Manchester United 0-0 Tottenham hotspur

It wasn't really the performance we were looking for, but it's yet another piece of silverware coming to Old Trafford under the stewardship of Ferguson. He kept his promise of playing the youngsters as Welbeck, Gibson and Evans all started. Of the three Evans had the best match as he put in yet another top class performance. Gibson had a decent game without shaking any trees whilst unfortunately Welbeck struggled to impose himself on the game at all. The virus that meant that Rooney didn't play was probably bad news for Welbeck as i think he may well have started on the right with Rooney playing through the middle with Tevez. Welbeck doesn't really seem the have the physique to cope with top premiership defenders yet.
United started the game well and dominated the opening 20 minutes. Gibson saw an excellent long range effort go inches wide and Nani forced Gomes in to a near post save. Ferdinand almost popped up with a goal after a magnificent shot sailed just over the ball. But the goal our play had promised didnt come and Spurs eventually started to creep back into the game. Mainly through the speed of Lennon who started to give Evra a bit of a chasing for the rest of the half. We have not seen that very often recently but fortunately Lennon' achilles heel has always beeen his crossing and yesterday was to be no different as he wasted all the good situations he engineered for himself.
The second half was 10 minutes old when Fergie decided to take Welbeck off and replace him with the back to full fitness Anderson. The game continued in the same vein with neither side really looking like scoring. Tevez came close with a far post back heel that went just wide. At the other end Foster was called into action to make a tremendous save from Lennon. Apart from one bad decision tin the first half Foster gad a good game and the one thing he seems to have going for him is a real presence and a belief in himself that is sadly lacking from Kuszczak. Ronaldo should have been awarded a penalty as a fine run ended with King bringing him down in the area but instead of getting a penalty he was awarded a yellow card. His reputation is working against him as far as getting penalties go this season.
With the final whistle only moments away Ronald again cut inside and unleashed a shot that hit the inside of a post and came out to Nani who couldn't finish off the rebound so extra time it was. Extra time wasn't choc full of incident as both teams seemed to have a back four on top form. Foster again had to make a fine save this time from Bent whilst Evra had United's best chance but couldn't convert.
The way that United obviously fancy themselves in a penalty shoot out nowadays is pretty unbelievable when you used to virtually expect us to lose once it went to a penalty shoot out. Foster made a great save from O'hara and after that it just seemed certain that United would win and it was left to Anderson to hit the winning spot kick with no hint of nerves at all. Fergie was right to point out that we could have done without the extra time with Wednesday night's clash against the geordies to come. It was another good weekend for us though, one more trophy lifted the scousers losing and even better putting in another terrible performance.

Stepney tips Foster to succeed Van Der Sar as United number 1
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/4927721/Manchester-Uniteds-Ben-Foster-can-succeed-Edwin-van-der-Sar-says-Alex-Stepney.html

An Observer piece on Park Ji Sung
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/mar/01/park-ji-sung-manchester-united

Transfer specualtion in the Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/manchester-united-line-up-ribery-to-replace-ronaldo-1635550.html

More financial turmoil as AIG makes record corporate loss
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/mar/02/aig-insurance-loss

Larry Elliot on the fall out in eastern Europe
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/mar/02/eastern-europe-1997-asian-crisis

Anatole Kaletsky is worried
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/anatole_kaletsky/article5827901.ece