United sail into cup semis

[porkster104]

http://www.teamtalk.com/Images/32041.jpg

Manchester United cruised into the FA Cup semi-finals with a 4-0 win over Southampton in which keeper Paul Smith again performed heroics.

Young stopper Smith got the nod despite the return to fitness of Antti Niemi - and despite conceding four goals he prevented what could have been an embarrassing scoreline with a string of fine saves.

Smith was beaten after just two minutes, when Roy Keane thumped home a deflected effort, and then kept United at bay until the stroke of half-time when Cristiano Ronaldo clinically volleyed in a crisp strike.

The keeper had denied Wayne Rooney, Quinton Fortune and Ruud van Nistelrooy - but he was beaten again on 48 minutes when Scholes lashed a close-range effort into the back of the net.

Smith then tipped van Nistelrooy's angled volley over the bar on 56 and saved Rooney's bullet header on 78.

But Scholes headed in a cross from van Nistelrooy three minutes from time to wrap up a comfortable victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's troops.

http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Story_Page/0,7760,2483_349271,00.html

Excellent play by Rooney I must say... He played a part in each of the goals scored eventhough he didn't score. :thumbsup:

[Becks]

Yes, and Ruud even did that as well.
Scholes REALLY performed.

[Sir]

As much as I dislike Man Utd (Im a geordie) I have to say it was a superb performance from them. Far too good for Southampton.

[Becks]

Indeed.
They are trying to ban the person that threw the firecracker.

[porkster104]

The flare that was thrown at the field was really dangerous. Imagine if a player had been hit there. :shocked:

[Becks]

It was headed for Scholes.

[Sir]

Yes the guy who threw that flair should be punished.

[porkster104]

It was headed for Scholes? Oh, I thought that guy was a Man U fan... :p But I heard that the fan was heading for a lifetime ban from matches. :red-card: He was asking for it the minute he threw the flare.

[Becks]

He threw it into the penalty area.

[porkster104]

http://www.teamtalk.com/Images/32044.jpg

Reds vow to ban flare fan

Manchester United will ban for life the supporter who 'stained their reputation' by throwing a flare on to the pitch at St Mary's.

The incident occurred at the beginning of the second half of United's 4-0 FA Cup romp over Southampton, seconds after Paul Scholes had netted the visitors' third goal.

The flare came perilously close to hitting Saints keeper Paul Smith before it landed in the penalty area and play was held up for two minutes as it burned out and was eventually removed.

CCTV pictures appeared to identify the culprit, with United officials warning of swift action should guilt be established.

"Manchester United condemns the actions of the spectator who threw the flare on to the pitch," said a statement released by the Red Devils.

"The club strongly hopes TV evidence will enable him to be identified.

"Once that has happened, United will take swift and appropriate action against him to make sure he will not be able to stain the club's reputation in such a way again.

"Such behaviour is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Story_Page/0,7760,1778_349477,00.html

Yeah, I saw the whole match... I just didn't notice that the flare was aimed for Scholes. :silly: Well, a Man U fan... What a disgrace! :annoyed: