As far as matches go… it sure wasn’t the prettiest on Sunday, but it
was an awesome feeling to be a part of Southampton’s first victory at Old
Trafford since 1988 – the “winning” smirk I had scribbled across my face should’ve
gotten me battered outside the ground.
Last May, I watched Southampton draw on the final day of the season
against Manchester United. That day, the likes of David de Gea, Nemanja Vidic,
Juan Mata, Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck were in the blue of United.
This past summer they brought in Angel di Maria, a world-class
talent, who played 124 times for Real Madrid and was recently named in FIFA’s
FIFPro World XI. Although his performance on Sunday was lacking, he is going to
be up there as one of the best footballers I’ll see. Add Sergio Aguero, Wilfred Bony (apparently worth £28m to City) and
others.
Some pretty cool names -- on this day, a front four for United that totaled £150m.
Now, with all the pleasantries
out of the way…
Chants of, “Race you back to Hampshire” and, “Is there a fire drill”,
rang out from the corner where us Southampton lot were, mocking United
supporters who flocked towards the exits early.
It was a perfect setting for a Facebook status that had comments of,
“Southampton lol” and, “Have fun losing” posted on it earlier in the day.
Prior to kickoff, Ken MacKinnon said: “I have a good feeling about
today… but that can only it’s going to be crushed.”
The match itself was about as entertaining as seven hours on a
plane. The only shot on target came in the 69th-minute when substitute Dusan
Tadic slotted home from a rebound. A
cliché of bedlam. I shared the most awkward hi-five with a stranger in
front of me. It was a cross between hi-five and hold. And then there was a
brief “omg” moment with a Mr Andrew MacKinnon.
“DUSANNNNNNNN TADIC, OHHH OH, OHHH OH!”
The Serbian went all Mario Balotelli, but struggled to rip of his
shirt before flexing his muscles at the corner flag where we were sat.
Old Trafford is a library except for one section of the ground:
N2401 and N2402. It was the first league game since May 2009 where United didn’t
record a shot on target at home.
The win was important for Southampton, who jumped their hosts in the
table and into third place with 21 games played.
