Ginger Prince Returns

Manchester United 3 - Bolton 0
Scorer
Manchester United: Scholes (45), Welbeck (74), Carrick (83)


Team: Lindegaard, Rio, Evans, Rafael, Evra, Carrick, Scholes (Giggs 70), Valencia, Nani (Park 70), Rooney, Welbeck (Hernandez 78)

For larges parts of the first half, it looked like it wasn't going to be our day. We missed a ridiculous number of great chances, the best falling to a Rooney penalty which was superbly saved.

We controlled and reigned supreme, but were just unable to take a first half lead, until Scholes decided to announce his return to Old Trafford with a fine goal deep into added on time. His goal sent the roof down and reminded what we've been missing in midfield this season. The only cautionary was that his tackling is still as wayward as ever, and was lucky early in the game to escape with a few stern words.

We pull the foot off the pedal in the second half significantly and played a dangerous game with Bolton. The passing was not as crisp as the first, and could have been punished badly for our complacency, before Welbeck secured the win with a well taken goal at the expense of picking up an injury.

Carrick added a third moments later to add glitter to the scoreline.

This game was what the doctor ordered, after losing our last two in the league and scrapping into the 4th round of the FA Cup. It was a good first half, but the second left alot to be desired. There is still plenty of work to be done if we are serious in defending the title. Our next two fixtures are against Arsenal at the Emirates and at Anfield in the FA Cup, two games that will give us a better clue on how well our team can cope in the months to come.

United Steamrolls Bolton Towards No. 20

Bolton 0 - Manchester United 5
Scorers
Manchester United: Hernandez (4, 58), Rooney (20, 25, 68)


Team: De Gea, Rio, Evans (Smalling 61), Jones, Evra, Anderson, Cleverley (Carrick 7), Young (Giggs 61), Nani, Rooney, Hernandez

I can't remember when United started a season this emphatically. As far as my memory can take recall, the only memorable start we had was in 86 when we won the first 10 games before drawing to Luton, who incidentically are no longer in the league, which only goes to show two things....it's damn long ago and I'm getting too damn old.

Like the previous fortnight, Shitty played earlier and stamped their authority on a wimpish Wigan and like the previous fortnight, we called their result and upped the stakes again, this time against a feisty Bolton. It was a robust challenge right from the kickoff and we lost Cleverley within minutes with a dreadful tackle by Kevin Davies. While Cleverley was taken out of the game for treatment, the ten men in red responded with a wonderful goal from Chicharito. He completely outsmarted Gary Cahill to find space and poked Nani's cross into the net.

Cleverley was replaced with Carrick, whom I'm actually beginning to hate, but today is a good day, so I'll just leave the ranting for another posting, if I get down to it.

Bolton's response was very positive and in the next quarter hour or so, they were easily the better team and really looked like equalising. In previous seasons, they might have, however the Manchester United in it's current form is a different animal and I almost felt sorry for Bolton. From a lightning quick attacks, Rooney scored twice in a space of 5 minutes to put the result beyond the Trotters. Both goals were supplied by Phil Jones who was making an appearance at right-back. I thought Rafael was filled with potential until Smalling came along. With his mature level of play, I thought the right-back role was Smalling's to lose, then Ferguson did what we never expected and pushed Jones to the position with Smalling starting from the bench instead. Jones responded with a man-of-the-match performance. Rooney may have scored a hattrick, but Jones stole the show and our hearts.

Chicharito made it 4 in the second half and Rooney completed his hattrick with over 20 minutes to spare. We could very well have equalled the margin against Arsenal, but the foot was significantly off the pedal. Chicarito could have added to the scoreline but was unselfish, instead passing the ball to get teammates involved.

It was a brilliant overall performance by everyone in a red shirt, including the 17 busloads of Norwegian fans who made their way down.

If We Win The Title This Season, It's Down To This Game

Manchester United 1 - Bolton 0
Scorer
Manchester United: Berbatov (88)


Red Card
Manchester United: Evans (75)


Team: Van der Sar, Smalling, Evans, Brown (Fabio 46), Evra, Carrick, Giggs, Valencia, Nani, Rooney, Hernandez (Berbatov 46)

10 men, no Ferguson, against the odds, and we came away with a precious victory. This was a superb victory not only in terms of the circumstances surrounding the victory, but also Arsenal dropping points to give us a cushion in the run-in.

We came into this game without a good 75% of our defenders and were practically down to the bare-bones in that department. It was made worse when Johnny was sent off for a terrible tackle in the 75th minute. He now faces a lengthy suspension, while Rio is out for the season and both O'Shea and Rafael incurred hamstring problems at midweek. What was most nerve-wrecking was that we had to employ Carrick as a makeshift central defender to partner Smalling in the last 15 minutes.

We also had a terrible ruling by the FA to suspended Fergie from the touchline for a whooping 5 games, starting with today's game. Although Ferguson's comments were out of line even though it echoed most fans' sentiments, 5 games smacked of a conspiracy to take us off our stride.

Last but not least, we had a grueling game at midweek in the Champions League. The good thing out of that was that we got to face Chelsea in the quarters and hopefully the lads are up for a revenge especially the way we lost to them a couple of weeks ago.

Under those circumstances, a draw would have been a welcome result. Yet after Evans was sent off, we threw bodies forward in search of 3 points instead of protecting the 1, which was absolutely brilliant. Nerve-wrecking but very entertaining. It made matter all the sweeter that Arsenal valiantly fought back from 2 down to draw 2-2 but couldn't get over the hump, while we did. In the grand scheme of the title race, Berbatov's goal was probably the most important to date.

Berbatov's substitution at half time was a head-scratcher. He replaced Hernandez, who had done no wrong, and could so readily have backfired. I know I was bewildered like many others out there, but that's the reason why Ferguson is the manager of this great club and I'm at home blogging.

Still Finding Their Feet Away

Bolton 2 - Manchester United 2

Scorers

Bolton: Knight (6), Petrov (67)

Manchester: Nani (23), Owen (74)

Team: Van der Sar, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Evra, Scholes, Fletcher (Owen 71), Giggs (Park 53), Nani, Rooney (Macheda 61), Berbatov

Nail biting stuff. I'm just glad we didn't lose. Given that Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs all lost and Liverpool couldn't find their feet at Anfield, it's almost scripted for us to falter. We NEVER take advantage of such opportunities. I'm just glad we took something from the game. A point gained is better than one lost.

Under Owen Coyle, this Bolton team is actually watchable compared to the rubbish that was dished out week in week out under Fat Sam. For once Kevin Davis is not that physical forward you'd hate to play against. He hasn't lost that physical aspect of his game, but there is at least a decent level of finesse to his play now. Same goes for the entire Bolton team. Truly quite entertaining to watch.

It all started badly for us. As mentioned, Bolton are a decent outfit nowadays, and they got into an early lead when Zed Knight scored from a corner. The Reebok used to be a pleasant hunting ground for us in past seasons where we'd hammer them, but without Ronaldo and without Fat Sam, it's turning out to be a different prospect, as we found out today.

It took sometime for us to find our rhythm and when we did, it came thru Nani. He took the ball off Rooney from the centre of the pitch and weaved his way past 5 defenders before taking a low pinpoint shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. It was a scintillating run that was rewarded with a wonderful individual goal, one that even the greasy haired one who left for Spain would have been proud of. Sensational goal by the young Portuguese who is finally having a great season (not going to last for long since I've just jinxed him, like I jinxed the Bulgarian).

We pressed hard for the lead, while having to endure Bolton's quick and inventive counter attacks. Elmander's also having a great season, and should have punished us on a number of occasions.

They eventually did punish us with Petrov's shot deflecting off a hapless Fletcher beyond the flapping Van der Sar. It was a little bitter-sweet for me. While I really enjoyed the way Bolton played the game, I just wished it wasn't against us.

Owen was thrown on and it was he who rescued us when he rose amongst the trees and deftly flicked his header into the net. For the remaining time, we pushed forward for the winner, while putting our backline under pressure from Kevin Davies and company on their counters.

The game ended as a draw and it was probably the best result for 2 teams who went out not only to entertain the crowd, but in a genuine attempt to collect all 3 points. As a United fan, I'm slightly disappointed, yet having to heave a sigh of relief that we only have to visit the Reebok once.

Perhaps a little more disconcerting is that for the 3rd away fixture on the trot, we've conceded at least 2 goals. The rot simply has to stop somewhere. I don't believe I'm going to type this, but I can't wait for Rio to replace Evans. Evans hasn't been performing well under pressure. The experience will do him wonders further down the road, but right now he's just not doing justice to the manager's selection. In short, he's rubbish right now. If Rio's not available, maybe it's time to partner O'Shea with Vidic. Something's gotta change before we continue letting in more goals this season. Already we're way way behind Chelsea and Arsenal in goal difference, and in a tight season like this, it maybe the difference between winning and not winning.

That Was Quite Brilliant

Bolton 0 - Manchester United 4
Scorers
Manchester United: Samuel (og 38), Berbatov (69, 78), Gibson (82)

Team: Van der Sar, Evans, Vidic, Neville, Evra, Fletcher (Gibson 81), Scholes (Carrick 74), Nani, Valencia, Giggs (Macheda 85), Berbatov

We survived a poor first half to thump Bolton comprehensively in the second. The first half hour or so was nervy to say the least. Bolton gave us a run for our money. For a moment there, we looked lost without Rooney in the lineup. Berbatov didn't look comfortable leading the line, and his partner upfront, Giggs, was doing his Carrick impression on us.

Bolton, on the other hand, was playing some inspired football. Their set-pieces caused mayhem in the box, and some desperate cum brilliant defending from Vidic kept the scores level.

As it has been all season, without our most influential player on the pitch, our second best player delivered the goods. In the 38th minute, Giggs found himself alone on the left side of the pitch and his cross was met by Bolton defender Samuel. Instead of clearing the ball, Samuel inexplicably passed it into his own net while under no pressure. As far as our healthy collection of own goals go this season, this has to rank right up there as one of the strangest ones yet.

Through no inspiration of our own, we undeservedly went up one. And we nearly let that slip immediately. Muamba should've levelled the scores after some good ball control and his superb effort was matched by Van der Sar's magnificent save. That save probably changed the entire complexion of the game.

In the second half, United emerged an entire different monster. Right from the off, United almost doubled their lead, but Berbatov slipped at the last moment with the entire goal at his disposal after playing some eye-popping passes with Fletcher.

We controlled the game and gave Bolton little to work around. Fletcher and Scholes were the kingpins in the middle of the park, while Nani and Valencia were giving the Bolton defenders fits. The cushion of the second goal came much later in the game at the 69th minute. Jaaskelianen could only parry Fletcher's shot onto the path of Berbatov, who gleefully prodded it into the net.

10 minutes later, Berbatov added a second. Nani was absolutely fantastic, turning Ricketts inside out, before crossing/passing the ball to Berbatov. Berbatov's nonchalantly flicked the ball into the net while everyone in a Bolton shirt stood rooted to the ground, mesmerized by the trickery displayed by Nani.

Our fourth was much of the same, with Nani, once again, the tormentor of Ricketts. This time his pass found Gibson. Gibson's response was less sublime than Berbatov's, but the result was equally emphatic. Gibson's rasping shot was tipped onto the crossbar and into the net, giving us a 4-goal victory.

I have to say this result was a bit of a shock to me (in a good way). I was expecting a tough game without Rooney, and in a way it was. The first half was labored and we honestly never looked like scoring, bar that incredible own goal. But the second half was a thing of beauty. Everything came together, and we played some really impressive football, especially both our wingers.

Let's hope Rooney is fit for the midweek game against Bayern Munich. Then we have the all important game against Chelsea on Saturday, which could very well be the title decider.

United Somehow Reclaims Top Spot

Manchester United 2 - Bolton 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Knight (5 og), Valencia (33)
Bolton: Taylor (75)

Team: Van der Sar, Evans, Rio, Evra (O'Shea 84), Neville, Anderson (Scholes 86), Carrick, Valencia, Giggs, Berbatov, Owen (Welbeck 84)

With other results in the league going our way, I should be a happy camper, but after watching us dominated for 75 minutes, then go thru a total collapse makes you take things into perspective. Mentally, we're just not there yet. For a good last 15 minutes or so, you might even be forgiven if you think that team was afraid of taking the top spot after Chelsea's loss earlier.

It started really well for us. Owen's wayward header was deflected into the net for an early lead. We could even have gone up by more seconds later but Evans header was pushed onto the post. Bolton were in a mess, and it seems like we were going to give them another hiding at Old Trafford.

We were horribly wasteful and coupled with Jaaskelainen's superb saves, kept the scoreline respectable. Valencia did double our lead at the half hour after a superb counter attacking play involving Gary Neville.

We entered the half with a healthy two goal cushion and feeling really good about ourselves. We were on top of our game and Bolton had rarely threatened. Giggs, Valencia and Berbatov were in outstanding form and really punishing the hapless Trotters.

It was much more of the same in the second half. We had most of the possession and had we been more clinical, we could have raked up a rugby score.

It was all going so well that the lads started to have mental lapses. Mistakes started to creep into our play and in the 75th minute, a collection of such mistakes resulted in Matthew Taylor leaping over Evra to head Bolton back into the game.

The rest of the game was terribly nerve-wrecking to watch. We were in shambles, inviting Bolton to come at us. All the good work put into the previous 75 minutes, threatened to come undone in the last 15.

Not trying to sound arrogant, but lucky for us, Bolton are a limited team. Had it been another team with a more potent attack, we could very well have lost points in this fixture. Like the rest of us, Ferguson must have breathed a sigh of relief when the final whistle blew, and not before a last gasp save made by Van der Sar to maintain the lead.

It's disappointing to have dominated huge parts of the game only to barely win it by the skin of our teeth.

The silverlining here is that despite an almost total collapse, we still got the 3 points and are at the top of the league. And we got there without playing our best. There in lies our problem as well. I have no idea what our best looks like, or if we're even able to reach that standard. And to further that thought, even if we do reach our peak, I'm not sure if we can sustain it for any meaningful period to make it count.

To make matters worse, the next couple of games are no walk in the park. We get an early game in the Champions League in Russia in midweek. And at the weekend, we get a cornered animal in the form of Liverpool, and you can be sure that beach balls will be banned at Anfield.

United Knocks Liverpool Off The Fucking Perch (if only for 48hrs)

Bolton 0 - Manchester United 1
Scorer
Manchester United: Berbatov (90)

Team: Van der Sar, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Neville, Carrick, Anderson (Scholes 69), Fletcher (Giggs 69), Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez

How many times are United going to cheat death this season? We almost didn't pull this one out until some dogged, determined work by Tevez provided Berbatov the opportunity to knife one into the backs of the Trotters.

The first half was a stale affair where the only highlight was a United supporter storming the pitch to provide the only entertainment where both sides looked extremely disjointed.

The dull stalemate continued into the second half until Ronaldo decided to take matters upon himself, while his teammates were still sleepwalking thru the game. This was probably one of Ronaldo's better performances. He took on his defenders down the left and could very well have had a few chances but decided to be the ultimate team-player by passing up the chances again and again. Too bad his teammates were all on the wrong frequency.

And when the chances came via freekicks, Bolton's long time serving keeper, Jaaskelainen, was up to the task, thwarting Ronaldo time and time again.

Fergie brought on the old warhorses, Scholes and Giggs to provide much need inspiration while we turned the pressure up a notch. They replaced Fletcher, who was uncomfortable playing on the right wing, and Anderson, who was generally putrid for a lack of a kinda word.

Bolton, like many others before them, held on and looked likely for a deserved draw when Tevez's persistence won United the ball. His cross found Berbatov alone in the box and Jaaskelainen could do little to save his powerful header.

Berbatov had a decent enough game, and is starting to look like a true match-winner for us. There is still plenty to be desired upfront for us, but with Ronaldo coming into form and Tevez and Berbatov showing signs of a budding partnership, I certainly hope it spells good things for us.

In the meantime, let's enjoying being top of the table. We hardly deserve it but on the other hand, neither do the other teams.

Styles Spoils Perfectly Good Game

Manchester United 2 - Bolton 0
Scorers
Manchester United: Ronaldo (pen 60), Rooney (77)

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Neville, Fletcher, Anderson (Scholes 71), Park, Ronaldo (Nani 81), Babertov, Tevez (Rooney 71)

We beat our favourite whipping boy for the past few seasons but the mood was somewhat spoilt by the worst referee in the EPL.

For a huge portion of the game, we were left frustrated, firing blanks in front of goal. Bolton had come with a game plan and it was to park the entire bus in front of the goal. Our ridiculously expensive strikeforce on show did very little to justify their pricetag. The only threat came from the one-man demolition crew, Ronaldo. He was probably the only person actually taking on the responsibility of taking shots, but Jaaskelainen was simply a man mountain today.

That's not to say we didn't play hard. We played extremely hard, but just couldn't find a way past 11 men in the penalty box. But you knew that it was just a matter of time before we find the back of the net.

Rob Styles decided to make amends for his past transgressions against us and awarded us a supremely weak penalty when Ronaldo was brought down in the box. No, actually it didn't even look like a penalty no matter how many times you look at it. And from the way we were playing, we didn't need that kind of help.

Anyway, Ronaldo made it one up for us. We probably deserved the lead at that point, but the occasion had a sour feel to it.

At least the second was a thing of beauty. Ronaldo laid the ball to Rooney and he fired it in from an acute angle giving us a comfortable cushion. There probably could have been more had we been more prolific, but I think at the end of the day it was a fair result. Bolton would probably have been hard done by had it been more.

The FA needs to really do something about the piss poor quality of refereeing in the English game. The phantom goal last week between Watford and Reading should have been a wake up call for them. Oh, and they should never let Styles referee another top-flight game again. He's utterly useless.

Ronaldo Smashes Bestie's Record!

Manchester United 2 - Bolton 0
Scorers
Manchester United: Ronaldo (9, 19)

Team: Kuszczak, Vidic (Brown 58), Pique, O'Shea, Hargreaves, Fletcher, Anderson (Scholes 70), Nani, Ronaldo, Tevez, Saha (Rooney)

Ronaldo celebrated his acension to captaincy in style. Two early goals by our captain for the day enabled him to not only equal Bestie's goal record for a season, but surpass it.

Goal no. 32 was a result of a scramble in the Bolton box. The Bolton defence failed to clear the ball and it fell kindly to Ronaldo, who needed no invitation to scoop it over the motley crew scrambling to reach it.

Goal no. 33 was a beauty. It was a trademark Ronaldo freekick that flew sweetly and dipped wickedly into the net. I have grown to stop complaining about his freekicks. There are still occasions he would send it to row Z, but that is fast becoming the exception instead of the norm. Practice and dedication to the art has paid off handsomely for Ronaldo.

Apart from the two early goals, there was really little to cheer about. Fergie had rung in the changes in poor impression of his Liverpool counterpart. The team didn't click and the normal fluency associated with United simply wasn't there. We played in starts and stops. A certain degree was probably due to the fact we were already 2 up and had shifted a gear or two down.

On the other hand, Bolton didn't help their cause too much either. They rarely threatened, and when they did, our makeshift defence stood up well. With stiff competition for the spot, Kuszczak did well enough to put his name in the hat when Fergie eventually chooses a successor.

Despite a less than stellar performance, we won the game comfortably and pulled ourselves 3 points clear of Arsenal with only 24 left up for grabs. We face Liverpool on 'super sunday' and it's imperative we win that game. It's not only a matter of pride to beat one of the hottest teams in the league, but to put pressure on both Chelsea and Arsenal, who play later that same day.

Talking Points

Hargreaves - He played leftback today and did a pretty commendable job in that position. My concern here is that Fergie might be tempted to use him there more often, especially when/if injuries occur. I'm not a huge fan of playing players out of position unless the situation warrants. We've already seen how Fergie practically ruined John O'Shea's and Phil Neville's careers by shifting them all over the shop.

Nani - He's a top player, no doubts about that. However, he's getting way too desperate to impress. Whenever he gets the ball, his first instinct is the shoot, irregardless of the options around him. There is still a long way to go in his development into a player of Ronaldo's calibre. The good thing here is that he doesn't have Ronaldo's piss poor attitude when he first arrvived.

Saha - Wtf is wrong with him? He got injured today (what's new?). He was given a starring role today and he fluffed it big time. I can't remember a telling contribution he made, except for the part where he injures himself again. I mean he hardly broke a sweat the entire game and yet ended up being substituted due to a self-inflicted injury. I want him to succeed so badly, but this entire season, it's just been one disappointment after another.

Chelsea vs Spurs - How the hell Chelsea escaped this game with the full compliment of players on the pitch is beyond me. Ashley Cole's tackle on Alan Hutton was disgraceful. But what made it worse was the conduct of the Chelsea players who surrounded the referee. Possibly intimidated, Mike Riley's balls shrunk to the size of peanuts and he only issued a yellow instead of a red.

Naive Fergie Pays The Price (Bolton 1 - Manchester United 0)

This defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. I had penciled in this fixture as an easy victory, especially considering the league table, the forms of both teams and previous head to heads. It didn't even matter if hat-trick hero of last season, Rooney, was injured or not.

Kentona and I were in jubilant mood, discussing how sweet it would be for Ronaldo to once again make Bolton his personal bitch, then the starting lineup dropped a bombshell. Once we saw the lineup and the substitutes bench all we could mutter was....Oh Fuck.

Fergie tried to shuffle the pack and gave Ronaldo a nights off after his Euro exploits. Obviously Fergie must have missed watching all the past videos of Ronaldo tormenting Bolton.

Anderson was benched and Pique was partnered with Rio. I would have preferred to have Brown's experience beside Rio and the opening goal by Anelka confirmed it.

The first half was probably and possibly the worst we've played this season. There was no passing and hardly any movement off the ball. It didn't help matters that Carrick and Hargreaves were placed at the heart in midfield. Both sat too deep and neither were there to pick things up when the loose balls fell in midfield.

It wasn't a surprise that Bolton scored an early goal. From a Campo freekick, Anelka trapped the ball and scored a clinical goal on the turn. Pique's lack of experience showed when he jumped for the ball and missed it completely, allowing Anelka the space.

One nil down and we didn't have anything to show. It was a disjointed display for a good 70 minutes. It didn't help that referee Clattenburg made a few non calls which eventually drove Fergie to the stands with his rantings. On the night, it didn't matter. The damage was done before the ball was even kicked.

How Kevin Davies stayed on the pitch in the first half remains a mystery to me. He had committed enough fouls in the first half for the referee to send him off twice. The second non call was for a blatant handball in the penalty area that denied us a spot kick. It looked blatantly obvious to me that Gardner had delibrately handled the ball in the area in the second half, but neither the linesman nor the referee saw fit to call it.

The last 20 minutes was a much much better display with more urgency shown. Alot had to do with Anderson coming on and providing that thrust from midfield. We came desperately close to equalizing but in the end it simply wasn't enough.

I suppose to sum it up, the statistics told the story today. We only had 3 miserable shots on target. The makeshift team we put on the pitch just wasn't good enough.

I'll probably be missing the next Premiership game against Fulham. I'd be taking a short and well needed break in Korea. The markets have been killing me since August and a break is needed to rejuvenate the spirit. More importantly the break will prevent me from making any more trades, before I lose my pants!

Boston Celtics
This probably needs a thread on its own, but I'm feeling rather lazy so I'll lump it here as well. The Boston Celtics look really good this season. The big three of Pierce, Garnett and Allen have meshed together faster than I would have expected. If they last the distance, there is a geniune chance of actually winning it all this season! Of course I've just jinxed the team by mentioning it.


'Tione - All Star
Again this needs to have a post on its own, but I'm really lazy tonight.

There's an on-going campaign to vote former Celtic Antoine Walker into the starting 5 for the NBA All Stars and many bloggers have jumped on the bandwagon. For those of you who are clueless, the NBA All Star voting is nothing but a glorifed popularity contest. It's not the best players that get to play, but the most popular.

The whole campaign is to make a mickey of the current system by voting in Walker....who used to be good. This is taken from the original source why Walker was picked for this:

• He's a funny dude.
• Exemplifies the average american - lazy, overweight, and working just hard enough to collect his paycheck.
  
• Who doesn't want to see the shimmy in the 2008 all-star game?
  

For further instructions on how to participate and join in the fun, you can visit the AllStarShimmy website. Hint: The videos and pictures are hilarious.

Ronaldo Makes Bolton His Personal Bitch In Rout (Manchester United 4 - Bolton 1)

I wasn't around to watch this game and could only rely on the ever reliable Ah Hong to keep me updated with a string of SMSes. This is the first League game I've missed this season, ending my personal endeavor to catch every League game live this season. Well, there's always next season to look forward to.

Anyway from the smses I've gathered that Ronaldo once again had Bolton's number and was once again running riot. For anyone who remembers, Ronaldo made his debut against Bolton, and he too had run circles around the Bolton defence.

We scored got a couple of goals from both Park and Rooney, and Bolton got a consolation from the spot when Vidic fouled a Bolton player in the box. It's a shame I had to miss this game.

Despite our mounting injury problems (add Neville to the list), we still managed to win to keep Chelsea at bay. Speaking of Chelsea, they've been pretty darn resilent themselves. With all the on-field and off-field problems, spats, injuries, contract issues and playing piss poor, they too have somehow etched out results to keep within striking distance in case we falter.

At the end of the day, I suppose we really shouldn't bother about how Chelsea does, and concentrate on doing our jobs. Next up is the FA Cup replay against Boro, before we take a break for the internationals.