Manchester United 3 v 1 west Brom
Old Trafford, Manchester
30th November 2005
This was fitting as a memory for George Best. Whilst the Manchester United fans held up posters of the Northern Irish legend, the players did their best to match his skill with some well-worked goals, a few two-footed tricks, and a goal for the number 7.
The game was effectivelyover as a contest as soon as the 17th minute, with United two-nil up and with all guns blazing.
Louis Saha had netted after just 6 minutes, following a great pass by Rossi, one of a number of youngsters on the pitch, but the goal was rightly ruled offside.
It didn't take long for the breakthrough to come however, with Ronaldo tricking his way into the box and being crudely upended by West Brom defenders.
The number 7 himself slotted the ball past Hoult, to make United one up on 12 minutes.
Four minutes later, and Saha had got in on the act. Clever play by Ronaldo and Rossi led to the ball being played through for Saha to run on to it and hit it from 18 yards, past the onrushing 'keeper.
Ronaldo grabbed his second in the second half with a nice shot, although it was ruled out for offside. Rossi hit the post, and O'Shea then grabbed the team's third - his second in consecutive games. A neat interplay between O'Shea and Saha ended up with the Irishman free to smash the ball home from close range.
Man Utd: Howard, Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea (Pique 67), Ronaldo, Fletcher (Jones 59), Park (Bardsley 63), Richardson, Rossi, Saha.
Subs Not Used: Rooney, Steele.
Goals: Ronaldo 12 pen, Saha 16, O'Shea 56.
West Brom: Hoult, Albrechtsen, Moore (Gaardsoe 45), Clement, Robinson, Kamara (Earnshaw 70), Wallwork, Carter, Inamoto, Horsfield (Chaplow 66), Ellington.
