United On Fire

Chelsea 1 (Kalou 80) Manchester United 1 (Park 18)

United eventually folded under pressure from Chelsea after taking an early lead.  Kalou’s goal preserved Chelsea’s unbeaten run at home.

Once again, United took the lead against a Big Four team away from home, gave away possession and eventually conceded.  This time United managed a respectable draw, but a win would have dented Chelsea’s season and kick started United’s.

United started brightly and were clearly on top.  Eventually a beautiful move brought a goal, with Cech saving Berbatov’s shot, but only palming it to the oncoming Park.

United’s goalkeeper, Van der Sar wasn’t doing much better and continued his early season poor form by not holding shots and crosses.  He was replaced by Kuszczak after was injured in a clash with Malouda, which Chelsea claimed as a penalty.

Chelsea dominated possession from then on in, but United defence were keeping them at arm’s length, ably covered by Park and Hargreaves on the flanks.  Alex Ferguson made a big decision and played both Neville and Jonny Evans, leaving poor Wes Brown on the bench.  It is hard to understand why Neville was chosen over Brown, because whilst Neville but his heart and body into the game as usual, he wasn’t up to the pace of the game, and it was often last ditch interceptions that saved the day.

This was ever more evident when Scholes was replaced by Ronaldo.  Hargreaves moved into the middle, whilst Ronaldo was supposed to replace Hargreaves, but the Portugese player had other ideas.   It was down to the ever committed and team man, Wayne Rooney to fill in on the right.  I’m ever more impressed by the young England man’s commitment to the team, something that appears to be lacking in Ronaldo after this summer.

The equaliser could have come sooner.  Joe Cole put in an excellent cross and Nicholas Anelka managed to miss from two yards.  Surely, he must be on his way out of the team now that Drogba is fit.  Speaking of which, whilst he came on in the second half, I didn’t really notice him that much.  Whilst there were some misunderstandings between Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans, in general the young defender had a good game, and proved to be an able deputy for Vidic.

Sadly Van der Sar’s deputy, Kuszczak was at fault for the equaliser.  The Chelsea freekick came in and made it to the 6-yard box before Kalou was allowed to head home.  Whilst he wasn’t marked well, at that angle it is hard to defend, as the defender has to come backwards.  In truth, the keeper could and should have claimed the ball.

In the end, the United of last season would have beaten Chelsea today, and that side needs to come forward soon otherwise United will be out of the title race before it begins.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Sunday, 21 September
Kick-off: 1400 BST

Last time we played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge we lost 2-1 but it turned out not to matter.  We did was was required in the remaining games in the season and won the league.  If we were to lose tomorrow, it could be a bit more of a problem.  For a start we’d be 9 points behind the second richest team in the world, and we’d struggle to get back from that (although Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Stoke proves that no wins are certain in the Premier League)

Fergie has many selection problems for the game, one forced by the suspension of Vidic.  Either Jonny Evans will continue in central defence, a gamble on the young man’s ability to handle the big game, or Wes Brown will move into the centre and Gary Neville will continue at right back, a gamble of Neville’s ability to continue at the highest level.

The other major problem is up front.  Which two (or three) strikers should he play.  Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez or Berbatov?  Controvercially, playing against the United forwards, will be John Terry.  Let’s make sure there is a rounding chorus of “She fell over” to welcome him.

Popularity: 22% [?]

The BBC reports that Chelsea midfield Michael Essien will be out for months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.  This is a major blow for our main rivals as I see Essien as Chelsea’s key player.

Make no mistake, Chelsea are still a good team without him, but Essien is the sort of player that can raise the whole team to a new level of performance with his drive.   Think of Roy Keane but (occasional poor tackles aside) without the red cards.

He was criminally underused by Chelsea, often playing at right back or centre back.  Would Fergie have tried to play Keane at rightback for any length of time?  I do remember Paul Ince playing in that position for a few games in the 90’s but that was for a very short period of time.  Essien may have been a competant defender, but it removes a very potent midfielder from the side.

Chelsea have got good options in midfield and I think this will make matters worse for them.  It may seem that they will be okay without him, but it will mean the odd point or two will slip every so often which will leave them short come the end of the season.

Popularity: 16% [?]

I can now reveal exclusive pictures of Luzhniki Stadium’s pitch.  The rumours of a dodgy surface are true.

Disclaimer:  Not the actual pitch, but my son’s birthday cake.  Yes, they are Lego footballers.

Popularity: 39% [?]

I was offered tickets for the Champions League final today.   In the end, I had to turn them down.  It wasn’t just the cost, which was rather a lot.  It wasn’t just the fact I would have had two days to find out how to get to Moscow and back.  It wasn’t just the likely fact that I would have to sleeep rough on the streets of Moscow (surely we’d be up partying our victory?).

No, sadly, I had to turn them down for another reason.  They were in the Chelsea section.   Some things are just too much to take.  I couldn’t take the thought of either a) being amongst jubilant Chelsea fans if they won, b) keeping silent as United brought home a third Champions League title, or c) (the most likely) option, being beaten to death as I accidentally cheered the Red’s winning goal.

I was at Oxford United for Alex Ferguson’s first game in charge.  I was in the home end (actually side) of the ground.  There wasn’t much to cheer that day.  I was at Reading as they lost 2-0 to United this season, in amongst the Berkshire crowd who just seemed happy that they played well.  But to be in with the fans of a more “aggressive” set of fans is not the sort of thing that should be done.

So, I’ll be watching at home on Wednesday night, with a beer or 4.  Praying and willing the team on.  Knowing that even if they are 1-0 down with minutes to go, they might, just might turn it around.

Popularity: 38% [?]