United cruises past Newcastle
Source: Agencies |
August 18, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
STRIKER Dimitar Berbatov scored a clinical first goal as Manchester United sauntered to a 3-0 victory against promoted Newcastle United in its Premier League opener at Old Trafford on Monday.
Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs also struck to provide an emphatic response to champion Chelsea's 6-0 blast against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Paul Scholes was chief tormentor - the veteran playmaker releasing Berbatov after 33 minutes to fire a low shot past Steve Harper and then picking out substitute Giggs to volley United's third late in the second half.
Fletcher's close-range poke home had effectively ended the match as a contest shortly before halftime and United, runner-up to Chelsea last season, spent the second period toying with its overawed opponents.
It was a satisfying night for Ferguson, who gave Mexican striker Javier Hernandez his league debut as a second-half replacement for Wayne Rooney but he reserved his praise for the effervescent Scholes who at 35 still pulls United's strings.
"He showed again that he has marvellous passing range and vision for the game and he's still got that appetite for the game and that's the most important thing," Ferguson said. "When players retain that, like him and Giggs, they are blessed with something special.
"He has looked after himself. Last season was his first full season without injury for a long time. If he can stay fit that's the key for him."
Ferguson also described Berbatov's display as "excellent" although he felt the languid Bulgarian center forward should have scored three or four goals.
It took United half an hour to make its superiority count although Newcastle, back in the top flight after just one season, should have gone ahead when burly striker Andy Carroll headed wastefully wide from Joey Barton's corner.
That was the closest it came to giving its fans something to cheer about. Scholes finally unpicked the visitors' defence, rolling a pass invitingly into the path of Berbatov who made no mistake with a low angled drive into the far corner of the net.
"We controlled most of the match," Ferguson said. "The passing was good at times. It was a steady performance."
Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs also struck to provide an emphatic response to champion Chelsea's 6-0 blast against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Paul Scholes was chief tormentor - the veteran playmaker releasing Berbatov after 33 minutes to fire a low shot past Steve Harper and then picking out substitute Giggs to volley United's third late in the second half.
Fletcher's close-range poke home had effectively ended the match as a contest shortly before halftime and United, runner-up to Chelsea last season, spent the second period toying with its overawed opponents.
It was a satisfying night for Ferguson, who gave Mexican striker Javier Hernandez his league debut as a second-half replacement for Wayne Rooney but he reserved his praise for the effervescent Scholes who at 35 still pulls United's strings.
"He showed again that he has marvellous passing range and vision for the game and he's still got that appetite for the game and that's the most important thing," Ferguson said. "When players retain that, like him and Giggs, they are blessed with something special.
"He has looked after himself. Last season was his first full season without injury for a long time. If he can stay fit that's the key for him."
Ferguson also described Berbatov's display as "excellent" although he felt the languid Bulgarian center forward should have scored three or four goals.
It took United half an hour to make its superiority count although Newcastle, back in the top flight after just one season, should have gone ahead when burly striker Andy Carroll headed wastefully wide from Joey Barton's corner.
That was the closest it came to giving its fans something to cheer about. Scholes finally unpicked the visitors' defence, rolling a pass invitingly into the path of Berbatov who made no mistake with a low angled drive into the far corner of the net.
"We controlled most of the match," Ferguson said. "The passing was good at times. It was a steady performance."
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