Sunday May 13, 2012 Day 38 Finished Stadium of Light

  1. United win at Sunderland in vain

    United win at Sunderland in vain

    Manchester United lost their Premier League title in extraordinary circumstances despite beating Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Sunderland
    • Manchester United
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this and every Premier League goal from 00:01 on Monday (UK time). Thanks for joining me! Follow me on Twitter - alexchick81
    • - Manchester United's win here is in vain as City produce a ridiculous late flurry to beat QPR 3-2 and win the league. Absolutely amazing.
    • - GOAL!!! CITY HAVE WON THE LEAGUE!!! INCREDIBLE!!!
    • 90+4' ALL OVER HERE! And now we wait...
    • 90+3' Into the final minute here - can United finish their job?
    • 90+2' United take the corner short, and win another off the defenders.
    • 90+2' GOAL AT THE ETIHAD!! CITY HAVE SCORED!! THEY ONLY NEED ONE!!
    • 90+1' THREE MINUTES to be played here. FIVE MINUTES at the Etihad Stadium.
    • 90' Rooney's hits the post!! The free-kick grazes the outside of the post and goes behind for a corner.
    • 89' Still United try to control the ball, slow the tempo... Rooney fouled at the edge of the box.
    • 88' Giggs whips it in and Mignolet punches clear. He's been great today.
    • 88' Wickham brings Valencia down on the right, just outside the Sunderland box. A hint of a smile on Vidic's face.
    • 87' United have succeeded in slowing the pace down - but still, one Sunderland move could change it all...
    • 86' Giggs's feet are too quick for Gardner, who trips the Welshman...
    • 85' Still United play the ball between themselves... Stoke are level against Bolton, by the way. QPR could lose and stay up.
    • 84' United playing keep-ball now... they will hang on to that ball for as long as they possibly can.
    • 83' Giggs takes it to the corner flag (a bit early?) and ends up conceding a foul.
    • 82' United change: Nani replaces the injured Young, who tried to carry on but was unable.
    • 81' Rooney down the right for Valencia, who wins a throw off the shins of Bridge.
    • 80' Into the final 10 minutes, but I fancy there will be a few minutes of stoppage time to add...
    • 79' United build as Ashley Young lies injured... eventually Valencia puts it out, but that seems wasteful given United's good attacking position.
    • 78' Manchester United lead by 14 goal attempts to four, but the nerves will only increase the longer it stays at 1-0.
    • 77' The corner is wasted as Ashley Young fires his shot high over the bar from 25 yards.
    • 76' SO CLOSE UNITED!! Scholes fires low against the post, and Mignolet produces a miraculous save to deny Giggs from the follow-up!!
    • 75' Good tackle by Rooney, who chases through the middle... United unsure whether to push for a second or hold back.
    • 74' Sunderland change: Connor Wickham on for David Vaughan.
    • 74' Rooney trips McClean, and is perhaps lucky not to see a yellow card.
    • 73' Ferdinand forced into a hurried clearance, before Vaughan brings Rooney down around halfway. Sir Bobby Charlton sits impassively in the crowd. He's been here a few times before.
    • 72' Another yellow card, this time to Scholes for a foul on Elmohamady.
    • 71' Sunderland have been much better since half-time, and are playing the ball around with some assurance. The pressure is off them...
    • 70' Sunderland free-kick 45 yards out... Gardner stands over it. Headed clear. At the moment, a draw would even be OK for United though they obviously won't want to risk it.
    • 69' Young with the corner - excellent punch from Mignolet.
    • 68' Giggs's free-kick is blocked, and Valencia drags his follow-up well wide. He does win a corner, though.
    • 67' The United fans here are going nuts. Ten-man QPR are beating Manchester City...
    • 67' Back at the Stadium of Light, Turner has brought Scholes down at the edge of the box! Yellow card.
    • 66' GOAL AT THE ETIHAD!!! QPR ARE IN FRONT!!! Jamie Mackie!! Absolutely extraordinary! Man City v QPR: LIVE
    • 65' McClean pulls back the corner to Bramble, whose header loops in the air and De Gea holds it.
    • 65' McClean crosses from the left and Jones heads behind for a corner.
    • 64' Young cuts inside from the left and fires goalwards... powerful strike but from a very tight angle and Mignolet holds it.
    • 63' Nemanja Vidic is on his phone, presumably saying: "Barton did what?!"
    • 62' A change for Sunderland - Wayne Bridge replaces Phil Bardsley. He will go to left-back. Bit odd that the United fans would boo him. You'd think he'd be a minor hero...
    • 61' Bardsley is down close to halfway after a coming-together with Valencia. Don't think there was anything in it.
    • 60' The United corner is cleared long downfield, and De Gea comes a long way out of goal to collect it.
    • 59' YOUNG! Arrives with a powerful volley at the edge of the box, but Gardner blocks it!
    • 58' Carrick has a left-foot shot, which is blocked by his own man Jones! Better from United, though.
    • 57' United win a corner on the right... Giggs to take it.
    • 56' Giggs is booked for a cynical block as it all goes mad at the Etihad - Barton was sent off for an elbow on Tevez, then kicked Aguero and nutted Kompany! He has been escorted off.
    • 55' Incredible at the Etihad Stadium! Joey Barton has been sent off!
    • 54' United need to get a grip here... They are really rocking.
    • 53' Campbell finds Sessegnon in the box, who turns and shoots... deflects wde off Evra but it's a goal kick.
    • 51' Sunderland's time to build now, and United are starting to look a little edgy themselves. Elmohamady and Young tangle in the box... no foul. And the ball comes to Bardsley whose shot is blocked! Nervy United!
    • 50' Young delivers a free-kick from the left touchline that Jones meets, but he sends his header wide!
    • 49' It was a real error by Joleon Lescott to give Cisse that chance - what a development! United really need to put this game to bed...
    • 48' GOAL AT THE ETIHAD STADIUM!! QPR HAVE EQUALISED!! Djibril Cisse! United back on top in the virtual table!
    • 47' Good save Mignolet! Rooney to Giggs to Young to Rooney, whose shot from the edge of the box is well saved. More excellent United interplay. Bit late now, you might say.
    • 46' Beautiful early move from United as Giggs finds Young who backheels into the path of Rooney, but Mignolet comes out sharply to gather.
    • 46' I really don't see the point of kicking off at the same time - it's not like they're going to have identical amounts of stoppage time, is it?
    • 46' Refs have been ordered to synchronise their watches and... we are under way across the country!
    • 45+3' That's half time, and United are doing their bit, thought they should be two up by now. But with City in front against QPR (after a soon-to-be-legendary goalkeeping gaffe by Paddy Kenny) it looks to be in vain.
    • 45+2' Evra is well forward down the left and crosses low for Valencia, whose weak shot is straight at Mignolet.
    • 45+1' Two minutes of added time to be played.
    • 45' Young crosses from the left, but his inswinging delivery evades everybody at the far post.
    • 44' Well, Bolton are in front at Stoke, which means QPR are in the relegation zone - which means they need a goal! Follow all 10 games here.
    • 43' O'Shea takes an age to get off the pitch. He is replaced by Elmohamady who goes to right midfield, Gardner to right-back and Bardsley to left-back. Potentially bad news for Ireland ahead of Euro 2012, looked like a hamstring.
    • 42' John O'Shea is going to limp off with an injury...
    • 41' After a brief spell of cursing, the United fans are quickly back into song, accompanied by 'You're going to win f all' from the Sunderland fans.
    • 40' GOAL AT THE ETIHAD STADIUM! Manchester City are in front against QPR through Pablo Zabaleta, and they are back on top!
    • 39' Rooney dummies for Young at the edge of the box, but it takes him by surprise... Young crosses deep and Giggs cannot keep the ball in.
    • 38' Vaughan crosses to Sessegnon in space inside the box, who cannot get his shot away but United are on the ropes here!
    • 36' Yellow card Jones for barrelling in on McClean. It was certainly muscular, but looked a harsh card from referee Webb.
    • 35' Now a Sunderland miss!! Sessegnon lofts a crafty ball over the top for Campbell, who takes it on the volley and sends it wide! He had more time and could have let it bounce!
    • 34' ROONEY MISSES A SITTER!! Valencia gets well forward down the right and squares for Young who helps the ball towards Rooney at the far post, and he somehow takes a virtual air shot! How important will that moment be?
    • 33' Good pressing from Campbell, who closes down Evans well and he plays it back to De Gea.
    • 32' Valencia gets the better of O'Shea again, but this time he is adjudged to have fouled the Irishman.
    • 31' Yellow card Phil Bardsley for a foul on Ashley Young. Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand is feeling about half a dozen different injuries.
    • 30' It has been a really good opening half-hour from United, and they are doing everything they can to put Manchester City under pressure - still goalless at the Etihad.
    • 29' Rooney hits the bar!! Rooney floats a free-kick that Mignolet can get nowhere near, but the ball clips the bar on its way over!
    • 28' Great play by United, who are moving the ball brilliantly. Rooney is fouled just about half a yard outside the box. left of centre.
    • 27' United throw, well forward on the right.... played into the middle for GIGGS! Strikes it powerfully with the outside of his left boot and Mignolet pushes it away.
    • 26' Giggs tries an early through ball for Valencia, but it is in front of the Ecuadorean and Mignolet gathers.
    • 25' Giggs strikes the free-kick, which hits the wall and spins out for a throw.
    • 24' Another United free-kick 35 yards from goal, this time for a foul on Scholes. Rooney grabs the ball...
    • 23' Fraizer Campbell slides late into Evra, and that's a nasty one. Howard Webb settles for a yellow crad, but it might have been red.
    • 22' The news of United's goal has reached the Etihad Stadium (they have radios, iPhones, everything, the flash Harrys). Some nails being chewed.
    • 21' As things stand, Manchester United are top of the Premier League! And they have some hopeless Sunderland defending to thank for it...
    • 20' GOAL!! Wayne Rooney gives Manchester United the lead! Jones crosses from the right under no pressure, Bramble and Turner both let the diagonal ball bounce and Rooney nods it in at the far post!
    • 20' Neat, Barca-style build-up from United with lots of triangles...
    • 19' Over at the Etihad Stadium, Joey Barton is down after a collision with Gareth 'Teacher's Pet' Barry. Looked accidental, but Barton is milking it.
    • 18' Giggs stands the corner up for the arriving Jones, who flies in and heads over! Mignolet was nowhere and that goes down as a chance for United.
    • 17' Giggs clips the ball into the box and, under little pressure, Bramble heads behind for a corner.
    • 16' Campbell dispossesses Young down the United left and hoofs a long ball away.
    • 15' Lots of possession for United, whose away fans are in defiant voice.
    • 14' More goals at the Emirates, and the battle for 3rd/4th/5th is looking very interesting. Also a goal at Stoke - which could have an indirect effect on the title race. They are one up against Bolton. Follow every game live!
    • 13' It has been a largely positive start for United, though they have not seriously tested Simon Mignolet in the Sunderland goal.
    • 12' Giggs delivers a corner from the United right that is headed clear as far as Young, who bends it into the box... and Mignolet holds.
    • 11' Valencia gets the better of O'Shea and gets a looping cross in... headed half-clear, but with Evra and his cross is put behind for a corner.
    • 10' Lots of possession for the visitors. Young spreads a good ball out to Valencia on the right, but his control is poor.
    • 9' Low cross from Valencia, parried half-clear by Mignolet but the ball comes to a striped shirt. Valencia beat O'Shea there and will be a key player down the right.
    • 8' United let Sessegnon run... but the Sunderland man plays it square to Gardner instead of going for goal.
    • 7' David Vaughan tries a long-range shot that is pretty much straight at De Gea, who makes a decent catch.
    • 6' Jones plays a los cross in from the right, but Turner cuts it out before it reaches Rooney.
    • 5' A surprise to see Wayne Rooney on his own up front - Giggs is the most advanced of the five midfielders.
    • 4' Slow start from United here. They know they must win, but there is no point taking crazy risks. Goal difference will not become a factor unless they score 9 (nine). Which they won't.
    • 3' Goal at White Hart Lane, where Spurs are one up against Fulham thanks to Adebayor... but Arsenal have just scored through Yossi Benayoun! Arsenal third, Spurs fourth at the moment. All 10 games LIVE!
    • 3' James McClean cuts inside from the left and hist a low right-foot shot with no real power. Easy save for De Gea.
    • 2' It's a noisy afternoon, and Sunderland seem well up for this, as you'd imagine.
    • 1' GAME ON! Sunderland kick off, playing from left to right in red and white shirts with black shorts. United in blue and black hoops.
    • 14:58 The teams are out and we are two minutes away from kick-off! I'm Alex Chick, and I really am starting to get quite excited. Follow me on Twitter - @alexchick81
    • 14:55 You could forgive United fans for giving up hope, but here's a little taste of City hubris to sustain you. Pictured in the Trafford Centre yesterday.
    • 14:50 Today's papers, of course, are absolutely full of 'Seismic Sunday' - Roberto Mancini will apparently get a tattoo of the City crest on his leg if they finish the job today, while Roy Keane cheerily predicts that United will be haunted by this season's collapse for years. Full Sunday paper review.
    • 14:45 Sunderland do not have survival or Europe to play for, but there is prize money and the satisfaction of beating Manchester United, one of the biggest games of any fan's season. Sunderland lie 11th, and depending on today's results they could finish anywhere between 10th and 14th. Here are all the Premier League permutations.
    • 14:40 PERMUTATIONS: Basically, it's simple. Manchester United must score more points today than Manchester City. If City win, they are champions. If they draw, United must win to take the title. If they lose, a draw is enough for United. United trail by eight on goal difference, so it would take something incredibly wacky for that to become a factor. If United win 9-0 and City win 7-6, there will be a play-off to decide the champions. Not that likely, though.
    • 14:35 Stat-trick! The Black Cats have failed to score in eight of their last 10 league games against the Red Devils, including the last four in a row. Man Utd have won 14 and lost none of their last 19 Premier League games against Sunderland.
    • 14:30 Another stat from Opta: Three of the last five goals Manchester United have scored against Sunderland have been own goals by the Wearsiders, two by Anton Ferdinand and one by Wes Brown.
    • 14:25 Stat from Opta: United have lost just two of their last 17 Premier League games, both by a 0-1 scoreline and in their last two away games.
    • 14:20 United play just one up front in the absence of the injured Danny Welbeck, but Hernandez, Berbatov and Owen (!) are all on the bench. Giggs and Scholes both get starts. Ex-United man John O'Shea captains Sunderland, who also have former Old Trafford men Phil Bardsley and Fraizer Campbell in the starting XI.
    • 14:15 TEAMS: SUNDERLAND: Mignolet, O’Shea (C), Bardsley, Bramble, Turner, Gardner, McClean, Colback, Vaughan, Sessegnon, Campbell... Subs: Bridge, Wickham, Dong-won, Meyler, Kyrgiakos, Elmohamady, Westwood. /// MAN UTD: De Gea, Jones, Evra (C), Ferdinand, Evans, Valencia, Young, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney... Subs: Owen, Berbatov, Park, Chicharito, Nani, Rafael, Amos.
    • 14:10 We've got minute-by-minute coverage of all 10 Premier League games for you this afternoon. Just go here and pick your match.
    • 14:05 My name's Alex Chick, and I'll be guiding you through events at the Stadium of Light, and of course keeping you abreast of events elsewhere, particularly at the Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City are a win away from their first top-flight championship since 1968. Follow me on Twitter - @alexchick81
    • 14:00 Hello! Welcome to our live coverage of Sunderland versus Manchester United on the final day of the Premier League season. As you're probably aware, it's a massive day of football. In the words of Spartacus Mills: "It's bigger than that Chris, it's large."

  • Summary

    • 90+1' THREE MINUTES to be played here. FIVE MINUTES at the Etihad Stadium.
    • 76' SO CLOSE UNITED!! Scholes fires low against the post, and Mignolet produces a miraculous save to deny Giggs from the follow-up!!
    • 59' YOUNG! Arrives with a powerful volley at the edge of the box, but Gardner blocks it!
    • 51' Sunderland's time to build now, and United are starting to look a little edgy themselves. Elmohamady and Young tangle in the box... no foul. And the ball comes to Bardsley whose shot is blocked! Nervy United!
    • 50' Young delivers a free-kick from the left touchline that Jones meets, but he sends his header wide!
    • 47' Good save Mignolet! Rooney to Giggs to Young to Rooney, whose shot from the edge of the box is well saved. More excellent United interplay. Bit late now, you might say.
    • 46' Beautiful early move from United as Giggs finds Young who backheels into the path of Rooney, but Mignolet comes out sharply to gather.
    • 35' Now a Sunderland miss!! Sessegnon lofts a crafty ball over the top for Campbell, who takes it on the volley and sends it wide! He had more time and could have let it bounce!
    • 34' ROONEY MISSES A SITTER!! Valencia gets well forward down the right and squares for Young who helps the ball towards Rooney at the far post, and he somehow takes a virtual air shot! How important will that moment be?
    • 29' Rooney hits the bar!! Rooney floats a free-kick that Mignolet can get nowhere near, but the ball clips the bar on its way over!
    • 27' United throw, well forward on the right.... played into the middle for GIGGS! Strikes it powerfully with the outside of his left boot and Mignolet pushes it away.
    • 21' As things stand, Manchester United are top of the Premier League! And they have some hopeless Sunderland defending to thank for it...
    • 20' GOAL!! Wayne Rooney gives Manchester United the lead! Jones crosses from the right under no pressure, Bramble and Turner both let the diagonal ball bounce and Rooney nods it in at the far post!
    • 18' Giggs stands the corner up for the arriving Jones, who flies in and heads over! Mignolet was nowhere and that goes down as a chance for United.
    • 14:58 The teams are out and we are two minutes away from kick-off! I'm Alex Chick, and I really am starting to get quite excited. Follow me on Twitter - @alexchick81
    • 14:40 PERMUTATIONS: Basically, it's simple. Manchester United must score more points today than Manchester City. If City win, they are champions. If they draw, United must win to take the title. If they lose, a draw is enough for United. United trail by eight on goal difference, so it would take something incredibly wacky for that to become a factor. If United win 9-0 and City win 7-6, there will be a play-off to decide the champions. Not that likely, though.
    • 14:15 TEAMS: SUNDERLAND: Mignolet, O’Shea (C), Bardsley, Bramble, Turner, Gardner, McClean, Colback, Vaughan, Sessegnon, Campbell... Subs: Bridge, Wickham, Dong-won, Meyler, Kyrgiakos, Elmohamady, Westwood. /// MAN UTD: De Gea, Jones, Evra (C), Ferdinand, Evans, Valencia, Young, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney... Subs: Owen, Berbatov, Park, Chicharito, Nani, Rafael, Amos.
    • 14:00 Hello! Welcome to our live coverage of Sunderland versus Manchester United on the final day of the Premier League season. As you're probably aware, it's a massive day of football. In the words of Spartacus Mills: "It's bigger than that Chris, it's large."

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.4 8
      Defenders
      Substitution Out43′ 6 5
      Yellow Card 5.4 5
      5.1 5
      Yellow Card Substitution Out62′ 5 6
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out74′ 4.7 6
      5.4 6
      6 7
      5.4 7
      Strikers
      6.2 7
      Yellow Card 5.4 6
      Subs
      Substitution In62′ 6.6 6
      Substitution In74′ 6 6
      Substitution In43′ 7.1 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7.8 7
      Defenders
      Yellow Card 6.5 7
      6.3 6
      6.7 7
      7 7
      Midfielders
      6.2 7
      Yellow Card 7.3 8
      7.1 7
      Yellow Card 7.1 6
      Substitution Out82′ 6.5 7
      Strikers
      Goal 7.3 7
      Subs
      Substitution In82′ 6.6 -

Comment 187 - 207 of 207

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. man utd will b back

    From Mackem, on Sun 15 Jul 13:41

  2. where did it all go wrong ?

    From Mackem, on Sun 15 Jul 13:39

  3. Buy a goalkeeper

    From Eoghan, on Wed 30 May 0:45

  4. The best possible end to the season.. watching the­ pain­ on Utd fans faces was BLISS as they slowly­ realized­ City had done the impossible and got the 2­ goals!! HAPPY DAYS

    From wild woodpecker®, on Sun 27 May 17:16

  5. sort it out jonny

    From William, on Tue 22 May 16:15

  6. Would you rather finish 2nd with the same points tally­ or win the mickey mouse cup and finish 9th.....38­ points behind the red devils...?

    From Politician Stole My Money, on Sun 20 May 22:03

  7. Nathan, 216 Same here it was priceless just priceless.

    From Michael, on Sun 20 May 0:19

  8. A.S.P. 213 I really could care less what the Manure­ won and as for trying to add other trophies to our 18 ­ I am afraid thats Man U mentality dont know where you­ came to that (brilliant) conclusion from , No matter­ what gloss or complexion you vainly try to put on it­ Man U got ZERO this season, and as regards qualifying­ for C H League who to say ye wont be dumped out of it­ at first asking like last season, Well done City now­ grow up and just accept that heating does not always­ pay.

    From Michael, on Sun 20 May 0:18

  9. I'm a Sunderland fan, can't say im not­ dissapointed to be beat, after a bad end to the­ season... but to see the Utd fans faces when city won,­ Priceless!

    From Nathan, on Wed 16 May 12:06

  10. Manchester City deserved to win this Premiership, they­ may have recieved 5 Mins of extra time for once,­ Manchester United get it every game. Get rid of Fergie­ Now, all the best City from a Millwall supporter.

    From THOMAS NEAL, on Tue 15 May 17:37

  11. You were jinxed by one player, who is both a liar and a­ racist you see god does work in mysterious ways .

    From a, on Mon 14 May 15:18

  12. Webb blew his whistle QUICK...He was Sh%((ng himself­ Sunderland might score

    From COLIN, on Mon 14 May 15:08

  13. Glad all the city fans are being graceful in victory...­ I didnt expect anything less after waiting 44 years and­ and spending 250 million!!!!

    From Mark Groves, on Mon 14 May 9:54

  14. Still an unbeaten 19, I'm not talking about­ anything this scum has done, I mean 19 trophies in 9­ years by Bob Paisley

    From MICHAEL, on Mon 14 May 8:59

  15. Only Yahoo could put 'United win but loose' on­ their title page rather than something about City­ winning the title! Oh yeh forgot to say-ha ha ha ha ha­ ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

    From Tim, on Mon 14 May 7:59

  16. Another BPL goes into Manchester again but it's­ blue not red...

    From Anonymous, on Mon 14 May 6:11

  17. Congratulations to City for winning the title,­ Congratulations to Chelsea for winning the FA Cup and­ getting to the CL final, Congratulations to Liverpool­ for winning the league cup and getting to the final of­ the FA cup, .....and lastly Congratulations to Man Utd­ for winning hhahahahah the hahah Charity Shield­ hahahahahahaha........Fergie's plan of over taking­ Barca is going really well HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH YOU'RE­ JUST THE SECOND BIGGEST TEAM IN MANCHESTER!!!!!

    From Chris, on Mon 14 May 3:47

  18. MICHAEL213- That's because all the Surrey­ supporters changed to Man City last night. I do get­ amazing satisfaction knowing how the red manc trolls­ who mocked our League cup only have a charity shield­ this season.YNWA

    From Chris, on Mon 14 May 3:44

  19. A thousand miles journey begins by one step; that is­ the way Manchester City started the season. United just­ got lucky along the way and could not handle their­ luck. City came back from their slum and did what what­ they have done best this season. I am a United fan but­ I must assure you, Alex Fergusson does not have a­ mastery of this game again. He failed United fans by­ the selections he made everytime. No first eleven ever­ played two games? I hope the team gets a good lesson­ from this painful loss; coming so close to the trophy­ and see City lift it. Get new players; let go­ Fergussonand the likes of David de Gea and the sloppy­ Andersons and a host of others.

    From mbah, on Mon 14 May 1:49

  20. A notable absence of Man U (fans) out tonight, I wonder­ why?

    From Michael, on Mon 14 May 0:37
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