Away vs Hull

[AleG]

Manchester United beat Hull at the KC Stadium with one goal in the first half. The newly crowned English Champions had nothing to loose in this match but Hull was among the four relegation threatened sides. West Brom, Middlesbrough and Newcastle completed the bottom four.

With the Champions League final on Wednesday to think about, Ferguson fielded Team C. He fielded the stronger “reserves” team possible, resting his stars and avoiding any injury to the players who might take a part in the final. With a few notable exceptions, the unknown youngsters took their task at heart. The starting XI was: Kuszczak as goalkeeper, Rafael, Neville, Brown and De Laet as defenders; Nani, Fletcher, Gibson and Martin as midfielders; Welbeck and Macheda as forwards. Defenders Eckersley and Possebon and, midfielder Tosic joined in the second half. Non of the stars were on the bench: Cristiano, Rooney, Tévez, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Vidic, Ferdinand and Dimitar were nowhere to be seen.

I do not understand how Kuszczak lost the second choice keeper title to Foster. But it was one of the few times he was part of the team this season. Rafael was impressive in his first season but obviously he has not the temperament for the final, yet. Neville, who showed poor performance in important matches, is not to be trusted for the final although he was named team captain and lifted the PL trophy as such. Brown is also a seasoned defender but an injury sidelined him for most of the season, obviously not fit for the final. De Laet and Martin were new faces. Fletcher had to start this game because he is wrongfully suspended for the final. Nani’s awful performances prevented him to join the team for the final and to prove a point with the youngsters. Serbian midfielder Tosic had his first opportunity. Welbeck and Macheda hoped to impress without the shadow of the ManUtd stars.

However, midfielder Gibson impressed with his goal in the 24th minutes in the style of Scholes’ and Carrick’s shots. It looked doom and gloom for the home side as that result and the other matches played at the same time positioned them in the bottom 3. The full 90 minutes were slow, with little precision for both sides. Near the end, the audience new that Newcastle got an own goal which sent them to the bottom three and lifting Hull to remain in the Premier League.

Read more about the match in,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8048308.stm
Hull 0-1 Man Utd
By Ian Hughes

Hull deserved to stay as their first matches were impressive. They were called “The incredible Hull” for their results. However, the length of the season took its toll. The reverse fixture scared ManUtd as they were winning by three goals but Hull came from behind ending in an epic 5-3 score line favoring the Old Trafford crowd.

At the end of the Premier League season, with Manchester United as Champions, Liverpool remained in second spot, with Chelsea and Arsenal following. Anelka’s goal at the last fixture made Cristiano lost his opportunity for the highest scorer individual award. West Brom, Middlesbrough and Newcastle lost their Premier League status and will play the Championship League next season. No word yet as which sides will join the Premier; probably Wolverhampton and Birmingham, joined by the winner of Sheffield United and Burnley play off.

Next match is on Wednesday vs Barcelona in Rome for the all important Champions League Final.

[AleG]

Burnley won the Championship play-off final with one goal. That promotes them to the Premier League for next season.