Manchester United 0 Coventry 2 - (Carling Cup 3rd Round) - 26/09/2007
Manchester United 0 Coventry 2 - Carling Cup 3rd Round - 26/09/2007
Manchester United: Tomasz Kuszczak, Phil Bardsley (Wes Brown 45), Jonny Evans (Michael Carrick 56), Gerard Pique, Danny Simpson, Nani, Lee Martin (Fraizer Campbell 45), John O'Shea, Chris Eagles, Dong Fangzhuo, Anderson.
Subs Not Used: Tom Heaton, Adam Eckersley.
Booked: Gerard Pique.
Coventry: Andy Marshall, Isaac Osbourne (David McNamee 88), Elliot Ward, Ben Turner, Gary Borrowdale, Robbie Simpson, Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb, Michael Mifsud, Leon Best (Dele Adebola 90).
Subs Not Used: Dimi Konstantopoulos, Arjan De Zeeuw, Kevin Thornton.
Goals: Michael Mifsud 27, 70.
Attendance: 74,055
Ref: Mark Halsey
Teamtalk
Coventry's Michael 'mosquito' Mifsud gave Sir Alex Ferguson a bite he will not forget in a hurry at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
The Malta striker scored both goals as the Sky Blues stunned Manchester United with a 2-0 Carling Cup success to become the first lower-league team to win at the Theatre of Dreams since York humbled the Red Devils 12 years ago.
While Coventry's win was not a shock of the same seismic proportions, it still left Ferguson bewildered - with Mifsud, given his nickname by Sky Blues assistant boss Tim Flowers, almost emulating the great Brazilian Ronaldo by netting a hat-trick late on.
"Michael got his nickname because he can be a real pest at times. He is just so quick," said Coventry boss Iain Dowie.
"Sometimes his pace is a huge benefit; at other times it can be a problem, because he goes at that speed all the time.
"But he is getting calmer with his finishing and is learning all the time."
Mifsud certainly likes this competition, having also scored twice in the previous round against Carlisle.
This latest effort was on an altogether different level, though.
First, Mifsud slid in to convert Michael Doyle's low cross; then, 19 minutes from time, the 26-year-old - signed from Lillestrom by Dowie's predecessor Mickey Adams - belted home, after Jay Tabb had mis-controlled the striker's pass.
His efforts sent an 11,000-strong travelling support into orbit, his feat even more remarkable given Mifsud is yet to make a start in the Coca-Cola Championship this season.
"Michael has had a rib injury, so he has not been at his sharpest. But I felt the system we played really suited him," said Dowie.
"He is a threat as an out-and-out striker, but playing a bit deeper brought the best out of him.
"He got in the box on a couple of occasions and struck two great shots. People will say he missed the one at the end - but he deserves an enormous amount of credit for getting two goals at Old Trafford."
Although Ferguson changed his entire starting line-up from Sunday's Barclays Premier League win over Chelsea, it still contained six full internationals - including £34million duo Nani and Anderson.
Neither new arrival did his reputation any good, and they were not alone either as Ferguson confirmed the depth of his disappointment.
"I am absolutely flabbergasted," he said.
"I did not expect that. I am not interested in giving reasons or mitigating circumstances. It was just a big shock, and very disappointing.
"We have trumpeted these young lads in a loud way over the last year or so. I didn't let them go on loan this year, because I looked at the league cup as an avenue for them to progress.
"But we were out-fought in most things, and Coventry won every second ball.
"We were poor. But if the young lads have anything in them, they will learn from this experience."
CCFC
The Sky Blues pulled off a major shock by dumping Premiership champions Manchester United out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford.
Michael Mifsud was the City hero, grabbing a goal either side of half-time to send more than 11,000 travelling supporters into raptures.
The diminutive Maltese international opened the scoring when he converted Michael Doyle's cross just before the half-hour mark before blasting home a second in the 70th minute.
Iain Dowie's men battled gallantly throughout and were also indebted to goalkeeper Andy Marshall, who pulled off a remarkable save to deny Dong Fangzhuo in the second-half, just moments before Mifsud struck.
Dowie made five changes to the side beaten 4-1 at Ipswich in the Championship on Saturday, handing surprise starts to youngsters Ben Turner and Robbie Simpson and restoring Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward and Mifsud to the starting line-up.
Sir Alex Ferguson, as expected, handed a number of fringe and youth players a chance to shine under the spotlight against the Sky Blues, but still found places in his side for Nani and Anderson, signed for a combined fee of £30 million in the summer.
Stephen Hughes, fresh from nothing his first goal of the season from a free-kick against Ipswich, tried his luck again from a set-piece early on but fired straight into the wall.
Leon Best then fired high and wide after turning his marker on the edge of the area before United went close when winger Lee Martin's snap-shot deflected off Turner before sailing narrowly wide of the target.
Some last ditch defending from Turner then denied Dong, but it was the Sky Blues who were beginning to look the more adventurous attacking force.
And their reward arrived in the 28th minute when Best found skipper Doyle on the left and the Irishman crossed for Mifsud to slide past a helpless Tomasz Kuszczak at the back-post.
The City fans were on their feet again moments later as Mifsud's audacious back-heel from Simpson's right-wing cross bounced back off the post with Kuszczak beaten.
Simpson almost doubled City's advantage four minutes before the break, but his powerful shot from just inside the penalty area dipped just over the crossbar.
The home side threw on Wes Brown at the break and Michael Carrick soon after in hope of a swift turnaround and Marshall was on hand to save Nani's 25-yarder while another substitute, youngster Fraizer Campbell, flashed an effort over on the hour.
But City continued to catch United on the counter attack and Mifsud saw a glancing header saved by Kuszczak.
Then, in the 70th minute, arrived the turning point of the game.
A teasing cross from Nani found Dong in the area and the Chinese international directed a powerful header at goal which seemed destined for the top corner. However, Marshall flew across to his left to magnificently claw the ball around the post.
And with United still deflated from that, City raced forward with Mifsud, who cut inside Danny Simpson and exchanged passes with Jay Tabb before rifling an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net from 12-yards.
Mifsud should have even grabbed a hat-trick with nine minutes remaining when he side-footed the ball agonizingly wide after Hughes' powerful free-kick was only parried by Kuszczak.
BBC Sport
Championship side Coventry sprung a major surprise by sending a re-shuffled Manchester United crashing out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson changed his entire team from Sunday's win against Chelsea and paid the price.
Coventry, backed by 11,000 fans, went ahead after 27 minutes when Michael Mifsud turned in Michael Doyle's cross.
And Mifsud killed off United with 20 minutes left, firing high into the net after Jay Tabb fashioned an opening.
Interview: Coventry boss Iain Dowie
United may have rung the changes, but their side still contained six full internationals and the result is a major embarrassment for Ferguson.
Nani, United's £17m summer buy from Sporting Lisbon, was a serious disappointment with his final ball and shot almost always poor.
Mifsud's opener was no more than Coventry deserved as Old Trafford voiced its disapproval at United's struggles, taking advantage of good work by Doyle to score.
Ferguson delivered his own damning verdict on his side's performance by introducing Wes Brown and young striker Fraizer Campbell at the break.
A third - and final - change followed 10 minutes after the restart as Michael Carrick was introduced for Jonny Evans, but it was all to no avail.
The second period was halfway through before United carved out anything like an opportunity as David Marshall parried Dong Fangzhou's shot into the path of Carrick, whose follow-up effort was blocked at close range.
Coventry keeper Andy Marshall then produced an outstanding fingertip save to deny Dong after 69 minutes, whose header was floating into the top corner.
The value of that stop was proved within a minute as Mifsud doubled his tally.
He picked up possession on the left, then when Tabb overhit his first touch as he tried to collect the winger's pass, Mifsud raced on and rocketed the ball home.
Mifsud will probably never know how he failed to walk off with the match ball as keeper Tomasz Kuszczak pushed into his path, but he somehow failed to find the target.
Manchester United: Tomasz Kuszczak, Phil Bardsley (Wes Brown 45), Jonny Evans (Michael Carrick 56), Gerard Pique, Danny Simpson, Nani, Lee Martin (Fraizer Campbell 45), John O'Shea, Chris Eagles, Dong Fangzhuo, Anderson.
Subs Not Used: Tom Heaton, Adam Eckersley.
Booked: Gerard Pique.
Coventry: Andy Marshall, Isaac Osbourne (David McNamee 88), Elliot Ward, Ben Turner, Gary Borrowdale, Robbie Simpson, Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb, Michael Mifsud, Leon Best (Dele Adebola 90).
Subs Not Used: Dimi Konstantopoulos, Arjan De Zeeuw, Kevin Thornton.
Goals: Michael Mifsud 27, 70.
Attendance: 74,055
Ref: Mark Halsey
Teamtalk
Coventry's Michael 'mosquito' Mifsud gave Sir Alex Ferguson a bite he will not forget in a hurry at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
The Malta striker scored both goals as the Sky Blues stunned Manchester United with a 2-0 Carling Cup success to become the first lower-league team to win at the Theatre of Dreams since York humbled the Red Devils 12 years ago.
While Coventry's win was not a shock of the same seismic proportions, it still left Ferguson bewildered - with Mifsud, given his nickname by Sky Blues assistant boss Tim Flowers, almost emulating the great Brazilian Ronaldo by netting a hat-trick late on.
"Michael got his nickname because he can be a real pest at times. He is just so quick," said Coventry boss Iain Dowie.
"Sometimes his pace is a huge benefit; at other times it can be a problem, because he goes at that speed all the time.
"But he is getting calmer with his finishing and is learning all the time."
Mifsud certainly likes this competition, having also scored twice in the previous round against Carlisle.
This latest effort was on an altogether different level, though.
First, Mifsud slid in to convert Michael Doyle's low cross; then, 19 minutes from time, the 26-year-old - signed from Lillestrom by Dowie's predecessor Mickey Adams - belted home, after Jay Tabb had mis-controlled the striker's pass.
His efforts sent an 11,000-strong travelling support into orbit, his feat even more remarkable given Mifsud is yet to make a start in the Coca-Cola Championship this season.
"Michael has had a rib injury, so he has not been at his sharpest. But I felt the system we played really suited him," said Dowie.
"He is a threat as an out-and-out striker, but playing a bit deeper brought the best out of him.
"He got in the box on a couple of occasions and struck two great shots. People will say he missed the one at the end - but he deserves an enormous amount of credit for getting two goals at Old Trafford."
Although Ferguson changed his entire starting line-up from Sunday's Barclays Premier League win over Chelsea, it still contained six full internationals - including £34million duo Nani and Anderson.
Neither new arrival did his reputation any good, and they were not alone either as Ferguson confirmed the depth of his disappointment.
"I am absolutely flabbergasted," he said.
"I did not expect that. I am not interested in giving reasons or mitigating circumstances. It was just a big shock, and very disappointing.
"We have trumpeted these young lads in a loud way over the last year or so. I didn't let them go on loan this year, because I looked at the league cup as an avenue for them to progress.
"But we were out-fought in most things, and Coventry won every second ball.
"We were poor. But if the young lads have anything in them, they will learn from this experience."
CCFC
The Sky Blues pulled off a major shock by dumping Premiership champions Manchester United out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford.
Michael Mifsud was the City hero, grabbing a goal either side of half-time to send more than 11,000 travelling supporters into raptures.
The diminutive Maltese international opened the scoring when he converted Michael Doyle's cross just before the half-hour mark before blasting home a second in the 70th minute.
Iain Dowie's men battled gallantly throughout and were also indebted to goalkeeper Andy Marshall, who pulled off a remarkable save to deny Dong Fangzhuo in the second-half, just moments before Mifsud struck.
Dowie made five changes to the side beaten 4-1 at Ipswich in the Championship on Saturday, handing surprise starts to youngsters Ben Turner and Robbie Simpson and restoring Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward and Mifsud to the starting line-up.
Sir Alex Ferguson, as expected, handed a number of fringe and youth players a chance to shine under the spotlight against the Sky Blues, but still found places in his side for Nani and Anderson, signed for a combined fee of £30 million in the summer.
Stephen Hughes, fresh from nothing his first goal of the season from a free-kick against Ipswich, tried his luck again from a set-piece early on but fired straight into the wall.
Leon Best then fired high and wide after turning his marker on the edge of the area before United went close when winger Lee Martin's snap-shot deflected off Turner before sailing narrowly wide of the target.
Some last ditch defending from Turner then denied Dong, but it was the Sky Blues who were beginning to look the more adventurous attacking force.
And their reward arrived in the 28th minute when Best found skipper Doyle on the left and the Irishman crossed for Mifsud to slide past a helpless Tomasz Kuszczak at the back-post.
The City fans were on their feet again moments later as Mifsud's audacious back-heel from Simpson's right-wing cross bounced back off the post with Kuszczak beaten.
Simpson almost doubled City's advantage four minutes before the break, but his powerful shot from just inside the penalty area dipped just over the crossbar.
The home side threw on Wes Brown at the break and Michael Carrick soon after in hope of a swift turnaround and Marshall was on hand to save Nani's 25-yarder while another substitute, youngster Fraizer Campbell, flashed an effort over on the hour.
But City continued to catch United on the counter attack and Mifsud saw a glancing header saved by Kuszczak.
Then, in the 70th minute, arrived the turning point of the game.
A teasing cross from Nani found Dong in the area and the Chinese international directed a powerful header at goal which seemed destined for the top corner. However, Marshall flew across to his left to magnificently claw the ball around the post.
And with United still deflated from that, City raced forward with Mifsud, who cut inside Danny Simpson and exchanged passes with Jay Tabb before rifling an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net from 12-yards.
Mifsud should have even grabbed a hat-trick with nine minutes remaining when he side-footed the ball agonizingly wide after Hughes' powerful free-kick was only parried by Kuszczak.
BBC Sport
Championship side Coventry sprung a major surprise by sending a re-shuffled Manchester United crashing out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson changed his entire team from Sunday's win against Chelsea and paid the price.
Coventry, backed by 11,000 fans, went ahead after 27 minutes when Michael Mifsud turned in Michael Doyle's cross.
And Mifsud killed off United with 20 minutes left, firing high into the net after Jay Tabb fashioned an opening.
Interview: Coventry boss Iain Dowie
United may have rung the changes, but their side still contained six full internationals and the result is a major embarrassment for Ferguson.
Nani, United's £17m summer buy from Sporting Lisbon, was a serious disappointment with his final ball and shot almost always poor.
Mifsud's opener was no more than Coventry deserved as Old Trafford voiced its disapproval at United's struggles, taking advantage of good work by Doyle to score.
Ferguson delivered his own damning verdict on his side's performance by introducing Wes Brown and young striker Fraizer Campbell at the break.
A third - and final - change followed 10 minutes after the restart as Michael Carrick was introduced for Jonny Evans, but it was all to no avail.
The second period was halfway through before United carved out anything like an opportunity as David Marshall parried Dong Fangzhou's shot into the path of Carrick, whose follow-up effort was blocked at close range.
Coventry keeper Andy Marshall then produced an outstanding fingertip save to deny Dong after 69 minutes, whose header was floating into the top corner.
The value of that stop was proved within a minute as Mifsud doubled his tally.
He picked up possession on the left, then when Tabb overhit his first touch as he tried to collect the winger's pass, Mifsud raced on and rocketed the ball home.
Mifsud will probably never know how he failed to walk off with the match ball as keeper Tomasz Kuszczak pushed into his path, but he somehow failed to find the target.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 10:00 pm
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