MANCHESTER UNITED won their first piece of silverware for 2012 on Sunday, and they accomplished it here in Barbados.
The Red Devils reclaimed the British Airways Legends Football Tournament title in deja vu circumstances, coming from behind to defeat Chelsea 4-3 in the final at Kensington Oval.
Though there was a less festive atmosphere this time around, the organizers can still hold their heads high as there was a fair turnout and the crowd was satisfied and very appreciative of the quality of football.
Both teams overcame tough challenges in the semifinals.
Chelsea proved to be the better London team when they edged Arsenal 1-0, thanks to a strike by former Uruguayan midfielder Gustavo Poyet.
Manchester United had to dig deep and recover from a 1-4 deficit against the Caribbean All Stars, eventually levelling the score 5-5.
Stern John, Fitzroy Simpson, Dennis Lawrence and a double strike by the tournament’s leading scorer, Deon Burton, scored for the Caribbean All Stars.
But it was the dynamic duo of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole who rescued United once again. A hat-trick from Yorke and a brace from Cole inspired a typical Manchester United comeback.
After the scores were locked at 5-5 at fulltime, United won the penalty shoot-out 5-3, largely due to Kevin Pilkington who had a good game between the uprights.
Chelsea were hoping to add to their recent Champions League glory and started on the right foot, when Danny Granville placed his left-foot shot neatly into the bottom right hand corner after he was set up by maestro Gianfranco Zola.
United equalized, with Yorke converting easily from the spot, chipping his shot and sending Carlo Cudicini the wrong way.
Chelsea regained the lead through former English midfielder Denis Wise, teaching the hundred of youths in the stands the correct technique for side volleying.
Gus Poyet, voted Player of the Tournament, gave Chelsea a 3-1 lead courtesy another Zola moment of brilliance.
The Italian found Poyet unmarked behind the United defence and the South American easily tapped in from close range.
United, known for their never-say-die attitude, rallied and scored just before the break thanks to a combination to which many have grown accustomed – Cole to Yorke and Yorke returning the favour for Cole to clinically finish.
Yorke brought things level with a fine piece of technical skill. With his back to goal, he twisted away from his marker and drill a right-foot volley into the back of the net.
Quinton Fortune salvaged glory for the Red Devils with a trademark left-foot thunderbolt into the left corner past the outstretched arm of the Chelsea custodian to give United goal number four.
