The Beat Goes On...

It wasn’t pretty, but today’s victory over Everton was well worthy of the three points. That’s 32 from a possible 36 points, as the “One-nil to the United” continues to play against the backdrop of this season.

It’s difficult to put the twelve clean sheets into perspective, until you realize that the last Premier League goal scored against Van der Sar was Samir Nasri’s second strike at the Emirates way back on November 8. Yes, that is nearly 3 months ago.

We all know the backline regularly churns out stellar performances, and from that perspective, of course, we understand the current goalless run.

But, think about it this way: that’s 1000+ minutes without any wonder-strikes, dodgy penalty calls, or unfortunate deflections going against United. Lady Luck has played a minor, supporting cast-role here, as on a different day, at a different ground, and with a different ref, the Toffees’ late claim for a penalty could have been given post-Lescott-Ferdinand scrum. Not altogether justified, especially from the United perspective, but given nonetheless. We know the streak will end, but pray it won’t cost precious points. That’s what gives these tight games an added-and-unnecessary edge, a feeling that some form of smash-and-grab is inevitable somewhere if we keep this up.

In the end, however, all that matters is that United are now 5 points clear, all without the customary goal scoring form that we’ve come to expect. You sense even better days are yet to come, with Evra, Rooney, et al returning to the club soon.

Top of the league to you, as the Reds go marching on, on, on!

Stuffed and Bagged

United made Premier League history by keeping an eleventh clean sheet in a row, but the more telling story line here involved the attacking menace with which the Baggies were dispatched. Tony Mowbray said in the press conference afterwards: “When they (United) get flowing and the fluency is there, I don't think many teams in the world can stop them when they are in that mood of passing and moving the ball around.”

In truth, however, we all must feel some sympathy for Mowbray’s men, with Paul Robinson’s harsh red card and the marginal calls all going the Red Devil’s way. Rob Styles only enhanced his reputation as a bewilderingly card-happy referee. Nonetheless, the end-product was never in doubt.

This match and the 24-hours that transpired afterwards provide even more evidence for another title for the Old Trafford trophy case.

First, Berbatov scored another cutting-edge goal, one suggesting he’s entering a rich vein of form, and Ronaldo netted for the first time since mid-November. Ferguson noted afterwards: “We have shown a ruthlessness that has maybe not been there this season. We hoped it was going to come and we expected it because of the standard of forwards we have, but tonight was the first indication it was there." With the reemergence of that supremely-confident smile, Ronnie’s goal-scoring block appears lifted, much to the Premiership’s chagrin.

Second, Ferdinand and Brown both returned – yes, a Wes Brown sighting – to add much-needed depth and experience to a historically-good backline. Just wait until Evra and the bouncing Brazilians, Fabio and Rafael, return to add more forward width to an already potent line-up.

Third, Tosic and Eckersley gained more experience in the Premiership, as Fergie has used the deeper sub-list brilliantly to groom future players. We all know the unpredictability of the injury bug, so the more depth developed the better.

And last, Liverpool have not won in 20 days since Rafa’s rant against Sir Alex and United, after drawing 1-1 with Wigan on Wednesday. Once again, in post-match comments, Rafa puts the onus on others, saying “there’s nothing anyone can do when it (match) gets crazy.”

Besides the obvious dig at the ref, there’s nothing you can do?! Really?! How about not subbing Gerrard late?! How about not conceding a penalty in the 83rd-minute, Mr. Misplaced-Locus-of-Control. Rafa continues to defy logic, add pressure to his squad, and isolate himself. This all happens while United appear to add ruthlessness to a Premiership-best defense.

With the psychological operation “stuffed and bagged” commenced, bookies now place Rafa just behind Joe Kinnear in the sack race. Be careful Rafa. You can walk alone. Even at Anfield.

Mission Accomplished

One wondered if John O’ Shea’s comments about quadruple-cup-success would summon a touch of bad luck for United. Better not to talk about “it” and risk the jinx. Thus, the game began as if O’ Shea had forgot to knock on wood before speaking, with Pavlyuchenko improbably getting in front of Vidic to put Spurs up inside of six minutes. Could it be? Harry’s hoo-do part two?!

Not a chance.

Going down a goal, United played with urgency and promise, ultimately deserving a 2-1 lead at the interval. Fabio and Ronaldo brought width and pace on the left, while Danny Welbeck remained disciplined and inventive on the wide-right. Space just off Tom Huddleston and the center halves looked promising.

United fans crave a comfortable afternoon, one where there’s more than a one-goal cushion to ease nerves going into the game’s final minutes, and this could be just the ticket.

That too wasn’t to be.

The second half was as dull as a butter knife, as United played some keep-ball, lost their attacking-edge, and offered Spurs hope on a silver platter. Yet, Harry’s men rejected the gift, several of whom either lacked commitment, confidence, or both at key moments.

You can understand Redknapp’s frustration with his players, as evidenced by shocking defensive mistakes and critical, misplaced passes in the final third of the pitch, but not his open critiques in the media.

Spurs look like a side short of confidence at the moment, with much of the responsibility placed squarely on the manager’s shoulders. The old cliché “you get what you expect” seems apt here. Calling out Darren Bent this past week can’t help anyone at White Hart Lane. Harry’s misplaced rage at the media in support of his players today only demonstrates his own ill-timed remorse. Spurs will remain within touching distance of relegation, if this leadership trend continues.

Week in, week out watching Premiership managers make serious errs in judgment brings a deeper, more profound appreciation for Sir Alex. Today it wasn’t pretty, but United got the result and provided several youngsters with much-needed experience. Mission accomplished.

You can’t help but feel like we’re walking along, singing our song – walking in a Fergie-Wonderland. There is only one Sir Alex Ferguson.

One-nil to The United!

While preparing to blog about United’s success over Bolton, the Talking Heads’ Once in a Lifetime kept running through my mind.

How odd, I thought. At first, it just seemed random:
“And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself – well...how did I get here?”

But later in the song, there’s the refrain:
“Same as it ever was...same as it ever was...same as it ever was...”

We’ve seen this storyline before, as United snatch another last-gasp victory to move top of the league while Fergie does his trademarked jig along the touchline. There’s no way to underestimate the importance of this statement-of-intent victory.

But the remarkable thing about this year is the method: seven one-nil victories and 15-plus hours of play without conceding a Premiership goal. If Harold Ramis wanted to shoot Groundhog Day 2 with a twist, he could base it on the life of a current United fan seemingly watching the same game over and over only to discover, in the end, these were distinctly different matches. What?! We’re top of the league?! That’s brilliant, that is!

Reflect back to the start of the campaign and try to comprehend that clean sheets in lieu of goal-scoring would pave United’s route to glory. It seems utterly improbable, with Ronaldo staying and Berbatov in the fold. Who would believe that Jonny Evans would become Rio Ferdinand-in-disguise?! Who would believe that the Red Devils would be justified in singing “One-nil to The United!” from the old Arsenal song-sheet?! And who would believe that United would return from the World Club Championship in better league position than when they left?! All of this while not even reaching top gear.

The improbable has become reality and the eleventh Premiership title just sits there for the taking. Same as it ever was.

Total Victory

What a complete victory on all fronts, including the psychological one emerging between Sir Alex and Rafa Benetiz. Much, much more than three points were at stake here today and everyone knew it.

First, United ran circles around Chelsea, with Giggs in for Carrick, Evans in for Rio, and The Special One in for the occasion. Surly, Chelsea’s dropping form and Roman Abramovich’s absence at Old Trafford will only fuel speculation about Scolari’s job security, especially after his “we can forget the title playing like this” quip after the match. This disheartening loss leads directly into an impending FA Cup banana skin against Southend on Wednesday. An unnecessary fixture for sure, with a defeat likely to bring out the sack and effectively implode Chelsea’s title aspirations. Advantage United.

Second, United’s display against Chelsea feels like a club starting a blistering run of form. Rooney and Ronaldo look reborn. Park is everwhere. Evans was unflappable. Berbatov scored. And Giggs – yes, Giggsy – was arguably Man of the Match. Who knew he had such a top-shelf performance in him from the center of midfield for 80 impressive minutes?! Quietly many United fans questioned Sir Alex selecting Giggsy, but like with countless other key decisions, the gaffer was spot-on. Impressively, advantage United.

Last, this dominating performance comes on the heels of Ferguson-versus-Benitez psychological cage-match and Liverpool’s nil-nil draw with Stoke. It’s still hard to imagine that Rafa, aka “Mr. Facts”, actually fell for Sir Alex’s bait. First-year media relations majors would know better – every time you address claims of pressure, the more you keep the media focused on “the pressure”, with real possibility of it becoming a self-fulfilling psychological hurdle. The more Rafa talks trash, the better United’s chances. Clearly, advantage United here.

The impact of today's game will be far-reaching, especially since United have taken ten of sixteen Premiership titles. It doesn’t take much for a certain feeling of impending déjà vu to emerge and Fergie uses this to full-effect. That’s why every single one of us loves Sir Alex Ferguson. That's why we're Champions.