Fortunately for Sunderland, the United side that kicked off on Saturday didn't feature its usual frightening attack and venom. Pass after pass fell to the feet of Sunderland players and everyone looked very sub-par. After only seven minutes of sloppy football, Darren Bent continued his campaign for glory by scoring a cracker of a goal for Sunderland. 0-1.
One of two things happens after United falls behind in any given match. The first, and most common, is the fury of Hell being unleashed. The players wake up from whatever fog they were in, get angry at their failure, and then take their rage out on the other team. The other, more unfortunate thing that happens is that United loses any of the confidence they had and looks lost on the pitch. This is what happened against Sunderland.
The half finished with United looking listless and Sunderland not doing a whole lot, themselves.
The second half began and play resumed in the same way it did in the first. In other words, it was boring. Then, out of nowhere, in the 51st minute, Giggs sent in a pinpoint cross to Berbatov, who was acrobatic and skillful enough to bicycle kick it into the corner of the net, past the keeper. The bike was first touch and far out enough from the goal to be spectacular. Goal of the season contender, for sure. Berbatov, you're really showing your class now. I'm sorry I doubted you. 1-1.
United fans were still in ecstasy about the magic that Berbs had just produced and feeling hopeful for the future when the unthinkable happened. Sunderland found themselves in United's final third. A ball was sent into the box, Vidic was caught sleeping, and Jones finished smartly to deflate United again in the 58th. 2-2.
United were defeated. Completely, it seemed like. For the next 30 minutes, we attacked, but without any creativity. Things became more and more urgent, and we began moving faster, but there was still no spark, no chemistry. We're a late game type of team, though. Our players are some of the fittest in the world. We always have fantastic substitutes available. We can outrun and outlast anyone. That's why as the minutes ticked down and it got closer to the end of the match, Sunderland found themselves being threatened. We kept speeding up the pace, but still weren't doing enough.
The second half ended and all eyes fell on the third official who was signalling for four minutes of stoppage time. Four minutes! Sunderland and their fans let out a collective groan. Suddenly, United managed to get the ball into the box. It fell to Evra who struck it with power. It buzzed across into the path of the Sunderland defender, Anton Ferdinand, who broke one or two hearts as he clumsily hoofed the ball into the back of his own net. United haters everywhere shook their heads and asked themselves what else was new. It was 2-2, and it wasn't pretty, but I'll take it.
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