Manchester United Defeats RCD Espanyol 1-0 in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Testimonial
August 4th 2008 04:36
Saturday was a special day at Old Trafford for fans and players alike since it was the testimonial match for legendary 'supersub' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. As if it was a signature move, the 'baby-faced assassin' didn't start the match. Instead, he was assigned as a substitute to finally come on the pitch at the 68th minute in Carlos Tevez's place. Although he didn't score the winning goal, the Norwegian striker showed that he still had it, putting keeper Cristian Alvarez to work in no time.
Once again, it was Paul Scholes who would be the man of the show during the first half, directing United's attack as if it was a symphony. His nicely chipped ball at the 18th minute left no chance to Espanyol's goalkeeper but the crowd would erupt in “ooooohs” when that same ball crashed against the post. The English midfielder would end the half with the most shots on goal along with striker Carlos Tevez.
As superb as he was offensively during the first half, Scholes would prove to be terrible defensively in the second as he committed late challenges after late challenges. Thankfully, the referee was a very patient man, and didn't seem willing to dish out cards as if they were candy (there were A LOT of bad tackles in this game, on both sides). United wouldn't be too menacing in that half until 'supersub' entered the game at the 68th minute. Ten minutes after his entrance, Solskjaer would force Cristian to make the save of the game with a superb left-footed volley that looked like a sure goal. In the same minute, the striker would get another chance on goal, forcing another save by Cristian. Although Ole didn't score, those two attempts gave life to a match that had turned into a tackle-fest in midfield. Finally, at the 81st minute, youngster Fraizier Campbell tipped the ball over Cristian for the winning-goal after a nice through-pass by Giggs.
This may be a short match report for you guys, but the truth is, this game was all about Solskjaer and nothing else. From the crowd singing “Ole Ole Ole Ole,” to the striker's final lap around the Theater of Dreams with his three children, Saturday was a hearfelt farewell to an United legend.
Manchester United's line-up: Edwin Van der Sar (Tomasz Kuszczak, h-t); Danny Simpson, Rio Ferdinand (Wes Brown, h-t), Nemanja Vidic (Jonny Evans, 62nd), Patrice Evra (Mikael Silvestre, h-t); Darron Gibson (John O'Shea, 62nd), Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, Nani (Fraizier Campbell, h-t); Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 68th).
Once again, it was Paul Scholes who would be the man of the show during the first half, directing United's attack as if it was a symphony. His nicely chipped ball at the 18th minute left no chance to Espanyol's goalkeeper but the crowd would erupt in “ooooohs” when that same ball crashed against the post. The English midfielder would end the half with the most shots on goal along with striker Carlos Tevez.
As superb as he was offensively during the first half, Scholes would prove to be terrible defensively in the second as he committed late challenges after late challenges. Thankfully, the referee was a very patient man, and didn't seem willing to dish out cards as if they were candy (there were A LOT of bad tackles in this game, on both sides). United wouldn't be too menacing in that half until 'supersub' entered the game at the 68th minute. Ten minutes after his entrance, Solskjaer would force Cristian to make the save of the game with a superb left-footed volley that looked like a sure goal. In the same minute, the striker would get another chance on goal, forcing another save by Cristian. Although Ole didn't score, those two attempts gave life to a match that had turned into a tackle-fest in midfield. Finally, at the 81st minute, youngster Fraizier Campbell tipped the ball over Cristian for the winning-goal after a nice through-pass by Giggs.
This may be a short match report for you guys, but the truth is, this game was all about Solskjaer and nothing else. From the crowd singing “Ole Ole Ole Ole,” to the striker's final lap around the Theater of Dreams with his three children, Saturday was a hearfelt farewell to an United legend.
Campbell's goal
Manchester United's line-up: Edwin Van der Sar (Tomasz Kuszczak, h-t); Danny Simpson, Rio Ferdinand (Wes Brown, h-t), Nemanja Vidic (Jonny Evans, 62nd), Patrice Evra (Mikael Silvestre, h-t); Darron Gibson (John O'Shea, 62nd), Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, Nani (Fraizier Campbell, h-t); Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 68th).
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