United v Stoke: 30 Minute Live Blog

By: Taylor Rockwell | November 15th, 2008

FULL TIME – We’re back. That’s really all I can say. Yes it was Stoke. Yes it was at home. I don’t care. That’s a Stoke side that beat Arsenal and has looked legitimately good at times this season. Great performance from pretty much everyone today. Tevez will be upset not to get his name on the score sheet, but that strike from Welbeck may be my current goal of the season. Carrick’s was impressive as well, and Slave’s freekicks were pretty decent. Berba nets to up his tally for the season.

That was a lovely performance and a fitting way to celebrate Fergie’s 50 years of football. Hopefully we can continue in this style. Lovely football all around. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Tell your liver to suck it up, go out, and celebrate this match in style!!!

92′ – They do their best to let him in there, but he can’t get it on frame. Excellent footwork from Ronaldo. Schools a defender and has it in, but the Angolan can’t have it on frame.

91′ – Stoke being selfish; not allowing Manucho a goal.

89′ – Carrick hacked down; free kick for United from 20 out. You’ll never guess who’s standing over it…

FIVE NIL!!!!!!! Great shot low into the far corner, side netting. Sorensen with a poor attempt at a save.

I still don’t completely trust him, but those were two great finishes from #7. Great goal. This is more like it!!!!

87′ – Free kick United; #7 with a deep breath, a shrug, and a ball in. Nothing comes of it.

84′ – HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!! WHAT AN ABSOLUTE STUNNER FROM WELBECK!!! Wins the ball and has a crack from 25-30 yards!!!!

That was amazing. Paul Scholes would be proud. Top corner. Sorensen had absolutely no chance.

Gotta love that he’s a Manchester native. Frazier Campbell can’t be very happy right now.

81′ – Lovely series of passes for United. Possession has been excellent this half. Not surprisingly, I credit Manucho.

How did Berba miss that? I guess he doesn’t want to beat Stoke too bad.

80′ – Manucho with a nice flick… is it wrong that I freak out every time he’s near the ball? I almost tossed my computer when I thought his header would be on frame.

79′ – #7 humiliates Stoke, then fires wide. Great skill from the midfielder to win a loose ball and get in on goal.

77′ – Manucho misses the target. Great endeavor from Slave to get the ball in.

76′ – Evra HACKED down on a counter. No call. This official is starting to make me wonder.

74′ -SUBSTITUTION FOR UNITED: Manucho on. Tevez off. Not a great day for the Argentinean. Let’s hope the Angolan can get a good couple of minutes in.

74′ – Did I mention that MANUCHO IS COMING!

73′ – MANUCHO IS COMING! MANUCHO IS COMING! MANUCHO IS COMING! MANUCHO IS COMING!

72′ – Tevez does a great job to win a 50-50, then do just enough to infuriate Stoke defenders. Good effort.

70′ – Welbeck looking good up top. Making smart runs and winning fouls. Good stuff thus far from the youngster.

66′ – I can’t tell if Slave is getting continuously fouled, or if he’s just… eh… finding it convenient to end up lying on the pitch… constantly. Still, not getting a lot of love from the official.

65′ – Tevez shoots wide; looks angry.

63′ – SUBSTITUTION FOR UNITED: Park and Fletcher off. Welbeck and Gibson on. Fletcher looked fantastic today. The double slide tackle made me squeal with delight… because I am 5.

62′ – Tevez takes would should have been an easy goal and instead passes it to Sorensen’s chest; the keeper, confused by the poor quality of the shot, duly passes the ball back into play. Tevez doesn’t look settled today. Trying to do too much and not enough at the same time.

58′ – Great freekick from Slave; Sorensen looks unsteady with the save. I think I actually prefer #7’s pre-shot routine more than I do his actual freekicks.

So, I realized it was a bit foolish to compile a list of thoughts from the second half when I could just as easily do a live blog of the goings-on… so, here we go…