O'Shea Has Last Laugh
When Wes Brown told goalscoring hero John O'Shea Manchester United
were on the verge of seizing control in the Barclays Premiership
title battle, the Irishman thought it was a wind-up.
After applying the killer touch across Stanley Park at Anfield in
February, O'Shea launched United's devastating revival against the
blue half of Merseyside on Saturday when he bundled home a loose
ball after Iain Turner dropped Michael Carrick's corner at his
feet.
Yet, even when Phil Neville had blasted into his own net, Wayne
Rooney had smoothly converted his 23rd goal of the campaign and
debutant Chris Eagles had completed an amazing turnaround in a game
where United had fallen two behind, O'Shea did not believe the
result would be of such significance.
"When we got the fourth, Wes turned to me and said Chelsea were
drawing with Bolton," laughed the Irishman.
"I honestly thought he was winding me up.
"At the time, you are not concerned about it but when the result
was confirmed in the dressing room afterwards, it did give us a
little extra boost.
"We weren't that concerned about Chelsea. We just wanted to win. We
felt we had a more difficult game this weekend than they did but we
are the ones who have come up trumps."
With three games still to play, including a trip to Stamford Bridge
on May 9, no-one at Old Trafford has started crowing just
yet.
But, as everyone, including Jose Mourinho, is acutely aware, the
job is nearly done.
Victory in the Manchester derby at Eastlands on Saturday would
leave Chelsea needing to win at Arsenal 24 hours later just to
avoid the embarrassment of Sir Alex Ferguson being able to field a
team full of kids when the top two meet, knowing a ninth Premier
League title had been won.
Mourinho will continue to talk up Chelsea's chances but if they
cannot gain points on days such as this, it is difficult to
conceive of a set of circumstances that would allow them to turn
this situation around.
Trailing to Alan Stubbs' thunderous opener and with the Londoners
ahead, O'Shea feared the worst at half-time.
And, despite Ferguson's encouragement, when Manuel Fernandes lashed
home Everton's second, the defender's concerns only
increased.
"At half-time, we were scratching our heads wondering if it was
going to be one of those days," he said.
"The manager told us we would still create chances but when they
got another, you start to think maybe we should forget about this
game and move on.
"But this team and these players have the spirit and the courage to
keep going and attacking. It is a never-say-die attitude and it was
shown in abundance."
Although he probably would not have approved of the result, Everton
legend Alan Ball would have admired United's dogged refusal to give
in.
The same battling qualities were so evident in the World Cup hero
to whom Goodison Park paid homage before kick-off and given their
capacity to excite as well, perhaps it is fitting they will end the
season as champions.
Still, as Ferguson always acknowledges, a bit of luck is required
for every triumph and it duly arrived when Turner, who up to that
point had performed well in the Everton goal following his recall
from Sheffield Wednesday, made the inexplicable mistake that gifted
O'Shea his goal and provided the platform from which United went on
to win.
"That might be the moment that won Manchester United the league,"
said Everton boss David Moyes.
"They were on the verge of being beaten today if it wasn't for
that."
Ferguson immediately unleashed Cristiano Ronaldo, who was carrying
a knock, from the bench and Everton were pressed further and
further back until their defences were shot to pieces.
"Once we got that little break, everyone started to look stronger
and quicker," said O'Shea.
"We are closer to the title than we were but we will continue to
look at it one game at a time.
"We have a massive derby game coming up next week. They will be
looking to turn us over and give Chelsea another lifeline. But we
are confident going into the game now because of the way we are
playing."
Before then, United's treble bid takes them to Italy for the
Champions League semi-final decider with AC Milan.
"It is a great time to be a United player," added O'Shea.
"You realise what the lads have gone through in the past."
