Chapter 983: The Old General Shows His Power

Distin returned to the court after simple treatment.

Manchester United once again relied on Valencia to take a corner kick, and Gao Xiaodong was still at the front of the penalty area preparing for a long shot and a rush.

Everton is a team that is very good at dealing with top teams away from home.

Against Tottenham, Moyes prepared a clever tactic to defeat Tottenham at White Hart Lane, and Everton at the Emirates Stadium prevented Arsenal from playing the kind of controlling football they usually play at home. Visiting Manchester City, Everton played a very good defensive performance and successfully won 2-1. In the FA Cup, Everton eliminated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Now facing Manchester United and having to go all out, their defense is very tenacious and thorough. This time they did not give Gao Xiaodong and other players a chance to reach the top, Fei'er. Neville clung to Gao Xiaodong, making Gao Xiaodong a step slower when grabbing points.

Distin defended Ferdinand, and Evans pushed the ball out of the baseline under Gajeel's defense.

This kind of defense was but a microcosm of United's attack. For most of the first half, the game was rarely played in United's half. It was entirely the Red Devils' attacking five and Everton's back four. Coupled with the offensive and defensive drills between the four midfielders, Manchester United is rarely able to find space and create opportunities in Everton's gaps. The occasional shooting opportunities are always wasted due to interference from the opponent or hasty kicking. .

Seeing that more than thirty minutes of the game had passed, Manchester United still could not change the score on the field. This made the Manchester United players very anxious. Not only did the two full-backs pass the half, but even the center backs Ferdinand and Evans also stood up. To the center line.

This is also because they are worried about not being offside when the opponent counterattacks past the midline, otherwise Manchester United players may even want to press into the 30-meter area of ​​Everton.

Manchester United is not the kind of team with very delicate technical coordination. Their offense relies on impact. Now that Everton has been pressed into their own 30-meter area, Manchester United's own characteristics cannot be used. They can only play with Everton. Passes came and went from the outside of the penalty area, but there was no way to penetrate into the penalty area. Occasionally, two long-range shots were blocked by the defensive players.

It is very dangerous for Manchester United to have possession of the ball but have no way to complete a threatening shot. Once Everton counterattacks, Manchester United's backcourt has as much space for sprinting as a vast grassland.

In the 40th minute of the game, Gao Xiaodong's long shot hit the defender and bounced out. Everton finally got the ball. Rodwell grabbed the spot and passed the ball to Osman. Osman divided the sides to find the full-back who quickly jumped in. Byrnes.

Baines is the sharpest point in Everton's offense. His breakthroughs and passes from the wing are very threatening. Everton was beaten by Manchester United in the first half today. Baines has a very heavy defensive task and counterattack. There are not many opportunities,

This time when he saw his teammate get the ball, Baynes stepped in immediately, and his teammate Osman passed the ball to him as expected.

Baines ran wildly down the wing, with Valencia chasing after him.

Valencia's speed was extremely fast. After Baines rushed into the 30-meter area, he felt Valencia's breathing became clearer and clearer. Knowing that he could not get rid of the Manchester United winger, he immediately stopped and got rid of Valencia. Rencia passed the ball to the center to find his forward Beckford.

Beckford was followed by Ferdinand and Evans. Unable to break through Manchester United's defense, Beckford stopped the ball and passed it crosswise to Osman who was inserted into the ribs.

Ferdinand quickly moved to the ribs to defend Osman.

Osman caught the ball and quickly broke into the penalty area and hit the goal directly.

Ferdinand was experienced. He guessed that Osman was going to hit the goal and directly blocked it.

Ferdinand had a good time to block, but the ball hit his foot and bounced towards the goal.

This change of direction frightened Ferdinand, Manchester United players and fans. The goalkeeper was most afraid of this kind of refracted ball and had no time to save it.

But Manchester United was lucky. Van der Sar had moved to the left side of the goal. The ball hit his leg and bounced out. Anderson, who was chased back into the penalty area, kicked it out of the sideline.

Although Everton did not score a goal in this counterattack, the threat was not small. The Manchester United people were shocked. After grabbing Everton's throw-in ball, the two central defenders did not press so close. In order to prevent The three lines were out of touch, and Anderson had to retreat, which greatly reduced the pressure on Everton's defense from Manchester United's frontcourt.

Manchester United could not break Everton's defense, and Everton was unable to organize a counterattack. The first half came to the last minute amid a fierce battle in the midfield.

Manchester United had no time to pass patiently. Rafael made a 45-degree long pass into the penalty area, looking for Rooney and Hernandez in the penalty area.

Obviously such a pass is a gamble on luck. If you don't move and play, Rooney and Hernandez have no hope of grabbing the landing spot.

As expected, the ball was pushed out by Distin. The ball was grabbed by Anderson. Anderson quickly knocked it across the middle to Gao Xiaodong. Gao Xiaodong volleyed and shot.

This time Gao Xiaodong's shot passed through the gap, but Everton goalkeeper Howard seemed to have found the feeling after returning to the stadium of his old club. Gao Xiaodong's long shot from a good angle was saved by him and he flew out of the baseline.

Manchester United took a corner kick, and Nani's corner kick was knocked out of the penalty area by the goalkeeper. Then referee Jones blew the whistle at the end of the first half.

After the halftime break, Manchester United made substitution adjustments. Veteran Scholes came on to replace Anderson. Manchester United no longer had a purely defensive player in the midfield.

Although this is a bit risky, Ferguson's judgment of the situation is very clear. The opponent is densely defensive and does not have much power to fight back. Anderson's role on the field is very small. It is better to let the veteran Scholes organize the offense and find Ever. Break the flaw in the defense line.

After the veteran Scholes came on the court, he took over most of Gao Xiaodong's organizational work. Gao Xiaodong can go all out to attack Everton's penalty area.

In the 53rd minute of the game, Scholes went straight to Rooney. Rooney held the defender and pushed the ball. Gao Xiaodong quickly broke into the left side of the penalty area and shot from a small angle.

Howard was in a good position. He blocked Gao Xiaodong's shooting angle, and the ball hit Howard and bounced out.

Scholes and Gao Xiaodong took a tactical corner kick. After Gao Xiaodong broke into the penalty area, he swung the ball backwards. Valencia volleyed from the outside of the penalty area and the ball hit the side netting.

In the 60th minute, Manchester United played the most exciting cooperation of the game. Scholes separated the sides. Gao Xiaodong, Valencia and Rooney kicked the ball consecutively on one side of the penalty area. Finally, Gao Xiaodong knocked his heel to El Nandez, Hernandez fell to the ground and shot from the 13-yard penalty area.

Manchester United's passing and cutting cooperation was dazzling. When Hernandez shot, the defender did not react.

However, Howard, who returned to Old Trafford, was in great form. Before he could get off the ground in time, he stretched out his foot to block the ball out of the baseline.