Copy from
Electronic Telegraph


Sunday 8 February 1998
Issue 989


Cole salvages United pride
By Colin Malam


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          Man Utd (0) 1 Bolton (0) 1
          
          ANDY COLE saved the day for Manchester United yesterday. The
          England striker's late equaliser not only rescued the
          Premiership leaders from yet another damaging defeat, but made
          sure the 40th anniversay of the Munich air disaster was not
          marred by embarrassment on the field.
          
          United have lost three of their last five league games, and the
          loss of form which has accounted for that poor run was again
          evident here. Yet they deserved to win this match on the
          strength of a quite breath-taking grandstand finish. Both Cole
          and Gary Neville hit the woodwork as United swarmed around
          Bolton's goal.
          
          They need not have been quite so desperate, however, because
          once again results elsewhere went very much in their favour.
          With two of their nearest challengers, Blackburn and Liverpool,
          losing at home United actually increased their lead at the top
          of the Premiership to five points. Only Chelsea, who play
          Arsenal at Highbury today, can now make a dent in it.
          
          It could not have been easy for the teams to concentrate on the
          match following the moving ceremony of remembrance which had
          preceded the kick-off, which was delayed until 3.15pm so that a
          minute's silence could be observed - and impeccably so - at
          3.04pm, the exact time of the disaster.
          
          The teams had been led out by United director Sir Bobby
          Charlton, a survivor of Munich, and Nat Lofthouse, Bolton's
          president, who lay wreathes in the centre circle on behalf of
          both clubs. Other wreaths were laid by representatives of the
          supporters of both clubs, the Munich families, UEFA, the
          Professional Footballers' Association and Red Star Belgrade,
          the club United had just played in the European Cup prior to
          the crash.
          
          Understandably, perhaps, United seemed more distracted by the
          occasion than Bolton. Although they began with a flourish,
          Teddy Sheringham flicking a volley against the near post from a
          centre by Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, they soon began to be betrayed
          by the squandering of possession and defensive uncertainty that
          have cut their lead at the top of the Premiership of late.
          
          Peter Schmeichel had to make one of his very best saves to stop
          Nathan Blake scoring for Bolton when Per Frandsen put the
          striker clean through. Then Bob Taylor and Frandsen might
          easily have scored with headers from the accurate centres of
          Scott Sellars as Gary Pallister struggled, unusually, to win
          the aerial battles.
          
          Pallister was not helped, in that respect, by Alex Ferguson's
          strange decision to play the diminutive Gary Neville, and not
          the taller Henning Berg, as a replacement for the injured Ronny
          Johnsen in central defence. United also missed the ball-winning
          qualities of the suspended Nicky Butt in midfield.
          
          United's main hope of salvation always seemed to lie with Cole,
          who was in prime form as the spearhead of a three-man attack.
          Whether it was making space for himself cleverly in a crowded
          penalty area or forcing defenders into error, Cole terrorised
          Bolton throughout the first half.
          
          He had four shots at goal in all. One fizzed just wide of a
          post, one was saved low down by Keith Branagan, the Bolton
          goalkeeper, one whistled inches over the crossbar and one was
          beaten away by the leaping Branagan.
          
          Cole also provided the pass from which Ryan Giggs compelled
          Branagan to make yet another save. Giggs, a member of United's
          three-man midfield, was also quite lively. It was from his
          centre that David Beckham wasted a clear chance by shooting
          weakly and wide with his left foot.
          
          Whatever Ferguson had to say to his troops during the interval,
          it did not have the required effect on this occasion. Indeed,
          Bolton might have scored twice before they actually took the
          lead on the hour with a very curious goal.
          
          Taylor, playing his final game on loan from West Bromwich
          Albion, scored while lying on the ground following a collision
          between him and Schmeichel as they both went for a low centre
          from the right by Jamie Pollock. The ball squirted out behind
          them to Gary Neville, who seemed to have plenty of time to
          clear until Taylor suddenly stuck out a leg.
          
          It was Taylor's third bite at the cherry. He had already been
          presented with two clear scoring chances as Bolton continued to
          penetrate United's defence almost at will.
          
          In the first instance the Bolton striker took too long to
          control the ball after a clearance by Schmeichel, sold short by
          Pallister's back pass which cannoned off Blake.
          
          A few minutes later, Taylor volleyed over the crossbar as he
          stretched to reach the centre from the left with which Blake
          found him running unmarked at goal. Cole did his level best to
          repair the damage, but a volley from a Solskjaer knock-down
          went over the crossbar and then Branagan saved with his legs
          when the United striker got clean through.
          
          United sent on Berg for Sheringham after 68 minutes and
          re-grouped into a much more effective formation. It enabled
          them to launch an all-out assault in which Gary Neville might
          have scored twice and Cole umpteen times.
          
          Cole hit the inside of a post with a header from a Beckham
          cross and Neville hammered a shot against the crossbar. In
          between, Cole headed United level after Branagan and one of his
          defenders made a complete mess of a centre from the right.
   _______________________________________________________________________

   February 8 1998 FOOTBALL
   
   Cole strike foils brave Bolton bid
   
   Joe Lovejoy at Old Trafford
   Manchester United 1 Bolton Wanderers 1 
   
   ALEX FERGUSON had called on his players for an "appropriate"
   performance on the day United marked the 40th anniversary of the
   Munich air crash. A last-gasp equaliser against relegation candidates
   was not what he had in mind.
   
   The champions have just one win and four points from five games, and
   this should have been a result to blow the title race wide open.
   Blackburn and Liverpool failed to take advantage, but it still could
   be, if Chelsea can beat Arsenal at Highbury today.
   
   For Bolton, a battling draw will bolster their belief that they can
   stay in the Premier League. It should also enhance Bob Taylor's chance
   of a permanent move into the top division.
   
   The 31-year-old striker, playing the last game of his loan period from
   West Bromwich Albion, thought he had won it when he nudged the ball
   past Peter Schmeichel from a prone position on the goal-line. Instead,
   a hampered punch by the Bolton goalkeeper, Keith Branagan, presented
   Andy Cole with a headed equaliser with five minutes left. Blessed
   relief for Cole, who had spurned a hatful of chances.
   
   United were again well below their best, yet still created a dozen
   good goalscoring opportunities, and were tantalisingly close to
   winning it in a frantic finale, during which Gary Neville hit the
   crossbar. "I thought we deserved to win it overall," Ferguson said.
   "They deserved to take the lead, but we could have scored five in the
   last 20 minutes."
   
   True enough, but United's play lacked the style which had everyone
   eulogising their quality earlier this season. On recent evidence the
   title is hardly a foregone conclusion. It was difficult, after all the
   emotions of the pre-match ritual, but eventually everyone managed to
   concentrate on the football.
   
   Ceremonies may have been the order of the day, but the players were
   not about to stand on them, and went at it hammer and tongs from the
   start. Both teams might have scored before the game was four minutes
   old.
   
   The guests of honour were still taking their seats when Giggs sent
   Solskjaer away on the left, from where his short centre was volleyed
   against the near post by Sheringham. Bolton's response was immediate,
   Frandsen's through pass inviting Blake to fire in a strong shot from
   the inside-right channel which forced Schmeichel to improvise a save
   with his legs.
   
   Taylor headed over from Sellars' left-wing cross, and for the first
   ten minutes or so the ebb and flow of a competitive derby held out the
   promise of a real treat for the distinguished guests. The promise was
   to go unfulfilled. It was no classic.
   
   Frandsen, making incisive incursions from deep, was allowed a free
   header at another cross from Sellars. With Gary Neville filling in at
   centre-half, United were literally short at the back. Schmeichel was
   the busier keeper during the opening exchanges, when the champions
   missed a Butt or Keane in the holding role in front of the back four.
   Gradually, however, they began to create good chances. Solskjaer set
   up Cole on the edge of the penalty area, but the resurgent striker
   shot straight at Branagan. Todd's mistake then let him in again, but
   Cole's finish was poor.
   
   That was to be the way of it. Giggs drove the ball into Branagan's
   midriff, Beckham shot wide and when Cole was finally on target he was
   thwarted by a smart save.
   
   Both teams conceded possession too easily for the satisfaction of
   their managers or an increasingly frustrated crowd. For a side in
   Bolton's position, the fault was no major surprise, but United have
   high standards to maintain and are falling below them.
   
   With United out of sorts, Bolton began to assert themselves, and
   should have taken the lead when Taylor volleyed over from Blake's
   cross.
   
   United's reprieve was temporary. With an hour gone, Pollock crossed
   from the right touchline and when Schmeichel and Taylor collided on
   the goal-line the ball ran loose. Schmeichel and Gary Neville seemed
   joint favourites to deal with it, but Taylor, lying on the ground, got
   his foot there first and nudged in his first Premier League goal.
   United reshuffled and improved considerably, but Cole volleyed over
   from Solskjaer's knock-down, then shot against Branagan's legs. Taylor
   might have made it safe for Bolton, but headed negligently over from
   Sellars' cross. With United cranking up the pressure, it was to prove
   a costly miss. Cole headed against a post and Gary Neville was
   agonisingly close.
   
   Then, with five minutes remaining, Todd baulked his own keeper and
   Branagan's mis-hit attempt at a punched clearance fell obligingly for
   Cole to score with a plunging header. After that, it was all United,
   who might have won it when Neville shivered the crossbar. It was
   another below par performance by the champions, but they still
   increased their lead at the top to five points. A Chelsea win today
   would close the gap to two.
   
   Manchester United: Schmeichel, Irwin, G Neville, Johnsen, P Neville,
   Beckham, Scholes, Giggs, Sheringham, Solskjaer, Cole.
   Scorer: Cole 85. Substitutes: Sheringham (Berg 68min).
   
   Bolton Wanderers: Branagan, Cox, Todd, Bergsson, Phillips, Fairclough
   Pollock, Frandsen, Sellars, Thopmson, Blake, Taylor.
   Scorer: Taylor 60. Substitutes: Taylor (Holdsworth 82min)
   
   Bookings: Sheringham (10min), Thompson (54min), Bergsson (66min),
   Pallister (79min), Berg (89min).
   
   Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).
   Attendance: 55,156.

   Copyright 1998 The Times Newspapers Limited. 
   _____________________________________________________________________

   February 8 1998 FOOTBALL
   
   Football pays silent tribute to Busby Babes
   
   THE TEARS were as sincere as those shed 40 years ago, as Old Trafford
   remembered the victims of the Munich air disaster of February 6, 1958,
   writes Jim Munro, football editor. 
   
   The start of Manchester United's home game with Bolton Wanderers was
   delayed by 15 minutes to allow for a special tribute on the
   anniversary of a crash that ripped the heart out of United's team -
   dubbed the Busby Babes - of which eight players lost their lives.
   
   A laying of wreaths in the centre-circle by representatives of the
   families of those who died, the club and various football officials,
   was followed by a minute's silence at 3.04pm, the exact time at which
   the British European Airways Elizabethan aircraft crashed on a
   third-attempted take-off, killing 23 people.
   
   On this emotional day, Bolton were the ideal opponents. It was they
   that United played in their final game at Old Trafford before the
   crash, when Bobby Charlton scored a hat-trick in a 7-2 win.
   
   Countless comparisons have been drawn between the Babes of the Busby
   era and Alex Ferguson's fledglings, but as the modern-day side bowed
   their heads and linked arms, paying their respects to the legendary
   team that included the likes of Duncan Edwards and Tommy Taylor, there
   was time to reflect that both squads have been equally as magnificent
   in their own generations.
   
   Within three months of the disaster, it was Bolton who defeated United
   2-0 at Wembley in the 1958 FA Cup final, and Nat Lofthouse, scorer of
   Bolton's goals that day and now club president, was the last to lay a
   wreath after the minute's silence had been observed impeccably by a
   respectful crowd of 55,156.
   
   The fates however were less sympathetic. United, by their standards,
   had suffered a poor run in the league of late, three defeats in four
   matches seen as more of an inconvenience than a sign of fading
   championship pedigree. On a day that should have seen a return to form
   against a team without a win in nine matches, Old Trafford was stunned
   after an hour of play when Peter Schmeichel, United's goalkeeper, got
   in a tangle with Bob Taylor, the Bolton forward, who appeared to get
   the deftest of touches on the ball to give the visiting team the lead.
   
   The Bolton defence then withstood a frantic onslaught as United
   attempted to save face and valuable championship points, and with five
   minutes remaining, Andy Cole put his head bravely among some Bolton
   boot studs to head an equaliser.
   
   A 1-1 draw may have been disappointing for the home fans, but it is
   fast becoming the season of missed opportunity. While United were
   dropping points, Blackburn and Liverpool, in third and fourth places
   respectively at start of play, both stumbled dramatically on their own
   doorsteps. Blackburn were hammered 3-0 by Tottenham, for whom Nicola
   Berti scored his first goal since joining Spurs on a free transfer
   from Internazionale in January, while Liverpool suffered the ignominy
   of a 3-2 defeat by Southampton at Anfield.

   Copyright 1998 The Times Newspapers Limited. 
   _____________________________________________________________________

   February 8 1998 FOOTBALL
   
   Joe Lovejoy on the moving tributes to the Busby Babes who were killed
   in the snows of Munich airport 40 years ago 
   
   Tears fill Theatre of Dreams 
   
   THE WALK up Matt Busby Way was a poignant one yesterday, fans much too
   young to remember laying flowers at the base of the great man's statue
   and pausing in silent contemplation to look up at the memorial clock
   which bears the legend February 6, 1958 - the day the word Munich was
   engraved in the dictionary of disaster.
   
   Inside Old Trafford, Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Bolton
   Wanderers was preceded by a brief, intensely moving ceremony, at the
   end of which there was scarcely a dry eye in the house.
   
   Forty years ago, the youngest team ever to win the League championship
   (hence the "Busby Babes") perished on an icy runway at Munich airport
   during their return from a successful European Cup trip to Belgrade,
   and in those different, less adversarial days, a nation mourned.
   
   The forerunners of Alex Ferguson's all-conquering United teams were
   chasing their third successive League title, and the previous Saturday
   had scored five at Arsenal in a coruscating match. They were through
   to the fifth round of the FA Cup, the semi-finals of the European Cup,
   and good judges believed a clean sweep was not beyond Busby's "team of
   all the talents", in which the peerless Duncan Edwards shone brightest
   of all.
   
   Precociously gifted, Edwards was 21 at the time, and had already been
   an England regular for three years. Had he lived, Bobby Moore may well
   have got no further than the bench in 1966, "Big Duncan" was that
   good. Instead, the player Busby always bracketted with George Best as
   his two finest discoveries was cut down when he had barely reached
   maturity, let alone his prime.
   
   Tragically, he was one among many. An abortive take-off in the Munich
   snows claimed the lives of Roger Byrne, Geoff Bent, Mark Jones, David
   Pegg, Liam (Billy) Whelan, Eddie Colman and Tommy Taylor, all killed
   instantly. The club secretary, Walter Crickmer, first team trainer Tom
   Curry and coach Bert Whalley also died. Edwards fought for a fortnight
   before succumbing to his injuries.
   
   Their memory was honoured in a service at Manchester Cathedral on
   Friday, and further tributes were paid yesterday, when observers in
   the Press box were reminded that some of the finest sportswriters of
   their generation were among the 23 who perished.
   
   Pride of place on this most sombre of occasions went to some of the
   survivors and families of the bereaved who filed on to the pitch,
   misty eyed. Heaven knows what ghastly memories seared their minds.
   Their club, often accused of brazen commercialism, demonstrated that a
   good heart lies beneath all that filthy lucre.
   
   The turnstiles were closed at 3pm lest there should be any unwanted
   interruption of a minute's silence - a thoughtful precaution which
   helped to produce the desired effect. Nothing stirred, the hush
   observed impeccably at precisely 3.04pm - the time of the crash.
   
   The emotion was near-tangible, and close to overflowing, as Bobby
   Charlton, who survived the crash, marched out at the head of the
   United team, to lay a wreath in the centre-circle. Nat Lofthouse, the
   former player turned president of Bolton, followed suit on behalf of
   his club, calling to mind the fact that they provided the opposition
   when, within three months of the tragedy, a United team running on
   neat emotion, reached the FA Cup final, losing 2-0. Lofthouse scored
   both of the goals.
   
   In all, eight wreaths were laid - one for each of the players who
   perished. Roger Byrne, son of the England full-back of the same name
   who was among those killed, laid one for the families, and there was
   warm applause as Vladimir Popovic, of Red Star Belgrade's 1958 team,
   stepped forward to do his duty, but not even the cheer for Andy Cole's
   equaliser matched their beloved Bobby's reception. When the public
   address called Charlton forward, his old comrades must have heard the
   din up in Valhalla.
   
   For 15 minutes, the "Theatre of Dreams" became a shrine, the occasion
   so solemn, so emotive, that for a long time it was impossible to
   concentrate on the football that followed.
   
   Gary Neville, United's defender, said: "We went to the service at the
   Cathedral, and it was very emotional. What happened out there before
   the game touched all of us deeply."

   Copyright 1998 The Times Newspapers Limited. 
   _____________________________________________________________________

Saturday February 7 2:32 PM EDT

Soccer showcase-Late Cole goal saves a point for United 
(Adds details)  
By Mike Collett

MANCHESTER, England, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Manchester United salvaged a point
with a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Bolton Wanderers when Andy
Cole equalised five minutes from time at Old Trafford on Saturday.

United, who had lost two of their previous three English premier league
matches and were beaten 1-0 at home by Leicester last week, looked set to
crash again before Cole headed home after a period of intense pressure by
the league leaders. 

United's luck turned when Bolton goalkeeper Keith Branagan's clearance
bounced off one of his own players and Cole leaped to score. 

Minutes earlier he had headed against a post, and in injury time Gary
Neville hit the bar, but Bolton survived to take a point when at one time
it looked as though they would be making the short journey home with all
three. 

Bolton took the lead after 60 minutes when Jamie Pollock broke clear in
space on the right and whipped the ball into the United six-yard box. 

Striker Bob Taylor, on loan from West Bromwich and looking for a permanent
move to Wanderers, challenged for the ball but appeared to have lost his
chance as United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and Gary Neville tried to
smother his effort. 

But the ball suddenly came bouncing out of the melee of players and
bounced over the goal-line to put the visitors ahead. 

The events surrounding the 40th anniversary of the Munich air disaster
which included a short ceremony and a minute's silence before the kick-off
appeared to have had a stifling affect on United. 

Apart from the odd piece of inspired play from Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes,
United were largely unimpressive until the closing stages. Instead of
looking like champions-elect they looked like a team lacking confidence
and cohesion following their recent poor run. 

It might all have been very different if they had gone ahead in only the
second minute when Teddy Sheringham smacked a close-range volley against a
post. 

From the break Bolton had a very good chance to take a shock lead but
Nathan Blake's shot was smothered by Schmeichel's legs. 

The visitors, while never as stylish as their more glamorous
near-neighbours, nevertheless battled for everything in midfield with Per
Frandsen and Jamie Pollock matching the likes of Giggs and David Beckham
stride for stride, kick for kick. 

But even when United did take control, mistakes and poor finishing let
them down. On one occasion Bolton's Andy Todd headed a loose ball up in
the air inside his own penalty area, only for Cole to loop the ball over
the bar from eight metres out. 

Beckham ended an excellent United build-up with a left-foot shot that
shaved the post after 27 minutes and Cole went close again in the 69th
minute, showing a dazzling turn of pace in the box, only to see his
powerful drive blocked by Branagan and cleared by Frandsen. 

Branagan stopped a point-blank shot from Cole in the dying minutes, Cole
headed against a post and Giggs went close with a header, but just when it
appeared Bolton had done enough to hold out for an unlikely win, Cole
finally struck. 
__________________________________________________________________________

Saturday February 7 4:10 PM EDT

Chasing pack looking United gift horse in the mouth 
By Dave Thompson

LONDON, Feb 7 (Reuters) - The gift horse provided courtesy of Manchester
United is being prodigally looked in the mouth. 

One point out of a possible nine and just one goal in United's last three
premier league games leaves the door to the title wide open. 

But the chasing pack has faltered just as badly as the champions. With
Blackburn and Liverpool both losing at home on Saturday, United actually
increased their lead after scrambling a 1-1 draw at home to bottom but one
club Bolton. 

Second placed Chelsea can take advantage if they win at Arsenal on Sunday
but that is a tall order. 

Like the rest of the population, United manager Alex Ferguson would have
been unprepared for Tottenham winning 3-0 at Blackburn on Saturday. 

Rarely has the north London club been at such a low ebb -- down and out in
the cup, Juergen Klinsmann injured and out for at least three weeks, and
heavily tipped for relegation. 

Remarkably, the worthy but unassuming northern town of Clitheroe proved
the catalyst for Saturday's dramatic change-round in the fortunes of
Tottenham whose previous 12 away league games had yielded just eight
goals. 

Rather than head home after Wednesday's 3-1 cup defeat at league bottom
side Barnsley, the club stayed north -- and talked to each other. 

Swiss coach Christian Gross, a man under pressure if ever there was one,
said: ``Our preparation was excellent. It was good that we were together.
We discussed things between us and you saw the reaction.''

Tottenham, 26 points from 25 games, moved out of the bottom three, three
points clear of the danger zone but Gross knows a long, hard road winds
ahead. 

He warned: ``Now it begins. It has been a hard week for us but every new
game you have another chance to prove what you can do.''

``We were very compact, everyone fought for each other,'' the coach added. 
``That's what we have to do. There are another 13 battles in front of us
now.''

Chris Armstrong, back in the side in the absence of Klinsmann, obliged
with the Tottenham second goal and then echoed his boss. 

``This is the basis for us to go on for the rest of the season,'' he said. 

The way forward for Blackburn is clear in the mind of manager Roy Hodgson. 
He said: ``Now it means we have to go to teams where we would normally be
happy to draw and look for a win.''

Liverpool manager Roy Evans was equally disappointed as he reflected on
the 3-2 home defeat by Southampton. ``We tried to attack and win the
game...but while you are attacking you have to make sure you defend and we
did not do that.''
___________________________________________________________________________

Saturday February 7 1:19 PM EDT

Soccer showcase-Eight wreaths for dead Busby Babes 
By Mike Collett

MANCHESTER, England, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Eight wreaths commemorating the
Manchester United players who died in the Munich Air Disaster were laid at
Old Trafford during a poignant memorial ceremony on Saturday. 

The short service, which included a minute's silence at 1504 GMT -- the
actual time of the crash -- preceded United's English premier league match
against Bolton, staged one day after the 40th anniversary of the disaster.

The minute's silence was impeccably observed by the 50,000 plus crowd. 
allaying fears that Bolton fans, many of whom have a passionate hatred of
United, would spoil the occasion. 

United players Roger Byrne, Geoff Bent, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David
Pegg, Tommy Taylor, Billy Whelan and Duncan Edwards as well as 15 others
all lost their lives after the plane carrying them back to England from a
European Cup quarter-final in Belgrade, crashed on take-off after
re-fuelling at Munich on February 6, 1958. 

On Saturday, Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the nine Busby Babes who survived
the crash and Nat Lofthouse -- who scored Bolton's goals when they beat a
patched-up United side 2-0 in the F.A. Cup Final three months later -- led
the teams out for the match and also laid two of the wreaths. 

Vladimir Popovic, who played for Red Star Belgrade against United in their
last match before the disaster, laid a wreath on behalf of his club, and
received a huge ovation from the United supporters. 

Angel Villar Llona, of UEFA's Executive Committee, laid one on behalf of
European soccer's governing body. 

Roger Byrne's son, also called Roger, laid a wreath on behalf of the
families bereaved at Munich. 

Gordon Taylor of the English professional footballers association, and
supporters representing United and Bolton laid the others. 

The ceremony at Old Trafford followed a memorial service held in
Manchester Cathedral on Friday night before a specially-invited
congregation of around 1,500. 

By special arrangement with the premier league, Saturday's match had a
kickoff time of 1515 GMT rather than the usual 1500 GMT. 
___________________________________________________________________________
                                      
                         Saturday, February 7, 1998
                                      
   MANCHESTER UNITED	1-1	BOLTON WANDERERS
   Cole (85) 			Taylor (60)
   
   The most fitting tribute Alex Ferguson would have desired to the
   memory of those who perished so tragically at Munich was a full scale
   demonstration of their renowned skills from the awesome talent which
   has established Manchester United as the masters of the modern era.
   
   The ever-demanding Ferguson, who has achieved so much in emulating the
   management genius of the legendary Sir Matt Busby at Old Trafford,
   expressed such a wish at the moving memorial service on Friday night
   inside a packed Manchester Cathedral to mark the 40th anniversary of
   the never-to-be-forgotten disaster which claimed the lives of eight
   United players.
   
   'That team had courage, skill, spirit and perseverance,' said
   Ferguson. 'But their most outstanding characteristic was style.'
   
   It is that very commodity that Ferguson has imbued in the team which
   he himself has constructed with such painstaking attention to detail
   in a magnificent stadium which has become known as the Theatre of
   Dreams.
   
   Four championships in five years provides graphic testimony to the
   success of his efforts.
   
   And yet the style to which the modern-day United supporter has become
   so cosily accustomed to was to be inexplicably delayed until a final
   pulsating ten minutes.
   
   Until United hit the right gear the muttering among another huge Old
   Trafford audience was that a period of crisis had descended on the
   club.
   
   Crisis in purely footballing terms of course which pales into total
   insignificance on a day when the memory of lives lost and bodies
   maimed was so impeccably observed during a poignant minute of silence
   at 3.04pm, precisely the time when the plane carrying that celebrated
   collection of Busby babes had crashed in attempting take off from a
   slush-bound runway.
   
   Indeed, United were being seriously threatened by a fourth defeat in
   five games a sequence of results unprecedented in the modern era.
   
   And it had not been as though Bolton Wanderers were so irresitable.
   They had defended doggedly, it is true, and done their utmost to deny
   the United craftsmen the time and space in which to operate
   successfully.
   
   The harsh truth is that United were fitful and fumbling in their
   efforts with an uncharacteristic penchant for wasteful passing.
   
   It had all begun so brightly as well with Ryan Giggs and Ole Solskjaer
   combining well to provide Teddy Sheringham with an opportunity which
   he drove fiercely against the nearpost.
   
   Almost immediately Nathan Blake exploited a ponderous attempt at
   intervention by Gary Pallister to get in behind the United's defences
   and it required the outstretched legs of Peter Schmeichel to deny
   Bolton an unlikely early advantage.
   
   United were going from bad to worse when Bolton succeeded in claiming
   a not unexpected breakthrough in the 59th minute.
   
   Again it was almost a comedy of errors which allowed Bob Taylor to
   bring an unlikely smile to the faces of outnumbered supporters who had
   made the short journey in the confident expectancy of a further
   mauling to add to the 5-1 home defeat by Coventry the previous
   weekend.
   
   Jamie Pollock deserves credit for the cleverly delivered cross from
   the right and Taylor showed commendable courage in challenging the
   giant Schmeichel. When the ball squirmed free Gary Neville attempted
   to lend assistance but from his position on the floor Taylor stuck out
   a leg to divert the ball slowly over the line.
   
   Perhaps the reverse provided the perfect antidote to United's alarming
   lethargy.
   
   Certainly the prospect of facing the outraged Ferguson would not have
   been particularly appealing. Slowly, but surely, United got their act
   together and Bolton's defence endured a charmed life.
   
   Andy Cole shot against goalkeeper Keith Branagan and proceeded to
   strike the inside of the post with a bullet header from a particularly
   well-delivered cross from David Beckham.
   
   It was fitting then that United's most persistent striker should have
   been in a position to profit from a rush of rash goalkeeping by
   Branagan.
   
   With his penalty area under siege, Branagan elected to punch the
   latest in a stream of crosses from the flanks in the 85th minute and
   succeeded only in teeing up the ball for Cole to deposit the
   equaliser.
   
   United might even have elicited an unwarranted late winner but Gary
   Neville succeeded only in crashing a close-range opportunity against
   the crossbar.
   
   United can, of course, be thankful that no serious damage was
   inflicted on their continuing ambition to dominate the Premiership
   mainly because of timely, if unexpected, home defeats for close rivals
   Liverpool and Blackburn.
   
   At least on such a poignant day of remembrance of arguably the best
   team ever produced at the club it must be considered satisfactory that
   the modern day heroes were not forced to mark the occasion with a
   defeat.
   
   But it was certainly not achieved in the style that manager Ferguson
   intended.
   
   'It was not a great performance from us in the first half,' admitted
   thew United manager. 'But in the second period we showed the kind of
   determination expected from a Manchester United team.
   
   'It needed a goal to set the game alight. Once they scored our
   performance improved especially in the intensity of our passing and we
   could have scored five in the last 20 minutes.
   
   'I think it was a difficult day for both sets of players. There was a
   lot of procedure to go through for our players in the ceremony before
   the match so it was difficult to take about the game.
   
   'It is important for them to play themselves through this unsteady
   spell. Every team gets blips at some stage in the season.
   
   'Let us just say that the season starts today as far as we are
   concerned.'
   _____________________________________________________________________

   Saturday February 7

   United stutter in silence 
   By Paul Wilson
   Saturday February 7, 1998
   
   Tony Cottee last Saturday, Bob Taylor this; it is beginning to look as
   if any old centre forward can score at Manchester United.

   The striker Leicester rescued from Malaysia cost United three points
   last week, and a first Premiership goal for a journeyman 30-year-old
   playing his final game on loan from West Brom threatened to cause
   similar embarrassment until Andy Cole's equaliser five minutes from
   the end.

   This was hardly the way United had hoped to commemorate the fortieth
   anniversary of the Munich disaster, and though most of their rivals
   once again obliged by failing to close the gap, there was hope here
   for the chasers that the leaders might be catchable after all. "No
   disrespect to Bolton but we should be winning these games," Gary
   Neville said. "Teams still fear coming here, but they are going to get
   a bit of encouragement now."

   Alex Ferguson had warned his players that their football concentration
   must be total, after the sombre ceremonies of the last few days, and
   either it wasn't, or United have gone off the boil. Three defeats in
   the four league games prior to this suggest the latter, and though
   Ferguson had promised more commitment and a performance worthy of the
   memory of the Busby Babes, he was disappointed on both counts for all
   but the last 10 minutes.

   Bolton could not have co-operated more fully either. Their fans were
   as good as gold during the minute of silence, which despite fears of
   disturbance, passed off in perfect quiet as poignantly as Old Trafford
   could wish. Their defenders were less impressively disciplined,
   getting turned as early as the second minute and botching several
   clearances to present United with possession in dangerous areas.

   Yet the home side could not take advantage. They set off as if
   determined to reach double figures, as the pre-Munich side had once
   done against Anderlecht, and when Giggs played Solskjaer behind
   Bolton's defence on the left after little over a minute, Sheringham
   sidefooted the cross against Branagan's right upright. Before United
   had any time to take encouragement, however, a defence-splitting pass
   from the excellent Frandsen had given Blake an even better chance at
   the other end, and though Schmeichel was swiftly off his line to block
   the shot, the finish was not one of the Welshman's finest.

   Taylor and Thompson had further chances for the visitors, though most
   of the traffic was in the opposite direction with Cole lifting a shot
   over the bar after Todd's mistake had given him the ball in the area,
   then bringing a fine save from Branagan. The England striker was not
   at his most incisive, though he was not alone. None of Glenn Hoddle's
   selections shone, and Beckham and Sheringham were particularly
   off-key. Scholes' passing accuracy appeared unaffected by the general
   malaise, but United were not creating enough clear-cut chances for any
   of Cole's misses to be regarded as culpable.

   That changed in the second half, when Cole could and perhaps should
   have had a hat-trick, but by that stage United were chasing the game
   courtesy of Taylor's 61st minute strike. Schmeichel and Gary Neville
   between them appeared to have covered the danger, until the ball broke
   free and a prostrate Taylor was able to hook over the line for one of
   the more unusual goals of his career.

   United stepped up their efforts, and if Cole could have done better
   with a chance from Solskjaer's knock down in the 65th minute, he
   thought he had scored five minutes later only for Branagan to somehow
   save with his legs.

   Berg replaced Sheringham 20 minutes from the end, with Phil Neville
   pushing further forward, and though both Gary Neville and Cole had
   good chances in the final 10 minutes, Taylor could have put the issue
   beyond doubt had he been on target with a free header nine minutes
   from time.

   Reprieved, Cole headed one Beckham cross against a post before
   Branagan came and missed a second one, colliding with Todd and making
   a present of an equaliser. This was tough on Bolton, but they are used
   to it. In fact they could not really have complained had United
   snatched all the points in a six minute siege during injury time, when
   Solskjaer headed just over and Gary Neville crashed a shot against the
   bar. "We might have had a wee bit of luck, but it's the first time
   this season," Colin Todd said.

   United, according to their manager, will play themselves through this
   blip, though it sounds as if one or two might not be doing it at
   Wembley on Wednesday. "I'll look at that situation tomorrow," Ferguson
   said. "I'm not saying anything now and having you all go off and
   'phone Glenn Hoddle."

   Guardian
   _____________________________________________________________________

                     Man United v Bolton 07/02/98 3.15
                                      
  Man United              (0) 1 Bolton                  (0) 1 FT
  Cole 85                       Taylor 60

   Andy Cole equalised six minutes from time to spare Manchester United's
   blushes against Bolton at Old Trafford as the champions drew 1-1 in
   the FA Carling Premiership.
   
   The champions were on course for what would have been their fourth
   league defeat in five matches after relegation-threatened Bolton took
   the lead through Bob Taylor.
   
   But United finally shook themselves from their slumbers and their
   pressure paid off when Cole bravely headed home his 21st goal of the
   season.
   
   United then laid siege to the Wanderers' goal and in the final minute
   Gary Neville crashed a shot off the woodwork.
   
   Before the delayed kick-off, the players and fans of both sides paid
   tribute to the victims of the Munich air crash on the day after the
   40th anniversary of the disaster.
   
   Eight wreaths - one for each of the United players who died in the
   tragedy - were laid in the centre circle and a minute's silence was
   perfectly observed.
   
   United were keen to produce a good performance in their own tribute to
   the Busby Babes and the match exploded into life.
   
   In a frantic first two minutes Teddy Sheringham, making his first
   start in four weeks after fully recovering from his calf injury, hit
   the post, while Peter Schmeichel saved Nathan Blake's shot with his
   legs.
   
   On six minutes Cole turned and fired past the post before Taylor
   headed Scott Sellars' cross wide.
   
   Cole latched on to Andy Todd's poor back header on 18 minutes, but
   lifted his shot over the bar.
   
   Five minutes later, Cole set up Ryan Giggs outside the area only for
   him to shoot straight at Keith Branagan.
   
   Branagan produced a great save a minute later to keep out Cole's
   angled pile-driver and from the resultant corner he gathered a
   Sheringham effort. David Beckham then went agonisingly close with a
   shot from the edge of the area, which went just past the post.
   
   United were not firing on all cylinders and time after time the final
   ball was going astray. Without the suspended Nicky Butt in the middle
   of the park, Beckham and Giggs tucked in more, which left United short
   of width on the flanks.
   
   The crowd of 55,156 was exactly the same as watched United sink to
   their first home defeat against Leicester last Saturday.
   
   As half-time approached the match increasingly became littered with
   mistakes as move after move broke down.
   
   Gary Pallister nearly let in Blake with a weak back pass and as
   Schmeichel cleared the ball it came off the Bolton striker and fell to
   Taylor, but he failed to capitalise on the chance.
   
   On 57 minutes Taylor fired over from Blake's deep cross. But Bolton
   took the lead with a soft goal on the hour when Taylor challenged
   Schmeichel for Jamie Pollock's cross and as Gary Neville dithered,
   Taylor reacted quickest to stab home his first goal since joining
   Wanderers on loan from West Brom.
   
   United boss Alex Ferguson changed tactics when he replaced Sheringham
   with Henning Berg.

   Berg slotted into the heart of the defence while Phil Neville pushed
   into midfield as United switched from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-4-2
   line-up.
   
   The ploy almost worked straight away as Branagan produced a great save
   to deny Cole what looked like a certain equaliser.
   
   Just like last week, United went forward in search of an equaliser and
   on 80 minutes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Giggs went close.
   
   Two minutes later Gary Neville was left holding his head in his hands
   after he fired over from a great chance.
   
   Worse was to follow for United when Cole rose to connect with a header
   only to see the ball come off the inside of the post with Branagan
   beaten.
   
   But just as it seemed United would end the match with nothing, Cole
   headed home from close range to send the home fans wild.
                                      
   Man United: (4-3-3) Schmeichel, G. Neville, Irwin, Pallister, Beckham,
   Cole, Sheringham (Berg, 67), Giggs, P. Neville, Scholes, Solskjaer.
   Subs not used: McClair, Van Der Gouw, Clegg, Twiss.
   Booked: Sheringham, Pallister, Berg.
   
   Bolton: (4-4-2) Branagan, Cox, Thompson, Todd, Fairclough, Bergsson,
   Pollock, Sellars, Frandsen, Blake, Taylor (Holdsworth, 81).
   Subs not used: Ward, Johansen, Sheridan, Aljofree.
   Booked: Todd, Sellars, Bergsson.
   
   Attendance: 55,156.
   Referee: S J Lodge (Barnsley).
   ______________________________________________________________________

   THAT'S AN ANDY POINT, SAYS FERGIE

   By David Anderson, PA Sport
   
   Alex Ferguson feels Manchester United's point from their derby with
   Bolton at Old Trafford could prove crucial in the title race.
   
   United were heading towards their fourth league defeat in five games,
   and second at home, until Andy Cole headed home his 21st goal of the
   season to equalise six minutes from time.
   
   The goal was the least the champions deserved for their efforts and
   they were cheered by the news that championship rivals Liverpool and
   Blackburn had lost at home.
   
   "That point today could be an important point for us," said United
   manager Ferguson.
   
   "We got something from the game which we have always been good at
   doing when we have been winning championships.
   
   "There will be a lot of points surrendered with five teams involved."
   
   United hit the woodwork three times and Ferguson claimed: "I felt we
   deserved to win with the performance in the last 20 minutes.
   
   "It was not a game of a lot of chances, but the better ones fell to
   us."
   
   Bolton boss Colin Todd was delighted with how well his side bounced
   back after their drubbing against Coventry last week.
   
   "They were humiliated last week 5-1 at home by Coventry so to come
   here and put on a performance like they have done is a credit to
   them," he said.
   
   "We may be had a little bit of luck but that's the first bit of luck
   we have had this season.
   
   "I am still optimistic that we will survive and the players are just
   bitterly disappointed that they have not come away with a win."
   
   Bob Taylor gave struggling Wanderers the lead on the hour with a goal
   on his last game before he returns to West Brom at the end of his
   month's loan.
   
   He was delighted to score his first Premiership goal at the age of 31.
   
   "I have ended my loan period today and what a place to end it!" he
   said.
   
   Taylor capitalised on a mistake by Gary Neville to score and the
   United and England defender was highly critical of his own
   performance. He felt he could have prevented Taylor's goal while he
   also missed two opportunities, including one which hit the woodwork.
   
   "We should have won comfortably but I look no further than myself,"
   said Neville.
   
   "I had two great chances to score and it does not matter if you are a
   full back or a centre forward, you have got to put them away.
   
   "The best is expected of you as a Manchester United player and I did
   not produce in front of goal."
   
   Before the delayed kick-off, eight wreaths were laid in the centre
   circle and a minute's silence was observed in memory of the 23 victims
   on the 40th anniversary of the Munich air crash.
   
   United started slowly, but Neville refused to blame this on the
   commemoration.
   
   "We were all at the service last night and there were more
   commemorations today but we can't use that as an excuse," he said.
   
   © PA Sporting Life
   ______________________________________________________________________
                                      
   FANS PAY THEIR TRIBUTES

   By David Anderson, PA Sport
   
   From far and wide they came to pay their respects to the team that
   died at Munich.
   
   Manchester United fans from all over the country, united in their
   desire to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the tragedy which robbed
   them and the country of such a young and talented side.
   
   Quietly and patiently they queued to write their messages in the book
   of condolence at Old Trafford.
   
   Others laid flowers underneath the statue of Sir Matt Busby at the
   Munich memorial, while at his feet was a single wreath composed of red
   and white flowers.
   
   A picture of the Busby Babes was pinned on the glass underneath along
   with personal tributes penned by supporters to express their grief and
   sorrow in their own individual ways.
   
   Fans, young and old, came and stood in silence as they remembered the
   eight United players and three officials who were among the 23 victims
   of the disaster on February 6, 1958.
   
   One tribute left with a bouquet of carnations summed up the feeling of
   the assembled supporters. It read: "To a team gone...but not
   forgotten."
   
   At 3pm Sir Bobby Charlton and Bolton president Nat Lofthouse led out
   the United and Wanderers teams.
   
   The players lined up on the field, where they were joined by the
   Munich families and members of the United and Bolton 1958 FA Cup Final
   teams.
   
   Eight wreaths - one for each of the players who perished - were then
   laid on the pitch, including one by Vladimir Popovic, who played for
   Red Star Belgrade against the Babes in their last match.
   
   The wreaths were later removed and placed at the Munich memorial.
   
   At 3.04pm, the exact time of the crash, a hush descended over the
   55,000 crowd inside the Theatre of Dreams as they stood in silence for
   the victims of the disaster.
   
   There had been fears that some Bolton fans may disrupt the silence,
   but they all behaved impeccably.
   
   The players warmed up to the Manchester United Calypso, which was the
   1950s anthem of the Busby Babes.
   
   Edward Aston, who travels up to games from his home in Cheltenham, has
   supported United since the tragedy and the day of the crash is etched
   on his memory forever.
   
   "I can remember exactly what I was doing when I heard the news," he
   said.
   
   "I was working in a factory, where I was a time clerk, when this chap
   from Bolton came up to me. He was weeping and when I asked him what
   was the matter, he told me what had happened.
   
   "I told him that maybe it was just a rumour, but five minutes later I
   found out that it was true and I felt terrible.
   
   "I shed a few tears that day."
   
   Aston cannot afford to come to every game, but there was no way he was
   going to miss today's commemorations.
   
   "I didn't want to miss this game for anything," he said.
   
   "I wanted to come and pay my respects and it is something which will
   never be forgotten."
   
   Peter Scallon from Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland is only 18, but
   he still appreciates the full tragedy of what happened on that snowy
   runway.
   
   He claims it has got nothing to do with age and the feeling is inside
   every true United supporter.
   
   "I know all about Munich because I've read about it in books and
   watched videos," he said.
   
   "It does not matter how old you are, it still affects you if you are a
   genuine fan.
   
   "They were just so young and Duncan Edwards was just 21 when he died.
   They were just such a great team and they will never be forgotten."
   
   Ann McMahon is a member of the Hertfordshire supporters club and she
   laid her own bunch of flowers underneath the statue of Sir Matt.
   
   The supporters club brought a wreath, but she wanted to pay her own
   tribute.
   
   McMahon is too young to remember the crash, but it still means a great
   deal to her.
   
   "Our branch has a wreath, but I just wanted to do this as well," she
   said.
   
   "I never saw the Busby Babes play and Bobby Charlton was the first
   player that I remember following.
   
   "Sir Matt is the person I must associate with the tragedy and it was
   so sad that so many of them died so young.
   
   "In many respects there are similarities with today's side in that
   they have several young players, who have grown up together as well."
   
   Lesley Ragg is also a member of the Hertfordshire supporters club and
   she said: "The tragedy is inside every supporter, young or old."
   
   Ray Seastram travelled across from Cardiff to be at today's game and
   he felt it was important to be here.
   
   "It was a terrible thing that happened," he said.
   
   "Today is such a special day and I just wanted to be part of it."
   
   © PA Sporting Life

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