FT: West Brom 2 Man Utd 0 Manchester United's youth brigade were beaten 2-0 by West Brom as the Nationwide League leaders claimed another impressive Carling Cup scalp.
After sending Newcastle tumbling out of the competition at the third round stage, the Baggies deservedly accounted for the Premiership champions. Bernt Haas took just seven minutes to open West Brom's account with a vicious 15-yard volley after Neil Clement's cross had been diverted into his path by Rob Hulse. The home side spurned numerous chances to increase their lead, including a failed spot-kick attempt from Jason Koumas, but an inspired 49th-minute substitution from Gary Megson saw Scott Dobie steer home a low header to send the home side into the last eight. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will not spend too long worrying about the result, preferring instead to see the evening as a worthwhile exercise for some of his young charges. However, for a side containing Nicky Butt, Kleberson and Cristiano Ronaldo, the defeat will have been a chastening experience and the outcome, as well as the overall performance, contrasted starkly with that of a similar strength Arsenal side against Wolves 24 hours previously. A minute before Haas' opener, Danny Pugh had tested Carroll's reflexes with a firm back header his keeper kept out with an acrobatic stop. The former Wigan keeper had no chance with the goal that followed, although Ferguson may well wonder at the space offered to Albion's wing-back inside the United box. Hulse would have doubled the lead if he had controlled a Dichio through-ball properly rather than let it run into Carroll's grateful arms, and Koumas should have netted a second but instead gave the Irishman a chance to make an impressive penalty save. There was only a minute left of the half though before United created their first decent chance, Butt planting a 12-yard header straight into Russell Hoult's arms after David Bellion had broken down the right. Having started the second period on top, Albion must have feared a deserved second would never come when Dichio saw his looping header come crashing off the underside of the bar with Carroll well beaten. Megson must have thought so too as he immediately replaced Hulse with Dobie, although even the Baggies boss could not have envisaged just how quickly the move would be rewarded. Again Clement was the provider, curling a low cross into the heart of the United box which Dobie stooped to steer past Carroll. No-one could have held it against the Baggies if they had decided to shut up shop and concentrate on defensive duties for the rest of the night. Instead, they continued to push forward and though Ronaldo's fancy dribbles occasionally threatened trouble, repeatedly they petered out in disappointing fashion. The Portuguese teenager forced one save from Hoult and Richardson had another late effort headed off the line but apart from that, United were a disappointment. ________________________________________________________________________ Download Yahoo! Messenger now for a chance to win Live At Knebworth DVDs http://www.yahoo.co.uk/robbiewilliams ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/tsUolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> *************************************** Reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe from the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
