest, just 160 miles from the Serbian
war-zone border.
Click on pic for all Champions League Results
Subject: Official report: COLE SAVES POINT FOR OFF-COLOUR REDS
Leeds United opened the match at a derby pace, and fashioned a great chance
after just two minutes of play in the bright Yorkshire sunshine. Harry
Kewell made a darting run past Gary Neville, who tried but failed to pull
down the young Australian, and reaching the byline, he teased a cross over
to Lee Bowyer. Unmarked at the corner of the six-yard box, the 22-year-old
might have scored but instead his header looped over the crossbar.
It was an early warning for the new-look centre of United's defence, where
David May made his first Premiership start of the season, and was partnered
by Wes Brown, celebrating his first call-up to the senior England squad.
May was the first player to be booked in the ninth minute when he sent
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink tumbling outside the box. From the free-kick,
left-back Ian Harte bent a shot wide of Peter Schmeichel's left-hand post.
The Great Dane then had to make a great block moments later when, from
Bowyer's cross, the ball spun to the feet of young striker Alan Smith.
Again, Leeds looked likely to score, but the Manchester United goalkeeper
spread himself to deny the home side.
In the twelfth minute, Denis Irwin launched a counter-attack along the left
flank and earned a first corner for the Reds. David Beckham drilled it in
low and hard, via a Roy Keane flick, to the far post where May, stretching,
nearly prodded the ball over the line. He scored from a similar position
against Porto two years ago but on this occasion, Nigel Martyn saved May's
effort with his feet, and then quite remarkably the follow-up from Andy
Cole, whilst seated on his goalline.
After all that early pressure from Leeds, and those opportunities for
Bowyer and Smith, it was United who could and should have found the net.
Hasselbaink earned a yellow card, and escaped a red from referee Dermot
Gallagher, when he appeared to kick out at Gary Neville, who was on the
ground, obstructing the ball.
Perhaps Neville was in shock because two minutes later, in the 21st, he
allowed the lively Kewell to run into space behind him and again cross to
Bowyer. This time the former Charlton man blasted a volley over the top,
but Reds captain Roy Keane was alarmed enough to berate a couple of his
team-mates.
The Irishman's blast served to wake them up because in the next couple of
minutes, Brown, Irwin and Butt stopped Kewell, Hasselbaink and McPhail in
their tracks from giving Leeds the lead they probably deserved. Butt's
penalty area tackle on McPhail was particularly noteworthy, perfectly
timed, as the youngster prepared to shoot.
It was easy to see why Harry Kewell was one of three Leeds players to be
nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Award, to be announced in the
evening. A powerful run in the 29th minute took him past a couple of Red
challenges but when a shooting chance opened up, he elected to pass to
fellow nominee Smith. The striker finished poorly, wide of the far post, as
Schmeichel narrowed the angle and whittled away the split-second he had on
the ball.
Schmeichel came off his line again in the 31st minute but was beaten this
time by Hasselbaink, for the inevitable first goal, in off the near post.
Elland Road erupted and cheered not only the finish, but the creation from
that man Kewell once again. Playing a free role with so much energy, he
didn't need the help of Nicky Butt's sloppy pass, but gratefully accepted
it to start the move. 1-0 to Leeds.
Butt's frustration at the error boiled over into a bookable foul on David
Batty in the 32nd minute. The Reds were down but not yet out of the match,
and Yorke nearly carved out the equaliser when he weaved his way down the
right and into the Leeds box. Sadly his final ball across goal could not
pick out a Red shirt and Leeds right-back Matthew Jones was able to
intervene and head it over the bar to safety.
A header at the other end gave the visitors another scare in the 40th
minute but Batty was rightly flagged offside when his close range bullet
went wide of the post.
There were a few personal duels all over the park and Jesper Blomqvist was
certainly engaged in a good one with Jones. The Swede beat him a couple of
times but was then tackled brilliantly for a corner in the 40th minute.
In the 43rd minute, Kewell went close again for Leeds with a diving header
at the near post. Even though he didn't score, he was still at this stage
running away with the man-of-the-match award.
As if he hadn't done enough, Kewell had the first effort of the second
half, within thirty seconds of the restart and his shot on the run wasn't
too far wide of the mark.
They could have gone 2-0 down straightaway but Manchester United responded
well. When Jesper Blomqvist won the ball from Bowyer, they constructed a
promising move which ended in the winger chipping the ball to the far post,
where Radebe outjumped Cole to head out for a corner.
With Beckham up against Ian Harte on the right, the left side seemed the
best avenue of attack for Alex Ferguson's team. Another cross from
Blomqvist found Yorke in the 53rd minute but not for the first time in the
match, his header was inaccurate.
Cole again lost out in the air to Radebe in the 54th minute, but was then a
winner on the ground, when Keane whipped a teasing pass into Butt's path.
The ball bounced up for the midfielder to head at Martyn, who made an
excellent save, but Cole was the first to react and bundle home the
rebound. 1-1. The Reds' positive start to the half had been rewarded.
Worse still for Leeds, their teenage defender Jonathan Woodgate was injured
in the incident and he limped off to be replaced by the more experienced
David Wetherall in the 59th minute. Just prior to the change, Smith nearly
restored the home side's advantage, but Wes Brown sped in to deflect his
shot high and wide with another important challenge.
With the scores level, it seemed the young players in the Leeds team were
about to be tested to the limit. Smith lost his cool to trip Schmeichel
over the touchline, and one or two passes from Jones and Kewell went astray.
The travelling fans from Manchester taunted their Yorkshire counterparts
with a chorus of "you ve only come to see United" when the attendance was
announced. A fraction over 40,000, it was Leeds' largest crowd of the season.
Kewell nearly gave the fans a goal in the 67th minute when he made another
break forward but rather than slip the ball left to Harte in space, he
curled a shot wide of Schmeichel's left.
The game had slowed to a more manageable pace by now, and players like
Harte were able to show their skills on the ball. The midfield was
cluttered with red and white shirts, but it seemed a measured pass from
someone would make all the difference.
Denis Irwin wouldn't make it because he came off for the final twenty
minutes, in a straight swap for Phil Neville.
Roy Keane was caught up in controversy in the 73rd minute when the referee
decided he had fouled Bowyer from behind. The Irishman collected yet
another booking, but he wasn't punished any further because Hasselbaink
almost rolled the free-kick into Schmeichel's grateful arms.
Teddy Sheringham replaced Jesper Blomqvist in the 76th minute to muted
applause. In fact, it was so quiet we could almost hear Alex Ferguson
giving Sheri his battle orders. The Reds needed another goal, and the win,
if they were to return to the top of the Premiership.
Hasselbaink had two efforts in quick succession in the 76th minute, firstly
thumping a first-time shot straight at Brown, and secondly heading wide
from the resulting corner for Leeds. Again, Kewell was the initial
provider, beating Neville and Beckham with a dribble and cross.
Brown might have blocked Hasselbaink's shot but he was slack moments later
to lose the ball to Smith, thirty yards or so from goal. The striker
finished his run with a strike on goal, but it went straight into
Schmeichel's body and the Dane saved well.
Fergie played his final card, namely Paul Scholes, for the final six
minutes and ended Beckham's ineffective performance. David O'Leary,
meanwhile, made his second switch, replacing goalscorer Hasselbaink with
fellow Dutchman Clyde Wijnhard.
The substitute had one crack at goal soon after coming on but Schmeichel
saved again. It remained 1-1 but two minutes into injury time, Dwight
Yorke, of all people, missed the easiest chance of the lot to make it 2-1.
Sheringham played him in and from six yards out the Tobagon blazed his
finish over the bar. Two points disappeared in an instant.
Fergie was frustrated, but after seeing his team outplayed at times by
Kewell and co in the first half, he should be pleased with a point.
Click on pic for all Champions League Results
Subject: COLE RESCUES A POINT FOR UNITED
But Yorke Wastes Golden Chance To Claim All Three
LEEDS 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1
ANDY COLE eventually provided the much-needed tonic for a
European hangover which threatened Manchester United's
Treble-chasing aspirations at Elland Road. Cole scored his 23rd goal
of the season to earn a vital point which leaves Alex Ferguson's
men a point behind Arsenal with a game in hand in the great
Premiership chase.
It brought the prolific Cole-Dwight Yorke partnership their 50th goal
of the campaign. But when Ferguson dissects all the nuances of this
pulsating game he will again have to thank his tireless, terrier-like
captain Roy Keane for pulling his side out of the mire in the face of
demoralising defeat.
Keane, the man whose European campaign ended against Juventus
in the crushing disappointment of a yellow card which keeps him out
of the final next month, put the hurt behind him, rolled up his
sleeves and got stuck in to ensuring that he at least lifts the
Premiership title. He stuck his head in where it hurts, covered every
blade of grass at Elland Road, urged on his lethargic team-mates
with a passion and provided the telling cross which led to Cole's
equaliser.
Never was the all-pervading influence of the dynamic Irish midfielder
needed more. Make no mistake, this was a morning when
Manchester took their title ambitions across the Pennines and came
within a whisker of becoming the victims of a soccer mugging.
Leeds boss David O'Leary has identified his young side as the team
most likely to threaten Manchester's dominance over the next five
years. The way they tore into an out-of-sorts Manchester side for
much of this combative match suggests that white ribbons along
with red will soon be adorning some of the game's major prizes.
O'Leary made a point of congratulating every one of his players at
the final whistle - seven of whom were 21 or under. He had made a
point of signing a new five-year contract, worth £6m, before the
kick-off and hopes his allegiance will be a signal to his young players
to do the same. ''I have got a wonderful team who are going in the
right direction,'' he said. ''I want people to come here and enjoy
them because there is a great spirit at this club. We are going to
try to hound and chase Manchester United over the next five years.
Especially at Old Trafford - we want to go there and win.''
Well, they did a pretty good job of hounding and chasing at Elland
Road. Indeed, for much of the first hour it was Manchester doing all
the chasing - and the man at the heart of Leeds' wonderfully
penetrating work was 19-year-old Australian Harry Kewell. The pacy
striker had beaten boss O'Leary at golf in midweek and had been
threatened with extra running in training for his impudence. It
looked as if he had begun his punishment this morning as he
tormented and terrorised full-back Gary Neville and central defender
David May, who had come in for injured Dutch defender Jaap Stam.
The first half, in particular, was testimony to the quality of the
football which O'Leary has nurtured in his six months in charge at
Elland Road. Leeds were quicker to the ball, hungrier in the tackle
and sharper in just about every department of the game. Lee
Bowyer, Stephen McPhail and David Batty surged forward
relentlessly in midfield, and Manchester - feeling the effects of their
European exertions - were at times swept aside.
Up front Leeds possess a strikeforce as pacy and penetrating as
any in the Premiership - and it is no exaggeration to say they could
have gone in at the interval with a lead to turn United's faces as
red as their shirts. Bowyer and Kewell, twice, squandered free
headers. Alan Smith pulled his right-foot shot wide after McPhail and
Kewell had cut through the Leeds defence with the most
enterprising move of the match. So when the first goal came in the
32nd minute it was no more than Leeds deserved.
Kewell, one of the most thrilling runners in the Premiership, scythed
through the United defence before feeding a precise ball through to
Hasselbaink in acres of space in the penalty area. Schmeichel,
racing from his line, desperately attempted to retrieve the situation,
but the Dutch striker has perhaps the quickest feet in the
Premiership. As Scmeichel closed he merely shuffled his position
before clipping the ball through the advancing goalkeeper's legs.
United's defenders remonstrated with each other, but there was
always the chance that Leeds would rue their profligacy in that first
half. So it proved too as the pressure and momentum Leeds had
built up evaporated in the half-time dressing-room like steam from a
kettle. It is a fair bet the steam emanating from Ferguson, who had
marched from his VIP seat in the stand to the dug-out after
United's uninspiring first half-hour, also had a major bearing on
United's improvement.
Whatever, it was no surprise when Manchester's increased
determination conjured up an equaliser in the 56th minute. Almost
inevitably it emanated from Keane, the one man who looked
unaffected by the exertions of Turin. The midfield man clipped the
ball forward from the edge of the area, and Leeds goalkeeper Nigel
Martyn could only palm out Nicky Butt's downward header to Cole,
who bundled the ball over the line from close range.
The goal proved to be a double blow for Leeds, with Jonathon
Woodgate - who injured himself in a desperate bid to keep the ball
out of the net - being replaced by David Wetherall. The injury will
prevent young Woodgate from joining the England squad for the
midweek match with Hungary, but that is a situation which did not
exactly disappoint O'Leary. ''It gives him the chance for a rest
which he desperately needs,'' said the Leeds boss.
There were four bookings - Hasselbaink for Leeds and May, Butt and
perhaps inevitably Keane for Manchester. That is not to say it was
ever a dirty game. In the end the point was probably justice - but it
was clear right to the end that both teams desperately wanted to
win. As the game became increasingly stretched, either side could
have nicked it in the closing stages.
Kewell's left-foot drive flashed past a post; Hasselbaink's
goal-bound shot was blocked by May, and both Smith and
substitute Clyde Wijnhard shot straight at Schmeichel when they
should have done better. As it was, however, the victory would
have been Manchester's if Yorke had not blazed over the bar deep
into injury-time after being put through by United substitute Teddy
Sheringham.
Leeds, it is clear, are going to play a significant part in the
destination of the Premiership title. They still have to play Chelsea
at Stamford Bridge, and Arsenal must travel to Elland Road next
month. Despite O'Leary's allegiance to his old mates at Highbury,
there is no question his Leeds side will fail in their duty to test the
Gunners to the hilt.
''I'll try to kick their butt when we play them; there is no question of
that,'' he confirmed. If they put on a show similar to today's there
will be no complaints from Ferguson.
'STILL UNITED'S TITLE' SAYS O'LEARY
Manchester United will still lift the title despite being knocked off
the Premiership summit by Arsenal this weekend. That is the view of
Leeds boss and former Highbury favourite David O'Leary - despite
his young side giving Alex Ferguson's team the runaround for much
of yesterday's 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
The result leaves Manchester United trailing the Gunners by a point
with a game in hand. But O'Leary insisted that United, weary from
their European Cup exertions against Juventus, still have enough in
reserve. And the former Highbury defender confirmed that Leeds
would be doing everything ''to kick Arsenal's butt'' when the two
teams meet at Elland Road next month.
''I said at the start of the season that United would win it and I'm
sticking with that,'' said O'Leary. I always thought Arsenal would be
pushing them hard and would be with them all the way but I believe
United will go on to win it from here. I'm going for United but Arsenal
will push them all the way, they have got such belief down there.''
But O'Leary insisted that his side's sparkling performance means
they will soon be closing in on United at the summit of domestic
football. ''I am proud of the way my players performed against a
team that have set the standards,'' said O'Leary. ''I have pledged
my allegiance to the club and there is no get-out rubbish in my
contract. If we are going places over the next five years we have
to be committed. I have shown my players I am here to stay.
''I'm going to try to hound United home and away. When we go to
Old Trafford I'm going to try to take them on by playing good
football, not fancy football but passing football threatening their
goalkeeper. We want to be where they are now and as long as we
build on our quality we will get there. My young players lost a bit of
their sparkle when they got tired. But I have a group of players here
who can cope with any situation. We don't have any fear of United,
just respect for them. But we want to be better than them.''
Ferguson, meanwhile, absolved his star striker Dwight Yorke of any
blame after he had missed a golden chance when put through by
substitute Teddy Sheringham in the final seconds. ''Leeds had done
very well, showing lots of pace in the first 20 minutes but we could
well have won it in those last seconds,'' said Ferguson. ''Even so I
think we can forgive Yorke one. He already has 27 goals this season
which is a marvellous achievement.
''We didn't settle for this, we wanted to win but in the end we did
well to come back and take a point from a game which is always an
emotional occasion. Given our exertions in the past two weeks I am
proud of what my players have achieved. Once again they showed
their character when they needed to.
He conceded United had been careless in their passing but that was
to be expected after two titanic matches against both Arsenal and
Juventus in recent weeks. ''Leeds is always an emotional game,''
said Ferguson. ''They had only conceded eight goals here this
season which is quite a record and they have some exciting
youngsters. They harried and hustled and were pumped up for it
and we did well to overcome that.''
Click on pic for all Champions League Results
Subject: Uefa deny 'fourth berth' rumours
European football's governing body, Uefa, has denied rumours that a fourth
European place will be available to English clubs in next season's
Champions' League if Manchester United win this year's final.
David Davies: "We want it cleared up as soon as possible" (BBC Radio 5 Live)
Uefa spokesman Frits Ahlstrom had been quoted as saying that England would
gain an extra place if United become European champions.
But Uefa has now insisted that Ahlstrom's words were misinterpreted and that
a fourth place would be up for grabs only if United beat Bayern Munich next
month - and finish outside the Premiership top three.
Man Utd's position 'crucial'
A statement from European football's governing body said: "The number of
participating clubs from England depends upon Manchester United's final
position in the Premier League.
"If Manchester United win the Champions' League final and also finish in
first, second or third place in the Premier League, then three clubs from
England would participate in the competition.
"The League champions and runners-up would enter the first group stage
directly and the third-placed team would play in the third qualifying round.
"However, if Manchester United win the final, but were to finish below third
place in the Premier League, then four English clubs would qualify
automatically in next season's Champions' League."
That would require a remarkable slump by Alex Ferguson's men in their last
six league matches as they are currently eight points clear of fourth-placed
Leeds and also have a game in hand.
Bad news for Leeds
Leeds are currently seven points clear of fifth-placed Aston Villa, have
played one game less and were thought to be in line for a tilt at the
Champions' League.
The only good news for English clubs is the confirmation that England are in
contention to win an additional Fair Play place in the Uefa Cup.
England are currently second in the Uefa Fair Play rankings, sandwiched
between leaders Scotland and Norway.
Click on pic for all Champions League Results
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