United Downs Liverpool

Manchester United 2 - Liverpool 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Van Persie (19), Vidic (55)
Liverpool: Sturridge (57)

Team: De Gea, Vidic (Smalling 80), Rio, Evra, Rafael, Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa (Jones 77), Young (Valencia 46), Welbeck, Van Persie

For most of the game we were clearly the better side. We created the clearer chances but were left to endure sustained Liverpool pressure in the final 15 or so minutes when Ferguson decided to play to our weakness instead of our strengths. We made two defensive substitutions and decided to park the bus to see out the victory. Despite some disorder, we managed to just see out the win and collect 3 points to move 10 points clear in the table.

The first half wasn't a classic, but we were pretty much comfortable keeping possession, stroking the ball around, while Liverpool were just content to allow us the freedom. While lulling Liverpool to sleep, Van Persie scored one of the most casual goals you'd ever come across. Evra's blind cross was turned in nonchalantly by the Dutch supremo.

He could have had a second but a combinaton of defender and keeper kept the ball out and Kagawa could only crash into Reina while trying to put the rebound in.

Welbeck had a slew of chances to put us two up, but for all his hardwork, could not find the target. As mentioned before, he does everything on the pitch so well, but his finishing is just atrocious. If only we can combine Hernandez's finishing with Welbeck's all round play, we would have the perfect striker on our hands. But then again, we already have on in Van Persie.

We got the cushion in the second half when Vidic and Evra combined to put Van Persie's freekick into the Liverpool net a second time. It was nothing more than we deserved for putting pressure on the Liverpool goal. Up till then, I can't remember Liverpool even having a shot at our goal.

As if reading my mind, we lost the ball in our half and Gerrard fired a low shot which De Gea barely kept out, only for Sturridge to tap the rebound home. We were caught napping and paid the price. The goal gave the opponents confidence that they could get back into the game, and the game became a more even contest. Even then, we were still clearly the better team, until the final 15 minutes.

Ferguson withdrew Kagawa and Vidic with defensive players in the form of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. The idea was simple, to hold on to the win at all costs. We nearly paid the price a second time. Instead of piling on the pressure and playing to the strength of our attack, we sat back and invited Liverpool to come at us. Our solution of pumping long balls from defense kept allowing Liverpool possession from which they used as a launchpad to attack us with.

To our credit, we carried out the gameplan to perfection. It wasn't ideal in my book, but Ferguson's faith in his players gave us a win against a bitter rival.

Rooney Exacts Sweet Vengence

Manchester United 2 - Liverpool 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Rooney (47, 50)
Liverpool: Suarez (80)


Team: De Gea, Rio, Evans, Rafael, Evra, Carrick, Giggs, Scholes, Valencia, Rooney, Welbeck

Did he shake or didn't he shake Evra's hand? At the end of the day it didn't matter what Suarez did. All that mattered was the scoreline. We won. We climbed to the top of the table, albeit for 24hrs. The whole handshake-gate shouldn't even have mattered, cause it really didn't.

I'm going with Gary Neville here. If players hate one another, all the better for the game and the spectators. Everyone needs heroes and villians, especially in a long standing intense rivalry like ours and Liverpool. Just look at the Real Madrid and Barcelona fans, there is no love between them. Bringing that intensity down to the level of the players is just a natural progression. I, for one, am glad Evra and Suarez have taken it to the next level. Ferguson and Dalglish have too.

Which reminds me why I love Tony Adams even though he played for Arsenal. There was an advertisement I caught when the Premiership was in it's infancy, and players were giving their take on what it meant to them. Adams came on declaring that it was all about beating Spurs, with a pumping of the fists. That's what a rivalry should be about. Screw the niceties. I just wanna rip your balls off. To take a quote off MacDonald's...I'm lovin' it!

That said, it helps that we beat Liverpool. Two quick fire goals from Rooney at the start of the second half sealed the game. A blunder at the back allowed Liverpool to pull one back, and we had to endure a nervious 10 minutes. It could have been worse had De Gea not made an amazing save from Glen Johnson.

Still, we were the better team throughout the game and really should have had a much easier time than scrambling towards the finish line again.

Of course the end of the game brought on more silliness with Evra baring his soul and celebrating wildly in front of Suarez, that could bring on some serious reprecussions, but given all the shenanigans that have gone on right from handshake-gate, who could blame him?

As for me, I'm just going to enjoy this moment.

What Was Ferguson Thinking!

Liverpool 1 - Manchester United 1
Scorers
Liverpool: Gerrard (68)
Manchester United: Hernandez (81)


Team: De Gea, Rio, Evans, Smalling, Evra, Jones (Hernandez 76), Fletcher, Park (Rooney 69), Young (Nani 69), Giggs, Welbeck

Sometimes I have no idea what the fuck is on Ferguson's mind. There were some serious changes made to the team and most were just mindboggling. I can understand keeping Rooney away from the spotlight after the whole silly sending off while playing for England, but to keep players like Anderson, Nani, Hernandez from the bench is bewildering at best. Not to mention, Berbatov wasn't even on the bench, not that he would have made a difference after the kind of performance we put up.

There were times during the game I felt that we were trying our best to bore Liverpool to death, then sneak in a spoon to scoop the remains. We could hardly get past the last third of the pitch. Welbeck was left buried under a ton of Liverpool pressure whenever he ventured near the Liverpool box. Young was at his putrid worst, unable to shake off Kelly and Giggs really showed his age. If anything, Park was the only player who could stand toe to toe to his Liverpool defender, but his lack of creativity resulted in nothing everytime he had the ball.

The Jones and Fletcher midfield pairing left a huge yolk on Ferguson's face. For all the plundits on Jone's great touch, dribbling and passing, it was too soon and too huge a game to throw him into the deep end for his first outing in an unfamilar position. Damnit, even Carrick might have been less tentative in the position. And for all the praises I've been singing at Fletcher in the past, today was the game I take it all back. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt here. He hasn't really played many games the past year or so, so it's going to take time for him to come to grips with the game at the top level, but today he was just simply awful.

There is a reason why De Gea ranks ranks right up there for the keeper who makes the most saves in the Premiership. Our defense just can't keep anyone from taking potshots. With names like Rio, Evra and Smalling, you would think we'd have a really good defense, yet game after game, we allow our opponents to take a ridiculous number of shots. And only thru the great stops by De Gea that we manage to keep the scores in our favour.

Long story short, Liverpool scored via a freekick that Rio needlessly gave away. Giggs inexplicably stepped away from the wall and Gerrard's kick arrowed past the gap and into the net. Ferguson sent on Rooney and Nani, and subsequently Hernandez, before Hernandez scored an instintive header from a corner.

While we were all waiting for the patented United comeback, De Gea was called into action with two incredible saves from Kuyt and Henderson. Liverpool finished the stronger and, as much as I hate to say this, deserved to have the 3 points.

This definitely counts as a loss in my book. Liverpool were so there for the taking, but Ferguson decided to play possum.

Lesson of the day, if Ferguson refuses to play our best players, we don't deserve to win. And if Shitty pips us to the title to the tune of 2 points, then we must look back to games like this where we gave it away right from kickoff.

Debbie Downer out.

United Plays Without Midfield And Gets Thrashed By Bitter Rivals

Liverpool 3 - Manchester United 1
Scorers
Liverpool: Kuyt (34,39,65)
Manchester United: Hernandez (90)

Team: Van der Sar, Smalling, Brown, Rafael (O'Shea 76), Evra, Scholes (Fletcher 84), Carrick, Giggs, Nani (Hernandez 45), Rooney, Berbatov

This was a fully deserved defeat, and a typical end to a horrible week. We started with a diabolical lost to Chelsea, then came the news we were extending Carrick's contract and now climaxing with a terrible defeat to Liverpool.

We had a healthy amount of possession in this game but playing without any midfielders of note, we had no cutting edge. Rooney and Berbatov were left out to dry and a matter of time before Liverpool took advantage. Bar a Berbatov effort that clipped the post, we rarely made our superiority in possession count.

Giggs was having one of those nightmare games where he just kept giving the ball away and again and again. Almost every move United made was single-handedly broken down by him.

And don't get me started on that absolutely useless Michael Carrick. I wonder what in the world Ferguson sees in him to extend his contract. I would have gladly returned him to Spurs for a bag of chips. He provides no attacking impetus and all he does in midfield is make lateral passes, mostly to Scholes. Damn, if Ferguson wanted someone to make lateral passes, he could have hired me. I make pretty sweet lateral passes, and I cost way less. Hell, if he asks nicely, I might even do it for free. If his normal invisible man act wasn't bad enough, he decided to stamp his mark on the game by being absolutely dreadful today.

Suarez danced his way thru our defence and set Kuyt up for the opener, a well deserved goal for the hungrier team. As if watching Giggs and Carrick piss the game away wasn't bad enough, Nani decided to get into the act. He added to his bulging assist number with another one today. With no one around him, he headed a clearance right to Kuyt and set up the second goal on a platter. At that point in time, you knew it was curtains.

The drama for the half hadn't ended. Carragher then proceeded to literally leave his mark on Nani with a dreadful challenge. It almost sparked a mass brawl, with Nani at the centre of it. He was later stretched off the pitch and replaced by Hernandez. Rafael then got himself involved with Skrtal and sparked another come together of the players. Phil Dowd handled both situations brilliantly, unlike some referee at midweek.

Kuyt got his hattrick in the second half when Van der Sar spilled Suarez's freekick. Meanwhile, Giggs and Carrick continued their devastating rampage. Hernandez eventually got a consolation but it was too little too late.

The defeat completely eroded whatever advantage we have in the title race. We now lead Arsenal by a miserly 3 points and they have a goal in hand. Add to that, they seemingly have an easier run in. The only saving grace is that they have a ridiculous injury list.

In truth, we don't deserve the title this season. We have been helped largely by our opponents screwing up at crucial times and our nonchalant style of play is finally catching up to us. By now, it must be crystal clear to Ferguson that our don't have a midfield. For a huge part of the season, we've been riding on Nani's shoulders in that department. We need to spend in the summer to bring in suitable replacements for the aging and the incompetent. No more excuses.

That being said, I somehow get the feeling that despite the proclaimations that funds are avilable, it's somewhat a smokescreen. The fact we so willingly extended the contracts of Fletcher and Carrick seems to tell a different story. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Fletcher, but his form this season leaves alot to be desired. And don't get me started on Carrick again, I could go on and on and shame the Duracell bunny.

As much as I want us to win, I think this defeat could very well open Ferguson's eyes to what most of us fans have known for a long time - that this squad simply isn't good enough. If he doesn't, or can't, see this, then perhaps he's no longer the manager to lead us forward.

United Bore Liverpool To 4th Round

Manchester United 1 - Liverpool 0
Scorer
Manchester United: Giggs (pen 2)

Team: Kuszczak, Rio, Evans (Smalling 84), Rafael, Evra, Fletcher (Anderson 62), Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Berbatov, Hernandez (Owen 75)

What a putrid game to sit thru. It was so boring that I immediately fell asleep right after the final whistle. Once again, we failed to find any sort of flair and probably played our worst game of the season.

We were lucky on two accounts. First, we got to face a Liverpool side that is on a huge decline. Even the appointment of Kenny Dalglish failed to movtivate this bunch. Although it was a somewhat spirited performance by the scousers, they were truely pathetic.

Then there was that penalty decision that everyone was talking about. Berbatov dived in the first minute and Howard Webb bought it line, hook and sinker. Unlike Walcott, the day before, Berbatov still insists it was a genuine penalty.

Shameful.

But not as shameful as the way we approached the game after Giggs put away the spot kick. It was as uninspired as it could get. With the exception of probably Rafael and Hernandez, no one in a red shirt gave a shit out there. No one was interested in fighting for the ball and no one was moving and making space for the passes.

Gerrard then foolishly got himself sent off for a leg-breaking tackle on Carrick. Carrick was lucky to be unhurt by the challenge and Gerrard was rightly given his marching orders. Things got worse playing against ten men.

The only reason that kept me watching the game instead of switching to the Spurs game was the prospect and hope that we would finally wake up and pound the living daylights of our once hated rivals.

Sadly, that never materialized. Barring a 20 second spell where Reina make a quintuple of fine saves, the game fettered out into a borefest.

I have absolutely no doubts that if we bring this Night of the Living Dead performance into most of the games remaining this season, there is absolutely no way we're going to win anything. There is going to be a huge injection of pride and motivation if we're going to take anything from Spurs at White Hart Lane next week.

United Rides On The Red Hot Wings Of Berbatov

Manchester United 3 - Liverpool 2
Scorers
Manchester United: Berbatov (42, 60, 84)
Liverpool: Gerrard (pen 64, 70)

Team: Van der Sar, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Evra, Scholes, Fletchers, Giggs (Macheda 82), Nani (Gibson 88), Berbatov (Anderson 88), Rooney

Definitely the year of Berbatov. After a torrid start to his United career, he's finally become the player we paid an obscene amount for. His sensational strikes today brought home the 3 points against a horrible Liverpool side.

We were the better team throughout the entire game, applying sustained pressure on a piss poor Pool side. They are indeed a team in turmoil and rarely looked to threaten. The first half was exclusively United's and when it looked like the half would end in a nil all draw, Berbatov popped up to put United into a deserved lead.

The second half was more of the same and Berbatov doubled his tally with a sensational bicycle kick that sent the Old Trafford faithful into a frenzy. We were all over Liverpool and a route looked on the cards until Howard Webb decided to stamp his influence on the game. He was Liverpool's single most important player, awarding a dubious penalty against Evans, while ignoring our own claims much earlier in the game. Gerrard scored from the spot to pull on back for the Scousers.

Webb, then went on penalise O'Shea for an innocuous challenge on the edge of the penalty area. Once again Gerrard stepped up and whipped the freekick home, drawing level against the run of play.

The last 20 minutes were horrible to watch. Shades of Fulham and Everton were on the cards, and we very nearly added Liverpool to that growing list. After 70 minutes of really superb football, we suddenly displayed a severe lack of confidence and probably would have been happy to see the game end in a stalemate. But Berbatov had other ideas. Refusing to let his two goals go to waste, he lept highest to meet a O'Shea's cross to seal victory for a manager who has shown tremendous faith in him.

While Berbatov was utterly brilliant, there is a worrying trend going on with our team. There is a sudden fallibility at the back that is hard to swallow and even harder to digest given the stingy diet we've been fed on in past seasons. We have been throwing away leads in recent times and that needs to stop if we're to challenge Chelsea for the top spot. As of right now, we're looking alot like Arsenal, playing good football without that steel to see thru it. Hopefully today's game is a step in the right direction for what is a long long season ahead of us.

United Grabs Pole Position

Manchester United 2 - Liverpool 1
Scorers
Manchester United: Rooney (pen 12), Park (60)
Liverpool: Torres (4)

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Vidic, Neville, Evra, Carrick, Fletcher, Park (Scholes 87), Nani (Giggs 79), Valencia, Rooney

There are Premiership games, there are Cup games, and then there are Liverpool games. Playing Liverpool always brings up a special atmosphere, especially when watching with the right crowd. Today I caught it with my 'special friend', Kentona and Greg O, along with 3 other buddies on the other side of the red divide.

Things didn't start off on the right foot on our side of the divide. Torres capitalized on some woeful defending and got Liverpool a shock lead at Old Trafford. It looked like deja vu as another collapse against our fierce rivals looked set for another victory.

As much as we on the good side of Red, want Benitez to remain a closet United supporter, the points were way too precious to squander in a tight race to the summit of the Premiership with Arsenal and Chelsea being too close for comfort.

Our response was swift, incisive and determined. Valencia bulldozed his way into the Liverpool penal box and was crudely brought down to earth by a clumsy Mascherano challenge. The referee had no choice but to award a penalty. Rooney's penalty was saved by superbly by Reina but he was the first to pounce on the rebound to bring United level.

Despite their recent resurgence, Liverpool was desperately poor. We kept Torres and Gerrard at bay for most of the game. In the second half, Park brought the house down with a bullet header from Fletcher's rightside cross. It was nothing more than we deserved. We had been knocking on the door and finally found a breakthru with Park's superb effort.

The rest of the game was played out professionally with neither side able to add on to the scoreline. The 3 points leapfrogged us above Arsenal and as an added bonus, Chelsea could only manage draw against Blackburn, leaving them 4 points behind us.

We hold our destiny firmly in our hands, and barring any fuckups, we could really have a better than realistic chance of doing a 4-peat. Our run-in isn't exactly a walk in the park, but if Rooney continues his fine form till the end of the season, we could just ride him to the promised land.

It's All About Keeping Rafa's Job Alive

Liverpool 2 - Manchester United 0
Scorers
Liverpool: Torres (65), N'Gog (90)

Red Card
Manchester United: Vidic (89)
Liverpool: Mascherano (90)

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Vidic, Evra, O'Shea, Carrick, Scholes (Nani 74), Giggs, Valencia, Berbatov (Owen 74), Rooney

Let's get this straight, I hate losing to Liverpool. I utterly hate it. Today, the priority is different. It's about keeping the most incompetent manager at his job. It's about keeping the man who most single-handedly keeps Liverpool the 2nd banana, or for most years, the 3rd banana. However hard I may hate losing to the dreaded enemy, keeping that man in employment supercedes it.

Now with that clarification out of the way, we were pretty poor today. Liverpool played like their lives depended on it, and we obliged by giving them a lifeline. They were out of the blocks faster and were hungrier everywhere on the pitch. Had it not been for some fine goalkeeping by Van der Sar, we could very well have been buried at the half.

The second half didn't make matters any easier. A lapse in concentration allowed allowed Torres the time and space to outrun Rio and smash a stunner into Van der Sar's near side. One up to the enemy.

We tried to chase the game but Liverpool hurried and chased us all around the park, making the game extremely difficult to control. Even after replacing the ineffective Scholes and Berbatov did little to improve our chances.

As the game came to a close, both teams were reduced to 10 men in quick succession. First with a crude foul by Vidic on a runaway Kuyt, and subsequently Mascherano on another crude foul on Van der Sar.

We pushed so many men forward that we were caught out by a counter, resulting in N'Gog's break away goal in the dying seconds.

Make no bones about it, even though keeping Benitez employed is a good thing, we were utterly crap. We were out-hustled in every department. We didn't lose this game on skill, but were competely and truely outworked by a team who had everything to lose.

Hope the lads take something from this loss. There are no easy games in the EPL and unless they fight hard for the full 90 minutes, getting outworked like today could be a common occurance. Already we have come close to losing points against teams like Bolton last week and have been outworked by the likes of Burnley and Sunderland.

Humiliated!

Manchester United 1 - Liverpool 4
Scorers
Manchester United: Ronaldo (pen 23)
Liverpool: Torres (28), Gerrard (pen 43), Aurelio (77), Dossena (90)

Red Card: Vidic (76)

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Vidic, O'Shea, Evra, Carrick (Giggs 74), Anderson (Scholes 74), Park (Berbatov 74), Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez

Not going to dwell on the game. I'm sure everyone's watched it and everyone will agree it's a nauseating loss. We didn't just lose, we were utterly and completely humiliated. We conceded 4 goals to our fiercest enemies and Vidic should be facing a 3 match ban for a straight red for hauling Gerrard down in a goal-scoring position. It was a bad day all around.

At the same time, I feel it's a good loss. We've been sleepwalking thru the season so far. We've not found any sort of form or rhythm. Barring a few choice wins against opponents at their weakest (Chelsea) or just weak opponents (West Brom, Fulham), we not been able to really stamp our authority in most of the games we've played. In fact in alot of our games, we've just been plain coasting and getting the results.

Although many will argue that that's what champions do, playing like shit yet etching out a win. Well, today we got exposed in the worst way possible, humiliated beyong recognition.

All along I've been maintaining that Van der Sar is just an average keeper and today with Vidic being thoroughly abused by Torres, we see just how average Van der Sar really is. The cleansheet record has been more a credit to the men in front of him. In most of those games, he's been a spectator.

The defense was awful on Tuesday against Inter. Today they just collapsed. But I'm not going to get down on them today. They have performed miracles for most of the season. It's time for them to step up again. Evans will have to step in for the suspended Vidic, and I have every confidence that they will be up to the challenge ahead.

Midfield is where most of our problems occur IMO. Ferguson hasn't settled on a centre two. I understand resting Scholes due to his age, but fielding Anderson and not Fletcher was a terrible decision. I wonder what in the world Fletcher has done to end up in Fergie's doghouse. He's been our most consistant player for the entire season and he usually performs in big matches. Yet today Fergie benched him and played Anderson. I understand that Anderson is one for the future, but in all honesty, he's still a kid. Today's game needed a man to stand out. As for Carrick, I'm sure everyone who reads my posts know exactly what I think of him, so I'm not going to sound like my mother and leave as it is.

Another one of the biggests problems is that we have no true, traditional wingers. No one can really cross the ball with any accuracy or consistancy since Beckham. Actually it doesn't really matter. We don't really have traditional strikers who can head the ball with any accuracy or consistancy either.

On paper we have a really sweet looking strikerforce. The problem is that no one, including Ferguson, knows which partnership works. The thing we do know is that so far nothing works consistantly. I really like Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov. Rooney and Tevez have the heart and Berbatov has the sublime skills, yet none of them can play with one another. It's frustrating to see so much talent on the pitch not gelling. And since I cannot pinpoint the problem here, I'm just going to put the blame on the midfield.

The result is immaterial. We're still 4 points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand. The title is still ours to lose. What this means is that Liverpool can hold on to their pathetic hopes for a while longer, and they will expand more energy in league games which could affect them in Europe. I especially luved it when the cameras panned to arses like Gerrard and Torres patting themselves on the backs like they won a cup final. Well, this was their cup final. We are of a different pedegree, we go after records.

Like I said, this is a good loss. We needed this loss badly. Now we will see what this team of ours is made of. Will they rise from the ashes like a phoenix or will they wither and die. I believe a fire has been lit under their arses and they will go all out to prove all detractors wrong. We've been playing far too poorly for far too long. It's time to pull up our socks and play some real football.

Piss Poor United Loses

Liverpool 2 - Manchester United 1
Scorers
Liverpool: Brown (26 og), Babel (76)
Manchester United: Tevez (3)

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Vidic, Brown, Evra, Scholes (Hargreaves 66), Anderson (Nani 78), Carrick (Giggs 45), Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov

Awful doesn't even come close to describing our play today. It was absolutely disgusting the way we fell apart under the slightest pressure from Liverpool. We showed no passion and no pride. They players should be ashamed of themselves for even donning the jersey today. Every single one of them should take a good long look at the mirror.

The day started with a bang with new boy Berbatov providing an inch perfect cut back for Tevez to power United into the lead with less than 3 minutes on the game clock. We were controlling the midfield and giving Liverpool fits. For a good 20 or so minutes, we were the better and more confident team on the pitch. We missed a couple of good chances to increase the lead, then it all fell apart as we got too comfortable with the lead.

It didn't help that Edwin Van der Sar decided to flap at a loose ball which was Wes Brown's to clear. It was a moment of ludicrous defending on the part of our keeper and all he could do was to palm the ball onto a surprised Brown. The ball ended in the back of his own net off Brown.

From then on it all crumbled. We lost possession easily, we stopped fighting for the ball and everyone's nerves were on the edge. It allowed Liverpool the room and space to come forward and create chances, although it needs to be said that Liverpool never really looked like scoring.

A second moment of madness allowed Liverpool a come-from-behind victory. This time Giggs tried to be too clever with Mascherano and lost possession in his own penalty area. The loose ball fell to Kuyt who squared it to Babel for Liverpool's second.

What made it so bad was that we didn't react to going behind. Everyone was playing scared and Liverpool could and really should have added a couple more to compound our misery.

In all my life watching United play, this was one of the worst displays I've seen. Tactically we were poor, playing without wings and concentrating too much in the middle. But that was not the reason for our demise, it was our distinct lack of pride and fighting spirit that did us in. We just didn't want to play today. It was downright shameful.

I'd be damn disappointed if Ferguson is not pissed at the way we played today. There'd better be more than a few smashed teapots in the Liverpool locker room.

To add to our woes, Vidic was sent off, meaning we'd be missing him for next week's showdown with Chelsea.

I thought I'd never say this, but we desperately need Ronaldo back. It's as if the team is just trying not to lose games until he returns.

Thank You Chelsea

Manchester United 3 - Liverpool 0
Scorers
Manchester United: Brown (34), Ronaldo (79), Nani (80)

Team: Van der Sar, Rio, Vidic, Brown, Evra, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson (Tevez 73), Giggs (Nani 73), Ronaldo, Rooney

First off, I would just like to thank Chelsea for our victory, especially that man Cashley Hole. After what happened in the midweek 4-4 draw with Spurs, the entire English media (and that of the world) were vilifying Cashley Hole's actions and Mik Riley's ineptitude for not producing a red card for dissent.

Today's referee, Steve Bennett, had no such problems. The turning point of the game came at the end of the first half after we were leading 1-0 courtesy of a Wes Brown header. Rooney's cross found Brown in the penalty area and he headed it into an empty net when Pepe Reina came flapping without getting to the ball.

At the end of the half, Bennett booked Torres for dissent. Incensed by the booking, Mascherano came charging at the referee with some choiced words. He had been booked earlier in the half for a full blooded, two footed tackle at Scholes. Despite being held back by his teammates, Mascherano continued his tirade, leaving Bennett absolutely no choice but to show him a second yellow, with a 'Respect Ma Authoritah!' Eric Cartman style. Had it not been for the controversy in the weekend incident, he probably would have stayed on the pitch given the stature of the game.

Unfortunately for him, and fortunately for us, Bennett was made of sterner stuff than Riley. It would be interesting to hear what Bennett wrote in his review of the game because after being shown the red card, Mascherano went completely berserk and Benitez literally had to grab him by the neck to pull his wayward player off the field. More importantly, it was a strong message sent out by the FA in response to the midweek incident and what a better way than to do it in a high profile match. Let's hope for all our sakes this has set a pecedent on how to deal with players backchatting the referee, even if it means our own Rooney having to sit out games when he starts mouthing off. This is a good thing for football on the whole. Now all we need is for the referees to be consistant.....

Up to that point in the game, it was fairly balanced in my opinion. We created the better chances and were crisp with our passing, but Liverpool had shown plenty of hunger and desire, biting into the 50-50 balls.

The second half was practically all United. With a man down and their morale sapped, it became almost a walk in the park for our 3 men, Carrick, Scholes and Anderson, in midfield. We continued to spurn chances that fell our way, notably Rooney and Ronaldo the major culprits.

Just as it seemed that the score would remain 1-0, the floodgates opened. Ronaldo scored once again. This time it was a glancing header from a corner. Once again Reina was found wanting in the box. He came out to grab the ball and once again caught air instead.

A minute later, Nani finished off the scoring with a screamer after Rooney had found him. His celebrations were even more spectacular than the goal as he did a double somersault with a half twist, thankfully not landing on his head!

The game finished 3-0 to the good guys. We didn't really fire on all cylinders and really should have put the granny-stabbers away earlier if we had taken our chances. The sending off took away all the fight from them and really made things so much easier for us.

Quite frankly I'm beginning to feel alittle concerned with both Tevez and Rooney. They have been spurning chance after chance and if not for that man, Ronaldo, we wouldn't have such a comfortable lead in the table. And as I'm typing this, Chelsea has just defeated Arsenal to leapfrog into second, 5 points behind us with a crucial game at the end of the season against us at Stamford Bridge. Let's hope it doesn't come down to that game.

United Survive Early Scares To Take Points (Liverpool 0 - Manchester United 1)

Whilst it's still too early in the season to dub this game as a title decider, we did fairly well to stamp our authority in the standings by wrestling top stop from Arsenal, albeit for a couple of hours. What's more important with this 1-0 victory was the psychological edge we have over Liverpool, whom I deemed since the start of the season as our closest rivals to the title challenge.

Not to take anything from Arsenal's fine run till now, but they are quite frankly a team that's out performing themselves. I'm not dismissing Arsenal's title credentials, but they will only go as far as that kid, Fabregas will carry them. Chelsea's the last to form the quartet, but both themselves and Arsenal will have to contend with losing crucial players to the Africans Cup of Nations. Thus I fully expect them to fall off the pace during that period.

As for today's game, we rode out luck early this game after Van der Sar made two uncharacteristic errors to almost gift Liverpool with a couple of goals. Had it not been for Anderson's and Evra's timely goal mouth clearances, we would have been staring down the barrel of a gun.

Neither side played to their potential as the game was played at a frenzy pace, leading to an error-filled game in the middle of the park. Neither side could hold on to possession for any sustainable period of time, with both sets of midfielders cancelling one another out.

The game took abit of ingenuity from a set piece to open the scoring. 2 minutes before the whistle signalling the end of the first half, United won a corner. Insteading of whipping the ball into the box, Giggs found Rooney at the edge of the box (ala Sheringham).

Failing to pick up Rooney from the box, almost the entire Liverpool defense panicked and collapsed on Rooney. Rooney, on the other hand, was no Sheringham, and he scuffed the shot. The ball fell to the ever alert Tevez and he needed no invitation to scoop it into the empty net. 1-0 to the good guys!

Liverpool tried to storm back in the second half with a good amount of possession, but without a creative influence in midfield, were easy pickings for the United defenders. Our midfielders, Anderson, Hargreaves and the entire back four played their hearts out, holding Liverpools ineffective attacks at bay.

Such was Liverpool's ineffectiveness upfront that we could even afford to go a man down by bringing Mr Invisible, Carrick, on to the pick with almost 10 minutes to go. ;o)

It was nothing more than we deserved. Besides the scares Van der Sar had given us in the first half, it was apparent that Liverpool had failed yet again to meet our standards.

The squad should be well rested by next week when we face Everton at OT in a fixture-packed Christmas program.

Pool's Yanks No Different From Our

Ok, so this one's not so United related, but I thought it should put some perspective on Liverpool's own Americans. Some of my pool loving friends (and there are alot of them) love the fact the Americans have taken over, but bottomline, it's not very different. Like us, the club foots the interest payments, albeit indirectly.

Article from The Guardian:
Americans borrow £298m to buy Liverpool