Giggs Tears Norwich City Apart

Game 900 is ho-hum affair for United and Giggsy. It’s another run of the mill injury time goal. You knew it’d come, right?

Please.

Some surreal scriptwriter absolutely loves this evergreen twosome. And who wouldn’t, with both players simply oozing class, composure and consistency.

First, it’s quintessential Scholes, who pops up in the box for the millionth time to open United’s account in the 7th minute. At that point, the match seemed like a comfortable walk in the park.

Oh no, that would be contrary to the story and would ruin the fairy tale ending.

You just knew the Canaries would score, given their track record and form, as they created several excellent chances only to be thwarted by a sensational David De Gea, who would have been the MOTM had the score line remained 1-0 United.

From the neutral’s perspective, however, Norwich’s just desserts came in the 83rd minute where Grant Holt delivered the inevitable, a top-class, late goal as they’ve done repeatedly this year.

Now, Sir Alex’s side up the tempo right on command, as we buckle-up for the final seven minutes, plus injury time, of high drama.

After Welbeck missed his wide-open header, you suspected this was the work of the football gods, as if they said, “No, no, son – it’s not your turn” kind of divine intervention.

Then, at full crescendo in our building operatic performance, in the second minute of injury time comes Sir – hint, hint – Ryan Giggs tucking home Young’s marvelous far-post ball with the outside of that magical left boot.

It’s game, set, and match right in front of 1,500 delirious away supporters.

You simply can’t make this stuff up.

How gut-wrenching it must be for both City sides, Norwich and Manchester, to witness this seemingly hidden gear deliver another massive three points

How lucky are we to support United and witness Giggs’ mastery?

Immeasurably fortunate, without question, is the obvious reply.

In hindsight, could this match have ended any other way than for the best ever Premier League player to crown his illustrious career with another match-winning jewel?

Indeed, Giggs will tear you apart again.

Reactions to United’s Victory Over Childish Pool

Well, it’s unfortunate that 90 minutes of excellent Red Devil football will be overshadowed by antics and theatrics before, at half, and after the match – this, our first talking point.

Beforehand, you knew the pantomime villain would be Suarez, without question at Old Trafford, much like Evra at Anfield in weeks prior. You absolutely anticipated that United supporters would give abuse right on queue singing “We know what you are” at the little number seven.

What we didn’t know is that Suarez’ petulance would start before kickoff, as he refused to shake Evra’s hand.

Really? How incredibly stupid are you?

All you had to do is shake hands, not get sent off, and this chapter would be behind you. Now, you’re back on the FA’s radar, and since you’re the only forward that can score for Liverpool, you threaten your club’s chances at holding the seventh spot.

Afterwards, the drama, predictably, continued in the media.

First, an incredulous Sir Alex winds things up:

"I could not believe it, I just could not believe it. He's a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club, that certain player should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again.

“The history that club's got and he does that and in a situation like today could have caused a riot. I was really disappointed in that guy, it was terrible what he did.”

"It created a tension, you've seen the referee didn't know what to do about it. It caught him off guard. It was a terrible start to the game, a terrible atmosphere it created."

Next up, the comical Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish responded: "I think you're bang out of order to blame Luis Suarez for anything that happened here today."

Really? What color is the sky in your world, Cliff? (As in Cliff Clavin from “Cheers”, for the sit-com challenged.)

What’s next, K-k-ken? Are you going to tell us “It's a little known fact that the tan became popular in what is known as the Bronze Age”?

Please.

What we do know is THE feud continues, with Suarez, and Evra, thanks to excessive celebrating, face some possible disciplinary action.

Ah, let’s rest the obvious talking point and return to the REAL stuff: the play on the pitch.

Rarely in this blog do I ever compliment a referee, but today’s one of those days. Phil Dowd did a brilliant job of keeping his cards in his pocket and keeping composure, choosing to talk to players and slow the match at appropriate spots to clam matters.

Once again, we could have witnessed an entirely different result had Dowd gotten wrong Ferdinand’s tackle on Suarez. It’s either clean or a red-card-foul. Rio got it right, an immaculate tackle, but we all know what happened on this ground before – dare I say against a certain match against the barcodes. We do not take proper calls for granted, with the speed of these matches.

It’s no coincidence, then, that things boiled over outside of match minutes but remained relatively restrained within the confines of this massive derby match.

Well done, Dowd.

Next, United’s defence deserves accolades, but still, that unease continues to linger on, after conceding in the 80th minute off another mistake from nothing.

The score did not reflect the run of play and excellent job of defending done by all, and in particular, the two center halves, Rio and Evans, both of whom took turns marking Suarez tightly even when he tracked back for the ball, and later, manned up impressively against both forwards.

Ultimately, though, United faced a nervy final ten minutes after conceding a goal off a set-piece mistake. Once again, this side bossed large stretches of the match and one mistake brought another beaten side back into a match.

It’s one thing to get beaten by excellent play; it’s another to gift goals off mistakes. United’s nervy knees continue to reappear amidst good overall play. This trend is definitely not over, not by a long shot.

Moving on, once again Valencia proved lethal in attacking an opponent, as his white-hot form continues.

So good is Antonio that Fergie confidently placed Giggs wide-left, knowing that the evergreen winger wouldn’t always cover the touch line and would track central much of the afternoon – making it abundantly clear United would focus on the right.

But, it didn’t matter.

Valencia beat Enrique frequently one-to-one, as Liverpool learned quickly to double-team every time Antonio got the ball. Valencia made Stuart Downing look pedestrian, as the number nineteen clearly didn’t feel like defending that deep, that often, which muted his threat going forward for Pool.

It’s another brilliant job by United’s number twenty-five in his attempt at a second consecutive Player of the Month campaign.

And finally, my Man of the Match, Wayne Rooney, who had only scored two goals from nineteen previous matches against his archenemy prior to kickoff, doubled his total in less than 45 minutes of football.

Wazza was brilliant in the hole, as he converted two of three guilt-edged chances, adding the clinical edge for United. Surprisingly, his easiest chance caught him off-guard – so good was Scholes’ dummy that Roo’s first touch was equally as poor as his toe-poke wide from close range. Should have been a hattrick, really, but regardless, he’s finally broken his own personal duck of sorts against the wrong half of Merseyside.

When Fergie wondered out loud how United lost to Liverpool in the FA Cup, the obvious answer was a lack of a finishing touch, with Wazza missing of course. Clearly Rooney’s brings the necessary sharpness to United’s chances around goal.

Mark my words: Rooney looks poised to return to his blistering form, much like what we witnessed prior to last year, especially with the return of a healthy Tom Cleverley, who’s apparently built a telekinetic connection with Welbeck on the training ground these past few weeks.

We all remember Cleverley turning the corner on his mark, making quick-and-decisive touch passes to open up opponents. He’s exactly the type of dimension United need in the center of the park, which also provides the gaffer with a bonus opportunity to rest Giggs and Scholes more with a crowded fixture list ahead.

Thus, as we move on, we know the drama will continue between these clubs, with Dalglish, claiming to have seen “nuth-ing, nuutthhh-ing!!!” in his best Sargent Schultz impression.

Certainly, the FA did see something, while we all await their verdict.

Five Reactions to United’s Stamford Bridge Comeback

How many talking points can you have from one match?

Certainly this tilt deserves more than the customary number – if only there were enough time to complete it. Thus, here are my top five reactions to the match.

First, there’s great relief in Sir Alex’s men coming back from 3-0 for a 3-3 draw. It’s the sort of epic comeback you’ll remember for decades.

Yet, for the second straight “big” match, including the Pool FA Cup defeat as the other, United controlled play, seemed the better side, and yet poor defending at inopportune moments led to disappointment.

If Fergie wondered “How’d we lose that one?” after Anfield, he must be thinking “How in the world were we down by three?” in the 50th minute.

That’s a great question indeed.

One could argue that United is spoiled, with the Rio and Vidic partnership and Van Der Sar in the nets in our recent past. Our comparison comes from a very high bar, admittedly.

Yet, the game film will highlight how the Blues scored their goals off poor defending, with Sturridge getting around Evra when he’s got inside help, Mata sitting wide freakin’ open, and Sideshow Bob getting ahead of Rio on a set piece. This must improve to win the title.

Second, how does Gary Cahill stay on the park after taking down Welbeck as the last man?

The answer: it’s too early for Webb or the linesman to make that call at Stamford Bridge, given a red card would certainly accompany the penalty. I wholeheartedly disagree with this prevailing tendency, but it’s the reality of how matches like this are refereed in England. We move on.

Third, Chelsea supporters at the pub claimed MOTM honors for Howard Webb for both second half penalties given to United.

Fair enough. On the day it’s very rare indeed that you’re awarded both spot kicks, yet the Red Devils had four decent claims during the match in total. From that perspective and the Cahill-non-call, the two don’t look nearly as egregious. Thus, both are justified in my book.

Fourth, De Gea’s save late-on demonstrate why United have so much belief in the lad. This stop will rank right up there with the top saves of the season. (BTW, did anyone else have a flashback to Barthez at Anfield from season’s past?) Absolutely incredible, as that ball was going in. It’s truly a save that gained the Reds a vital point.

Finally, THE single most important talking point is the manner in which this side kept composure, maintained focus, and demonstrated that incredible spirit we’ve all come to expect from a Ferguson managed side.

The timing and play of the substitutions were spot-on, as Chicharito’s pace changed the match immediately in the 53rd minute, as the Mexican’s constant movement created loads of space in his backwash. This allowed Rooney, Carrick, Giggs, and eventually, Scholes to boss possession. Always remember the rule: Never, ever count out a Sir Alex Ferguson side.

Thus, as we look forward and see several key players return from injury, there’s never a question about United’s heart and desire going forward. The goals will come and attacking play will improve.

Our only question is can this club defend well enough to win the gaffer another one?
That one remains to be seen.