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: 27% [?]

Fulham 0 Manchester United 3 (Hargreaves 15, Park 44, Davies 72 og)

A routine victory with a non-routine side against relegation bound Fulham meant the gap at the top was reduced to a solitary point. Rooney and Ronaldo were rested and United had such depth of squad that United were still far too good for the London team.

From the start United played with pace, power and purpose. When United go at teams from the start, they usually win. The big question is why they don’t do it more often, particularly in Europe. On five minutes, Saha was put clear through on goal, but sliced his shot horribly wide. They didn’t let Fulham go when United won a freekick on the edge of the area. In the absence of Ronaldo, Owen Hargreaves struck an excellent curler into the net for his first goal.

From then on it was a cruise and the game ended as a contest when Park put away an excellent header on the stroke of half time. Scholes used his experience and class to make a great run to the byline, pulled back an excellent cross that Park slammed home.

United’s final goal was an unfortunate own goal by Simon Davies. As he was running back to cover, he managed to run onto the ball and kick it into his own net.

Man of the Match

Paul Scholes. Ran the game with excellent passing, and the combination of Scholes and Hargreaves looked good.

Popularity: 15% [?]