Magic Macheda saves United again
Sir Alex Ferguson was once again saved by Federico Macheda
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Saturday, 11, Apr 2009 09:51
Teenage sensation Federico Macheda once again came off the bench and scored the winner as Manchester United beat Sunderland 2-1.
Paul Scholes had given United the lead with a header, but Sunderland got back on level terms thanks to Kenwyne Jones.
Macheda came on with 16 minutes left and found the back of the net inside a minute as he deflected home a shot from Michael Carrick.
The goal was of huge significance for United as it meant they went back to the top of the Premier League, one point ahead of Liverpool and with a game still in hand.
United took the lead after 20 minutes when Wayne Rooney put an inswinging ball into the Sunderland penalty area and Scholes rolled back the years and drove into the area before heading home.
However, the champions' defensive frailties were shown up in the games against Aston Villa and FC Porto and the United defence almost gifted Sunderland an equaliser.
Nemanja Vidic played a ball back to Ben Foster, but the pass was too hard and went past the keeper. Carlos Edwards latched onto the ball, but was unable to keep it in play.
Sunderland defence Callum Davenport had a decent effort on goal when he out-muscled Gary Neville from a Phil Bardsley cross, but saw the ball go just wide of the post.
A shot from Jones then deflected into the path of Djibril Cisse and he fired a shot at the United goal, but Foster was able to tip it over the bar.
But a mistake from the England goalkeeper gave Sunderland the chance to equalise at the start of the second-half. Foster failed to collect at cross from Teemu Tainio and Jones headed goalwards, before poking the ball past the goal-line.
The Stadium of Light erupted and it looked like United were heading towards another demoralising Premier League result.
Sir Alex Ferguson threw on Cristiano Ronaldo and Macheda from the substitute bench, and his changes paid off immediately, with the teenage striker, not the world player of the year, proving to be the match winner.
Macheda once again grabbed a crucial goal for United and though not as remarkable as his strike against Aston Villa, it was just as important. Carrick took a shot from outside the penalty area which looked to be heading wide, before Macheda deflected it into the goal.