Manchester United and Valencia have drawn 1-1 in their Champions League clash at Old Trafford tonight. An unfortunate own goal from Wes Brown with just two minutes of normal time remaining brought the Spanish side level after Andy Cole fired the Red Devils ahead in the 12th minute.
Although Valencia were the better team in the second half as they launched attack after attack in their quest for an equaliser, United looked to be on their way to the quarter-finals as they held on to their slim lead. However, the Spanish side's dominance was rewarded in the 88th minute when Vicente's cross was turned into his own net by 21-year-old Brown. It was nothing less than the Spaniards deserved, which United boss Alex Ferguson admitted to in his post-match interview.
United went ahead when Cole finished off a beautiful one-two with Ryan Giggs with a sweet strike past Santiago Canizares to notch up his 13th goal of the season. However, a mere six minutes later United suffered a serious blow when Giggs pulled up with a hamstring problem and was forced out of the game, replaced by Nicky Butt.
The goal sparked Valencia into life and they almost equalised through new signing £13.7million striker Pablo Aimar after he was sent clean through by Gaizka Mendieta but the Argentinian shot wide of Barthez's right-hand post. With David Beckham having an unusually quiet match, it was up to Nicky Butt to take control in midfield as United attempted to increase their advantage while defending their slim lead. However, thanks to his over-enthusiasm, Butt was booked following a foul on Mendieta, which means he will miss the match against Panathinaikos in a fortnight.
As the first half wore on, Valencia looked more and more dangerous, but they found it almost impossible to find a way past Jaap Stam and Brown who were both impressive at the heart of United's defence.
In the second 45 mintues, it was all Valencia and it looked to be only a matter of time before the Spanish side equalised. Although they left it late, it finally came when hero Brown turned villain to gift the visitors their first goal against United in 357 minutes of Champions League
football. This result means that United need at least two points from their remaining Group A fixtures against Panathinaikos away and Sturm Graz at home if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.
In tonight's other Champions League action, Panathinaikos lost 2-1 at home to Sturm Graz in Group A. In Group B, Deportivo la Coruna beat Galatasaray 2-0 while Paris St Germain drew 1-1 with AC Milan.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
