Sky’s Super Sunday game, just before Christmas, saw a double from Stephen McPhail defeat Gianluca Vialli’s Blues. United defended with great resilience throughout, with a teenage Jonathan Woodgate turning in an incredible performance. The match turned when ref Jeff Winter sent off Frank Lebeouf after the Frenchman lost his mind and needlessly tripped Harry Kewell off the ball. McPhail’s late goal sealed the points and sent the Whites top of the table with the Millennium only days away.