Charlton Athletic Online

Charlton Athletic 1 Manchester United 3

Two more Ruud van Nistelrooy goals ultimately proved the difference as United outclassed Charlton at the Valley yesterday. Darren Ambrose had scored a brilliant equaliser to Alan Smith's first half opener, and Charlton looked ready to seek their first ever Premiership win against Alex Ferguson's team when the Dutchman scored his first goal, spinning on Wayne Rooney's chip across the area. Van Nistelrooy's second (see pic above), five minutes from time, killed the game, and it was his first ever goal for United scored from outside the penalty area.

Alan Curbishley will probably say that all three goals conceded could have been prevented - a ball lost in midfield, a run from halfway and cross by Rooney that went all the way to the far side of the penalty area, and a lay back by Fletcher to set up Smith brought the first goal; another mazy run by Rooney, all the time being chased by Danny Murphy (who even tried to trip him before he got into the penalty area) led to the second; and the third was again a long straight run at the heart of the defence before a direct shot that Andersen should have saved.

Van Nistelrooy, allegedly a Charlton fan(!), has now scored a double at The Valley twice, to go with his Old Trafford hat-trick against us from a couple of years back.

Charlton really didn't get going in the first half, and were probably lucky to be just the one goal behind, such had been United's dominance. The second half was much more competitive though, with Smertin finally getting time on the ball and making things happen after a very quiet opening period. Ambrose had also had a quiet first 45 minutes, and I thought he might be replaced by Thomas when Curbs made the substitution twenty minutes after half time; instead, Rommedahl, who had hardly touched the ball all day such was the lack of service, was the man to go. Immediately, Ambrose scored with a left foot cracker from twenty five yards.

Here's my player notes:
Andersen: No chance with the first two goals, but at fault with the third. Looks to have lost much of his early season confidence, and seen arguing with the defence on more than one occasion. The time may be that he should be given a rest in favour of Kiely or Myrhe.
Young: A good game, he kept Ronaldo very quiet, and got forward well toward the end.
El Karkouri: Defensively OK, he won plenty in the air, but didn't have the same understanding with Hermann that Perry has built up. His shooting nearly led to a goal for Bent in the first half, but every one of his (three) shots from free kicks hit the wall.
Hreidersson: OK game, not dominant, and suspect when being run at (especially as Rooney did this a lot!).
Powell: Back in the team in place of Spector, and tried his best, and he is still much the player he was, but still will be blamed for the second goal. The only way he could have stopped it would have ended with a penalty or him getting kicked in the head. Got forward well when he could, but pressurised in possession at the back.
Smertin: Very quiet first half, he got better as the game went on, and even had a couple of shots.
Kishishev: Worked extremely hard, but poor control on many occasions meant he didn't have time to get the right pass off. Needs to work on his first touch!
Murphy: Little service, and didn't do much when he did get the ball. Being marked much closer nowadays, and needs help from team-mates.
Rommedahl: Almost no service, though he made his customary runs. One comical episode when he and Young left the ball for each other which nearly led to a United goal - definitely Dennis's fault.
Ambrose: Quiet game, until he moved right side and then a storming last half hour, and a great goal.
Bent: Messed up a snap shot in the first half, after Elk's free kick deflected his away, and a header over midway through the second. Worked hard but couldn't beat Silvestre for pace.
Subs - Thomas: Little impression when he came on though he did work hard, and made one very good defensive tackle.
Bothroyd: Upset ref Mike Riley somehow, and therefore gave away a free kick every time he went near the ball.

Alex Ferguson said that this was United's best result of the season, which goes to show how much respect he has for Charlton.

So it's three defeats on the bounce. Next week's Villa game now becomes even more important, and a result will be needed to stop the slide and keep Charlton in the top half of the table.