Not Boring as Scoreline Suggests

The majority of the remaning chances throughout the match were left to efforts from outside the penalty area from both teams. Duff and Tiago had efforts that worried Tim Howard. There were a couple of close calls with balls not dropping down to the attackers quickly enough, namely to Saha on a couple of occasions. Rooney in the first half had a brilliant flick header which was net bound to the goal that the 6,000 Man Utd fans were housed, but a flying save from Carlo only brought a corner for Rooney's efforts.

A similar type header from Frankie Lampard in the first half dropped inches past the far post.

It was an entertaining game, not full of spectacular goalmouth action, but an entertaining game nonetheless. The atmosphere was electric probably one of the best atmosphere's heard at The Bridge for many a game. The atmosphere may have been helped by Man Utd taking over the Matthew Harding Stand for the night, and the regular Matthew Harding Stand residents having to be housed in other parts of the ground. When you get the singers mixed in with the mingers it makes for a good night.

Should Man Utd have had a penalty? In the first half Louis Saha was sandwiched as he tried to go through the middle of Tiago and Ferreira but his appeals were waved away. But interestingly enough Neale Barry the nights ref, gave three other free kicks for similar types of incidences that were outside the penalty area. Say what you want!!

It is all to play for in two weeks when the teams meet again and with nothing to separate the two teams, this tie could really be decided on penalties.