United Beats West Ham

Manchester United 1 - West Ham United 0
Scorer
Manchester United: Van Persie (1)

Team: Lindegaarde, Evans, Smalling, Rafael, Evra, Carrick, Anderson (Jones 84), Cleverley (Young 66), Rooney (Welbeck 78), Van Persie, Hernandez

Van Persie's hugely deflected goal right from the kickoff was the difference between the two teams. We controlled much of the game but could not comfortably put the Hammers away.

There were moments where West Ham had their shot, but frankly without Noble in midfield, they looked rather toothless. Even then, Diame looked like a world-beater out there. But I really can't have many complaints. Anderson and Cleverley starting really helped speed up the game, even though it was Carrick who supplied the pass for the goal.

All in all, it was a good win. We kept a very rare clean sheet and kept up with the appearance of challenging for the title. It's looking like a two-horse race with Chelsea drawing blanks at home. Despite maintaining the top spot, we are really the underdogs. Shitty has a deeper squad and they do not have any European commitments. At least having Van Persie fit, healthy and scoring goals makes things interesting.

Another Comeback

Manchester United 3 - QPR 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Evans (64), Fletcher (68), Hernandez (71)
QPR: Mackie (52)

Team: Lindegaard, Rio, Evans, Rafael, Evra, Fletcher, Scholes (Hernandez 59), Young (Anderson 59), Welbeck (Powell 79), Rooney, Van Persie

Let's just stop wasting time and appeal to the FA to start games at 1-0 down. It seems we just cannot start playing football until we concede. To suggest this was a good victory is a terrible terrible insult. We were utter shit, that is until Mackie put the bottom team 1-0 up.

Even then it took a while before we woke up. Evans evened the scores with a header, followed by another from Fletcher. Hernandez completed the comeback with a sweet goal. We probably just about deserved the victory solely based on desire, but at some point in the season it's just not going to be enough, just as Norwich has shown us.

You know, the entire season I've been ragging on the Scholes and Carrick pairing as the utter bomb, and just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, Ferguson threw up Scholes alongside Fletcher to bore QPR to death. The first half was simply pathetic. The only consolation was that QPR's equally pathetic....in all departments.

Only after conceding that Scholes was replaced with Anderson that the pace of the game changed slightly. Young who had a terrible game, thankfully joined Scholes. As stubborn and loyal Ferguson is, at least he's not blind.

We have a couple of winnable games before meeting Shitty in a couple of weeks. Now that we've mastered the art of coming from behind, let's take the next step of not bloody conceding.

Encouraging Loss

Galatasaray 1 - Manchester United 0
Scorer
Galatasaray: Yilmaz (53)

Team: Lindegaard, Jones, Carrick, Rafael, Buttner, Fletcher, Anderson (Young 74), Cleverley, Powell (Macheda 74), Welbeck (King 85), Hernandez

We rest a whole slew of players coming into this fixture. Having already qualified and secured the top spot in the group, we could afford to relax and rotate the squad, while keeping our focus on domestic competition.

Although we just lost this game, the signs were encouraging. If only that were true with the 'regulars'. Anderson and Welbeck were the pick of the bunch. Along side Cleverley and Powell, we passed the ball much faster and as a result were able to attack the opponents quicker before they could set their defence. Only poor finishing was our undoing on the night. Both Welbeck and Hernandez had their chances but were unable to beat the Turkish keeper.

We might have lost, but at least the game was immensely watchable, with both teams going for it. It was especially encouraging after Galatasaray took the lead. We put relentless pressure on them and was alittle disappointing not to have come away with anything.

Young Powell's performance promises alot for the future of the team. He's passes and positioning, especially positioning, was top notched. Although he delivered little in quantifiable terms, it's the intangibles that gives alot of optimism.

Of course everyone knows I love to see Cleverley and Ando playing together. They may not be the best pairing, but they speed up the game so much that it's refreshing to watch.

Carrick actually played a good game in central defence. If he doesn't get murdered at that position, he's actually a good asset. Keeping him there keeps him away from midfield.

Jones was terribly rusty. He gave the ball away a few times in dangerous areas. It will take time for him adjust and get his form back.

Welbeck was just brilliant at everyone but putting the ball in the net. I still insist that he's our Emile Heskey. He was really brilliant at everything.

I'm not feeling Hernandez at the moment. He had an okay game. It's looking increasingly like his best position is coming off the bench, ala Ole. Unless he gets an early goal, he tends to fade. I really like him, but I'm just don't think he's suited to play the entire 90 minutes.

Overall, the greatest change to the game was in midfield and it showed, even though the results showed otherwise. The ball's in Fergie's court, add Van Persie and Rooney to the mix, I'm sure we'd be churning out results week-in, week-out.

Ferguson Stinks Up Carrow Road

Norwich 1 - Manchester United 0
Scorer
Norwich: Pilkington (60)

Team: Lindegaard, Rio (Anderson 83), Smalling, Rafael, Evra, Carrick, Giggs, Young, Valencia (Scholes 69), Van Persie, Hernandez (Welbeck 69)

Just when you think it's safe to go into the water, Ferguson throws up a stinker with this one. I'm so disgusted. While Rooney not playing the link man from midfield, there were exactly two reason why we lost this one.

1. Anderson and Cleverley were on the bench. Carrick and Giggs started in midfield. After going on down, Ferguson's master plan was to send on Scholes along with Carrick and Giggs to futher slow the game down.

2. Valencia has a stinker of a game. He spent way too much time on the ball deciding what to do. Taking him out of the game was the right thing to do, but replacing him with Scholes was just another head-scratcher from Ferguson.

We truly missed Rooney in his new-found role of playing behind the frontmen. No one could make a pass and our midfield played like their age showed. Giggs and Scholes are still good impact players, but Ferguson needs to pick their spots more carefully and not throw them to the wolves.

So much for trying to make up for the goal difference last year. We're not only trailing Shitty on the table, our much prized goal difference is also inferior. Let's get things right and win the goddamn games first. No excuses, this one is solely on Ferguson.

Hernandez Does A Macheda On Villa

Aston Villa 2 - Manchester United 3
Scorers
Aston Villa: Weimann (45, 50)
Manchester United: Hernandez (58, 87), Vlaar (og 63)

Team: De Gea, Rio, Smalling, Rafael, Evra, Carrick, Scholes (Cleverley 72), Young (Hernandez 46), Valencia, Rooney (Anderson 79), Van Persie

Great game. Villa's been shit for most of the season but they brought their A game today and they practically gave us fits, especially the physical play of Benteke. He was practically unplayable. Luckily, we had our own Benteke in the form of the diminutive Hernandez, who single-handedly snatch victory for us.

We didn't play too badly and both our goals results from a lack of protection from midfield, allowing Weimann to score from surging runs from midfield to connect to great hold up play from their forwards. Neither Scholes nor Carrick were able to track the runs from midfield. If I recalled correctly, Scholes was the guilty party in the second Villa goal. He gave away the ball cheaply and it resulted in the goal.

For most parts of the game, we controlled the ball and the tempo pretty well in midfield. Upfront was where the problems occurred. Villa played a tight formation and Rooney and Van Persie found little to no joy. Young and Valencia found space down the flanks but their crosses were often crowded out.

At 2-0 down, Villa seemingly were in a comfortable position, but against United, it was never enough. Hernandez pulled one back with a somewhat lucky goal after getting the ball stuck between his feet. He showed great composure digging it out and putting it between the legs of Guzan.

Hernandez then fired a Rafael cross into the on-rushing form of Vlaar and the ball took a huge deflection into the goal. The cameback was complete and the teams were level.

Van Persie, who had been anonymous, till now, struck the crossbar twice within a minute, once with his head, and the other with a venomous strike. And in the final ten minutes, United were virtually camped in the Villa half and eventually the pressure paid off when Hernandez broke free from his marker and headed home Van Persie's freekick to turn the scores around.

It was a fantastic come from behind victory, another one to add to the ridiculous amount of times we've falled behind this season. The win gives us a 4-point cushion until Chelsea and Shitty play tonight. We probably could have played better, but you can't really complain about the fighting spirit the lads have shown.

Random Thoughts
I seriously think the Belgium national team is one to look out for. They have some seriously good and young players and alot of them are already stars in the Premiership. It's only a matter of transferring that level of play to the national team.

Braga Self-Destructs, United Takes Advance

Sporting Braga 1 - Manchester United 3
Scorers
Sporting Braga: Alan (pen 49)
Manchester United: Van Persie (80), Rooney (pen 84), Hernandez (90)

Team: De Gea, Evans (Rio 57), Smalling, Valencia, Evra, Giggs, Anderson, Nani (Rafael 73), Rooney, Welbeck (Van Persie 64), Hernandez

It was hard staying awake to catch this game. Having it played at 3.45am and coupled with a lengthy floodlight failure in the second made it even more difficult. In any case, we somehow managed to grap all 3 points with a late flourish of goals to come away from a difficult fixture and book a place in the next round of the Champions League.

Our teamline up looked strong enough and although we had the bulk of the possession, it was Braga that looked threatening everytime they countered. Their passing and movement was a stark contrast to our lacklustre movement and misplaced passing. We were constantly on the backfoot whenever Braga broke on the counter, and were lucky not to concede when they hit the post on the 22nd minute.

Braga deservingly took the lead in the second half when Evans fouled Custodio in the box and the 2-goal man from the first leg, Alan converted from the spot.

We just couldn't get the engine going. Giggs and Anderson looked kinda confused. I know I was pretty confused watching them, trying to figure out who was trying to play where. For most of the game, I didn't know who was playing in front of the back four and who was supposed to roam forward. That said, Anderson's energy was phenomenal. He was constantly trying to get forward and sometimes he was our last line of defence when all else failed. However he still looked confused on the pitch.

The game was looking like a victory for Braga until it all fell apart with some madness on the pitch, the first starting with Beto, the Braga keeper. Van Persie was set free by Giggs, and with defenders in front of him, Beto rushed out his box leaving Van Persie a wide open goal to lob into.

Rooney then won a penalty which he scored himself.

And for the finale, Braga were all over place when Hernandez scrambled home the third. Had Braga not lost their discipline in the final 10 minutes, the scoreline would have been so different. Just some crazy football. We can now go to Villa Park on the back of a good result and fully concentration on the League.

Random Thoughts
WTF are Shitty doing? We need them to advance in the Champions League. The more distractions they have, the higher our chances of taking the EPL. At least on this night, Chelsea did what was expected of them, albeit unconvincingly.

Well, That Was Easy

Manchester United 2 - Arsenal 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Van Persie (3), Evra (67)
Arsenal: Cazorla (90)

Red Card
Arsenal: Wilshere (69)

Team: De Gea, Rio, Evans, Rafael, EVra, Carrick, Cleverley (Anderson 61), Valencia (Nani 82), Young, Rooney, Van Persie

Many of us would have expected a tougher run out this time round after that 8-2 drubbing here last season, but in many aspects, this game was much easier than the previous one. We had a relatively easier time and it wasn't because our defence improved by leaps and bounds, Arsenal was just utterly worthless on the pitch.

We basically had our way with them throughout the entire 90 minutes. Right from the kickoff, we were the better team by a long long shot and created chance after chance, almost at will. Van Persie gave us an early lead and we never looked back.

Although we practically dominated the game for it's entirety, given our defensive frailties, it just never felt comfortable. Rooney had a chance to put the game away from the spot, but he missed the target. That miss makes it 4 misses from the last 5 spot kicks.

Credit to the lads, we just kept on plugging and Evra gave us the cushion we so badly wanted with a header in the 67 minute. Arsenal's woes were further compounded when Wilshere was given his marching order with a bad tackle just a couple of minutes later.

Cazorla gave the result some semblance of respectability with a goal from virtually the last kick of the game. Arsenal was ridiculously poor and we failed to properly punish them. At least the result and the way we played would give the team a confidence boost in the next few away fixtures.

Chelsea Beatens United Reserves In Extra Time

Sorry guys, no time for fancy statistics today. I got the daylights saving time completely wrong. Apparently time has already adjusted for Europe while I was still on American timing which hasn't adjusted yet. As a result I stayed up for way too long and by the time the game started, I was practically asleep.

However I still caught most of the first half goals and a majority of the second half, not to mention the disappointing extra 30 minutes. I'll just quickly summarise:

- United scores first thru Chelsea error. Anderson robs the ball off someone (dunno who) and feeds Giggs. Giggs scores.

- Buttner fouls Moses in the box and Luiz equalizes. Moses is a terror.

-Again Chelsea caught in possession and once again Anderson is in the centre of the action. This time he feeds Hernandez and we go 2-1 up.

- Wootton and Keane played really well in the centre of defence.

- Chelsea levels the scores in the second half thru Cahill. We can't defend crosses or corners. Every ball whipped into the box looks likely to be a Chelsea goal.

- Chelsea's joy didn't last long. Nani scored a wonderful team goal. He started off juggling in his own half, and half the team contributed with slick one touches and eventually ended up with a one-two with Anderson and a cheeky chip over Cech. Possibly the best team goal of the season.

- Chelsea dominates possession, but Anderson keeps Chelsea honest at the back. He was central to all our outlet passes. Every pass was efficiently relayed to a teammate upfront in a dangerous position.

- Anderson taken off at the 80th minute and Chelsea completely dominates the game.

- Keane and Wootton tired visibly. Wootton makes a tired challenge and fouls Ramires in the box. With the last kick of the game, Hazard scores from the spot.

- In extra time, Wootton makes a tired header that never makes it back to Lindegaard. Sturridge latches on to the ball and scores. Will be valuable experience for the young defender.

- Keane lucky to stay on after he fouls Sturridge as the last defender. Referee was extremely kind to the youngster.

- Without Anderson pulling the strings, we never really look threatening at all. He must be wondering what he must do to replace Carrick in the starting lineup.

- United go for broke and were caught out by a lightning counter. Too many tired legs and Ramires scores.

- United wins a penalty on the other end in the dying seconds of extra time. Giggs dispatches the spot kick but it was too little too late. Chelsea progress.

- Proud of how our lads performed. We held a very good Chelsea side that played all their stars. We certainly played better than the first-teamers did on Sunday.

- Last but not least, I certainly enjoyed writing in this format!

Trivia time

- According to the official stats, Johnny Evans hasn't commited a single foul this season!