Cristiano Ronaldo Champions League Photo
Cristiano Ronaldo Champions League Photo
Cristiano Ronaldo Champions League Photo
Cristiano Ronaldo Champions League PhotoMATCH REPORT
Wigan Athletic 0-2 Manchester United
Sunday 11th May 2008
JJB Stadium, Wigan
Manchester United pipped rivals Chelsea to clinch their 17th title triumph with victory at Wigan. It sent manager Sir Alex Ferguson dancing down the touchline in the rain at the JJB Stadium in triumph as United were confirmed as champions, two points clear of runners-up Chelsea.
And for Giggs it was the perfect way to celebrate equalling United's appearance record of 758 games held by Sir Bobby Charlton, who was watching the game from the directors box. Charlton was equally elated and made his way to the tunnel to embrace Giggs after the final whistle.
There were ecstatic scenes as thousands of Manchester United supporters inside the JJB celebrated a second successive title as Giggs lifted the Premier League trophy.
Wigan were as good as their pre-match words, putting up fierce resistance before United made their superiority tell when it mattered. United were strengthened by the return of Rooney and Nemanja Vidic after injury, but Wigan proved more than a match in a closely-fought first half.
Paul Scholes was rightly booked by referee Steve Bennett for a wild challenge on Wilson Palacios as United fought to establish a foothold, although he also posed their best early threat with a 20-yard shot which he pulled wide.
Boyce then wasted a half-chance for Wigan before Steve Bruce's side were denied what looked to be a penalty after 22 minutes when Rio Ferdinand leaned to block Jason Koumas's shot with his upper arm. Wigan's frustration increased 11 minutes later when Bennett pointed to spot after Rooney tumbled under Boyce's challenge and Ronaldo sent Chris Kirkland the wrong way with the minimum of fuss.
Scholes was then the beneficiary of remarkable leniency from referee Bennett when, having already been booked, he blatantly blocked Palacios as he escaped down the right flank. As the whole stadium awaited the red card, Scholes and United were relieved when Bennett only delivered a stern lecture.
The second half began in a deluge, with the pitch becoming treacherous, and Ronaldo tested Kirkland with a rising 30-yard free-kick which the keeper turned over the top.
Wigan may have felt they were due a stroke of luck, and they got one after 52 minutes when Scholes was clearly fouled by Titus Bramble but referee Bennett and his assistants this time ignored United's claims.
United were more impressive after the break as they went in search of the second goal that would virtually seal the title, but Kirkland saved brilliantly low to his right from Rooney. Kirkland was Wigan's hero again after 58 minutes with a crucial block from Carlos Tevez's deflected shot.
United made a double change with 25 minutes left, sending on Owen Hargreaves for Scholes and Giggs for Ji-Sung Park in quick succession.The title was on its way to Old Trafford after 80 minutes, and fittingly it was veteran Giggs who scored the clincher, taking Rooney's clever pass in his stride to slide home a composed finish from 12 yards.
United's second, plus a late equaliser for Bolton at Chelsea, sparked scenes of wild celebrations among the visiting fans who will now focus on the European Cup final in Moscow.
Wigan: Kirkland, Boyce, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Palacios, Brown (King 81), Koumas, Bent (Sibierski 70), Heskey.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Taylor, Skoko.
Booked: Palacios, Heskey, Valencia.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes (Hargreaves 67), Park (Giggs 68), Tevez, Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Saha, Silvestre.
Booked: Scholes, Rooney.
Goals: Ronaldo 33 pen, Giggs 80.
Att: 25,133
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