Sport 23-08-2001 Ferguson Furious Over Beckham Own Goal who: Manchester United what: Draw 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers where: Ewood Park, BLACKBURN when: Last night snippet: "Alex Ferguson roasted his side after a lacklustre display almost saw the Premiership champions beaten," says The Sun`s Phil Thomas, reporting on Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers` 2-2 draw at Ewood Park. "The chaos and slackness were unbelievable and we were punished," said Sir Alex after his side went 1-2 down thanks in part to David Beckham heading into his own goal against last season`s First Division runners-up. "From a position of great control in the first half, playing football you won`t see anywhere for a long time, we ended up scrambling for a point." "United had led through Ryan Giggs but a second-half capitulation, featuring some bizarre defending, had been punished by two Blackburn goals," says Daniel Taylor in The Guardian, "before Beckham scored with a cute free-kick as the home side lined up their wall." Rovers played "bright, attractive, patient football," says The Mirror. Manager Graeme Souness`s squad of "young talented players packed with potential" contains four former Man Utd stars and two from Liverpool. He now has to "find a formula that ensures Rovers retain their top flight status at the first time of asking." [... more]

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