Owen strikes late to snatch derby spoils
SEETHING Manchester City manager Mark Hughes railed at referee Martin Atkinson after seeing his side sunk in arguably the most scintillating Manchester derby ever by Michael Owen’s controversial last-gasp strike.
Hughes was fuming after substitute Owen steered home the winning goal in the 96th minute, despite Atkinson having indicated there would be only four minutes of added time. City came from behind three times and looked to have salvaged a draw when striker Craig Bellamy stunned Old Trafford by equalising in the 90th minute.
Hughes could yet face a further headache after Bellamy appeared to be involved in a confrontation with a spectator at the final whistle.
The City boss said: “We’ve done really well to come back three times against Manchester United at Old Trafford. It’s a big stage here and that puts everyone under pressure, including the referees. For whatever reason he’s got the timing wrong.” Hughes also defended Bellamy, who faces a Football Association probe into suggestions he clashed with a fan who ran onto the pitch.
“I seem to recall Brian Clough clipping someone around the ear and he was lauded as a national hero,” he added. “Maybe it will be the same case with Craig but I doubt it.”
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, revelled in silencing his ambitious local rivals, who have talked up their chances of usurping the champions.
“Sometimes you have a noisy neighbour. You cannot do anything about that. They will always be noisy,” said Ferguson. “You just have to get on with your life, put your television on and turn it up a bit louder. Today the players showed their form. That is the best answer of all.”
United dented hopes of an upset in the second minute when England striker Wayne Rooney finished from close range, but ex-Red Devil Carlos Tevez robbed goalkeeper Ben Foster to tee up Gareth Barry’s leveller.
Tevez hit the post before Darren Fletcher headed the home side back in front just after the break, only for Bellamy’s ferocious rising drive to restore parity.
Once again Fletcher nodded United ahead, and again Bellamy equalised, seizing on a Rio Ferdinand howler, before Owen’s late, late winner.