71 Decisive Match(2)

"Goaaalll! Michael Carrick managed to head the ball into the Southampton net. Manchester United managed to score their first goal. They are getting closer to the league championship," Jim Kaglin shouted excitedly.

Meanwhile, Andy Cole clapped and expressed his opinion, "Carrick, managed to escape the guard of the Southampton players. A blunder by Rudolf, he should have guarded Carrick properly."

"You can smile now, Liverpool were ahead too at first but let's see until the end of the game," Carragher said sarcastically.

The game continued, even though Southampton had left behind Manchester United by 1 goal. But the tempo of the game had not changed. Southampton did not rush to attack Manchester United. Under Sir Alex Henderson coaching, Manchester United this season had very well transitioned.

Although the tempo of the play did not change, Southampton tried to build an attack. Ryan went backward and helped Rudolf and Simone to build the attack. In the 15th minute, Ryan managed to escape from Park Jisung's guard. He then passed the ball to Kazuki. Kazuki's position was too down, so he chose to pass the through ball to Kounde.

On the left, Kounde burst past Valencia, then crossed to the left of the Manchester United defense. Rustan entered the penalty box and gave the first-time kick. Too bad, Rio Fernand had blocked Rustan's kick.

Corner awarded to Southampton. Ryan took the corner kick. The Southampton players began to gather in the Manchester United penalty box. The referee blew his whistle, Ryan then kicked the ball. Southampton's players jostled for the ball. Fadick won the ball, he managed to head the ball outside the penalty box. Paul Scholes received Fadick's header, he turned and dribbled the ball quickly.

Simone came and clung to Scholes, he applied pressure and blocked Scholes with his hand. The Manchester United midfielder gave a flat pass to the right. Luis Nani who had been running quickly picked up the ball but as soon as he had picked it up Benson came and made a tackle. Benson managed to thwart Manchester United's counter-attack.

In the 23rd minute, the atmosphere of the match heated up after Luis Nani and Benson clashed. Nani thinks Benson's defense act was too rude. Meanwhile, Benson accused Nani of doing a lot of diving. The two clashed, so their comrades immediately separated the two players. The referee gave a stern warning to both.

In the 27th minute, Kazuki finally got a good moment. Southampton started the attack with Hilton's long pass. Rudolf received the ball and pushed the ball back. Rudolf's movement made Michael Carrick lured forward. So that Vicente entered the gap created by Carrick, Rudolf immediately gave Vicente a back-pass.

Welbeck saw Vicente's movement, so he immediately backed away to disturb Vicente. Vicente leaned to the right and then pulled the ball with his left foot. Just as Welbeck was about to take the ball, Vicente turned 180° and grabbed the ball with his right foot. He got past Welbeck.

Park Jisung stepped forward from his post to close Vicente's movement, but Simone emerged as a passing option. Vicente immediately provided a pass to the side towards Simone. The Southampton captain gave Ryan a flat pass. Rio Fernand stepped forward to put pressure on Ryan, this time Ryan flicked the ball to the side. He then gave Kazuki a through ball. Kazuki and Fadick competed for the ball. The Japanese player managed to get the ball first.

Fadick pushed Kazuki aside using his body. Kazuki pulled the ball back and spun around, he then delivered a powerful kick towards the goalpost. Edwin Van Der Sar performed well, he managed to catch the ball. Edwin's reaction was so fast that Kazuki was surprised to see that his kick was caught by Edwin.

The match continued past the 30th minute. The intensity of the match increased highly than before. Manchester United began to press Southampton strongly. In the 32nd minute, Kounde blundered his pass to Okhalo too weakly, so Paul Scholes managed to get the pass very quickly. He then provided a breakthrough pass into the middle of the penalty box. Ron made it past Hilton, he then gave a powerful shot to the left. Dean Smith's position was too far, so he couldn't reach the ball. The second goal was created, Manchester United managed to lead by two goals over Southampton.

Jim Kaglin shook his head in disbelief at what he saw, "What are you doing Kounde?! The blunder made by Kounde was exploited by Manchester United very well. Southampton must be 2-0 down in the first half."

Andy Cole smiled happily and said, "Glory Glory Manchester United! Christopher Ron didn't waste a good pass from Paul Scholes. Two goals won't be enough, I'm sure Manchester United can add more advantage over Southampton."

Carragher consoled himself and continued to say encouraging words to Southampton. "I still believe Southampton can get a draw. Before half-time at least Kazuki should score. I believe in his ability."

The match between Southampton and Manchester United continued, but Manchester United did not relax their pressing. On the other hand, the Red Devils put pressure on the Southampton players. This made the Southampton defenders were forced to use long passes to build attacks. Too bad their passing accuracy was too low so the Manchester United Defense was able to cope with their long passes.

The less time in the first half, the more fierce the pressure Manchester United put on it. More and more physical confrontations are created. Both teams were seen fighting hard for the ball. In the 41st minute, Park Jisung managed to snatch the ball from Simone's feet, he then gave a pass to Carrick. Rudolf did a body charge on the Manchester United midfielder.

Carrick tried to keep the ball at his feet, he then gave a flat pass to Valencia, who rose forward. Valencia dribbles the ball into the Southampton defense area. He then provided a through ball to the right flank. Luis Nani and Benson collided physically. Their bodies collided violently against each other. Luis Nani managed to get the ball, but Benson pushed with his body so Nani fell.

Nani immediately stood up and approached Benson. The Southampton left-back also returned Nani's gaze.

Benson said sarcastically, "You have a weak body, you think you can match Quaresma? Know your place, asshole."

Nani replied to Benson's words, "Don't say nonsense when you are still playing for a mediocre club like this."

The referee immediately separated the two players, he gave a yellow card to Benson and awarded a free-kick to Manchester United. Paul Scholes will execute the free-kick. He gave the sign to the Manchester United players. Immediately after the referee whistled, Paul kicked the ball into the middle of the penalty box. The ball spun towards the near post, Okhalo and Rio Fernand dueled for the ball. Okhalo won the duel, but the ball he headed just hit the post and bounced into the Southampton net.

The Manchester United fans immediately cheered. Meanwhile, the Manchester United players celebrate together. A 3-0 lead is too big. This season, Manchester United is unbeaten as they lead 3-0 at half-time.

The goal made Liverpool fans who watched the match feel depressed. It's very difficult for Southampton to turn things around. Until the end of the first half, Manchester United was still leading 3-0.