FA CUP FINAL: Chelsea 1 – Man Utd 0

I’m speechless, so disappointed, depressed. The Double dream has been shattered.

The goal came in at time when United were controlling the tempo, starting to create moves that is United football, and out of a sudden there was this double substitution for Giggs and Carrick. I thought Carrick was alright in the midfield, breaking up plays and produced some good long passes although he didn’t have one of his best day, and Giggs was still making play, creating spaces for himself, although he probably should’ve done better from that Rooney pass from the right wing –even with his scuffed effort, the ball was clearly over the line, and with the referee giving a goal kick to Chelsea, it was just wrong; if the referee thought Giggs’ motion might’ve pushed Cech who already was holding the ball, he should’ve given Chelsea a free kick –.

It was a final with all the high anticipation of the new Wembley stadium –which does look awesome, except for the pitch condition– and the meeting of a newly crowned Premiership champion in Manchester United and a team that look to lost it all, including their overly irritating coach, Mourinho in Chelsea. The game itself though is left to be desired as the first half was literally walking pace and both teams were cautious. The second half produced better pace, especially withArjen Robben coming in for Joe Cole, and with Man U later introducing Alan Smith, United started to get back to their flowing football. In general though, the final reminded me of the 2005 Final where United were dominating the game against a Thierry Henry-less Arsenal team, only to fail to break their defence and lost in penalties.

As sour as the season might’ve ended for United though with this FA Cup Final loss, we should be proud enough that Chelsea’s arrogance is finally broken. Winning both FA Cup and League Cup might be some sort of double for any team, but winning back the Premiership with the best attractive football is probably a much greater achievement for Manchester United, and according to Sir Alex, United has done football a favor by taking the crown back from Chelsea! Ouchh, eat it Jose!!

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!

Oh yeah!! Manchester United is the 2006/2007 Barclays English Premier League Champions!!! With Chelsea drawing 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium, United’s lead at 7 points with 2 games remaining has confirmed the end of Chelsea’s bid for a three peat. It’s the astonishing record 9th Premiership crown for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in the last 15 years he’s taking charge at the club. No none is even near this record, and with United crowned the king again after a 4 years absence –the last Premiership title was in 2003 when they completed the three peats– signals the beginning of another golden era for Ferguson’s team with the likes of Rooney, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Vidic, Ferdinand, Carrick, O’Shea and the influential old guards as Giggsy, Scholesy, and Neville, along with van der Sar providing the vital experience for blending with the exuberance of youth. This is one of the best ever runs for the Premiership and every bit of the game that I’ve supported this season worth it. It was a magnificent season, and we truly deserve it. Congratulations to Sir Alex, every member of the Manchester United teams, to everyone associated with Manchester United, and to every fellow supporters!!! We’ve done it!!!

It’s Gettin’ Closer!!!

It was an amazing night at Goodison Park, trailing 0-2, Manchester United came back in style wrapping up the match at 4-2. As Sir Alex Ferguson indicated, perseverance is a great attribute, and that was what this United team were able to live up to. It’s Ferguson’s team, and they’re fighting ’till the end.

Trailing 0-2 going into the 51st minute, United were able to keep the composure, unlike last week when they met Middlesbrough, United kept attacking and playing the flowing United way, although with Everton putting up a solid defense before their young Scot -Iain Turner, in for the ineligible Tim Howard– dropped a Giggs’ inswinging corner, and slotted coolly by O’Shea for yet another crucial away goals from the Irishman. From then on, United looked confidence for a comeback, and not too long after Ronaldo was introduced –kept due to small knock that he was carrying– his header forced Phil Neville, a former United stalwart, to conceded an own goal, and it was 2-2!!

Rooney’s goal was marvellous, and it just showed how much talent this kid has. If he were able to put up this type of consistency that he has shown in the last couple of weeks, there’s no doubt United will be a great force in the coming years with Ronaldo partnering him. The best part is definitely Chris Eagles’ icing on the cake on the 93rd minute, as he came in for Solskjaer –his first Premiership appearance in 3 years — and bent a brilliant goal. The celebrations was wild, and with Chelsea drawing 2-2 at home to Bolton (amidst leading up 2-1 at the time when United was 0-2 down), it suggests the Russian domination is coming to an end –and more importantly, and end to non-sense talks that Mourinho kept putting up. It’s gettin’ closer, fight on lads!!!

Newcastle 0 – Chelsea 0

I can’t be happier with the result!   Full credit to the Newcastle team who was disciplined at the back throughout the game, and the kid Carroll could’ve made it a day to forget for Chelsea.  Joe Cole almost snatched a winner though for Chelsea at the 93rd minute.

Manchester United got a break from this result, and we’re back at 3 points advantage.  With two matches before Man U meet Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, United will be visiting Everton and Manchester City (where they haven’t won in the last couple of years), while Chelsea will be playing home to Bolton and away to Emirates Stadium, oh yeah Arsenal!!

Both teams’ schedules are tricky, on paper it might look that Chelsea’s schedule is tougher considering the visit to Arsenal, however, I guess 3 away games in successions for United, i.e. Goodison Park, City of Manchester Stadium, and San Siro Milan, before these two sides meet at Stamford Bridge might require a brilliant tactical planning from Sir Alex, considering the mounting injuries that we have.

Fight on, United!!

What’s Wrong with Manchester United?

The last three away form has been pretty bad for United, losing 0-1 at Upton Park to West Ham, throwing up two leads at St.James’ Park for a 2-2 draw, and the latest classics, losing 1-2 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on the last minute of the injury time, courtesy of who else other than Thierry Henry.  3 of the 4 opponent’s goals came in the last 10 minutes of the game.

Do they get tired?  Or they simply trying to protect their lead and forget how to play the Manchester United way of football?  My 2 cents is that defense won a game, and the defense are just under too much pressure to still go forwards event though after they’ve taken a lead, and it’s obvious when looking at how often Gary Neville and Evra needs to running back and forth for the whole game.  Then it came to realize, how come Sir Alex doesn’t want to utilize both Heinze and Wes Brown on the last quarter of the match?  Brown has shown some sharpness lately, and Heinze’s fighting spirit would be awesome for the team, although Evra produced much more flair and tricks compared with Heinze.  But we’re now talking about holding on to a lead when United is taking control of the match.

If United has managed to just taken 3 draws out of the 3 games, they would’ve been 10 instead of 6 points above Chelsea.  Buying Hargreaves might give United a superb advantage on the middle as Hargreaves played in the frame of a battling Gattuso while Carrick is more like Andrea Pirlo, although that is given Hargreaves will play as good as before he got this injury.

As a lifelong United fan, I’m worried, but rather in a positive term, concerned about not being able to capitalize on many opportunity to really send a warning signal to Chelsea before some of their big players gained confidence, namely Shevchenko, the coming back Terry, and the brave Cech.  The title race is still wide open, and United can only count on themselves not making the same mistake over and over again if they were to be crowned the Premiership title for the first time in 3 years –something that’s not too common at Old Trafford.

So Much for Chelski …

It was a quite entertaining 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Arsenal, although Essien’s stunning goal (one of the better goals they’ve scored this season) shouldn’t have happened in the first place had the referee spotted the obvious foul by Ashley Cole on Hleb. Yes, Chelsea could’ve won the game through Lampard and Essien at the end of the games, but I guess truth and fairness do happen, as Arsenal didn’t deserve to lose the game like that (especially with the process of the equalizer as storied above).

Interestingly, I found myself speaking of Arsenal (for the first time in my life!!) here, but I’m a person who doesn’t like arrogance. Confidence is good, but arrogance will one day kill you. That’s the specific reason why I do think Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal has moved away from, and what Chelsea and Mourinho will be preyed into … After all, football is all about passion, it’s not about dollars. With the squad that they have (Robben on the bench, 24 million pounds Wright-Phillips on the bench, 30 million pounds Shevchenko being substituted almost in every single game), it’s pretty interesting to look at how Chelsea had played this season, especially the reliance on Essien, Terry, and goodness Ricardo Carvalho to score at the critical moments. So much for Chelski …

Showdown at Old Trafford

In a few hours, Manchester United will kick-off one of the most important game of their season, at home against Chelsea with 3 points advantage in the Premiership. Both teams are off from a 0-1 lost in the Champions League in midweek, although the loss had more destructing effect on United’s campaign rather than that of Chelsea. Nevertheless, Manchester United form in the league this season has been brilliant, even when things went wrong, the team still managed to find a way to score the winning goal. That is what made them a little different from the sub-par team during the last couple of years. They are more determined … and they seems to have reasons to fight.

On the other hand, Chelsea team of superstars are just doing the minimum things to get them, well winning 1-0 against West Ham last week, and a few others games which they just won it without any impressive diplay given the strength and depth of their roster. Having said that, any manager would bark back at you with that comments with that what matter is 3 points at the end of day. Point taken. Couldn’t be more true, but in the context of football mangement, and totally NOT in the context of supporters … football fanatics. You probably could ask Johan Cruyff.

Two teams with momentums given different type of mentality, and with the English Premiership title is once again up for grabs for anyone else besides Chelsea, that’s why this is one of the biggest match for the Premiership heading into a hectic festive season. If United could extend the lead to 6 points, it would be the first time since 2003 –coincidentally that’s the last year of Beckham’s playing days at Old Trafford –the Red Devils have a real shot at the league title, once again. That would also signal to the rest of the Premiership teams that Chelsea is not afterall invincible. Well, of course the story could be totally different if Chelsea came out with a stunning victory just like what Arsenal did earlier this season without Thierry Henry.

mindcubes’ prediction

Rooney, when he’s on top form, has been able to perform huge on big games, either for Manchester United or for England. This will be no different, especially watching him in the last few league games, and with Saha looking tired, Rooney would be pivotal to United, as well as for Scholes and Carrick to continue performing the type of one-two touch passing game that Eric Cantona would be so proud to see. Giggs has shown that age is not a barrier to play at the highest level in the Premierhsip, and his assists would be crucial in this game, as well as for Ronaldo to continue his much improved form this season, albeit his needs to improve on his finishing touch. At the back , van der Sar needs to be on top of his game with Vidic continually becoming one of the best defenders that United have had in the past few years along with captain Neville ensuring a fine display as a wing back. United is alive again this season, and Chelsea would be able to taste what Bolton, Portsmouth, Liverpool, and Newcastle have experienced this season, that is United is back. And back with style.

UNITED 2 – CHELSEA 0

chelsea is held at home

martin o’neill does make a difference to aston villa. villa is a fighting team now, a trademark of o’neill’s team. though being bombarded by chelsea throughout the 2nd half, i thought sorensen made a number of great saves and the defense stood up to the attacking force of the home team –especially after wright-phillips was injected to the right wing halfway through the second half. great game, a fully deserved point for both team –and more importantly, a great chance for man utd to leap to the top of the table with a win tomorrow night!!

it’s 1-1 at stamford bridge

as the game at stamford bridge between chelsea and aston villa is progressing, it’s only a couple of minutes away from half-time, and villa has just scored an equilizer. it’s 1-1 !!! a great header, with villa showing great spirit througout the half (and the campaign so far). what a difference o’neill has made at the was previously spiritless villa team. awesome game, and i’m hoping villa pulled out an upset!