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Electronic Telegraph


Wednesday 15 October 1997
Issue 874


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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