Manchester Win Streak Stops at 21
Manchester United’s eight-month, 21-game unbeaten streak in the English Premier League came to an end Sunday when the defending champions were upset, 1-0, on the road at Southampton, the loss also being the first in United colors for American goalkeeper Tim Howard.
An 87th-minute headed goal by James Beattie was the difference.
As Britain’s Press Assn. put it: “Howard had to take the blame for letting a Graeme Le Saux corner sail over his head and giving Beattie a goal on a plate.”
United Coach Sir Alex Ferguson defended Howard, however.
“I think he may have got a push as the ball came over from the corner,” Ferguson said. “He’s obviously not happy about it, but he’s a big lad and he’s somebody who can bounce back from mistakes.”
United’s loss allowed Arsenal to take the Premier League lead, also thanks to a goalkeeping mistake, when the London club beat Manchester City, 2-1, in Manchester.
Former Arsenal and England goalkeeper David Seaman, 39, made the blunder 17 minutes from the end, coming out to intercept a Thierry Henry cross but instead kneeing the ball straight to Arsenal’s Freddie Ljungberg, who redirected it into the empty net for the game-winner.
Canada Romps
The World Cup-bound Canadian women’s national team romped to an 8-0 victory over Mexico at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, with San Diego Spirit forward Christine Latham scoring three goals.
German Cake
Former European champion Borussia Dortmund’s ignominious ouster from the European Champions League last week by the Belgium club FC Bruges has caused the German team to ponder reducing player salaries by 20% and making them performance-based.
As Michael Meier, the team’s commercial manager told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper: “We are cutting a bit off the cake, but the players can eat it again if they have some sporting success.”
Quick Passes
The Columbus Crew beat the Kansas City Wizards, 1-0, on a goal by Brian West in Ohio.... As Monaco moved to the top of the French league with a 1-0 victory over Metz and then made it a doubly successful weekend by acquiring Real Madrid striker and Spanish international Fernando Morientes on a one-season loan.... Morientes’ transfer means that Brazilian striker Ronaldo from now on will wear his favored No. 9 jersey at Real Madrid. He had been wearing No. 11.
Italian champion Juventus launched defense of its title with a 5-1 season-opening rout of Empoli in Turin, where Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet both scored twice.... David Beckham scored after only two minutes in his league debut for Real Madrid on Saturday as the defending Spanish champions opened their season with a 2-1 home victory over Real Betis.
Times wire services contributed to this report.
