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Feb 14 '19
MANCHESTER, England -- Robin van Persie ushered Manchester United into the Champions League quarterfinals -- and potentially saved his managers job -- with a hat trick in a 3-0 victory over Olympiakos that completed one of the competitions greatest comebacks on Wednesday. Wholesale Vans Shoes From China . On one of the memorable European nights at Old Trafford, Van Persie scored three times in a 27-minute span either side of halftime to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. A slew of brilliant saves by David de Gea were also key to a famous win for the English champions -- and a vital one for their manager, David Moyes. Moyes position had come under intense scrutiny after Uniteds humiliating 3-0 loss to fierce rival Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, the latest in a string of dreadful results in his first season in charge. An early exit in Europe could have stretched the patience of fans and Uniteds hierarchy beyond breaking point -- but Moyes is left hoping this can be a watershed moment in his United career. "I dont want to come out here and say this is the moment," Moyes said, "but at the same time, I really hope it is." A nerve-shredding night ended with Olympiakos captain Giannis Maniatis on his knees and in floods of tears, and Moyes saluting home fans and wearing the broadest grin. The under-fire United manager was saved by the goal-scoring qualities of Van Persie, who converted a penalty in the 25th minute, side-footed home his second goal in first-half injury time and curled in a free kick in the 52nd. And he also had words of praise for Ryan Giggs, who at the age of 40 delivered a tireless performance in midfield. Giggs lasted the full match, despite having played only 81 minutes since Jan. 7, and played a crucial role in Van Persies first two goals. "His all-round play was very good," Moyes said. "He defies his age." Van Persie was carried off on a stretcher in the final minutes after hurting his leg in a challenge but Moyes said he didnt think it was a serious injury. Olympiakos slumped to its 12th straight away defeat in England and missed out on securing a place in the last eight for the first time since 1999. The Greek champions had their chances -- some of De Geas saves were breathtaking -- but defensively they were chaotic and they became only the sixth team to squander a two-goal lead from the first leg of a Champions League match. "We were unlucky," Olympiakos midfielder David Fuster said, "and were pretty upset about it." In Wednesdays other last-16 match, Borussia Dortmund advanced 5-4 on aggregate despite losing the second leg 2-1 at home to Zenit St. Petersburg. The draw for the quarterfinals is held on Friday. "We probably now will go into it as underdogs," Moyes said. "If we play to our capabilities, which we have not done too often, then I think we will be a match for any team." Moyes insisted on the eve of the biggest game of his reign that his position was not under threat, saying Uniteds vision was "long term," the board was still supportive and stressing that he was in a six-year contract. Fans appeared to be starting to waver, although the banner reading "The Chosen One" -- a nickname given to Moyes after he was hand-picked for the job by predecessor Alex Ferguson -- remained hung up high in the Stretford End as Olympiakos kicked off. Initially, United was gripped by panic -- misplacing passes, diving into tackles and showing no shape defensively -- but the nerves were settled by Van Persies penalty. The Netherlands striker tumbled after being barged in the back by Jose Holebas after bringing down a cross-field pass from Giggs, and he got up to convert his penalty unerringly. Giggs was the architect of the second goal, too, floating another pass to Wayne Rooney, who crossed for Van Persie to caress his finish under goalkeeper Robertos dive. The aggregate score was now 2-2 and Moyes greeted the goal with repeated fist-pumps and marched back to the dressing rooms, breaking into a jog at one point. He was celebrating again within six minutes of the second half when Van Persie curled home a free kick from just outside the area, with Roberto earning the wrath of his defenders for not trusting his wall and vacating the area near where the ball crossed the line. With Olympiakos attacking relentlessly in the final 25 minutes, the final whistle was met with relief as much as joy by home fans. Languishing in seventh place in the Premier League, the Champions League remains a potential source of silverware for United this season. Cheap Authentic Vans Shoes . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. Vans Shoes Clearance . -- Oakland Athletics third baseman Scott Sizemore has undergone surgery on his left knee to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.IRVINE, Calif. -- Ryan Lochte beat Michael Phelps to win the 200-meter individual medley at the U.S. national championships Sunday night, leaving Phelps winless in four races at his biggest meet since coming out of retirement. Lochte, the world champion, led all the way and touched in 1 minute, 56.50 seconds Sunday night. He is coming off major knee surgery, which limited his training. "This year has been up and down, but Im glad I got a win knowing that I really havent done the work I wanted to," he said. Phelps, the three-time Olympic champion in the event, chased Lochte throughout and pulled into the wall second in 1:56.55. Lochtes time was second-fastest in the world this year; Phelps was third-quickest. "If you go out in that race its pretty painful in the end," Phelps said. It was Lochtes first victory of the five-day meet after finishing second in the 100 freestyle and third in the 200 backstroke. Four months into his comeback, Phelps came up empty. He finished second in the 100 butterfly, sixth in the 100 back and seventh in the 100 free. Cheap Vans Shoes For Sale. Olympian Tyler Clary was third in 1:57.94. Lochte, Phelps and Clary are headed to Australia to compete in the Pan Pacific Championships this month. Simone Manuel won the 50 freestyle in 24.56 seconds to go with her second-place finish in the 100 free. Natalie Coughlin, at 31 the oldest woman competing at nationals, finished sixth. She failed to make her record-tying fifth Pan Pacific team and as a result wont qualify for next years world championships. That leaves Coughlin out of the two biggest international meets leading up to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Melanie Margalis won the 200 individual medley in 2:10.20 to earn a berth at her first major international meet. Swimming on the far outside in lane eight, Katy Campbell won the 1,500 freestyle in 16:17.59 after world record-holder Katie Ledecky decided not to swim on the meets final night. Ledecky set a world record in the 400 freestyle on Saturday, giving her world marks in the 400, 800 and 1,500 at the same time. Cheap Hoodies From China Discount NFL Shirts Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale China JerseysWholesale Jerseys From China Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Fast Shipping China Jerseys Stitched Jerseys ' ' '
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