… have made my day wonderful by beating Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield!
Apr 082009
Apr 052009
It has been four years and four weeks since I last let out a sore-throat-inducing “Wow” when watching a goal. The previous occasion was when Ronaldinho scored that “foot of God” goal at Stamford Bridge. Just a few minutes ago today, a hitherto unheard of Italian teenager turned around in front of the Stretford End, half losing his balance, but strike he did a goal past the diving Brad Friedel that put United back on top of the Premier League.
The goal was doubtless beautiful. In the heat of the moment, one might even be tempted to describe it as the goal of the season. But such chest-beating is just a waste of time. Macheda’s goal is important not just because it spared United the ignominy of spending a week trailing Liverpool in the league table, but because it is potentially their first step out of the abyss that they have been languishing in since mid-March.
During that period, United have channeled their inner Liverpool by hitting the self-destruct button when they should simply have launched themselves out of such tellurian considerations as retaining their Premier League title into plotting to winning the Quintuple. To Liverpool’s credit, they channeled their inner Manchester United during the same period, banging in 13 goals in three games and yesterday jumping past United with a victory at Craven Cottage. So when United found themselves 2-1 down today and largely toothless, even the faithful would have doubted a comeback with just ten minutes and change remaining. But United being United rediscovered their true selves first through a left-footed strike from Ronaldo and then this wonderstrike from the 17-year old kid from Rome.
Fans of lesser teams would no doubt cast this as a lucky victory, for Villa were the better side for most of the game. The latter part of the previous sentence is unquestionable, but that is how championships are won – when teams eke out draws and wins in matches that were seemingly irretrievable. Just ask Chelsea. I don’t blame those doubters though. After all, when your teams win a trophy once every few years, or worse yet, you cannot recall when they last won anything worth winning, you are so far removed from what is quotidian in these parts.
Survival, though not a word used frequently in Mancunia, has been the motto of the past few weeks. Now is the time to resume normal service, to shift gears and power past Porto and Sunderland. Not even United can afford another slip up.
Update
Video highlights from the game. You can watch Macheda’s goal towards the end of the video — in the 11th minute. Watching it again, I think United should have won 4-2. That goal must have counted as two.
Manchester United 3 – 2 Aston Villa
Mar 142009
You might sneer at me when I call the result inconsequential, because I am from Mancunia. But here is my most important takeaway from today’s game: “Nemanja Vidic is human.”
Good read from The Times: How Shankly helped the rise of United.
Nov 012008
When Harry Redknapp took over the reins at Tottenham Hotspur from Portsmouth a week ago, the jury was unsure about the effectiveness of the move. In their first 8 games this season, Spurs, under Juande Ramos, could muster only 2 points. Spurs were in free fall, and below Bolton and even Newcastle (!) in the drop zone.
Redknapp’s arrival though has turned fortunes around at White Hart Lane. And today’s win over league leaders Liverpool makes it 7 points out of a possible 9 under the new manager. Belief is key to victory, and Spurs seem to be finding their feet.
The loss for Liverpool is good news for Manchester United, who are within 5 points of the top two, and with a game in hand. United though made it tough for themselves allowing Hull City to come back within striking distance after leading the visitors 4-1. While the Red Devils did win the points, the manner in which they won it raises doubts if they are up to the task of making it a hat-trick of Premier League crowns.
And Chelsea’s form is cause for concern at Old Trafford. The Blues romped home 5-0 against Roy Keane’s Sunderland. Poor is an inadequate adjective to describe the Wearsiders; abysmal sounds just about appropriate for a side that has stuttered in their aims to break into the top half of the Premiership. This could be another long season for Sunderland, as the relegation battle looms large.
Arsenal, who could only manage a draw in their midweek derby against Tottenham (4-4, after leading 4-2 with just two minutes to go), continued their poor streak with a loss to Stoke. Given Chelsea’s form, Liverpool’s ability to win games and Man United’s resurgence, it seems doubtful if the Gunners will be able to mount a serious challenge for the Premiership.
Mar 232008
Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, said earlier this week that Javier Mascherano was the new Roy Keane. In attempting to live up to his manager’s expectations, the Argentinian failed rather badly, by evoking only the bad side of the former United captain. Mascherano got himself sent off in the first half.
Liverpool fans would have you believe that this was the reason Manchester United beat them. But few would have any doubts which the better side on the day was, if only by a few notches when it was eleven against eleven. United look good to take the title.
Arsenal face off against Chelsea shortly. The Gunners are on 67 points; Chelsea, the hosts, have 65. To a United fan, the acceptable outcome would be if Arsenal fail to win. The best result would be a draw would put Arsenal 5 points behind United, with Chelsea being 7 adrift and almost out of the race. If Chelsea win, they would pip Arsenal into second spot, still 5 points behind United. However, of the two, the Gunners have the tougher run-in (three games against Liverpool in a week; United away the week after). Chelsea have an easier Champions League tie, and some games against the relegation battlers too. So if I could pick a result, I would a draw.
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