Game On

It couldn't have gone any better for United today, with Scholes' injury-time header sealing the victory, Chelsea losing to Spurs 2-1, and John Terry facing suspension next week at home to Stoke after picking up two yellow cards today.

Oh, but it was far from easy.

Both sides defended well today and when someone finally managed to carve out some space near goal, the end-product was poor. Bellamy, Barry, Rooney, and Giggs all blew excellent chances. Had the scoreline remained nil-nil, this article's title could have easily been “The Final Ball” or “A Touch Too Far.”

But, this is Manchester United.

In the dying moments, Red Devil supporters should have as much faith in their team as any on the planet, given the frequency of last-gasp goals under Sir Alex Ferguson. Yet today felt different somehow after the disappointments of the previous two weeks, the lingering injuries to key players, and the feeling that luck might just give way this campaign.

Watching at home with my United-buddy, Bill, we both felt like if anything was going to happen during the dying moments, City were overdue for some luck against United. Not that we wanted this outcome - hardly - it's just that it seemed that odds were against United to score a third injury time goal against the Blue-Moon-singing supporters.

Think again.

First, it was Michael Owen's controversial winner earlier in the year, then the Carling Cup victory, and now this?! Are you kidding me?! Remarkable is an understatement.

For all of the repetitious stories about United being a club in transition with a downward trajectory akin to Liverpool's troubles under similarly in-debted American ownership, United find a way yet again to reach for yet another Premiership crown.

And today, how incredibly fitting it was for the Ginger-haired-assassin to pull up, unmarked on the penalty spot, and connect with a perfect far-post header with just seconds remaining.

This is the type of goal that changes momentum and influences performances elsewhere, as we have already seen in North London today, and potentially could define a Championship season. Everyone easily could point to “that” goal as the defining moment in the push toward the finish line.

No team has ever lost the EPL title with a four point lead with four games left, that's the history facing United today before kickoff. But after today's turns, I wouldn't bet against United.

Number nineteen awaits. It's game on.
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Back at you after the match Spurs match next weekend. Enjoy the lovely weekend.

Slip Sliding Away

United face this must-win match against a Blackburn club on their best run of form all season, sitting comfortably 15 points above the relegation zone, with Chelsea and Arsenal watching comfortably from home.

In the usual match build up, pundits noted that Rovers haven't beaten the Red Devils in four years and five of seven United losses came after Champions League matches.

Thus, Sir Alex Ferguson made wholesale changes to the Reds’ line-up, bringing both Scholes and Giggs into the center of midfield, Neville and O' Shea as wide back, as well as Kiko and Berba up front. Valencia and Nani deservedly held their starting wing positions, thereby providing a strong attacking formation for United.

For all of United's vast possession, few chances were created, with a ridiculous number of failed passes in the final third making it difficult to open up a well-organized Blackburn defense.

Over the past three years, we've witnessed Ronaldo, Rooney, or Giggs grab a half-chance and tuck it away for the full three points. But not today.

Today's only gilt-edge chance fell to Valencia, streaking through the central channel alone on goal, with his point-blank shot saved from the outstretched leg of Paul Robinson, as Fergie's incensed body language said it all. Few chances would come today and the manager knew it.

Now Chelsea retains a one-point advantage over United, with a game and goal-differential in-hand.

There's really not much to say here, as the trend in form and fortunes has been evident to any knowledgeable football observer for a while now.

United rely too heavily upon Rooney to push the line and finish the chances created.

United's record after Champions League matches, you could argue, demonstrates their age and over-reliance on mature legs to turn in well-timed, inspirational performances to get the Red Devils back on track on such occasions.

It also, you could argue, demonstrates how United's injuries have gradually taken their toll over time. There is a noticeable gulf in match-winning class between young and old United, something the likes of Nani, Valencia, Kiko, and Gibson may learn over time, but not when forced like today.

Yet, think back to the start of the season, if someone told you that United would have seven losses and be playing Blackburn away on April 11th, with a chance to retake the lead, you would be astonished by such a low league-leading point total. You'd marvel at the opportunity. And the chance wasted. Or, in the words of that Simon and Garfunkel song: “You know the nearer your destination, the more you slip sliding away.”

Unfortunately, number nineteen looks like it will have to wait, and with the financial debt, Glazer turmoil, and Sir Alex Ferguson's age, you can only hope that we're not watching more than a single season title slip away from us.

Back at you after the Manchester derby next week. Until then, cheers.

So Close, So Far Away

Much of the United angst will focus on the obviously off-side match winner from Didier Drogba. So awful was the call, that I witnessed a Chelsea fan at the bar give it a thumbs down on replay and look genuinely embarrassed by the call.

Nobody enjoys winning or losing on such a colossal blunder.

And, nobody should be surprised that today's storyline would focus so heavily on refereeing, especially Mike Dean.

In The Guardian on Friday, Barry Glenndenning's article carried the title “Why, oh why pick Mike Dean to referee Manchester United v Chelsea?” he wasn't being prophetic, but rather astounded and bewildered by the choice, much like the Burnley manager, as he wrote:

“When Brian Laws described a high-profile Premier League appointment as 'mad' earlier this week, he was not referring to his own. The Burnley manager was aghast at the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd's decision to put Mike Dean in charge of Saturday's potential title-decider between Manchester United and Chelsea after the referee blundered, awarding Blackburn the penalty that settled last Sunday's East Lancashire derby, having been conned by an opportunistic Martin Olsson dive.”

Even if Mike Dean were “in form”, why hand him this match? It's United at Old Trafford for God's sake! Don't you have a clue about history?!

Professional Game Match Officials put undue and unnecessary pressure on Mike Dean (Mr. Bean in disguise?!) and themselves at the worst possible time, with the title on the line.

Psychologically speaking, it's understandable that Mr. Dean reffed the match like someone duped by a dive last week as well as someone on a mission to erase and reverse his past in one single afternoon at Old Trafford. He's awarded more than double the number of penalties than any other EPL official this term, but it was hard to tell today.

It became abundantly clear that the only-possible penalty would have been the most cynical, red card-inducing takedown from Mr. Once-Bitten-Twice-Shy. In another country and with a different ref, there could have easily been three penalties called.

But, besides these groans, United really didn't deserve to win this match.

A draw, yes, would have been justified, but a win would have been harsh on Chelsea's performance, which is especially difficult to admit, given how much I personally despise Drogba, Ballack, Mikel and EBJT (“England's Brave John Terry” aka The Fiver).

Last May, as United prepared to play Barcelona in the Champions League Final, you knew the history: no club had ever repeated at European Champions. But still, supporters felt that Barcelona were vulnerable across the back line having to play Ya Ya Toure as a center half. And we all know how that one ended.

Now this time around, you get a similar, eerie feeling – with United chasing new records, a fourth-consecutive and nineteenth title – the run of luck and form might give way.

Today's odds actually favored Chelsea, with Rooney injured and United having to play away in a massive Champions League match mid-week. Chelsea appeared the sharper, more rested side today, while United looked “leggy” in the first half, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Much like last Tuesday, United gave away possession cheaply and made critical mental mistakes at inopportune times.

Today it was Neville, Fletcher, and Ferdinand all having the opportunity to pick off Malouda's weaving run in the box before Cole's deft, back-heeled goal. Mid-week, it was Evra who allowed himself to be pick-pocketed in the box in the 92nd minute for the match winner.

These lapses, while altogether unacceptable, feel like the kind of mistakes born from tired minds and bodies, as United's injury toll may be coming home to roost this term.

Forget about Rooney for a moment, just think of what it would have meant to have Anderson, Brown, Hargreaves, Owen and O'Shea available this past week, as Neville, Giggs, and Scholes all looked their age for parts of this match.

Add to this mix that Rio hasn't played all that much this year. So, you can only wonder if his incredibly smart football brain might have reacted quicker to Malouda's threat, as I'm sure Fletcher thought while he released the player expecting help near the end line. You can only wonder here.

Still these aren't impossible odds, as United are two down with five to go in the EPL, while being down two-to-one with the home tie coming up against Bayern on Wednesday. Crazy things have happened amongst the top clubs in the EPL, so you never know.

Yet, the mind senses that both quests are steeper than they appear, given United's form and apparent fitness.

United must feel an awful lot like today's linesman, who, upon review of Drogba's goal, will clearly see how close and yet so far away he was from the correct action.

So near, so far away from the nineteenth title. For everyone's sake, let us pray that one man's poor judgement doesn't decide the title. Today's only surprise was that it wasn't Mike Dean at the epicenter of the controversy with a dubious penalty.

Back at you next weekend after the Bayern and Blackburn matches. Cheers.

Beating the Bullies

Khaaaaaaannn!

As in Amir Khan, that is. The WBA light-welterweight belt holder, Wanderers fan, and self-described motivational speaker revealed that his pep talk to the Bolton players several weeks ago helped inspire them to three wins and two losses on the trot prior to United's trip to the Reebok Stadium. Granted that's much improved form from the fifteenth team in the table.

But could Bolton punch above their weight and damage Sir Alex's dreams of a nineteenth title?

Upon initial analysis, this game had potential as a banana-skin for the Red Devils, given the recent away form (2W, 2D, 1L), the Wanderers' inevitable aerial assault, and no Rooney or Rio on the team sheet.

Such was the mood before kickoff that, according to Soccernet, “When news of the teams filtered through an hour before kick-off, one wag suggested in Rooney's absence it was time for 'own goals' to start pulling his weight again."

Apparently wags know best.

Own goals did pull his weight in the form of a beautifully-struck strike, just inside the far-post, from Jlloyd Samuel's bizarre clearance attempt across goal, albeit off a difficult Giggs cross and with Fletcher lurking in the wing.

That brings own goals' tally to eleven on the season, a remarkable statistic and one that speaks volumes both to United's relentless pressure and luck this campaign. Only a brace from Berbatov allowed the Bulgarian to overtake his rival for second on the team scoring sheet with twelve goals.

There's soooo much to discuss from this game – how United held serve and narrowed the goal-differential gap and how SAF took a brilliantly-calculated gamble in resting key players ahead of the Champions League and Chelsea matches – all obvious observations.

But what I found noteworthy, when looking at the statistics, was that there were no, I repeat, no cards given to anyone in this match. What are the odds against Bolton?! You could possibly retire on such a well-placed bet, assuming the English odds-makers would make one.

As remarkable as Martin Atkinson's restraint was Vidic's aerial-prowess, clearing everything in sight, and van der Sar's two highlight-reel saves that kept United in the game and drew fulsome praise from the manager. Van der Sar may not make the quantity of saves of a typical EPL keeper, but the quality and timing of his shot-stopping could be second to none on the planet right now.

Ferguson told ESPN that the save against Fabrice Muamba's postage stamp “was a match-winning save”, which at first glance sounds like hyperbole given the 4-0 outcome, but the gaffer's right, as that save held the 0-0 scoreline at a critical junction and kept Bolton from gaining control of the match. Up 1-0, Bolton would play deeper and rougher as well as launch even more long balls forward in what a certain Frenchman would surely deem “anti-football”.

Beyond the back line, it’s been such a joy to see all three wingers – Park, Valencia, and Nani – grow in confidence this season. Last week, both Park and Valencia played massive roles in the win over Liverpool, with Park netting the game-winner and Valencia causing a penalty off Macherano.

Today, it was Nani's turn to shine, as he tormented Samuel Ricketts most of the match, including setting up two relatively easy goals, one for Berbatov and the other for Gibson on his first touch of the match.

However, what's more amazing than Nani's trickery was his tracking back to win United possession of the ball today, a critical contribution with loose balls in the air in the United half and something his former teammate and current countryman was loathe to do. If Nani adds an ability and willingness to mark his wing effectively, that will bring even more strength to an already-strong Nani-Evra partnership.

Next up for praise is the evergreen threesome, Neville, Scholes, and Giggs, who provided much-needed composure to play against such a physical opponent on their home ground. Surely a certain professor from North London must look upon United's depth with envy and jealously, especially after today's results.

Well-done, Sir Alex, your impeccable team selection – gambling that there would be goals without Rooney – and the overall improved team form continues to delight us, those lucky enough to call Old Trafford our football Mecca.

After all is said and done, the light-welterweight belt holder's advice wasn't enough to carry the day, as Bolton punched and counter-punched, but couldn't overcome the current EPL belt holders. Punching above weight was a tall task for Coyle's men, especially given own goals' ability to deliver a knock-out blow. Stunning, that lad.

Back at you after next the heavyweight fixtures against Bayern Munich and Chelsea. Cheers.

Little Football, Much Drama

All the over-hyped talk of Vidic’s three straight red cards and Liverpool’s three successive victories over United came echoing back immediately after Fernando Torres netted a wide-open header in the 5th minute, thanks to an untimely Carrick turnover in his own half.

Surely you jest. Down one-nil already?!

Visions of Torres run amok linger with the Old Trafford faithful, as there already was an audible gasp the first time Torres ran at Vidic. That was before the goal.

Not now. Not again. Not against Pool.

Thank God, it wasn’t Liverpool’s day, as United ground out the result thanks to Rooney’s 12th minute conversion of a penalty rebound and Ji-Sung Park’s brave, diving header in the 60th minute.

The three points bring United a step closer to the coveted 19th title with seven games remaining.

On one hand, it’s tempting to break down the reasons behind United’s victory.

On the other hand, Phil McNulty for the BBC and Daniel Taylor for The Guardian have already done a superb job of analyzing the details behind today’s result.

Suffice it to say, Torres was largely isolated, especially in the second half, and United did a better job of linking play with Rooney, thanks largely to Ji-Sung Park taking up a forward position in the center of the midfield where his boundless energy made it almost like playing with a man-advantage going forward. Indeed, Sir Alex continues to amaze with his tactical timing in big matches this season, as he was spot-on today.

To me, upon some reflection here, what really stuck out was how the game’s defining moment illustrates both Howard Webb’s uncanny ability to upset both sets of supporters simultaneously and why more people watch this match annually than the Super Bowl.

The pivitol moment came in the 12th minute, as Mascherano hauled down Valencia, with contact beginning outside and continuing into the box, thereby giving Webb the opportunity to award a free kick or a penalty with equal merit in either claim.

The decision: penalty. The card: yellow.

United benefit from the penalty, but feel Mascherano should have seen red, while Liverpool dispute the penalty claim altogether, saying that Valencia dove and it was outside the box.

It gets better.

Immediately thereafter, Torres kicked up a large chunk of sod directly on the penalty spot in a rage, thereby creating a sizeable divot and wasting time before Rooney’s penalty. Surely, this merited a yellow card.

Not in Howard’s world.

Such was the obviousness of the call that one of the live commentary feeds – Soccernet, perhaps – prematurely gave the Spanish striker a yellow card without confirmation, as someone near us confirmed on his iPhone. Such is our ever-connected world.

To be fair to our referee, however, this match is an enormous pressure-cooker, making every decision gravitate towards a polarized reaction, given the large audience and weight of such a tightly fought encounter between historical rivals.

Certainly you can understand why even neutral observers get out of bed way too early on a Sunday morning and wander down to the pub to watch this one live at 8:30 AM CST.

It wasn’t beautiful football, just a gripping drama that tantalizes fans worldwide.

White-Hot Pele

Today Sir Alex returned to the traditional 4-4-2 with Carrick and Berbatov in for Scholes and Park to face the player (Schwartzer) and manager of the month for February.

On one hand, Fulham pose potential problems for United, given their recent form and consistent organization this campaign.

On the other hand, Fulham’s road form leaves something to be desired, having scored only 11 times away from Craven Cottage and having played a demanding match in Turin on Thursday.

Surely everything appeared in place for a comfortable United victory.

However, after a scoreless first half that saw the Red Devils wingers give away possession cheaply and each forward miss a golden opportunity, you wondered if it would be “one of those days” for United.

Fear not. He goes by the name of Wayne Rooney.

Less than thirty seconds into the second interval, United broke through thanks to a Nani cross into the box that setup the side footed breakthrough from the White Pele.

After all was said and done, Rooney nabbed his trademark double and Berbatov finished off the scoring for an entirely comfortable 3-0 victory over fatigued Fulham.

What else is left to be said about Rooney?!

One of today’s announcers asked, “Pound for pound, is there anyone better in World fooball right now?!”

The answer’s quite obvious, after the demolition of AC Milan and Wazza’s scintillating 24 goals in 22 games.

It’s becoming harder and harder to say something original about Rooney, as it’s like trying to come up with an original domain name, a nearly-impossible task.

Really, the only serious debate involving Rooney looks ahead to England’s World Cup campaign, as people argue about whether the World Footballer of the Year candidate plays better alone or with a partner up front. (If only Gerrard and Lampard could play for country like club, then the formation would be obvious, but alas, I digress.)

Today’s match provides fodder for both arguments, as Rooney and Berbatov demonstrated chemistry on all three goals, but both players seemed out-of-synch with each other at times as well, as they desired central positions simultaneously or misinterpreted each other’s intentions. Such performances, when combined with their divergent styles, lends to the debate about their partnership.

Some misunderstanding is to be expected given the frequency United have played with a lone striker recently. Berbatov and Rooney need time together against live action to maintain any consistent and sustained chemistry. Largely, today both were brilliant.

Ah, the spoilt life of a United supporter, where we’re left debating the degree of chemistry between two world-class strikers in a comfortable victory to move top of the league yet again.

Moving forward we can sit back and reflect on a truly wonderful week that saw AC Milan and Fulham dispatched by a 7-0 net score line and look forward to the Champions League Quarter-Final draw. And oh, there’s that little match against somebody mid-table from Merseyside, where the big tactical question will be whether Fergie employs a lone or paired strike force. Most suspect a return to the Champions League formation yet again.

Rooney now stands at 32 goals and counting, leaving football writers across the planet in search of an original simile and Ronaldo’s 42-goal haul within reach, an utterly remarkable accomplishment on both fronts.

Got that Liverpool?! You’re next up for the White-Hot Pele.

He Scores Goals

The central question today was “Where will the cutting-edge come from?” with no Rooney, Giggs, or Owen.

Linking with the central midfielders and pace around the outside would be paramount, as you just couldn’t envision Berba stretching the defense forward. Instead, the fear was he’d drift back too far and United would lack a focal-point.

Consider the fears confirmed after the first half, as the best opportunity fell to the Wolve’s Stephen Ward, who missed an open header from just 6 yards out. United created next to nothing during the first interval.

Tension mounted at halftime, as the tantalizing prospect of going top of the table added frustration to a match with little creativity on either end of the pitch.

And then, up steps Scholes.

Premier League goal number one hundred couldn’t come at a better time, as every onlooker knew that whoever scored would inevitably win this match. Jody Craddock’s mistake was dispatched with the trademark coolness we come to expect from Scholesy and what an enormous goal for United.

Soon afterwards, the away supporters broke into “We will never die” as the result seemed certain with Ferdinand and Vidic partnering for only the fifth time this year.

Credit Wolves for going for going full-tilt for the equalizer, as Mick McCarthy added two additional forwards in an attempt to snatch a point, which nearly paid-off during stoppage time as Volkes’ blatant miss over the top from 6 yards left the Wolves faithful befuddled.

On a different day against stiffer opposition, United could have easily left the ground 2-1 losers after conceding two gilt-edge opportunities from the top of the six-yard box. But it wasn’t to be today, as Wolves relive a Ground Hog Day moment that bares an eerily similar feel to their recent loss to Chelsea.

Looking ahead now to the Champions League clash with AC Milan and the rest of the EPL season, Rooney’s troublesome knee injury must worry Sir Alex, as United currently have no suitable replacement for The Boy Wonder up front, especially with Michael Owen now lost for the campaign and the obvious lack of a focal point when Berbatov operates as a lone, central striker.

Kiko Macheda’s return from injury couldn’t be better timed, as Diouf showed us both his massive potential and raw finishing today by being in position to miss two, mind you, two sitters. United cannot rely solely on a Berbatov-Diouf partnership, at least in the near term.

Ah, but let’s leave all thoughts of a Rooney-less attack behind, as we salute United’s Ginger Prince, a man who’s longevity, guile, and strike-rate surely deserve recognition today as he propels United to the top of the league.

He’s Paul Scholes. He scores goals. One hundred and forty-eight in all competitions and counting.

Here’s to the Ginger Prince putting pen to paper for just one more year. Cheers!