Sport 29-11-2000 Manchester United Out Of Worthington Cup who: Manchester United what: Lose in extra time to Sunderland in Worthington Cup where: Stadium Of Light, SUNDERLAND when: Last night snippet: "What a shame," laments The Telegraph`s Matt Lawton from Sunderland`s 2-1 Worthington Cup triumph over Manchester United last night, "that in front of the largest crowd yet gathered at the Stadium of Light it was the referee, and not the youngsters who fought so admirably for Manchester United in this memorable tie, who suffered from stage fright." "Ultimately," explains The Times, "this fourth-round tie came down to penalties. Or rather, a significant lack of them." Referee Mark Halsey sent off Dwight Yorke for a late tackle on Brazilian defender Emerson Thome but horrified United fans when Thomas Sorensen brought down Jonathan Greening in the penalty area but went unpenalised, despite openly turning to Sunderland fans and punching the air. "Phillips was denied with two late shots," reports ITN, "and extra-time was needed to settle the tie. Phillips duly did so when he picked himself up after winning a penalty conceded by O`Shea and beat Van der Gouw from the spot." United boss Alex Ferguson was angered by Halsey`s two match-influencing decisions. "I think a more capable referee would not have sent Dwight off, realising the type of player he is," he said afterwards. "The sadness is that he misses three important games, including the one against Liverpool, and we have Andy Cole injured until the new year." [... more]

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