United 1 - 0 Bolton

VDS

Brown(Fabio) Smalling Evans(s/o) Evra

Valencia Carrick Giggs Nani

Rooney Chicharito(Berbatov)

A goal late in the game, when we were a man down, gave us the much needed three points. My legs still ache after all the frantic jumping I performed when we scored the winning goal. I haven't shouted so much in ages!

It wasn't the best of performances but at this stage(actually, at any stage) it's the points that count and we got what we wanted. Bolton's defence was a tough nut to crack and their strikers did their utmost to trouble our inexperienced centre backs. Brown, Smalling, Evra and Fabio did well but Evans had a miserable game. He failed to win a header and was sent off for a very clumsy challenge.

Today's Hero Berbatov

I was foaming over the prospect of seeing both Nani and Valencia tear Bolton apart but they both failed to live up to the pre-match hype. Don't get me wrong, they did OK but I expect better from a player of Nani's calibre. Valencia, on the other hand, needs more time to get back to his former best. Carrick and Giggs did well to help our defence but weren't really creative when it came to attacking. As my friend pointed out, Carrick rarely passes to players in a more advanced position. At the front, Rooney had another good game. He could have scored  a beauty and was the only threatening player from our side, especially during the first half. Our Mexican starlet had an unusually quiet game and was withdrawn during the half time break as Sir Alex, watching the game from the stands, summoned Berbatov who scored the winning goal.

All in all it was an OK performance but we are more than able of playing better than that. However, to be fair, our work was cut out by a disciplined Bolton side, a side which deserves the 7th place it is currently occupying. They could have scored on a couple of occasions but we were unlucky not to be awarded a clear penalty, so lady luck turned her back on both teams today!

Meanwhile, the gunners failed to beat WBA and that has put us in a more comfortable position but it ain't over till the fat lady sings. 8 steps to go...