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Thursday, December 31, 2009
Rooney shines in United romp

And not only are they only two points adrift of Chelsea, they have almost achieved parity in the goal difference column too after another five-goal mauling of the hapless Latics, who seem ill equipped to survive a relegation scrap.
Former Wigan star Antonio Valencia had a productive night, claiming three assists and scoring the final Premier League goal of 2009 against his old club.
But Rooney was the main man, opening United's account with his 15th goal of the season and getting himself right to the heart of a performance Wigan could not have complained about if it had brought the hosts double figures.
Long before they turned trophy collection into an art form, one of the things United liked most was to face lower rated opponents prepared to take them on at football.
They would leave Old Trafford with the plaudits of Sir Alex Ferguson ringing in their ears, as well as the cheers of home supporters ecstatic at witnessing a one-sided goal fest.
Clearly, Roberto Martinez has not been doing his homework.
Hammered by five goals on home soil in August, Martinez made the short journey across Greater Manchester for the return, committed to the same open style, which could quite easily get Wigan relegated.
The wonder was it took United almost half an hour to open their account.
A flurry just beforehand had involved Chris Kirkland turning a Rooney blockbuster wide and Paul Scharner booting a Nemanja Vidic effort of the line.
Following that, Rooney's audacious shot from the most acute angle imaginable bounced back to Kirkland off the far post, the Wigan keeper having been completely bamboozled by the initial effort.
Finally, Dimitar Berbatov, who had started the bombardment by racing onto Rooney's through ball and getting chopped down in the box by Titus Bramble without winning a penalty, fluffed a chip when he was clean through.
At that stage, there must have been a temptation for Wigan to think they would survive. How foolish that would have been.
It will not cross Ferguson's attention that much but an entire nation of football watchers is following his main man at the moment, crossing their fingers he can deliver World Cup glory to England.
Undoubtedly he is having his best season and it was the former Everton striker who stole in at the near post to meet Rafael Da Silva's cross and steer it past Kirkland to break the deadlock.
Three minutes later Michael Carrick swept home the second after Valencia had shown enough vision to cut a pass back into his path rather than drill a cross into crowded penalty area.
On nights like these, the former Wigan man is a powerful force. And with Rafael charging forward on the overlap, the Latics could not resist.
Rafael's only previous goal came in a disappointing defeat at Arsenal last year. This time, after collecting Darren Fletcher's pass and showing nimble feet to create space for himself on the edge of the area before drilling past Kirkland, he had more of a reason to celebrate with twin Fabio, who pumped the air with joy from the bench, although he was ultimately to share a pitch with his brother for the first time in a league game.
A change of keeper at the break as Mike Pollitt replaced the luckless Kirkland, failed to bring a change of fortune for the visitors.
Valencia skipped past Maynor Figueroa as if he was not there, then crossed into the space Hendry Thomas was supposed to be filling before he fell over. Berbatov controlled instantly and stabbed his shot into the far corner.
Memories of that nine-goal humiliation at Tottenham were coming back to haunt Martinez and his men.
If Rooney had managed to find the net when he got on the end of Berbatov's chip instead of thundering a header against the bar, a repeat may have been on the cards.
Instead, United were forced to wait until the 76th minute, after Ferguson had made a triple substitution, for Rooney to drive into the heart of Wigan's defences before sending Valencia through superbly to chip home a fifth.
Manchester United 5 - 0 Wigan Athletic
Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Randy Orton then came out to the ring ahead of the Legacy matches.
Randy Orton was watching his ring entrance back from break while seated ringside. Out came Ted DiBiase, Jr. for the first Legacy survival match. Cole gave a quick plug for the new movie coming out tomorrow as DiBiase completed his entrance. Lawler suggested Orton is jealous of DiBiase being a movie star. They cut to a video package of behind-the-scenes clips from the movie. Back live, DiBiase was staring down at Orton from inside the ring. Evan Bourne then came out to face DiBiase.
TED DIBIASE, JR. (w/Randy Orton neutral ringside) vs. EVAN BOURNE
It appears WWE has addressed the most-obvious criticism of the lack of promotion/marketing for the “Marine 2″ movie by finally incorporating the movie into a storyline – the announcers sold that perhaps Orton believes DiBiase has lost his focus on wrestling with the movie role. DiBiase was in control early on, but Bourne came back with a rapid-fire top rope huracanrana and a close two count. Bourne teased Air Bourne, but DiBiase blocked and dropped Bourne face-first on the mat in the corner. That looked off when it appeared DiBiase was going for a corner turnbuckle face-plant. DiBiase then followed up immediately with Dream Street for the pin and the win. Orton didn’t appear to be convinced while DiBiase simply paced the ring post-victory.
WINNER: DiBiase at 2:31
Randy Orton was still sitting ringside, this time in the dark. He was selling complete boredom. Cody Rhodes then came out and Orton focused back on the ring. Cody shot Orton a look, then Mark Henry came out a-smilin’ for the crowd. Announcers sold it as either Henry or Orton “beating the hell out of Cody” here.
CODY RHODES (w/Randy Orton neutral ringside) vs. MARK HENRY
The bell sounded and Henry tossed Cody clear across the ring before delivering a big shoulder tackle. Henry then teased a sit-out bomb, but Cody moved and kinda rolled across Henry’s stomach like a kid jumping on dad sitting around the Christmas tree. Henry then ran over Cody with clotheslines before nailing a headbutt. Henry followed with a running butt bomb to crunch Cody’s neck into the ropes. Henry slid through the ropes on the way down and started selling a knee injury. He slapped the mat in frustration to sell it some more. Back in the ring, Cody slipped out of a press slam and took out the knee. Cody then stomped Henry’s foot and delivered a DDT for the pin and the win.
Post-match: Orton just slumped down in his chair and let his body dangle in a mix of frustration and fake enthusiasm. Orton got up from his chair and shook hands with Cody before playfully slapping him on the head to escort him away from ringside. Cody left with Orton patting him on the back.
WINNER: Cody at 2:05.
U.S. champion THE MIZ vs. KOFI KINGSTON — U.S. Title match
The action was joined in progress coming back from break with Kofi in control with multiple nearfalls. Kofi then connected with a twisting Boom Drop. He did his multiple clap motion to warm up the TiP and he connected. Miz rolled to the ropes and the ref began a count, but Randy Orton stormed the ring and yanked Kofi out of the ring for the match to be thrown out. Orton assaulted Kofi before dropping him on the floor with the RKO. Orton stared down at Kofi and the camera stayed with Orton for a while as he simply stared down at Kofi.
WINNER: Kofi via DQ at 1:32; Miz retains the U.S. Title. Rough night for Miz, who had zero offense here. Good to see WWE resuming the Orton-Kofi feud with Orton back to his awesome heel ways as one of the top characters on the roster. Good focus on Orton here.
Backstage: Mathews caught up with Randy Orton for a word. Orton said the issue with him and Kofi isn’t over until he says it’s over. Orton said he can’t think of a better way to start the new year than by kicking somebody in the skull. Orton was apparently hinting at a singles match next week here.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Monday, December 28, 2009
United close gap on Blues with win

Rooney gave United the lead in first-half stoppage time at the KC Stadium but then gifted Hull a route back with the mistake that led to Craig Fagan's penalty equaliser.
The England striker then stepped up a gear to force an own goal from Andy Dawson and then set up a third for strike partner Dimitar Berbatov.
The hard-fought victory lifted United back above Arsenal into second and within two points of leaders Chelsea.
It was also United's first encounter with Alan Wiley since manager Sir Alex Ferguson's outspoken attack on the referee in October, when he claimed the official was unfit.
On this occasion United could complain little about Wiley's decisions, and were perhaps lucky not to see Patrice Evra sent off in the second half.
After last week's injury-influenced debacle at Fulham, United welcomed back a trio of defenders in Rafael da Silva, Wes Brown and Nemanja Vidic.
That gave United a much more familiar look as Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick returned to midfield roles while Ryan Giggs and Berbatov also came back the champions.
United started patiently but burst into life after five minutes as Antonio Valencia charged down the right.
The Ecuador international picked out Giggs with a well-flighted cross but the Welshman's volley dipped just over Boaz Myhill's bar.
Giggs was then inches away from scoring from a 16th-minute free-kick after Rooney went down under a Kamil Zayatte challenge.
Hull weathered that storm and appealed for a penalty after making a rare break but Brown's challenge as Richard Garcia raced onto a Fagan ball was deemed fair.
Seyi Olofinjana tried his luck from long range for Hull but Tomasz Kuszczak was not troubled.
Rooney went close again for United as Hull waited in vain for an offside flag, forcing Myhill to palm over with a stinging shot.
Hull were unlucky not to take the lead after piecing together a brilliant move in the 28th minute.
Garcia began the attack with a weaving run before finding Fagan out wide. Fagan's perfect cross was met on the volley by Olofinjana on the six-yard line but Kuszczak saved to his right.
Hull survived a real scare when Myhill sliced a clearance but Giggs and Rooney were unable to take advantage of an unexpected opening.
The Tigers spurned another good opportunity as Olofinjana found Stephen Hunt on the left but the Irishman shot tamely across goal.
Rafael then beat the offside trap at the end of an intricate move on the edge of the Hull box but Myhill saved brilliantly from the Brazilian.
Pressure finally paid off as Hull failed to clear a Fletcher cross and Rooney tapped in from close range during two minutes of stoppage time.
United were relieved but Rooney turned villain with a horrendous error just before the hour.
Rooney played Kuszczak into trouble with a weak backpass and Fagan nipped in to win the ball.
Fagan's touch took it too wide to shoot but he turned and lofted in a cross for Jozy Altidore, who was bundled over by the backtracking Rafael.
Wiley pointed to the spot and Fagan, taking over spot-kicking duties, stepped up to coolly slot an equaliser.
United almost reclaimed the lead moments later as Brown rose to meet a corner but Myhill clawed the ball away from under his bar as Rooney threatened.
Hull went close from their own corner as Garcia met a Hunt cross but his header flashed across goal.
Evra, booked in the first half, was fortunate to escape a second yellow card for holding back Fagan as Hull tried to launch another counter-attack.
Rooney then redeemed himself by forcing the own goal that put United back in front after 73 minutes.
Hull were caught as United broke from deep and Giggs put Rooney through. The angle was a tight one but Hull could not get back quickly enough and Rooney's cross was turned in by Dawson.
There was no way back for Hull and Berbatov finished the job eight minutes from time, although he owed much to Rooney.
The England man was allowed to stroll into the area from halfway as Hull reacted slowly to a long Vidic header and then picked out Berbatov at the far post with a measured ball. The Bulgarian had a simple task to slide home.
Hull showed spirit as Bernard Mendy and Fagan shot wide and their performance should offer encouragement for Tuesday's crunch clash at Bolton.
Hull City 1 - 3 Manchester United 
Sunday, December 27, 2009

WENDY, SHERINE & SUSZI '''
Arsenal v Aston Villa
Hull City v Manchester United
Saturday, December 26, 2009













