Manchester Utd...2 Sunderland...1: No side in the world, Alex Ferguson proclaimed yesterday, scores more late goals than Manchester United. The dramatic final act has been their speciality ever since two headers from Steve Bruce against Sheffield Wednesday propelled them towards their first championship under Ferguson a decade ago, and their feats of escapology are once again threatening to influence a compelling title race.
It would be hard to quibble with the merits of United's 10th successive home victory, yet equally difficult not to pity the Sunderland players who dropped to the turf at the final whistle.
They had led from the fifth minute, courtesy of a bewildering own goal from Juan Sebastian Veron, and clung on until nine minutes from time only to leave Old Trafford with their toes seemingly tagged for the relegation morgue.
Ultimately, however, this was a match in which the gulf between the Premiership's top and bottom was brutally exposed.
United had 32 attempts at goal, compared to three for their opponents, and the drama that accompanied scoring twice in the final exchanges, with Paul Scholes's winner coming in the first minute of stoppage-time, was only postponed by Jurgen Macho's inspired goalkeeping.
Macho has a reputation for making unforced errors, but the Austrian goalkeeper had the sort of performance that he might never reproduce throughout the rest of his career. Time and again, he repelled United's attacks.
Yet he was left hopelessly exposed when Rio Ferdinand punted one of Macho's goal-kicks straight back over the Sunderland defence for David Beckham to run clear and clip in the equalising goal that prompted the final comeback.
When the goal came the public announcer was simultaneously informing Old Trafford there would be three minutes' stoppage time.
Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre, two defenders pushed forward to help their more attack-minded colleagues, were both involved in the build-up, but the final touch belonged to Scholes, heading in a goal that might be crucial to both clubs.
"I think it shows you our perseverance and determination. We've done it so many times over the years. We just never give in," said Ferguson.
"Nobody could say we didn't deserve it because we played really well, but there did reach a stage where you started fearing the worst. It's a credit to the players' resilience that they always believe they can pull it out."
Howard Wilkinson, Sunderland's manager, could scarcely disguise his anguish, particularly as their previous away match had ended in similar circumstances at Southampton.
"We've lost one game in the 94th minute and another in the 92nd," he said. "The mental side of things is the biggest danger now. But I will be disappointed if people can't deal with it."
Perhaps he will cite United's players as role models. Even when the fortunes were conspiring against Ferguson's team - one shot from Scholes struck both posts before rolling into the arms of the grateful Macho - they remained unbowed in their quest to turn the game around.
To be denied for so long was a credit to Macho and an indication of how difficult to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy now is. With the Dutch striker still receiving treatment for an infected toe, Diego Forlan's performance was reminiscent of some of his worst excesses earlier this season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will reflect on an equally frustrating afternoon, while Ryan Giggs has been so tepid recently he was kept on the bench for over an hour.
Given that the fit-again Roy Keane has yet to reach the peaks his standards demand, United needed leadership from other players and Beckham was a willing provider. "He has brought freshness to the side," said Ferguson.
Scholes was not far behind as their outstanding performer, while John O'Shea's excellence at right-back suggests Gary Neville might have to become accustomed to being out of the team and Veron played as though determined to make up for his earlier aberration.
It was a scruffy and bizarre own-goal. Fabien Barthez punched out weakly, Gavin McCann's weak lob spun up off Keane, and in the confusion the ball skimmed off Veron's head into the goal Barthez - soon to depart with a thigh injury - had deserted.
Sunderland, seeking their first win here since May 1968, defended stoically. Yet, such is United's durability, it did not matter in the end.
Guardian Service
MAN UTD: Barthez (Carroll 29), O'Shea (Giggs 63), Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Beckham, Keane, Veron (Gary Neville 90), Scholes, Forlan, Solskjaer. Subs Not Used: Phil Neville, Richardson. Booked: Ferdinand, Solskjaer. Goals: Beckham 81, Scholes 90.
SUNDERLAND: Macho, Wright, Craddock, Babb, McCartney, Kilbane, McCann (Williams 14), Thirlwell, Stewart (Oster 84), Phillips, Flo (Proctor 72). Subs Not Used: Sorensen, Bjorklund. Booked: Wright. Goals: Veron 5 og.
Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).
