Tevez header sets up battle of the
entertainers
Carlos Tevez struck as Manchester United defeated Roma
to seal a Champions League semi-final match-up with
Barcelona.
Roma should have taken the lead from the penalty spot after a
foul by Wes Brown but Daniele de Rossi smashed the ball high over
the crossbar. Edwin van der Sar denied Mirko Vucinic as Roma
threatened but Ryan Giggs and Owen Hargreaves forced saves from
Doni. And Tevez scored with a diving header from Hargreaves' cross
to seal the tie. <!-- E SF -->
The Argentine struck after 70 minutes and it was a goal that
punctured any lingering hopes Roma harboured of a dramatic
comeback. The Italians had been left stunned after their 2-0 defeat
in Rome but, after enduring a poor start to the second leg, they
showed great spirit to rattle their opponents.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had shown great faith in his squad
prior to kick-off by leaving Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo out
of his starting line-up. They were two of five changes from the
team that drew at Middlesbrough on Sunday.
Changes or not, United had more than enough opportunities to
kill off the tie in the first 10 minutes. Hargreaves was a
revelation down the right for United, using his superb athleticism
to run on to passes from midfield, and he delivered two telling
crosses. The first was met by Giggs while Anderson drilled a low
strike from the second - both efforts drawing saves from Doni.
But Roma should have forced their way back into the tie when
referee Tom Hennin Ovrebo ruled that Brown had failed to make any
contact with the ball while trying to tackle Mancini. De Rossi
buried his head in his shirt after blazing the spot kick way over
the crossbar but Roma took confidence from winning the penalty and
enjoyed a spell of possession that saw them end the half on
top.
And after Tevez headed home another excellent Hargreaves cross
the tie was effectively settled. Further good news for the buoyant
home fans arrived with 10 minutes left when Gary Neville came on
for his first appearance since picking up an ankle injury on 17
March 2007.
Man Utd 1-0 Roma: Leading 2-0 after the first leg, Sir Alex
Ferguson decides to leave Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney on the
bench.
The Italians have a great chance to get back into the tie when
Wes Brown concedes a penalty but Daniele De Rossi blasts it over
the bar.
Among those watching is Man Utd legend Eric Cantona who receives
a huge ovation just before the second half gets under way.
With the tie beyond Roma, Ferguson brings on Gary Neville for
his first appearance in 13 months after suffering with an ankle
injury
Tevez scored in the 70 mins with a diving header.
The Man Utd boss sees his side close out the win and must now
plan for a semi-final against Barcelona who beat Schalke 2-0 on
aggregate.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Pique, Ferdinand,
Silvestre, Hargreaves, Park, Carrick (O'Shea 74), Anderson (Neville
81), Giggs (Rooney 74), Tevez.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Ronaldo, Scholes, Welbeck.
Goals: Tevez 70.
Roma: Doni, Panucci, Mexes, Juan, Cassetti
(Tonetto 56), De Rossi, Pizarro (Giuly 69), Taddei (Esposito 81),
Perrotta, Mancini, Vucinic.
Subs Not Used: Curci, Cicinho, Aquilani, Brighi.
Booked: Perrotta.
Att: 74,423
Ref: Tom Ovrebo (Norway).
