Copy from
Electronic Telegraph


Monday 29 December 1997
Issue 948


Coventry punish United's smugness
By Christopher Davies


External Links

Pics?
Download United Program/Patch files



          Coventry (1) 3 Man Utd (1) 2
          
          TO THE many characteristics displayed by Manchester
          United this season, complacency was added to the list at
          Highfield Road, where Coventry beat the Premiership champions
          for the first time since 1989.
          
          The last Coventry player to score the winner against United was
          Gary Bannister. Yesterday Darren Huckerby's 88th-minute winner,
          which came two minutes after Dion Dublin's equalising penalty,
          had the home fans comparing the goal to John Barnes' mesmeric
          effort against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro.
          
          United can justifiably claim they threw away victory by
          allowing two goals in the final four minutes but Coventry did
          not deserve to lose.
          
          It was almost as if it was too easy for United at times. They
          began to give the ball away with uncharacteristic regularity
          while David Beckham could count himself a shade fortunate to
          have stayed on the pitch.
          
          United are judged by the highest of standards, of course -
          standards they have set themselves - and when they drop below
          that level questions are asked and eyebrows raised.
          
          Beckham is a wonderful talent but is still prone to bursts of
          petulance. Having been booked for an earlier foul on Marcus
          Hall, Beckham was helped to his feet by Paul Williams after
          what referee Neale Barry adjudged to be a fair if heavy
          challenge by the Coventry player.
          
          The United midfielder struck out at Williams with an arm and
          the player would be best advised not to do that in an England
          shirt during France 98, especially if he is already on one
          yellow card, because World Cup referees are likely to be less
          lenient than the Scunthorpe official.
          
          United started sluggishly and never really found their pattern.
          While history will no doubt show this defeat to be a hiccup
          rather than full-blown indigestion, it underlined what Alex
          Ferguson has been saying - that another Premiership is not to
          be taken for granted.
          
          It was no surprise when Coventry took the lead in the 13th
          minute with a goal started and finished by Noel Whelan, playing
          only his fourth game of the season after slashing a foot in an
          incident involving a plate glass window in Leamington Spa in
          August that the midfielder would probably not want to elaborate
          on.
          
          Whelan won the ball deep in the Coventry half and freed Hall
          down the left. Hall's centre was poor and was completed by the
          always dangerous Huckerby to Dublin.
          
          The former United striker laid the ball off to Whelan, who had
          timed his run perfectly to beat Kevin Pilkington with a shot
          from near the penalty spot.
          
          Huckerby wasted a good opportunity two minutes later by
          shooting wide when a centre to an unmarked team-mate would have
          been the better option but United were mostly on the back foot.
          
          However, the visitors have too many good players to be down for
          too long and in the 31st minute Ryan Giggs put Ole Gunnar
          Solskjaer away down the left. The Norwegian waltzed past Roland
          Nilsson before shooting past Magnus Hedman from a narrow angle.
          
          We waited for the onslaught. After all, in the clubs' previous
          17 meetings, United had won 14, scoring 42 goals. United had
          won their last six Premiership matches while Coventry had lost
          five of their last six.
          
          But instead of playing their usual penetrating football, United
          tried too many back-heels and flicks, though cream will always
          rise to the top and the visitors took the lead in the 48th
          minute.
          
          After Beckham had won the ball from Whelan on the right, Paul
          Scholes centered and Teddy Sheringham scored with a superb low
          header on the far post.
          
          Even with a lead United were unconvincing. Ferguson changed the
          tactics to make them less adventurous and to stiffen a midfield
          that was not functioning as sweetly as usual.
          
          United allowed Coventry to come at them and ultimately paid the
          price for defending too deep, inviting the home defenders to
          pump the ball upfield in a simple but effective manner.
          
          With four minutes remaining Huckerby went past John Curtis only
          for Berg to bring him down with a penalty Ferguson did not
          argue about. Dublin did the business from the spot.
          
          There was more to come. In the 88th minute Huckerby set off on
          a mazy run "when he probably beat half our team", said
          Ferguson. The player eventually drew Pilkington before scoring
          undoubtedly the most memorable goal of his career.
          
          "We probably got what we deserved," said Ferguson. "It's a
          silly result but they happen in football. We were careless. We
          invited Coventry to attack us and defended far too deep.
          
          "We were too open and adventurous but after sorting things out
          I was confident we would go on to win. It shows things don't
          always turn out as you expect."
          __________________________________________________________
          
          Coventry (1) 3 Man Utd (1) 2
          Whelan 12, Dublin 86 pen, Huckerby 88; Solskjaer 30, Sheringham
          47.

          Coventry: Hedman, Shaw, Burrows, Williams, Huckerby, Whelan,
          Dublin, Telfer, Boateng (Boland 64), Hall (Soltvedt 77),
          Nilsson. Subs Not Used: Ogrizovic, Lightbourne, Shilton.
          Booked: Boland.

          Man Utd: Pilkington, Neville, Johnsen (Curtis 63), Pallister,
          Beckham, Cole, Sheringham, Giggs, Scholes, Solskjaer (Butt 71),
          Berg. Subs Not Used: McClair, Culkin, Mulryne. Booked: Beckham.

          Att: 23,054
          Ref: N S Barry (Scunthorpe).
          __________________________________________________________
          
Sunday December 28 2:08 PM EDT 

Coventry fell Manchester Utd with two late goals
(adds Newcastle/Liverpool game, Ferguson quotes) 
By Robert Woodward 

LONDON, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Lowly Coventry scored twice in the last four
minutes to beat leaders Manchester United, winners of their last six
premier league games, 3-2 in the English premier league on Sunday. 

Dion Dublin converted a penalty in the 86th minute when Darren Huckerby
was brought down by United centre back Henning Berg. Two minutes later,
Huckerby scored one of the goals of the season, jinking from near the
halfway line through the United defence to score from close range. 

Striker Chris Sutton grabbed his 12th league goal of the season to earn
second-placed Blackburn a 2-2 home draw with away specialists Crystal
Palace and cut United's lead to five points. 

Third-placed Chelsea play Southampton on Monday while Liverpool moved into
fourth after a 2-1 victory at Newcastle-- their fourth win in a row --
thanks to two fine goals by England midfielder Steve McManaman. 

Juergen Klinsmann's second coming to Tottenham ended with a 1-1 draw
against Arsenal in the north London derby. 

The German striker showed only glimpses of his best form and his side are
now second from bottom after Everton earned a priceless 3-2 win against
Bolton thanks to a hat-trick from Scottish striker Duncan Ferguson. 

Coventry, fourth from bottom at start of play after losing five of their
last six games, had taken a surprise early lead against United with
striker Noel Whelan's first goal of the season from a Dublin cross. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer equalised in the 30th minute with a superb solo goal
and after Sheringham's effort, a close-range header from a David Beckham
cross, it seemed United were firmly on course for their third successive
title. 

But Coventry kept their cool against a side manager Gordon Strachan calls
the best in Europe, none more than Dublin, a former United player, who
converted the penalty when Huckerby was fouled. 

Huckerby then turned one valuable point into three by drifting past four
United players and slipping the ball past goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington,
standing in for the injured Peter Schmeichel. 

``We were silly and we got what we deserved,'' said United manager Alex
Ferguson. ``It just shows things don't always turn out as you expect.'' 

Sutton also left it late to grab a point for Blackburn, scoring from close
range with 12 minutes left. Bruce Dyer opened the scoring for Palace and
Kevin Gallacher had equalised midway through the first half. 

Blackburn goalkeeper Tim Flowers then gifted Palace, who have won five
away games but are yet to win at home, a 48th-minute goal and a 2-1 lead. 

United now lead the league with 46 points followed by Blackburn with 41
and Chelsea with 38. 

Liverpool are still in touch on 37 after McManaman struck with powerful
shots in the 31st and 42nd minutes to cancel out a header from Steve
Watson. 

Arsenal are one point behind fifth-placed Leeds (35 points) after the draw
with Tottenham in a game between two sides struggling to find consistency. 

Striker Allan Nielsen opened the scoring for Spurs after 28 minutes but
Arsenal dominated the second half and deservedly earned a draw with a
deflected goal from midfielder Ray Parlour, the most effective player on
show. 

Ferguson had scored only two league goals so far this season and was
returning from a three-match suspension against Bolton. 

But the captain's armband inspired the craggy Scot who gave Everton a 2-0
lead after 41 minutes. Bolton pulled back to 2-2 with two goals in a
minute before halftime but Ferguson's header after 67 minutes earned
Everton three points. 

Barnsley remain bottom of the league with 18 points despite beating Derby
County 1-0. Everton, on 20 points, are ahead of Tottenham on goal
difference with Bolton and Southampton bracketed on 21 points. 

Coventry's victory has pushed them up four places to 13th, equal on 23
points with Palace and Sheffield Wednesday who drew 1-1 with Leicester. 

West Ham beat Wimbledon 2-1 when Wimbledon were forced to play all but two 
minutes of the game with 10 men after Ben Thatcher was sent off for an
off-the-ball incident. 
___________________________________________________________________________

                    Coventry v Man United 28/12/97 3.00
                                      
Coventry                (1) 3 Man United              (1) 2 FT
Whelan 12                     Solskjaer 30
Dublin 86 (pen)               Sheringham 47
Huckerby 88

   Coventry striker Darren Huckerby scored a wonderful goal to breathe
   life back into the Premiership title race by sinking leaders
   Manchester United in a dramatic finale at Highfield Road.
   
   Goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham looked to have
   seen off the challenge of the Sky Blues, who had taken a shock lead
   through Noel Whelan's first goal of the season.
   
   But it all changed around in the final four minutes. First Dion Dublin
   equalised from the penalty spot after Huckerby had been flattened by
   Henning Berg.
   
   Then with 60 seconds remaining Huckerby sent the home fans wild as he
   went past four challenges before planting a low shot wide of Kevin
   Pilkington.
   
   It ended United's run of six successive league wins and gave Coventry
   a massive boost in their bid to move clear of the relegation zone.
   
   United seldom moved into top gear and in the early stages their casual
   approach gave the impression that they felt they needed only to turn
   up to collect the three points.
   
   Whelan's early goal and the ultra-competitive approach of Gordon
   Strachan's side ensured it would never be that easy for the visitors.
   
   But they still looked on course for victory until the late, late show
   from Dublin and Huckerby, who made amends for some previous poor
   finishing.
   
   United looked full of confidence in the early stages - too full
   perhaps - and were stunned when they Sky Blues snatched a 13th minute
   lead with a move started and finished by Whelan.
   
   He found Marcus Hall in space on the left flank and, after he had been
   tackled by Henning Berg, the ball broke into the path of Darren
   Huckerby.
   
   The former Newcastle player cut his cross back across goal and Dion
   Dublin was able to turn the ball invitingly into the path of Whelan
   who side-footed his shot past the exposed Pilkington.
   
   Coventry might have increased their lead shortly afterwards had
   Huckerby shown more composure.
   
   Pilkington found himself stranded on the touch-line after
   over-committing himself in an effort to halt Huckerby but, with three
   players in the middle, the Coventry striker went for the narrow angle
   and his shot hit the side-netting.
   
   United started to add some cutting edge to their play and Paul
   Williams, back after suspension, came to Coventry's rescue when he
   cleared a low effort from Solskjaer off the line.
   
   Manager Alex Ferguson was concerned enough to make his way from his
   seat in the stand to the touch-line dug-out after only 25 minutes and
   it seemed to have the desired effect.
   
   Coventry keeper Magnus Hedman was called into meaningful action for
   the first time on the half hour when he smothered a low effort from
   Solskjaer.
   
   But within 60 seconds United were back on level terms. Ryan Giggs,
   recalled to the starting line-up along with Teddy Sheringham, provided
   the telling pass to Solskjaer.
   
   The Norwegian international turned Coventry defender Roland Nilsson
   inside out before steering a low shot into the corner of the net.
   
   Coventry retaliated and they should have regained the lead in the 34th
   minute. Huckerby beat the offside trap to race clear after latching
   onto a long ball from David Burrows.
   
   But, with only Pilkington to beat, he committed the cardinal sin of
   not even testing Peter Schmeichel's deputy and drilled his shot into
   the side-netting again.
   
   United were straight onto the offensive at the start of the second
   period and within two minutes they had taken the lead.
   
   Burrows slipped when in possession on the left flank deep in his own
   half and Beckham nipped in between the Coventry defender and Whelan to
   release Scholes.
   
   He had time to pick out Sheringham with a low cross at the far post
   but the England striker still had to stoop to his knees to send his
   header past the exposed Hedman.
   
   United gave the impression that they could move up a gear at any stage
   but Coventry continued to show plenty of fight and commitment and Paul
   Telfer was only a foot too high with a 25-yard free-kick.
   
   Dublin, against his old club, and Huckerby left it late, but came good
   in the end to inflict a painful lesson on the champions.
   
   Coventry: Hedman, Shaw, Burrows, Williams, Huckerby, Whelan, Dublin,
   Telfer, Boateng (Boland, 64), Hall (Soltvedt, 77), Nilsson.
   Subs not used: Ogrizovic, Lightbourne, Shilton.
   Booked: Boland.
   
   Man United: Pilkington, Neville, Johnsen (Curtis, 63), Pallister,
   Beckham, Cole, Sheringham, Giggs, Scholes, Solskjaer (Butt, 71), Berg.
   Subs not used: McClair, Culkin, Mulryne.
   Booked: Beckham.
   
   Attendance: 23,054.
   Referee: N S Barry (Scunthorpe).


[main] [top scorers] [league results/table] [match reports] [archive]
[gallery] [united faq] [links] [sign my guestbook]

Any comments are welcomed.

© Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.

Telegraph Group Limited endeavours to ensure that the information is correct but does not accept any liability for error or omission.

Users are permitted to copy some material for their personal use, but may not republish any substantial part of the data either on another website or as part of any commercial service without the prior written permission of Telegraph Group Limited.

Note : At times, reports are taken from Reuters and FA Carling Net.

Today's edition of Electronic Telegraph...