The New Paper, 21 March 2007, Pg. 64
The refree was spot on.
So said Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs about referee Mike Dean's decision to penalise Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate for his tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo.
The penalty made the difference between the two sides in Monday's FA Cup quarter-final replay which United won 1-0 after Ronaldo converted it.
"My first thoughts were that is was a penalty," said Giggs, the experienced Welshman.
"Cristiano showed great pace and Woodgate caught him."
As someone who had to put up with intense scrutiny himself during the early days of his career, Giggs understands what Ronaldo is going through.
The Portuguese has been called a diver several times, and his causing Waye Rooney's sending off during last year's World cup Finals did not go down well with many English supporters.
Unlike Ronaldo, Giggs has largle been looked upon with affection by non-United fans.
However, that does not mean the 33-year-old is blind to his young team-mate's supreme qualities.
"Cristiano has been a match-winner for us on numerous occasions this season," he said.
"He can turn defence into attack in seconds. He won the penalty for us last night then had to calmness to put it away."
"To be honest, I think he likes the pressure of penalties. He always looks confident, which is what you need as a penalty taker."
Monday night's win, as well as keeping United on course for the Treble, puts Giggs in line for a special place in FA Cup history.
Only three men have ever won the competition five times, and the last of those was well over a century ago.
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