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| United Outclass Deportivo With Win in Spain By Kevin Fylan
LA CORUNA, Spain, April 2 – Manchester United scored a 2-0 victory over Deportivo Coruna in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, goals from David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy proving the English side a class apart. But there was a potentially serious downside to the night for Alex Ferguson's side, as Roy Keane and Beckham were carried off with injuries
United attacked with relish and were a model of defensive efficiency as they left Deportivo on the brink of a quarter-final exit for the second successive season. Beckham's deftly struck shot set United on their way on 15 minutes and four minutes before halftime van Nistelrooy tucked in from close range to shock the Spanish side, who rarely threatened a comeback. It was a case of third time lucky for United, who were beaten twice by Deportivo in the opening group phase of the competition. It was also United's first victory in an away European tie in Spain in 13 attempts, dating back to 1957, and the only time they have won an away leg in six successive Champions League quarter-finals. "It was marvellous, a great performance," Ferguson told ITV. "We knew from the last games against Deportivo we could do it but it's only halftime and we don't have Keane or Scholes for the second leg so it's a mountain to climb," he said. With Paul Scholes picking up a booking that means he will be suspended for the second leg and Juan Sebastian Veron also out injured, United could be caught short in midfield for the second leg, following Beckham's and Keane's injuries. IN CONTROL There seemed to be nothing much on for United when Beckham received a short pass outside the area but the England man surprised Jose Molina as he looked up and flighted a shot into the top left-hand corner. United were completely in control as the Deportivo midfield failed to find the sort of passing rhythm that had taken them through to the knock-out stage in such style. Juan Carlos Valeron, who had hardly figured in the opening quarter of the game, gradually began to exert some influence, though, linking with Fran down the left and Diego Tristan through the middle. Tristan's header just past the half-hour mark tested Barthez for the first time and shortly afterwards Ronny Johnsen had to look smart to hustle Victor out of the picture as he burst through on the left. In the meantime, van Nistelrooy had been booked following an absurd piece of drama in the Deportivo penalty area. A Tristan freekick apparently winded the United striker, who received treatment off the pitch. The Dutchman trotted back on but the referee had not given his permission and he was booked for his trouble. CELEBRATING But van Nistelrooy was celebrating a few minutes later after doubling the United lead. Molina punched away a curling Beckham freekick but the Depor defence failed to clear completely and Mikael Silvestre crossed low into the centre for the United centre-forward to turn in. Valeron was only just over after a neat move just after the break but for the most part Deportivo were restricted to speculative shots from outside the box. Ryan Giggs, who bedevilled Deportivo's defence all night, missed two great chances to increase the United lead midway through the second half as he was twice set clear on goal. His first shot was cleared off the line by Cesar and a couple of minutes later, after a similar break, a last-gasp tackle from Lionel Scaloni forced him out. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came on for van Nistelrooy and almost made it 3-0 with a left-foot shot striking the post low down. Deportivo continued to try their luck, but always from long range, and this time the Spanish forwards found Barthez in far less generous mood. The game finished on a sour note as Tristan swept Beckham's legs from under him with a mean tackle in injury-time.
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Soccer
