Double Red for Reds

After big Duncan Ferguson got away from Rio Ferdinand to head home the lone goal, Manchester United lost their heads, lost the plot, and ultimately lost the game. Frustrated at every turn by a stubborn Everton defence, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes both saw red in the second half, leaving United to finish with nine men.

While Wayne Rooney continued to be a threat running from deep, Ruud van Nistelrooy once again failed to leave his mark on the game. Nevermind his brace in the FA Cup last weekend, tonight he rarely got in good positions in or around the box. Although he held the ball up well when United broke upfield, he managed precious few chances at goal, the best one perhaps coming near the end when he completely mishit a volley on the turn from 15 yards.

Scholes wasted a golden opportunity moments after restart when he was played in by Rooney, but left-footed the shot straight at keeper Nigel Martyn. Rooney himself had a couple shots from just outside the area, and another one just inside the box when he bulldozed past three blueshirts before sending his shot the wrong side of the post.

Sir Alex Ferguson seemed at the end of his wits when, down 1-0, he sent on Mikael Silvestre for Wes Brown. To compound his problems, Neville earned himself a straight red for kicking the ball at spectators while the substitution was being made. Nevertheless, with Alan Smith and Quinton Fortune on the bench, one would like to have seen Sir Alex take a more positive approach. Instead, minutes later, Darren Fletcher was taken off for the more defensive-minded John O'Shea.

Cristiano Ronaldo had another subpar night on the wings, the tricks coming few and far between, the crosses wayward, and generally lacking the end product to his running. He had a chance near the end to at least smash in the shot on a cutback from just inside the area, but instead chose to dwell on the ball and ultimately fall on the first hint of contact in search of a penalty. Referee Phil Dowd was having none of it, showing him the yellow card.

With United desperately seeking an equalizer in added time, Roy Keane was pushed over from behind by a backtracking Kevin Kilbane as he brought the ball out of his own half, and Scholes lashed out at Kilbane with a kick landing near the groin, earning himself a second yellow. Just about sums up United's evening.

By the way, I was able to catch the live action at the Mr. Pickwick Pub in Baden. Can't believe I didn't realize I could watch live football there. You'd think with it being an English pub I could put two and two together and get four. Apparently some Keegan math was at work.