United Grinds Out Another Win (Everton 0 - Manchester United 1)

Alex Ferguson doesn't like early kickoffs and neither do I. Early kickoffs on Saturdays usually means that I would miss the match since it usually coincides with a bit of time I share with my girlfriend. It's usually the only time of the week we get to take time off our schedules and meet for a nice dinner, before rushing back home to catch United play.

Since knowing about the schedules 2 weeks ago, I hatched upon a plan and knowing that Kentona would be facing the same dilemma, we arranged to go prawn fishing as a couples outing. Both our gfs like prawn fishing and both of us love United. It also helps alot that the pub beside the fishing pond was showing the game live. While the ladies were occupied exercising their patience, we would be seated comfortably in front of the projection TV watching the game. Brilliant plan of keeping the ladies happy, as well as satisfying our needs.

Now that I've almost sprained my shoulders patting myself on the back, let's get to the game proper.

I was terribly disappointed that Ferguson opted to start Giggs upfront along side Tevez. To me that seemed like a recipe for disaster. I really thought that Saha would have been a better complement for Tevez. For the entire first half, we did absolutely nothing as an offensive force. In fact until the goal, we never threatened the Everton goal.

The return of Ronaldo from suspension did nothing to booster our attack. Sure there were times we did look really good going forward, but the end product severely lacked substance. The first half was so dull that the only moments that stirred the emotions were when Scholes did look like he was going to get a red for a couple of mistimed challenges and when Silves injured himself. It did look like a pretty painful injury when his knee buckled under his own weight....and I'm speaking from experience, having my own knee give way under my own imposing weight. Silves was replaced with Nani and Evra, who was doing pretty damn well playing in left wing, was pushed back to defence.

The second half was more of the same crap from both sides and the game looked like heading for a scoreless draw. On the hour mark, Ferguson must have heard both mine and Kentona's rants and replaced the ineffective Giggs with Saha. Honestly, it didn't make much of a difference to the level of play, although I certainly felt much better having a striker on the pitch.

As the game wore on, Everton looked like the side that were increasingly able to take the points, while we were continually frustrated every time the ball reached the last third of the pitch.

In the 83rd minute, we won a corner. Suddenly remembering that we scored from one two weeks ago against Keano's men, I turned to Kentona and told him that we were going to score. It was totally against the flow of the conversation we were having since we spent most of the time bitching about the quality of the game.....or the lack of it.

Up rose the majestic Vidic to head the ball home. It was a brilliant header! He ran past two defenders and stuck his head to the ball, beating the Everton keeper in the near post. An absolute stunner!

The entire pub must have been filled with ABUs coz the only two people celebrating were Kentona and myself. Fancy being a pub with dozens of beer drinkers, and the two insane people prancing around were a couple of guys drinking Coca-Cola!

The is our third consecutive 1-0 victory and it brought us to the top of the table, if only for a mere 45 minutes. We need to do better and play better. There were many moments in this game where it things could have gone terribly wrong. For long periods in the second half, I felt we rode our luck. But in the end, we ground out a result.

I'm sure I'd be crucified by saying this, but Ferguson needs to stop playing favourites. Giggs has been a wonderful employee and one of the most loyal players, but he needs to either play on the wings or be benched. There is simply no place for him upfront when Saha's fit. There were many moments in the game when I cringed whenever Giggs got the ball. I only hope that Ferguson was saving TissueMan (Saha) for Sporting this midweek in the Champion's League.

Speaking of Sporting, let's hope we get the results in Portugal, especially with our current form. We're pretty poor travellers in Europe and a last few seasons are a testament to that statement.