RELIEVED FERGIE HAILS RUUD

Ruud van Nistelrooy rescued Manchester United with a second-half brace as Sir Alex Ferguson's hit back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Lyon in their opening Champions League Group D game.Van Nistelrooy had looked far from match-fit when making his first appearance of the season after injury at Bolton on Saturday, but his quick-fire brace in France ensured United's dismal start to the campaign did not continue.But in truth they were lucky to salvage a point from a contest in which they were second-best for long periods.And they almost lost the game in the last minute when Juninho fired against a post.Tim Howard had been at fault when Les Ferdinand fired Bolton into a 2-1 lead in the 90th minute at the Reebok Stadium and the American keeper made another calamitous error to put Lyon ahead.The French side, who have won the last three domestic titles, edged the first half but took the lead in strange circumstances nine minutes before the interval.Sylvain Wiltord and Pierre-Alain Frau had already gone close to giving Lyon the lead when Howard fumbled Juninho's tame long-range effort and Cris reacted quickly to tap the ball home.As if that wasn't bad enough, the hosts doubled their advantage just before half time with Wiltord this time the creator.The former Arsenal man set up Frau to slamm home the second.It had been a disastrous opening 45 minutes for the hapless visitors but they started the second period well with the combative Eric Djemba-Djemba getting through a lot of work in midfield.
United were given hope in the 56th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo set off on a chase to catch Ryan Giggs' cross which appeared to be going out of play.The Portuguese international managed to get in a cross of his own and van Nistelrooy was on hand to nod it into the corner the net.It was the Dutchman's 29th European goal, beatng Denis Law's United record.He made it 30 just after the hour when Roy Keane set up Ronaldo whose initial mis-hit shot was blocked by Anthony Reveillere.Fortunately for United, the ball looped straight into the path of van Nistelrooy, who easily netted.The two-goal blast stunned Lyon but after regrouping they almost snatched a late winner.Paul Scholes was forced to clear a Wiltord shot off the line while Honorato Nilmar somehow managed to fire wide from close range.Wiltord then blasted a shot over the bar when it seemed easier to score before, with the last chance of the match, Juninho curled a shot against the post.Despite being someway short of their best, this was a good point for United, who must surely qualify from a group that also contains Sparta Prague and Fenerbahce.
Ferguson was quick to praise van Nistelrooy after the game, particularly as the Dutchman had overtaken Denis Law's European goalscoring record for United.Van Nistelrooy's double strike in Lyon brought his goal tally up to 30 and the United boss said after the comeback: "Denis Law was one of the greatest players of all time - but van Nistelrooy is fantastic."I can't praise him enough in what was only his second game in four months.
"We were pushing up early in the game and allowed their forwards to get on the ball too easily. But goals change games and Ruud changed the game for us."We certainly grabbed the game much better in the second half. We showed far more purpose and intent. Intent is an important part of football and we showed that in the second half."We don't forget the first half but in the second half, give credit. We found something we find a lot of the time and I think we deserved the point."I'm happy - 2-0 down at half-time I have to be."