May 22 2017

Man U defend in the second half

Jamesey took a trip to Old Trafford and saw the season out in a 2-0 defeat.

This supporter was greatly relieved that nothing hinged on the away game at Manchester United (May 21). The vital win had been achieved the previous week in the 4-0 survival game versus Hull City (May 14).

It was only my second ever visit to Old Trafford about 12 years ago and that too had been a 2-0 defeat in a league cup tie.

I was offered a cheap weekend 1st class rail upgrade when I booked my tickets which I accepted with some alacrity.

I almost never travel 1st class in any form so it was a novelty and as CPFC chairman Steve Parish strolled down the carriage aisle and Martin Keown seated himself nearby, I realised I was in exalted company.

The celebs probably didn’t even realise they were in the presence of a legendary HOL commentator. (Knockers please note…this is ironic humour, OK?)

Being in a 75,000 capacity stadium certainly puts Selhurst Park in perspective but even so the leg room in the East Stand is even more cramped than my seat in the Arthur. Much as I dislike standing for the entire game it was probably more comfortable in the long run.

The view was excellent marred only by an overexcited youth standing directly in front of me who combined bellowing obscenities and waving his arms around like a demented orchestra conductor. I was able to avoid a black eye or fractured jaw by clever ducking and weaving techniques learned during my boxing days many decades ago.

Man U boss Jose Mourinho had been playing his customary mind games by imploring Sam to go easy on the kids team he was putting on the field — the big hitters being saved for Man U’s imminent and crucial Europa Cup final in Stockholm.

One of Jose’s youthful debutants wasted no time in announcing his presence. After 15 minutes, Josh Harrop struck the ball into the top left corner of Wayne Hennessey’s goal.

Maybe Wayne is becoming too much of a scapegoat nowadays. The shot looked quite saveable at the time to this spectator but the MOTD replay proved it to be a top-quality effort.

A mere 4 minuted later, Paul Pogba took advantage of dodgy Eagles defending and added United’s second.

Despite some spirited football in the second period and some good work by the Man U keeper, 2-0 was how it stayed.

How time flies, as we veterans are wont to endlessly repeat.

It was a shock to realise that Wayne Rooney, once a wonder-kid, was now the “old man” of the team at the age of 31.

There was speculation that Rooney was making his final appearance in a Red Devils shirt so it was symbolic that he was replaced in the 88th minute by 16-year-old Angel Gomez.

I hadn’t realised that each place higher in the Bagsodosh is worth nearly £2m.

Had the Eagles won the game and other results gone a different way, a few more million quid could have enriched CPFC’s war-chest for the coming season.

But it didn’t happen so 14th place keeps the club nicely among the elite of English football.

Coming soon - Jamesey’s 2016-17 season round-up.

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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