Ref's cock-up hands Fergie crown
TWO-GOAL Cristiano Ronaldo inspired "lucky" Manchester United to an amazing 5-2 triumph over Spurs to put the title within their grasp.
United, who were 2-0 down at half-time, fought back thanks to a controversial penalty from ref Howard Webb to put them three points clear of Liverpool with a game in hand.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted: "We were lucky with the penalty and if we had lost it would have blown the title race wide open."
But Spurs boss Harry Redknapp blasted Webb and stormed: "It was a terrible decision."
Webb's desperate decision to award United a penalty after Michael Carrick tumbled over Hurelheo Gomes changed the course of the game AND the destiny of the title.
The hapless Spurs keeper easily made contact with the ball long before Carrick fell over. Yet England's premier official pointed to the spot and the United juggernaut became unstoppable.
Webb's inexplicable intervention unsettled Tottenham to such an extent that they conceded five goals in 22 minutes.
Their confidence had been shot to pieces and there was no way back into a match they had controlled up to half-time.
Redknapp was furious afterwards and rightly so. He confronted Webb at the final whistle. Webb invited him into his room to discuss the incident but there was no turning back the clock or the decision.
Tottenham could justifiably claim they were robbed and Redknapp raged: "If he is out best referee I wouldn't like to see the worst.
"It was not a penalty and it shouldn't have been given. The referee has made a terrible mistake.
"He just said to me, 'If I made a mistake I am sorry'. We have seen it 50 times in the dressing room and it was not a penalty. Our keeper has played the ball. You can see that from the direction the ball travelled.
"It changed the face of the game. All of the United players were saying it shouldn't have been given. Without that help they got from the referee I thought we would have gone on and won the game. They weren't going to win the game from that position.
"We have got to have technology for decisions like that. Instead of dealing with petty things like keeping you in the technical area, the fourth official should be watching a screen and talking to the referee.
"The ref has not done it on purpose - he has just made a bad decision."
Even Sir Alex admitted Webb got it wrong. The United boss said: "We were a bit fortunate with the penalty. Last season Harry Redknapp came here with Portsmouth and got a penalty that shouldn't have been given.
"Maybe this was one to pay us back. Last week we were knocked out of the Cup by a penalty not being given. Football is funny that way."
Redknapp fiercely disagreed. He said: "It can't be right to keep getting decisions wrong. What we want is for referees to get these decisions right.
"I was confident of coming here and getting a result and I thought at half-time we would go out and get another goal but the penalty has deflated us."
Ferguson hailed the performances of Carlos Tevez, a half-time replacement for Nani, and man-of-the-match Wayne Rooney, for turning the game United's way. But he was furious with his team's first-half performance.
Fergie said: "Wayne Rooney was fantastic. It doesn't matter where you ask him to play. He just enthuses everyone in the game.
"But we were too slow in the first half. We were always second to the ball and were too casual.
"We got a break today with the penalty but that shouldn't deflect from a fantastic performance."
United are three points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand but Fergie refuses to accept the title race is over.
He said: "I don't like these games in hand. The best indication is how many points you have."
Rooney (2), Cristiano Ronaldo (2) and Dimitar Berbatov scored the goals in a blistering 22-minute spell after Darren Bent and Luka Modric first-half goals for Spurs.
Rooney said: "It was a brilliant comeback. Spurs caused us a lot of problems but we knew if we got an early goal we would be back in it. The manager didn't give us the hairdryer in the dressing room. He just told us if we got one goal we would be back in with a chance.
"We are in a great position now. It's up to us to make sure we don't throw it away."
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This article has 125 comments
Its not possible to lose a game when you are leading 2-1.it doesnt make sense to me at ll.All you anti-Man utd just admit it that Man utd has been the better team this season.the table can tell.
By Bonitovic.. Posted April 29 2009 at 11:19 AM.
the score was 5-2........wake up they didnt get 5 goals off that one penalty........and penalty counts for ONE goal.......so who's complaining ooohhh yea scousers........oooppppssssssssssssssssss
By ken Ravenscroft.. Posted April 29 2009 at 1:47 AM.
Mistakes are inevitable in football. United have also lost the FA cup last year thanks to the poor decision made by the referee.
By Haileyesus.. Posted April 28 2009 at 12:46 PM.
ManU they are cheating(cunning,tricky)
Webb he is to take a bribe
By Dell.. Posted April 28 2009 at 8:13 AM.
Anyone know why Ronaldo wasn't shown a card of any sorts for deliberately kicking out at modric after he 'fell over' !? ( I didn't see any difference between that and the Beckham incident at the World Cup which was a straight red ) - Meaning he should have been sent off after scoring the penalty that should never have been !? Palacios's two footed lunge was bad I admit, but it did not make contact, and he was spoken to by the Ref. The decision changed the whole game, Spurs where in complete control up to this point - Just like when the Pedro Mendes goal was disallowed a few seasons ago, despite being a good 2 foot over the line ! Always Utd, always at Old trafford, The ref's are simply intimidated by Fergusion
By Pezza.. Posted April 27 2009 at 8:39 PM.
For goodness sake. These are professional footballers that are being paid a lot of money to play. There is no reason that one questionable decision against their team should make Spurs fall to pieces. It was the quintessential game of two halves, only Spurs didn't take as much advantage of United in the first half as United did of Spurs in the second half. Come on United!!!!!!
By Dave Holley.. Posted April 27 2009 at 4:00 PM.
Yes we were lucky to get the penalty but Spurs should still have won if they had had the bottle. A penalty to take the score to 2-1 in their favour does not hand them the game. United played the better football in the second half, went for it and deservedly won! if you are talking about luck then Spurs were lucky to end the game with 11 men on the field. palacios' challenge on Ronaldo was a disgrace and Ronaldo was only spared from possible serious injury by hos quick feet. Will the FA now take action against him? I bet not but if he'd been called Ronaldo or Rooney then the Press and the FA would have crucified him! Well done my beloved United - my throat is sore cheering but it will hopefully have recovered enough to shout some more on Wednesday
Ella
By Ella Patterson.. Posted April 27 2009 at 3:39 PM.
we do not need the alex fergusons, redknapps, spurs and man utd players, howard webb or the tv pundits to tell us that the incident wasn't a penalty. Just like them, we too have eyes and the benefit of tv cameras to ascertain that indeed carrick was in total control of the ball and with gomes down already, carrick was sidestepping him to either score or hit the side netting. give us a break guys.
By rene kenya.. Posted April 27 2009 at 10:07 AM.
theres only twice this season were we looked shaky at the back when rio and nemanja are there liverpool and against tottenham 2days ago but i still there best defenders in country well done lads keep it up im sure we will win league become end of the season gd luck for wednesday night we need to score 2 - 3 goals because its going to be tough game then last season fa cup n premier league fixture against them
By john from preston .. Posted April 27 2009 at 4:50 AM.
What cock up???? Did not the blatant cock up by the ref gave those Liverfools two goals against unfortunate Hull City. Did not the cock up by the ref and officials gave those 'fools' 5 horrendous min of injury time to conjure up a winner against Fulham?? Is there a conspiracy to let those 'fools' win all their remaining games???
By MHisham.. Posted April 27 2009 at 3:58 AM.
Are Spurs so poor that they just mentally collapse just because they concede a penalty? They were still leading 2-1. You need to criticise your own team a bit more rather than wrapping them up in cotton wool.
No excuses for giving up. If United switched off like that Fergie would be throwing boots around in the changing room!
By dubya.. Posted April 26 2009 at 11:29 PM.
I agree, Michael Malone. I've now seen the penalty for various angles a number of times and it certainly appears to me that Carrick pushed the ball past Gomez, Gomez missed the ball and collected Carricks feet. The photo in the above story is deceiving. However, notice that the gloves are not on the ball. In fact, the ball proceeds to move to the right of the photo in front of the keeper's gloves, without the keeper making contact with the ball. Webb indeed got it right. I think the cause of all the hype is that the commentators said it wasn't a penalty, and their audience believed it to be so.
By Gakbu.. Posted April 26 2009 at 10:39 PM.
Where are th eold farts of FA to charge Palacios now. If you plunge like that at somebody in a street, you'll get done for GBH.
As for Premiership, the fact that United is leading the table despite never reaching the high levels we know they can, talks a lot about Liverpool FC and other below them.
By Xyth.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:46 PM.
Utd have been going for all five trophies for months, so to have a bit of 'luck' is duly deserved. We are the best team in England, so all the other pretenders should just respect us... the table dont lie. As for all this lucky Utd garbage..im sick of hearing it, for years weve been going at teams and scoring very late on, its not luck, its the Utd way. We'll blow Arsenal away on Wednesday and Barca Utd final will be the one the neutrals of Utd Arse want. And i think weve been poor all season.
By chepro.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:02 PM.
manchester united remains the best club in the world is that not english enough for players hater to learn
By efe.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:43 PM.
Munich 58 Get over it
By The Truth.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:37 PM.
you hear all these liverpool fans going on about united were lucky to win the game, should never of been a penalty, if i recall correctly liverpool v atletico madrid, there were 2 minutes to go and liverpool won a penalty which shouldnt of been a penalty, as for harry redknapp going on about that penalty cost them the game, portsmouth last season fa cup, they got a penalty that wasnt one, and they won the match, what is he complaining about, what comes around goes around ey
By ste.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:06 PM.
The table doesn't lie.If Liverpool had been the the best all season,what do they have to show for it?
I think Rafa should concentrate on getting his tactics right and getting quality players for his team.Every cup means something,don't just be a one cup team which is proving too difficult to play for.Get a life you liverpool fans.
By Fran.. Posted April 26 2009 at 6:50 PM.
Ifitadnerbinferhowardwebb - hahahaha.
Look to all you bitter Liverpool fans, the best team will win the league, as they do every year. As Benitez himself said in December 'for Liverpool to win the league the big clubs have to do badly'. Sadly for Liverpool fans not all the bigger clubs have done badly this season.
Dry your eyes.
By Michael Malone.. Posted April 26 2009 at 5:06 PM.
I am now 71 and an ex referee and not a United fan,but I agree with Ref.Webb it was a penalty, look closely at the incidend, g/keeper did not touch the ball,Carrick touched it away from him, great decision mr Webb well done
By andymax.. Posted April 26 2009 at 2:29 PM.
Well said John, I dont see how a team can be deemed 'lucky to have won', when they win 5-2, that seems pretty clear cut to me. It seems that their is a lot of bitterness here, however Man U are clearly the best English team, the results speak for themselves.
By drnjwatson.. Posted April 26 2009 at 2:28 PM.
LOUISE shut up berbatov was immense. he's not had a good season but what a game.
By pete.. Posted April 26 2009 at 2:05 PM.
Just shows how weak Spurs, and their fans and manager, are if one dubious decision can lose the game for them. It was obvious to anyone watching that United would be far too strong after that, but where did the self-belief that Spurs showed in he first half disappear to? Modric's influence waned, Palacios and Jenas chased shadows, instead of Evra in Lennon's pocket it was almost the opposite. And it isn't Howard Webb's fault if King's legs have gone!!
By alfo.. Posted April 26 2009 at 1:34 PM.
again the refs give a pen when it wasnt again at old trafford why dont the f.a. just give utd the meprem at the start then saves us having us all seeing the help they get most games from the refs its a joke if it went against utd baconface would be going mental but ive noticed he hasnt said nothing about has its his team getting them
By kev .. Posted April 26 2009 at 1:50 PM.
People complain so much about Man Utd because they are winners, Tevez, Scholes & Ronaldo all got booked against Spurs for less than a 2 footed lunge that did not get a booking? Penalty? Yes it was, if the keeper got a touch on the ball the fact remains he did not have control over it therefore bringing down Carrick in the process who was in a scoring position. Even after the penalty saga Spurs still had a 2-1 lead and should have composed themselves instead they fell to bits and along with it any chance of winning the game, Don't lets forget MANU played great in the 2nd half, normal service resumed, refs do make mistakes but if they
didn't what would us football fans have to talk about.
By Tony.. Posted April 26 2009 at 1:45 PM.
The only sensible post on here was from a woman. Well said Carol!
By kATE.. Posted April 26 2009 at 1:40 PM.
Hahaha some of you are a bit thick!, just because Man U work as a TEAM and can PLAY REAL FOOTBALL!
Man City are crap, Chelsea are cocky scum bags, Liverpool are good! and Arsenal are ok.
By Louise.. Posted April 26 2009 at 12:58 PM.
I'm a Man United fan and yes we were lucky but we still won!
Sorry i don't know why they bought Berbatov because he doesn't give anything to the game, yes he scored but even if he hadnt we still would of won.
Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez & Ferdinand are the best on Man U's team! They give something to the game, they'll fight for the ball not just give it to the other team if it rolls out of their path!
By Louise.. Posted April 26 2009 at 12:56 PM.
haahaha gosh just like liverpool's first n second goal which shunt of been a goal. mascerano slipped and won a free kick n lucas handballed it which was follwed by the goal.. not only manutd get d decisions ey.... well all im saying is if we win our game in hand d title is ours.. cuz i cnt c us losing 2 games out of the remaining 5 okay mayb arsenal but dnt fink well lose to any1 else.
By josh.. Posted April 26 2009 at 1:09 PM.
Give it a rest Tony! Your either a Manchester Blue, or Liverfool. Either way I can taste the bitterness of your tears.
By salfordred2.. Posted April 26 2009 at 1:26 PM.
Of course it was a blatant penalty. It was Man U at Old Trafford. And of course Roy Carroll made a fantastic save and the ball never crossed the line by 2 feet. Same old same old.
By Tony.. Posted April 26 2009 at 12:35 PM.
Why wasn't the question of should/shouldn't it have been a penalty at wembley in the semi final? Or have you all conveniently forgot that one? That includes you Harry!
By salfordred2.. Posted April 26 2009 at 12:30 PM.
Liverpool got left behind commercially and on how to play football they were dumped on from a great height. And moise your comment is pathetic as the FACTS show, Rafa has spent more money in the transfer market in the past five years than Fergie - only difference is that out of it we've got 3 x Premier Leagues, 1 x Champions League, 1 x World Club championship etc etc etc ! 'Wayne' - 'Tottemham were punished for everything and United got away with murder' - so like Harry Redknapp you forgot to see Palacious lunge at Ronaldo? He should have gone for the intent of serious harm! And as for the pen - it was as much as a pen as was Mascherano's freekick and Lucas' handball ! And yes we have outclassed the 'big' three because we've been going for every trophy and some more yet still top of the pile....Liverfool have been on a one cup trip for months now - that's poor!
By United forever.. Posted April 26 2009 at 12:29 PM.
CARMA WILL GET YOU
By BRENDAN .. Posted April 26 2009 at 12:24 PM.
I'm not being funny or anything, but if that was any other team like Liverpool or Arsenal there would be no fuss made, but as it's united there’s it's a big deal. I can see why the ref gave the penalty, obviously he didn't see the keeper connect with the ball and obviously he saw the foul.
And I don't why Liverpool fans are complaining, that was more a penalty then Mascherano’s free kick decision which led to Liverpool's first goal. He just fell to the floor before anyone got near him, it was a silly decision.
By Andy.. Posted April 26 2009 at 12:20 PM.
Why didn't Carrick just say he played the ball first. Because ALL players are conning diving cheats, with not an ounce of moral fibre between them. As for Webb being a top red. Lmao.
By Rabbi.. Posted April 26 2009 at 11:29 AM.
Its hard enough to win the title without refs giving man utd the upper hand week in week out ,
if it werent for the obvious biased refs Utd would win nothing - its that simple.
By john.. Posted April 26 2009 at 11:43 AM.
LIVERPOOL WILL NEVER WIN THE BIG PREM. THE BEST TEAM ALWAYS WINS. YOU KNOW RAFA & LIVERPOOL FANS. YOU IDIOT & TOAT
By ABUDULI KONTIE.. Posted April 26 2009 at 11:51 AM.
we know utd could have scored any time but i am fed up with all the officials helping out it"s hard enough trying to win with 11 v 11 without the refs bloody help still i love spurs and dislike money grabbing bulgarian sulkers
and london utd fans
By paul parkes.. Posted April 26 2009 at 11:09 AM.
to all you bitter liverpool fans man u have been the best team this year the table doesnt lie!! if you had been better than us all season you would have more points its as simple as that!! you blew it when your manager started his rants!!!
By Nadine.. Posted April 26 2009 at 11:18 AM.
Why don't ManU supporters get it?
The fact you scored 5 is irrelevant.
Its all based on the 1st goal which is a penalty that wasn't. Everything else that happened is based on that decision. If the pen wasn't give the other 4 goals don't exist!!!
Before the Pen decision, the ManU players where arguing with each other, Carrick was passing to Spurs players as though he was still a Spurs player, Ronaldo was having another major sulk, Berbatov was being Berba.... who again, Evra was being skinned by Lennon again, Vidic didn't know how to deal with the ball on the deck again, etc. etc. All on All another (and there have been several this season) average ManU performance.
Arsene Wenger will have loved watching this as his team are better than Spurs and the ManU defence looked awful plus there won't be a Prem Ref reffing the game on Tuesday.
Whats this guy on if the penalty was not given the four other goals would not have come.
Of course they would utd were allways going to score for gods sake they came at spurs with awsome speed and class,if carrick had scored would it have been 7 or 9-2,you anti utd fans walk around with blacked out glasses surely,oh i guess that the other brilliant 4 goals were lucky too.
I got to laugh but that was utd absorbing two goals then saying here have five on us,you dont come to old trafford and say were going to win and we lie down for you on a sunny day.
By mark.. Posted April 26 2009 at 11:12 AM.
Swings and roundabouts!! Utd didnt get a penalty last weekend which could have got them into the FA Cup final. Refs do sometimes get it wrong - they are only human. PS. it wasnt the penalty that won the game, the other four goals had something to do with it too!
By Carole.. Posted April 26 2009 at 10:44 AM.
How on earth can that have been a turning point?
The turning point is when Liverpool went 3 points behind United with a game in hand... and when they drew 4-4 with Arsenal. Mind you I wouldnt expect Alan Hansen to say anything else.
And.. whose that scottish commentator on Setanta, who repeats himelf over and over and over again as to how Tottenham were hard done by. IDIOT!
Final comment... sure it wasnt a penalty, but it wasnt a 'free kick' when mascherano dived and rolled a few times for Alonso's goal. These things do balance themselved out over the course of a season.
By Paul.. Posted April 26 2009 at 10:42 AM.
Couldn't have happened to a better team.
Spuds are a small team and always will be.
By Macca.. Posted April 26 2009 at 10:56 AM.
Couldn't have happened to a better team.
Spuds are a small team and always will be.
By Macca.. Posted April 26 2009 at 10:55 AM.
Looks like after all that talk from RAFA he will end up with a big fat ZERO again. Shocking defending for the first 2 goals, Evra will have been seeing lennon in his sleep last night but tevez and scholes coming on changed the game.Barca & Man U final will be about 7-7 with neither defence playing that great. Come on UTD
By Colin Henderson.. Posted April 26 2009 at 11:00 AM.
i thought ronaldo was booked twice in the game.
if so wonder why no one spotted it.
By lanre.. Posted April 26 2009 at 10:09 AM.
man utd won...whats all the crap i read.the four goals would have been enough to win. and we would have scored anyway so all you jealuos poeple p.ss off and worry about your own team. as for tevez he changed the game not the penalty
By kevrobbo.. Posted April 26 2009 at 10:03 AM.
To Wills post below:
"United have been streets ahead of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal this season".
Liverpool 2 - Man Utd 1
Man Utd 1 - Liverpool 4
Arsenal 2 - Man Utd 1
Chelsea 1 - Man Utd 1
Man Utd 3 - Chelsea 0
5 games, 1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses. Do your homework you thick donkey.
By jamie.. Posted April 26 2009 at 10:17 AM.
WHAT A GAME, AS SAID THE FAB FOUR ARE NOW FROM MANCHESTER NOT LIVERPOOL, AND THEY ARE ROONEY, RONALDO, TEVEZ AND BERBATOV. LONG MAY THEY REIGN. COME ON FERGIE, YOU'VE GOT TO DO ALL YOU CAN TO KEEP TEVEZ HE'S A LEGAND.
By man u fans.. Posted April 26 2009 at 10:39 AM.
Definite pen.Don't what all the ABUs and bandwagon jumpers are getting hot under the collar about. You should all go to SpecSavers!Carrick gets there fractionally before Gomez, who then takes the ball AND Carrick.Simple as that, no argument at all, that's a foul in the area.Redknapp's whinging that Spurs would have won this game is ludicrous even by his standards! United would have scored no matter what and routed sorry Spurs.Simply couldn't cope once Tevez and Scholes came on!The space in midfield suddenly got restricted. The tempo then went up to United's usual level and Rooney ran the show. I am only surprised it was only 5! Liverpool's goal difference should have been wiped out and let's not forget Spurs have never won at OT for 20 years and Redknapp's teams have always got spanked on all 11 of his visits in the league. This was just a stroll in the park in the end and 3 easy points. United were toying wit Spurs as they were with Villa a few weeks ago. Never really in doubt, just the United way to heighten the impact and drama. Which other team would have 4 strikers on the pitch with Macheda limbering up?Its all about attacking football and you would think Spurs fans would have more respect knowing their traditions of playing such football.Basically that 25 mins in the 2nd half was pure class from United and something a Liverpool or Chelsea would never manage in a 100 years. Only one United...and Ronaldo top scorer in the Prem I see. He's having a poor season apparently!
By paulretsuna.. Posted April 26 2009 at 10:36 AM.
United fans not from Manchester / Lucky United / decisions for United blah blah blah
Has anybody got anything new to say? Usual tripe by the ABUs. Get a mind for yourself you morons!
By Keano.. Posted April 26 2009 at 9:42 AM.
Please please please all you Spurs Fans, I was there and even though our so called best ref may have got it wrong, you have all made assumptions by watching it on the BOX.. yes carrick took the first touch, yes Gomes got a touch on the ball and deviated it away, but who has said anything at all to the fact gomes by flailing at it as he did that carrick would not have been impeded to get to the ball again if he could???, hence him falling over gomes..its the nature of football, and it is not just attributed to Man UTD. What would Spurs have siad if it was the other way round??
By Kris..Man UTD fan 4EVER.. Posted April 26 2009 at 9:32 AM.
Stop moaning was it a penalty or was it not a penalty.
We have refs and at the end of the day their decisions stand,who ever it benefits
By Fan of Football.. Posted April 26 2009 at 9:08 AM.
I am a staunch Man U fan and do concede the penalty was a lucky decision for us - and yes, it did change the game.
It gave Utd the impetus to believe in themselves and strive for a winning result. That is the measure of a Premiership winning team/formula.
At 2-1 to Spurs (who had a brilliant first half), Spurs should have had more self belief. I got the impession that at 2-0 up they couldn't quite believe it was happening.
Week in, week out decisions are made all over the country by referees which are poor. Some teams benefit, some lose out.
The main point I make is that Spurs threw in the towel and Utd believed in themselves after that penalty.
It's what's what makes a team champions instead of 'also-rans'.
Yes, bad decision, but get over it.
By Mike.. Posted April 26 2009 at 9:19 AM.
Some people need to grow up; the presenters in Setanta couldnt agree it was or wasnt a penalty after watching several time, and the telegraph today is adamant that it was a penalty. People have different views, and fergie is right we have been denied penalties in the past, its swings and roundabout.
@moise, dont make me laugh. Utd turned down a gambling sponsor to accept a smaller offer from one of the largest financial companies. As for Liverpool, haha you are the lot with a beer company on your shirts. whats the alcohol problems like in your town??? Morality, ha!
By mikel.. Posted April 26 2009 at 9:17 AM.
DUNNO WHAT ALL THE FOOLS ARE ON ABOUT. HULL WERE ROBBED BY THE REF(MUST HAVE BEEN A SCOUSEBAG). MOULDY SCOUSIES SHOULD HAVE BEEN 1-1 (FREE THAT NEVER WAS AND A GOAL THAT SHOULDNT HAVE BEEN BECAUSE OF A HANDBALL).
ANYWAY, SCOUSEBAGS MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE CHESHIRE CATS AT HALF TIME IN THE UTD GAME. WELL, AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
SOMEONE GET ME THE O2 AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA
By ANTO CARROLL.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:52 AM.
hold on hold on.lets look at this again spurs played well first half but thay were very lucky not to have a player sent off. palacios two footed lunge went un punished where i thought if the intent was there thay had to be punished so spurs can count them selves lucky but it wasnt a pen it did change the game and we know the rest get over it.can i also say that not every manutd fan is against berba he was class yesterday.
By reddevillm76.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:51 AM.
the pressure utd applied in the second half they looked good for a draw at least ,without the penalty ,tevez brought them to life .liverpool have been playing some great stuff and i dont think its finished yet but utd are back playing well again . if they loose now then liverpool will diserve to win by they way they have fought to the last second just like utd have done for so many years ,man utd fan
By steffan.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:50 AM.
I understand that the penalty decision was debatable but did it really necessitate those clowns on Setanta going on about it for over 21
minutes!
Does anybody really believe that United would not have scored? It was as if we had only won 1-0. The fact that we came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Spurs 5-2 seemed to have passed Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee by. If Spurs could not
hold on to a 2-1 lead then that should be scrutinised and not a penalty.
These decisions happen week in week out. We should know, we are out of the
FA cup due to a poor decision.
By Tonypredarmy.. Posted April 26 2009 at 9:00 AM.
So many Liverpool and Tottenham fans seem to be venting their frustration this morning - or is it envy? Anybody who watches football knows that such incidents are almost always given as penalties. But even if it wasn't given how can any team have stopped United's exhilarating show of attacking football in the second half?
By Louis Schembri.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:43 AM.
Lucky united, lucky united...ha ha! Yeah wot ever...end ov conversation!
By Craig fishburn.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:41 AM.
Same old moaning minnies attacking United. Sad and pathetic green-eyed nobodies. United have been streets ahead of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool this season and for well over 15 years now. Get over it and watch in awe of the brilliance there is at a club like United.
By Wills.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:38 AM.
Where do some of you get your logic? As a ManU fan I have seen the same HR with Portsmouth get a decision at OT in the FA Cup, and Everton in last weeks FA cup, both decisions knocking ManU out. But like all ManU fans we all take it gracefully and get on with life.
The moron who actually thinks that if the penalty was not given, the other four goals would not have materialized, tell us, how much do you win on the horses with this amazing ability? Don't bother, you support Liverpool and that speaks volumes on your ability and please keep your eye on those burgers, we don't want Burger King firing you, because your a bad loser.
Yes I am sure AW was watching the match and on judging their second half display, he will feel a tad uncomfortable with his defence having to face us next week.
LOL City, forget it, they will get hammered, and Arsenal, as previously stated will be too late the help anyone, including themselves.
I pray this Jones's grammer is better than the black sheep of the clan. Oops have I broken PC rulling there, who gives a monkeys?
By H. Jones, Sweden.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:29 AM.
This is not the first time this has happened to Spurs seem to forget they were 3-0 up at one time and lost 3-5 to UNITED. Sour grapes or what! Did not hear Harry moaning last year when Portsmouth got a penalty they should not have and knocked United out the FA Cup. It is always different when the boot is on the other foot. Anyway these penalty decisions work out by the end of the season. All these Spurs supporters seem to forget there is 90 minutes to a game not 45. Muppets.
By george.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:27 AM.
If world Tennis incorparate technology to assist with critical decisions then it is only a matter of time before this is introduced in to football. I am a United supporter and I agree with Harry Redkapp. It is also true to say that until United equalised due to the dubious decision, Spurs played like champions and I could not see United scoring. So maybe the chumps at UEFA should make a bold change of the rules so that the quality of football would be improved and the correct decisions given.
By Mustafa Ulug-Ali.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:24 AM.
Unitedwestand u said MANU won 5 - 1??.. Boy! You need to go take your medication!!
By JD.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:24 AM.
...hey dont forget the Mancs are going down ... oops burst 2017 is the year. Drama begins when CR leaves next season the owner doesn't get Kaka as expected and the foul mouthed loser...Fergie quits in a huff. Drama in waiting....
By moise.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:02 AM.
funny last year there seemed to be all kinds of help for utd on the 50th anniversary of munich. this year amazingly all kinds of help for fergie to get level with liverpool on league titles. although liverpool have helped by playing rubbish in loads of games.
however if utd didn't get sponsorship money from a company that is morally and financially bankrupt would they be able to sign a berbatov every year?? this in itself would have changed the destiny of the title this year and the last two, come to think of it it may have changed the destiny for the last decade or more..they do say liverpool got left behind commercially in the early 90's, perhaps liverpool still had morals as a club back then...
By wayne.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:00 AM.
The ref gave decisions united's way all match. How was the Vidic challenge on Bent not given. Why didn't the ref blow for a foul before the second goal. Modric was fouled he had the whistle to his lips but when he saw berbatov had the ball he let the play go on.
He booked Spurs players for anything, but he let united players get away with murder, in some case not even giving free kicks for blantant fouls, let alone brandishing cards. That was the most one sided refereeing performance I have ever seen. If Webb is our best referee, that's disappointing.
I'm a neutral fan (Arsenal) but even I can see that was a very one sided affair in terms of refereeing.
By larry.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:00 AM.
Some funny dillusioned people on here!!:-) Hope my grammar is correct and suffices to feed everyones obvious glowing intellect who have nothing but crying to do over Uniteds victory.
YIDDO:- ...."just another average Utd performance...."
Well, we scored 5, thanks very much!! Didnt expect a compliment. No-one can play like we did after the 1st goal simple, Fergie should play all the attackers again because teams wouldnt handle it!!
The old trophy cabinets getting a bit full :-)
By Rich.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:00 AM.
The penalty was never a penalty but come on it came from the ever building United pressure. i said at half time get Nani off and United will win this easily. SAF as per usual got the better of Harry as he always does so get over the pen it had very little bearing on the game. Tevez changed the game not the ref. R the reporters bad looser from liverpool. LMFAO
By carl warmington.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:10 AM.
The saddest thing in the world is a united fan not from Manchester. When I hear all these united fans with Southern accents it makes me laugh.
Glory hunters, how embarrassing.
By larry.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:08 AM.
Even the pundits on MOTD said it was the turning point. Ex pros aren't the be all and end all, but they must know a thing or two about how a match can change with one decision. After that the momentum was stolen from Spurs and handed to United. Everyone knew that wasn't a penalty. Webb looks like a cheat.
By larry.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:04 AM.
Spurs got a lucky pen a few weeks ago against Blackburn, United should have got a pen last week but didn't.
Thats football!! swings and roundabouts!
Untill the pen Gomez was spurs best player, I think that says which way the game was going.
By Rich.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:22 AM.
Hey Chris, you are world champions so u do not need a dodgy penalty to get ur momentum going - world champs don't need that.
If you can't score on a normal possession, then you got no right to call yourselves champions of the world and champions of Europe!..Simple!!!!!
By JD.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:18 AM.
Why can't you utd fans just be honest for once! yes we were lucky to get a peanut! yes it did change the game! yes we were clueless until then! maybe then the whole country wouldn't hate you so much! it would also mean you would have taken your head out of your own a**e!
By R Willshire.. Posted April 26 2009 at 8:14 AM.
am a G. Sadly the silverware is going to the place we hate it to go. Not to worry though there must be A MILLION more silverwares from where this one came from. Hull City could win 20 for the next thirty years.... take heart. These ref howlers are not excusable whatsoever!
By moise.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:57 AM.
I remember the time i went to work in dudley, the boys were laughing at me cause i was a united supporter, what was even funnier was when they said they support west brom.... my reply was who 'are they..... the look on their faces, PRICELESS.
By Ali.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:55 AM.
MU might win the the title but even the wildest MU fan will easily admt without debate that Liverpool were miles better this year,it is enough to see their results again MU.In football not always the best team win, and this is what is happening now.MU were goood this year but not the best.
By Martha.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:52 AM.
as i spurs fan i sat and watched the game, the general thread here is simple and one question still remains and will remain unanswered.....would Man U have gone on to score 5 had that penalty not been given, regardless of whether u r a Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea or Man U fan that penalty simply put wasnt a penalty, keeper played the ball fair and square and got it......it was given, wrongly in my opinion but still given but what ensured in the next 20mins was i have to say even as a spurs fan a thing of footballing beauty, the pure class of ronaldo, rooney, berba, scholes etc etc going forward was awesome and footballing purists out there would surely agree.....
By NP.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:50 AM.
How can you compare last week decision not to get a penalty to yesterday's game u muppets! Until then you where not in it! We were well deserving all 3 points. It's bad another beating the prem league,european,champs and even world champs in there own back yard but to do this against 12 men.. Even Fergie has come out and said it was not a penalty so why can't Mr Webb come out and say he made a mistake. Oh forgot he wouldn't get his family season ticket at old trafford next season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By r willshire.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:34 AM.
i love how scum utd fans dont say a thing when they lose... nothing but bad losers when they lose... ever heard the phrase 'its just a game' no need to over react is there
By Jo.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:30 AM.
COME ON NOTW, LUCKY.....? IF WE WERE LIVERPOOL YESTERDAY NOBODY WOULD HAVE BEEN MOANING ABOUT A PENALTY WOULD THEY?
WHAT WAS YOUR HEADLINES LAST WEEK.... EVERTON LUCKY TO BE IN FA CUP FINAL DUE TO REF PENALTY MISTAKE...NAAAHHHH!!!!
JUST BECAUSE ITS UNITED EVERBODY JUMPS ON THE BANDWAGON. WE WOULD HAVE BEAT SPURS ANYWAY WITH THAT SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE. OUTSTANDING UNITED!!!!
HAZY
By Chris Hayes.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:27 AM.
I'm not a Man U Fan but what a truly stunning second half performance from them. The penalty was not an issue as United scored another 4 goals and frankly should have scored 6 with the chances they created. If the do go on to win the PL, they will be worthy champions.
BTW, great performance from West Brom-we're not quite dead yet!
By CAM THE MAN.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:47 AM.
spurs have only themselves to blame, they should have known ref would give them a goal
By chubbykid.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:45 AM.
"Doesnt matter if you win by an inch or a mile, Winning is winning."
UNITED scored 5 goal, now the plonker who said that penalty changed the course of the game, you need to smell the cofffee mate. No one know's what COULD'VE happened if that penalty wasnt awarded.
As if your team hasnt been awarded a penalty like that, i bet you didnt make a song and dance about it being awarded in mistake. it happens all the time, refs are humans not superheros with supersight and xray vision and sixth sense etc.
people like you are just sore loosers that will moan and complain about anything. Even if united were ahead from the start you would find something to moan about
as i mentioned earlier we WON... no if's no but's. now shut up and go back to supporting your crappy team.
By Ali.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:44 AM.
A penalty only changes the game,maybe if its in the dying seconds,or it levels the scores..........
Spurs were 2-0 up @ the time.
PLUS
United then went on to score 4....YES FOUR more goals......
so whats all the Cockney bleeting for...
Yep typical of all the Londoners...Please stay put down in the smoke
And yes i know Tottenham,doesnt come within the beau bells deeeeeeer
By james harkin.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:42 AM.
We were robbed yesterday Man utd are cheaters and always seem to have the ref as the 12th man on the pitch, its unfair and needs to be sorted out. Tottenham Out played man utd in the first half and they certainly didnt look like a team on top of the prem league we ripped em apart when we attacked down the right, they couldnt handle us. I hope and pray Liverpool win the league, I hate Manchester United just like i do Arsenal both RED CHEATING SCUM.
By Yidette.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:41 AM.
Just like the pen that we didnt get against Everton last week? But you dont heasr us going on about it.
GLORY GLORY MAN UTD, AS THE REDS GO MARCHING ON ON ON.
We are the Champions, no time for losers like Liverpool. 19 years and waiting. Read it and weep.
By paul.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:15 AM.
Liverpool fans! Shut up- where were you when Lampard got sent off wrongly against Liverpool and the FA removed the red card the next day! Livepool went on to win that match.
By YIA.. Posted April 26 2009 at 7:05 AM.
Bad decision eh!!!!!!!
what about the other one in the game...Palacios should have walked for the two footed lunge at Ronaldo, i always thought 'intent' was the keyword? Yes Ronaldo jumped out of the way, but if that had hit him hit would have snapped his leg!!!! the ref saw it and 'had a stern word'... i think that was the joke of the day...
Also i hope the FA throw a charge of bringing the game into disrepute at Setanta's commentator, who was clearly out of order for blatantly branding the ref a 'Homer'.... after the penalty decision ....again totally out of order....
By Paul Black.. Posted April 26 2009 at 6:48 AM.
People will forget that reffrees are normal human beings and they will always make mistakes wether is against to Tottenham or United and people is always going to moan if the dicision went for United. I thing the same thing happen at KC stadium when Macharano fell over and a freekick was given and Alonso scrored no one said anything about that and it should'nt have been given.And it give Liverpool the confides to go on and win the game.
By kuzeeko.. Posted April 26 2009 at 6:40 AM.
REFS thru the years made good and bad decisions they are Human you know. Memories take me back when Jeff Hurst scored in the world cup, was it over the line??? I seen it many times but still hard to say, anyway England went to win 4-2 and the cup. What about Maradona "Hand of God", the world saw it but the offical did not.
Last week MUFC were denied a penalty, the Everton player stated that he was lucky not to be given. So the talk goes on and on. Spurs have only themself to blame,they are professionals and all experiened players. They were winning 2-1 at that stage. THEY JUST STOOD THERE AND WATCHED BEING TAKEN OVER BY A SPIRITED UTD. Thats the beauty of football and what makes it the best out of all the games, of course controversy always in hand.
By Anthony Scicluna.. Posted April 26 2009 at 6:20 AM.
Yes it was a terrible penalty decision and personally I believe that it altered the whole momentum and result of the game. We would not have lost, but let's give Man U some credit - their play for 25 mins after the penalty was sublime, and highlighted just how fragile we at Spurs are. We let them play. Let's hope that after a summer of Harry deals we get some belief and some backbone.
By Terence Hackett.. Posted April 26 2009 at 6:07 AM.
Refs often get it wrong.. I'm sure 'Arry has had a few go in his favour before..
By Hamad Lone.. Posted April 26 2009 at 6:00 AM.
...I suppose the other four goals where lucky too!!!!
By Darren.. Posted April 26 2009 at 5:40 AM.
United were worthy winners. That was a definite penalty. In any case, United would have won with or without that penalty being given. Spurs have only themselves to blame for their collapse.
By John Potus.. Posted April 26 2009 at 3:39 AM.
This is hilarious; let's ban United because they are successful, they're rubbish because their fans can't spell (Jones, back to school for you too) - though they do know when capital letters are appropriate, and as for Nigel Tufnel, the boy should really join the real world of sport - he may even get his toys back in his pram if he behaves!
United won 5-1 and, irrespective of the penalty that was, the other four goals obviously were relevant.
It's quite simple - season by season, the team that wins the League is the best in the season. As for the questioning of referees, that is just the usual rubbish that has been going on for years by those who just miss out on the big prize.
Keep the red flag flying high .....
By Unitedwestand.. Posted April 26 2009 at 3:35 AM.
I would be furious if my team capitulated just because of a penalty call. No excuse for letting in 4 more goals. That's why Man Utd are winners. I don't support them, but remember Welbeck being brought down last weekend and nothing given.
If you concede a goal, forget it, and play on. Tottenham didn't. Harry's half time team talk was defend your lead. That is why they messed up.
By dubya.. Posted April 26 2009 at 4:26 AM.