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United pay penalty as B team fall by wayside
By Christopher Davies | |
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Ipswich (2) 2 Man Utd (0) 0 IPSWICH'S first team proved too strong for Manchester United's second XI as the Premiership champions' disdain for the Coca-Cola Cup received its just reward - their first ever cup defeat at Portman Road. Any tears from Alex Ferguson, who normally hates defeat with a vengeance, would have been of the crocodile variety last night. The United manager has made no secret that the League Cup is a poor fourth on his list of priorities and this indifference was reflected in the shadow side's performance. There was still a solid backbone of full internationals to balance the inexperience of debutants John Curtis and Phil Mulryne plus Ben Thornley, making a rare first-team appearance. The United display was unrecognisable from the ones we have seen in the Premiership and Champions' League, though this should not detract from a memorable win for Ipswich. The First Division club could only beat whatever team Ferguson selected and they did this with some style. Most of those in the capacity crowd did not seen bothered that the opposition were below strength. Manchester United are still the biggest scalp in English football and, at the end, the home fans celebrated accordingly. Jason Dozzell was a constant danger to United with some delicate first touches though his first meaningful contribution to the tie was less than gentle - the Ipswich forward was booked for a late challenge on Brian McClair in the fourth minute. That decision was easy for the referee but four minutes later Paul Alcock became public enemy No 1 in Ipswich when he awarded a free-kick instead of a penalty when Alex Mathie was nudged off the ball by Ronny Johnsen. Mathie certainly fell a couple of feet inside the area and Johnsen can consider himself fortunate to only have conceded a free-kick. Mauricio Taricco's shot went through the United defensive wall but Raimond van der Gouw made a superb reaction save. Ipswich were setting the early pace and it was with the run of play that the home side took the lead in the 13th minute. Taricco made space down the left and passed to Dozzell, who beat Johnsen and David May before laying on the opportunity for Mathie to score his second goal of the season, steering the ball past van der Gouw from seven yards. United rarely troubled Ipswich and on the half-hour Ipswich almost extended their lead when Matt Holland's 30-yard dipping shot went too close for Van der Gouw's comfort. Mathie wasted the chance to make it 2-0 in the 44th minute when, from Kieron Dyer's right-wing centre, the unmarked striker headed wide from six yards with the goal at his mercy. Mathie put his head in his hands. But from their next attack Ipswich scored again. United's defence failed to close down Taricco and, spotting Van der Gouw off his line, the left-back sent the ball over the goalkeeper's head from 25 yards. It was poor defending but a magnificent strike. United came back in the second-half but for all their possession created few good openings. Ipswich restricted them to mainly long-distance shots and Richard Wright dealt with those comfortably. Andy Cole, who scored five goals at Old Trafford when the teams last met, had an effort disallowed for offside in the 75th minute. _________________________________________________________________ Ipswich (2) 2 Man Utd (0) 0 Mathie 13, Taricco 45. Ipswich: Wright, Stockwell, Taricco, Williams (Stein 83), Mowbray, Cundy, Dyer, Holland, Mathie, Dozzell, Petta (Milton 73). Subs Not Used: Bracey. Booked: Dozzell. Man Utd: Van Der Gouw, Curtis, Neville, May, McClair, Johnsen (Irwin 74), Poborsky, Mulryne (Nevland 74), Cole, Cruyff, Thornley (Scholes 66). Booked: Cruyff. Att: 22,173 Ref: P E Alcock (Redhill). _________________________________________________________________ Man United out of League Cup, weak Arsenal win (Adds details of Arsenal extra-time win para 7-10) LONDON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - English premier league champions Manchester United were knocked out of the League Cup in controversial circumstances on Tuesday after their second string side were beaten 2-0 at unglamorous Ipswich. United decided to rest key players involved in World Cup games at the weekend for the third round of a competition which some top teams now regard as being second rate because the winner is no longer guaranteed a place in the UEFA Cup. Clubs are contracted to field their strongest sides. Organisers were concerned about the decision of some of the leading clubs to field reserve teams, urging them to respect the "game's smaller fish". Although United have the best second team in the country, they could not live with Ipswich, who are struggling at the bottom of the first division. A 13th-minute goal from Alex Mathie and a 30-metre lob from Argentine defender Mauricio Taricco in the 45th minute sealed the victory for Ipswich. Arsenal, who also fielded a reserve team, needed extra time goals from former England international David Platt, Luis Boa Morte and Alberto Mendez to seal a 4-1 victory at home over first division Birmingham after normal time finished 1-1. Both teams finished the match with 10 men. Birmingham lost Darren Wassall in the 83rd minute for his second bookable offence. Arsenal substitute Jason Crowe, making his debut, was involved in one of the quickest ever sending-off when he was shown a red card 33 seconds after coming on at the start of extra time for a wild tackle. Holders and fellow premier league campaigners Leicester, who were knocked out of this season's UEFA Cup in the first round by Atletico Madrid, also went out after a 3-1 defeat at second division Grimsby. © Reuters Limited 1997 |
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