Thursday, October 22, 2009

CSKA Moscow 0 Manchester United 1


The Champions League game between CSKA Moscow and Manchester United at the Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday Oct 21 2009.

Antonio Valencia struck a late winner as Manchester United maintained their 100 per cent record in Champions League Group B at the expense of CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.

Chances had been at a premium on the artificial surface of the Russian capital's Luzhniki Stadium - scene of United's final victory in 2008 - but United finished strongly.

Valencia, who celebrated his first United goal last weekend, doubled his tally for the club five minutes from time, just moments after rattling the crossbar with a fierce drive.

United began to assert themselves midway through the first half and Fabio twice crossed only for Valencia to be crowded out, allowing Igor Akinfeev to claim.

Paul Scholes, playing in a deep midfield role, had their first shot with a dipping 35-yard effort that bounced awkwardly and Akinfeev touched over for a corner.

CSKA responded with Alan Dzagoev lifting a ball into the box but Tomas Necid's header was of little concern to Edwin van der Sar.

United's most productive route appeared to be down the left and another Nani cross was just too high for Dimitar Berbatov at the far post.

Miloš Krasic, who looked CSKA's most dangerous player, beat two defenders to create another chance just inside the area but shot across goal.

Nani again found good space for United before the break and the ball worked its way across goal for Gary Neville to shoot but the veteran's left-footed effort was just over.

United had a scare moments before the break when a Dzagoev free-kick into the box was cleared unconvincingly for a corner.

The second half got off to a lively start, with chances at both ends. Nani raced through from a Valencia backheel only to find no-one with his cross while Berbatov controlled well but saw his shot blocked.

Necid then brought down the ball brilliantly outside the United box but after doing the hard work, his shot was tame.

Deividas Semberas then shot well over and Dazagoev had the ball in the net before the hour but the flag had long since been raised for offside and home celebrations were quickly curtailed.

Berbatov flicked the ball into the area for United but his attempts to win a penalty from Aleksei Berezutski came to nothing when he was booked for diving.

United took Rio Ferdinand off with a third of the game remaining, possibly as a precaution, and created a chance soon after when Neville crossed for Nani but Akinfeev saved.

Michael Owen was introduced as a 71st-minute substitute for Scholes and had a fine opportunity when Valencia crossed five minutes later but he failed to connect with a volley.

Valencia went much closer eight minutes from time when he combined well with Berbatov and Nani on the edge of the area but his fierce shot rebounded off the woodwork.

Not to be denied, Valencia went one better five minutes from time when he latched onto a downward header from Berbatov and turned six yards out to lash home the winner.

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