Manchester Derby: Old Guard Scholes Lifts Manchester United to Victory

Manchester United, as they have done so often in the past, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat (EPL title defeat) as they kept alive their hope to register their fourth consecutive lien on the English Premiere League trophy.

In a keenly contested match at Manchester City, Paul Scholes stole the show by scoring in the 93rd minute of the match after latching on to a deep square from Patrice Evra. At age 35, the former England midfielder and United old guard rose uncontested and sent a glancing header pass the outstretched arms of a diving Given in the Man City goal.

The match started at a frantic pace as both teams sought to gain the upper hand over the other. Manchester City were denied a certain goal by an excellent display of goal keeping by Man U's Edwin Van der Sar.

Manchester City's leading goal scorer and Man U reject, Carlos Tevez, took a swerving, curling, and dipping free kick that were it any other goal keeper, City would have surely been 1-0 up. But Van der Sar isn't just any other goalkeeper and the veteran showed why he is among the best in the world. He dove full stretch to pluck the ball from being lodged in the corner of the goal.

The first half saw the Red Devils gaining the upper hand seizing the majority of ball possession. Wayne Rooney, who has been a shadow of himself since picking up an ankle injury late in the season, had very few opportunities at goal.

The league's leading goal getter was kept in check for the most part by Kompany, who stuck to the player closer than his own shadow.

On one of the few instances he got a glimpse of the goal, the England striker muffed his chance. In minute 41 after being sent clear by a Valencia headed pass, Rooney eluded Tore but shot pass the upright with the keeper at his mercy. A sharper, early season Rooney would have realised that the better shot would have been to go to the right of the keeper.

His reign at the top of the scoring chart could be ended later today as the fast approaching Didier Drogba, who has been deadly for frontrunners Chelsea all season, could equal or surpass Rooney's 26 goals.

Another Man U stalwart, Ryan Giggs, who was playing in his 33rd consecutive Derby since debuting against City in 1991, also laid to waste a glorious opportunity to give the defending title holders the lead. Again, Valencia was the provider as a long defense splitting pass was delivered over the heads of City's defenders.

The veteran winger failed however to lob the ball over the advancing keeper who did well to thwart his chance on goal.

At this point the match appeared to be dragging out into a stalemate as neither team seemed to possess the urgency or the sharpness in front of goal to turn the match on its head.

Sir Alex Ferguson threw caution to the wind and sent on his lack lustre 30 million pound signing, Dimitar Berbatov. The much heralded Man U Manager must have fought hard his feeling's of buyer's remorse as he was forced to substitute star forward Rooney, who was clearly struggling to regain his lethal scoring form.

The Portugal national Nani was also injected into the game along with Oberton, but both failed to spark. The two goal goal scorer in the Champion's League second leg win at Old Trafford failed to have any attempts at City's goal.

City manager, Roberto Mancini, sought to counter with the introduction of France veteran Patrick Vieira in the 64th minute, Wright-Phillips in the 74th, and Ireland in the 78th.

Wright-Phillips had an immediate impact on the game as he made a number of darting runs that gave Evra trouble for the remainder of the contest.

Both Vieira and Wright-Phillips had a half a chance in the dying moments of the game. In one of their many forays into Man U's 18-yard box, the advancing Van der Sar failed to clear an in-swinging corner. The ball landed at the feet of Vieira who could only muster a weak shot while off balance.

Wright-Phillips got a fortuitous hold of the ball in front of goal but Man U had clogged all holes in front of the City winger and were able to clear their lines.

As the game neared its end, City were in the ascendancy and were unfortunate not to have scored as the reliable Vidic and Neville marshaled the defence with authority.

The red Devils never say die attitude spurred a number of last minute raids of City's goal. Berbatov had a glancing header steered just inches away from the right upright. 

Just as the fans and viewers began to resign their minds to a draw and a anti-climatic end to a thrilling to and fro season, the unexpected happened.

As luck would have it, Scholes, who only yesterday signed a one year extension with the Red Devils, vilified Ferguson's decision by delivering the match winning goal.

It is hoped however, that Man U recognises the writing on the wall as the former league also-rans have become much more competitive. The reliance on their heroes of old will prove not to be a sound strategy going forward if they are to add any more trophies to their trophy case.

Sir Alex blundered greatly in keeping Berbatov and allowing Tevez to leave. He has had a great first season at rivals City and has scored 21 goals so far in the EPL. This is nine more than Berbatov's 12.

He has also underestimated the loss of Cristiano "CR7" Ronaldo, whose absence has only benefited Rooney, who was thrust to the forefront to lead the Red Devil's goal scoring charge.

Much is rumored about Rooney's expected move to Real Madrid next season but despite his obvious quality, his performance would again be stifled by the plethora of star players vying for the spotlight among the Galacticos.

I for one don't believe Rooney would be as lethal at Real as he is at Man U. He is the centre of attention at the Red Devils and that has propelled him forward and forced him to raise his game. He would be stifled at Madrid. 

That being said, Man U still do have a slim chance of pipping Chelsea at the finish line but that depends on the league leaders, on 77 points, stumbling in their run to end the season strongly.

With a crucial clash against giant slayer's Tottenham later today, many will be curious to see if they can drive yet another nail in the coffin of Man U's title aspirations.

Tottenham who currently sit fifth in the league table, one point behind Manchester City on 61 points, will not go down easily. Just ask Arsene Wenger. They are vying for a place in next season's champions league and a win can send them pass City, who stuttered today.

They proved thier worth in defeating Arsenal earlier in the week. This despite Arsenal being under strength was still an impressive feat.

They have the fire power with the league's sixth leading scorer and England hopeful, Jermain Defoe, who has 17 goals so far this season. Another England striker, the 6'7" Peter Crouch, is also at their disposal. Despite producing only seven goals in the EPL, he can never be underestimated.

Another interesting match up looms and is expected to define the outcome of what has been a drama-filled season. EPL followers wait with bated breath for a nail biting end to the 2009/2010 season. One wonders what will unfold in the next three remaining matches.