No luck with getting any stats, but the tracker at uefa.com seems to reflect things well. This from Soccernet's tracker/commentary... Halftime at Ibrox. A great start by United and it is a goal from the less-than-prolific Phil Neville which separates the two. Rangers fought back well after the setback and are unlucky not to be level after good pressure but crucially failed to converted their half-chances. Rangers have had the better of the play, but credit to United's back four, mainly scuppering most of the attacks before they reach the penalty area. But point taken, that 'Gers should have done better with their odd half-chances. Howard has done well, with the couple of saves he's made so far.
A little bit of topic, but I keep hearing about Howard is having quiet games that result in shut-outs yet ManU's defense wasn't that strong last year. What's changed this year? Veron, Blanc, Beckham ? I'm not complaining - Howard's on my fantasy team.
Thanks! The first link didn't work for me, but this one does. Caught the first half highlights - looks like Howard is on is game.
53rd min. -- RVN shoots wide left, after Phil Neville got him into a one-v-one situation against Craig Moore. United with a good spell of possession through the opening minutes of the second half. Rangers finding it difficult to frustrate them, or to string passes together themselves.
56th min. -- From Arteta's corner, Keane heads off the line, with Howard stopping the follow-up shot (yet another half-chance by Rangers, to be honest). Then, Lovenkrands looks to go one-v-one against Howard, but Ferdinand tackles the ball out of danger. 58th min. -- Moore gets a free header in the box, but Howard saves strongly, and surrenders no rebound. Best spell of the match by Rangers, so far.
Anyone expecting Man. U/defense/Howard to put in a game or 2 of weak defense action shortly? I am....after all, this is quite a dream start (all changes considered) and throw in the youth aspect of back-line....quite amazing performance (defense) so far this year...they are bound for a slip up somewhere, and soon... This continues, and I'd think it could/would be considered one of the best defenses ever in any top league...after all, their younger players should only get better...
Absolutely solid match, indeed. His positioning and poise on the Moore header was perfect. 64th min. -- Speaking of Howard, the American 'keeper breaks up a Ricksen move into the box, with Mols lurking just behind the play.
the team had a bad second half timmy got beaten twice on near perfect shots and he did save a penalty, i don't think anyone can say he had a bad game
70th min. -- Klos saves well from RVN's hard shot from an acute angle. 71st min. -- On the counter following a Giggs corner that came to nothing, Lovenkrands shoots wide left when open. Howard had the post covered, however.
78th min. -- Ricksen shoots over Howard's goal, at the end of a set piece, after Rangers were given a free kick 35 yards from goal.