Southampton vs Manchester United
Match pulse
SOUAttacking pressure by 5 minutes
Who won: Man United 3-0
Manchester United beat Southampton 3-0 on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at St. Mary's Stadium. Goals for Man United: Danny Welbeck (20'), Nani (48' pen) and Darron Gibson (81').
Play by play
- 90'
FULL-TIME: United didn't even need to get out of second gear and Southampton were doomed from the moment they went down to ten men. A stroll really for United but big shout out to Kelvin Davis who was superb for the Saints.
- 90'
A very tired looking Chris Perry almost slots in to his own net but instead his side face a corner. Rooney has another shot which is straight at Kelvin Davis.
- 87'
Corner for United and Nani plays it to Rooney. At the second attempt he brings another good save from Davis. If it wasn't for the three goals he has let in you could justifiably call Kelvin Davis unbeatable.
- 87'
Berbatov checks his run then tries to thread the ball through to Rooney who has just moved in to an offside position.
- 86'
Nani's cross in from the right is headed away by Lancashire. Saints just want this game to end.
- 82'
United's class shows through with Berbatov playing a delightful ball over the top which Rooney eagerly races on to. Great play from the Bulgarian but no fourth goal for United.
- 81'
Anderson fires a low shot just wide of the goal and there may yet be a goal or two more in this game.
- 80'
GOAL: Gibson fires in from twelve yards but the thanks has to go to Rooney whose power took him past the Saints defence. He then looks up and selflessly plays in the better-placed Gibson who finishes with aplomb.
- 78'
Anderson fails to find Nani with a cross when to do so would probably have given United another goal.
- 77'
Berbatov goes on an improvised run on the edge of the Saints area which leads him nowhere in particular.
- 76'
McLaggon is easily dispossessed by Gary Neville as Southampton launch a rare attack.
- 74'
Nani tries to go past James using both speed and a clever little header but James perseveres to put the United man off and does enough to stop Nani getting his cross in.
- 72'
Another free-kick in a dangerous spot for United and Nani again to take it. No flailing arms this time but Nani is perhaps too close to goal to get it over the wall and on target and the shot goes over.
- 70'
Rooney surges past Perry but then cuts back and plays it to Berbatov who hesitates when he perhaps should have hit it first time. Rooney is exhorting his team-mates to up the tempo a bit though.
- 70'
Holmes gets involved with a cross from the left but Vidic boots the ball away.
- 69'
Ryan Smith departs to be replaced by Lee Holmes
- 67'
Almost a fantastic ball through the middle from Anderson towards Rooney but it is a fraction overhit and allows Davis to get there first. Davis again comes to claim a ball in his area that Rooney was after.
- 64'
Smith is suffering from what looks like a bit of cramp on the touchline and his temporary absence leaves Saints down to nine men for now.
- 64'
Long throw from van der Sar finds Berbatov almost on the halfway line. Gibson and Anderson then combine before Rooney gets his first chance after Berbatov finds him but the angle is narrowed well by Davis to thwart the England man.
- 63'
Indeed he is. And so is he. Southampton fans will be thrilled with the chance to witness Rooney in action no doubt.
- 62'
Danny Welbeck is coming off to make way for Wayne Rooney it looks like.
- 60'
Nani shows a bit of wing wizadry down the left and after his cross is cleared tries an acrobatic effort from a tight angle. Too tight though and his volley goes behind for a goal-kick.
- 58'
Skacel expends a lot of energy chasing a ball which he reaches but his cross goes straight to the well-positioned van der Sar.
- 57'
Gibson's first contribution is a positive if fruitless one as he cuts inside and shoots well wide from the edge of the penalty area.
- 55'
That is his last contribution of the day as he and Ryan Giggs are removed in favour of Darron Gibson and Rodrigo Possebon. Kayne McLaggon is also on for Southampton.