Allbäck winner upsets United
Wednesday, 1 November 2006
A Marcus Allbäck goal seventeen minutes from time gave FC København
their first UEFA Champions League victory at the expense of Group F
rivals Manchester United FC.
Famous win
The match looked destined for a goalless draw when the Sweden
striker pounced on Atiba Hutchinson's header to prod the ball over
the line following a corner. With SL Benfica beating Celtic FC 3-0
in Lisbon, the group has been thrown open with København moving to
the four-point mark, two adrift of second-placed Celtic and five
behind United.
Heinze means business
It was apparent from the early stages that the surface, rutted by
the exertions of a Bruce Springsteen concert at the weekend, would
mitigate against free-flowing football and the first ten minutes
were punctuated by a series of high balls designed to test the
resolve of both defences. The home rearguard were the first to
flinch, on 13 minutes, when Gabriel Heinze got the better of Lars
Jacobsen down the United left before feeding Wayne Rooney. The
in-form striker cut inside and curled in a shot which was
comfortably held by Jesper Christiansen.
Breaking away
Twenty-four minutes had elapsed before København managed to get
their first effort on target. Hutchinson robbed Heinze and slipped
the ball to Michael Silberbauer but the midfielder's low attempt
was easily held by United captain Edwin van der Sar at his near
post. Almost immediately United broke to the other end, and from
Wes Brown's cross, Rooney headed just over. The pace of the
21-year-old was causing all sorts of problems for the hosts and
just before the half-hour, Brede Hangeland was booked for a late
challenge on Rooney. However, the forward should have done better
on 32 minutes when he fashioned another opening for himself,
turning Hangeland inside the box before miscuing a weak shot.
Corner threat
Sir Alex Ferguson made one change at half-time, introducing Rio
Ferdinand for Nemanja Vidić and the England centre-back was
instantly involved as the Danish champions forced a series of
corners. From one of Jacobsen's deliveries, Michael Gravgaard
managed to get a header on target but it lacked power and was well
taken by Van der Sar. His opposite number Christiansen had to be
alert moments later, smothering the ball at Ole Gunnar Solksjær's
feet after Cristiano Ronaldo had played the Norwegian in on
goal.
United pressure
Hutchinson had another opportunity on 55 minutes when Martin
Bergvold picked him out with a left-wing cross, but although the
midfielder rose above Ferdinand, he could not keep his header down.
United responded, Solksjær and Rooney combining inside the area
before the latter glided the ball across to John O'Shea who
cushioned a shot wide of the post with the goal at his mercy. The
game was being played in København's half and Rooney nodded wide
from another Heinze centre on 64 minutes, before a shot from
Solksjær was deflected wide.
First goal
Home coach Ståle Solbakken threw on Fredrik Berglund and William
Kvist as Københanvn pushed for their first goal of the campaign
and, within minutes, they had broken the deadlock. Jacobsen's
corner was not cleared by United and when Hutchinson nodded the
resulting cross towards goal, Allback reacted quickest to bundle
the ball over the line and reignite FCK's qualifying hopes.
