Manchester United vs Sparta Prague
Who won: Man United 4-1
Manchester United beat Sparta Prague 4-1 on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at Old Trafford. Goals for Man United: Ruud van Nistelrooy (14', 25' pen, 60', 90'). Goals for Sparta: Lucas Zelenka (53').
Play by play
- 93'
Typical predatory goals by Ruud. Only the third goal did he have to work for, Sparta gifting the rest. But the result is what counts and United march on!
- 93'
And that's it. United win 4-1. Ruud bagging the lot. The home side were sloppy at times and against better, more clinical finishing could have been punished.
- 92'
Old Trafford find their voice and the Red Flag is flying.
- 91'
RVN, quite clearly a yard offside, tapped in a simple goal from a Liam Miller cross. You can't argue with a four goal haul in the Champions League!
- 91'
A fourth goal for Ruud!
- 90'
Nice work from an unselfish Rooney who feeds the ball to RVN but he can't reach the ball.
- 90'
Three added minutes signalled.
- 89'
Pacanda wins a corner for Sparta and Simak takes, but it comes to naught
- 87'
Poborsky is sent off for a second yellow card. He fouled Heinze plain and simple, but there was no malice. Nice touch from the Manchester United fans who applaud their former player as he trudges off the pitch and down the tunnel.
- 86'
Zelenka - who has run Poborsky close as Sparta best player - breaks forward but loses the ball.
- 85'
Kleberson again tries to pass the ball out of play, but this time Heinze checks his run and is able to gather.
- 84'
Rooney carves open a hole in the left wing, darts through it and provides a pass for Keane who tries his luck on the edge of the box with half volley which ends in Row F.
- 82'
The match is drawing out. United are easing back and Sparta, despite the subs, seem to be resigned to their fate.
- 81'
Double change for Sparta - Off go Urbanek and Jun, on come Pacanda and Simak.
- 79'
Sivoc has a claim for a penalty against Roy Keane but the ref is not interested. The tackle was on the edge of the box and it looked like Keane got none of the ball but a lot of the player
- 78'
Freekick given against Sparta. A bit harsh that, Petras leapt high to head a, you guessed it, Poborsky freekick toward Carroll's goal, but the ref spotted a foul.
- 76'
Kleberson does his reputation no harm by slotting a simple ball out of play when it seemed easier to find Heinze. I say reputation, but its not one you'd want is it?
- 75'
Fair play to Sparta, they have yet to let their heads drop and continue to chase the loose balls and try to forge chances on the break, but United are on top of things.
- 73'
Poborsky yet again (will he ever let anyone else kick a deadball?) lofts in a dangerous ball towards the United goal. But again fearless Carroll shows scant regard for his face and despite lots of elbows, knees and feets gathers the ball.
- 71'
Now a change for Sparta - goodnight Vorisek, good evening Meduna...score a goal, I dare you!
- 70'
Kovac marshals Mr Rooney well on the right touchline and the Wunderkind is bullied off the ball.
- 69'
A lull in the game. The crowd cheer themselves up by singing about Eric Cantona.
- 68'
Double subsitution for United: Farewell Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes, hello Kleberson and Phil Neville.
- 66'
Liam Miller has shot but is also denied.
- 66'
United are just proving too stong tonight. Their goals have not been spectacular but they've been enough to see off Sparta who have not made enough of their chances.
