Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson hailed his battling side after they came from behind to beat AC Milan 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final last night.
Cristiano Ronaldo put United ahead early on but Kaka struck twice before the break to silence the Old Trafford crowd and hand the Italian outfit a half-time lead.
However, the Premiership leaders bounced back to produce a dazzling second-half display capped off by a Wayne Rooney brace, including a last-minute winner, to ensure United head to the San Siro for the second leg with a 3-2 lead.
Ferguson said: : "We persevered, we kept playing our football, some of which was fantastic and we dominated the second half.
"We got hold of the game and the equaliser gave us the impetus to go on and win it.
"Some of the football we played was absolute quality.
"It gives us a magnificent chance, we go over there (Milan) and it's now a big game for us. We're in front and they (Milan) know that - it's a really difficult game now."
Match-winner Rooney hailed the belief and determination of his side while reserving special praise for Paul Scholes.
He said: "It's a great feeling. It was a difficult match but when it got late we kept going. We knew the victory would make it a little bit easier for the away leg.
"And to get a goal in the last minute is a great feeling.
"It was fantastic. At 2-1 behind at half-time against a very good Milan team, we knew it would be difficult to get the win.
"The manager told us too keep pushing, keep going and we'll get the goals, and we did."
Scholes' inspired flick set up the equaliser for Rooney and the 21-year-old was quick to praise the veteran midfielder.
"I see him do it every day in training. He's brilliant. He is a joy to play with, a genius."
Scholes' was certainly the difference between the two sides in the second half and when the Milan midfield was wilting, the midfield dynamo rose to the occasion to deliver a match-winning performance.
However, Scholes' special night was slightly marred by his booking in the first half when TV replays clearly showed that he had made contact with the ball.