Once again, Ferguson's side score twice in dying minutes to secure a draw and place in the last 16
Once again, Ferguson's side score twice in dying minutes to secure a draw and place in the last 16
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CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev punches the ball away from Manchester United's Federico Macheda during their 3-3 Champions League draw yesterday. PICS/GETTY IMAGES,AFP |
Antonio Valencia struck a dramatic stoppage time equaliser as Manchester United fought back from 3-1 deficit to secure a point that takes them through to the last 16 of the Champions League.
United's 22-match unbeaten home record in the competition looked to be coming to an end after Vasili Berezutski made it 3-1 to the visitors shortly after half time.
But in a thrilling encounter, Sir Alex Ferguson's battling side roared back with late goals from Paul Scholes and Valencia, something the English teams are often seen doing.
Despite the comeback, Ferguson will be livid with his defenders for allowing CSKA to score three times. They were gifted the lead when the impressive Alan Dzagoev pounced after 25 minutes following an error by Jonny Evans. Although Michael Owen levelled, Milos Krasic made it 2-1 after United's makeshift defence was easily carved open.
United were denied a clear penalty when Darren Fletcher was tripped by Aleksei Berezutski before they were saved by Scholes and Valencia.
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Owen wasted two golden chances before finally getting his name on the scoresheet. Having been teed-up by Antonio Valencia in the 10th minute, the out-of-favour England man mis-kicked horribly in front of goal.
Going to waste
Then he spurned another opportunity in the 18th minute when he shot straight at the keeper when he should have done much better.
Two pieces of awful defending before half time left United staring at a surprise home defeat.
Dzagoev pounced after Jonny Evans, deputising alongside Wes Brown in the absence of first-choice centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, failed to close down the Russian teenager following good play by Tomas Necid.
But the Russians' lead lasted just four minutes, Owen smiling for the first time after marking his sixth start with his first Champions League goal for United after Nani had flicked Valencia's cross into his path.
Yet two minutes later more woeful defending gifted CSKA the lead for the second time, Krasic being allowed to restore the visitors' advantage after the home defence stood like statues.
United then found themselves 3-1 behind less than two minutes into the second half, the unmarked Vasili Berezutski allowed to bury the ball past van der Sar following Dzagoev's inswinging free kick.
In the 49th minute when United were denied a clear penalty.
Fletcher, who had gone close to scoring when the scores were goalless, was tripped by Berezutski. But instead of pointing to the penalty spot, Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca booked midfielder Fletcher for diving.
