Owen Propels United to Derby Victory

Michael Owen’s goal in the 90th minute gave Manchester United a 4-3 victory over local rivals Manchester City in a match full of drama, excitement, and goals.

Owen’s goal came over five minutes into stoppage time, and Mark Hughes was fuming as the fourth official showed only four minutes on his board. Some time wasting by City, a goal, and a substitution meant that more time was added on, though, and Manchester United made it count. Wayne Rooney pumped the ball high into the box from his deep position in midfield, and when it fell to Ryan Giggs the Welshman slotted Michael Owen in on goal who only needed one touch to decide the fixture.

It must be said that both sides were in excellent form all match, even as Wayne Rooney grabbed United’s opening goal as he caught the City back four napping. Rooney’s goal came in the 2nd minute of the match, but City struck back quickly. Carlos Tevez pounced on a Ben Foster error to feed Gareth Barry who coolly slotted home into an empty net.

After the break Darren Fletcher continued his excellent form as he headed home in the 49th minute. Just three minutes later a Craig Bellamy rocket from the striker’s cut infield left Ben Foster stranded and leveled the match once again.

It was the same story towards the end of the half when Darren Fletcher rose above the pack to head home once again in the 80th minute. As with before, but this time in the 90th minute, Craig Bellamy cancelled out Fletcher’s strike as he capitalized on Rio Ferdinand’s error. The Welshman outpaced the United backline and neatly poked the ball past Ben Foster and into the back of the net.

Bellamy’s goal in stoppage time meant that even more time was added to the four announced, and five and a half minutes into stoppage time Michael Owen snuck behind the City defense and poked the ball into the far corner of the goal. 4-3 to United, and Hughes was fuming.

The result gives City their first loss of the season and temporarily propels United to the top of the table.