CSKA Moscow 2-2 Manchester United, Brandywell Stadium. John Owen reporting:
CSKA Moscow and Manchester United met tonight at the Brandywell for one the most eagerly anticipated clashes of the Milk Cup so far. The game didn’t disappoint as the teams played out a four goal thriller with a draw probably being tje fairest result.
Both sides went into the game boasting two wins from their first two games, United having scored 14 goals in the process, double that of CSKA’s tally. And with neither team yet to concede, it was a hotly fought-out contest as both sides looked to extend their 100% records.
CSKA forced the first real chance in the game, Egor Lelyukhin found space on the edge of the area and brought a good save from Dean Henderson in the United goal.
The first goal came ten minutes into the game. A smart pass by Lelyukhin put Nikita Kastakin clean through on goal, he controlled the ball superbly before poking the ball past Henderson in the United goal.
The game had been even before the goal and it continued to be end-to-end after the goal. United’s best chance came on fifteen minutes, Marcus Rashrord was one-on-one with the Russian keeper but the United man could only stab his shot at the legs of Pavel Mayorov in the CSKA goal.
Demetri Mitchell was one of United’s standout performers in the first half. The pacey winger was at the heart of many of his team’s best attacking.
Manchester United got the equaliser their play deserved shortly before the half-hour mark. Callum Gribben played an immaculate pass through ball to Zachary Dearnley, he looked certain to score but Mayorov blocked his shot only for Gribben to tap home to bring the scores level.
Dearnley tested the CSKA keeper again minutes later, he found space in the box, he managed to get a good shot away despite pressure from the Russian defenders, Mayorov parried the shot and Mitchell turned the ball just past the post as the ball fell his way.
Manchester United made up for this missed chance as they took the lead just minutes later. Rashford followed up a hopeful ball from the back, he worked his way into the box, as he shimmied from side to side before he sent a beautiful curled effort into the top right-hand corner of the goal.
The second-half failed to sparkle as the first period had. Manchester United looked more content to keep the ball and not risk reluinqsh their lead.
CSKA looked the more likely to score and that’s just what they did on the 65th minute in fortunate fashion. Mikhail Solovyev had a free-kick almost on the right by-line, he curled the ball low towards the bottom left-hand corner and it evaded everyone and found its way to the back of the net.
Both sides seemed content with the draw as the game fizzled out somewhat. A draw a fair result in what was a great contest.
Manchester United: Dean Henderson, Tyler Reid, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Oscar Borg, Jordan Andrew-Thompson,Charlie Thomas-Scott, Zachary Dearnley, Marcus Rashford, Callum Gribben, Demetri Mitchell.
CSKA Moscow: Pavel Mayorov, Mutalip Alibekov, Nikita Kasatakin, Dimirty Sokolov, Aestemir Gordyushenko, Egor Matunov, Egor Lelyukhin, Denis Nikitin, Illia Ferapontov, Savva Knyazev, Elygun Ulukhanov.