Smith gets United out of gaol

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2004

BLACKBURN, England (AFP) — Alan Smith added to his rapidly burdgeoning status as a Manchester United hero with a controversial injury-time equaliser to salvage a point against ten-man Blackburn.

With United on the verge of a second defeat in only their third Premiership match of the season, Smith fastened on to a Louis Saha knockdown and lashed a left-foot shot past Brad Friedel for his fifth goal in six starts since his summer move from Leeds.

The equaliser, which cancelled out Paul Dickov's 17th minute opener for the home side, was perhaps deserved given United's sustained second half pressure.

But it was highly debatable whether it should have been allowed after Saha clearly used his hand to direct the ball back towards Smith.

It was a cruel blow...