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!!!

MAN CITY 0 – MAN UTD 1

VAN DER SAR!!!!!

No doubt it might go down as the league clinching penalty –although if you look at the replay it was never a penalty!! I guess the referee awarded it as a result of pressure from the fans and some comments on United’s penalty “rule”. The good thing though is that is there’s any sign that Mourinho will eat his own words, this will be the season. Yes, United finally was given a penalty against, but oh Mr. Jose, it still doesn’t work. We just don’t accept punishment that we don’t deserve.

The game was a typical English game, lots of tackles, and Michael Ball should be praying thanks to God for not being sent off on his cheap stamping on Ronaldo’s body early in the game. I just don’t understand why he’s shaking his head on the penalty given against him, it was an OBVIOUS ill-timed tackle on Ronaldo. Thumbs up for Ronaldo on converting the penalty flawlessly for his 50th goal for United, sending the goalie to the wrong corner and convincingly smashing the ball to the low corner.

At the end, United deserves to win, they dominated possessions, they took a lead, hang on to it, and City was never able to create any penetration thanks to a solid performance from the returning Vidic-Ferdinand partnership. We are getting so close now, and by tomorrow’s night, United might be back to where they belong if Chelsea didn’t came out of the Emirates Stadium with anything other than a win against Arsene Wenger’s team.

OH YEAH!!!

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!!

A Team with Great Belief in Themselves

The title was part of the commentator’s tribute to Manchester United’s shortly after their third goal against the Blackburn Rovers, after going down 1-0 at halftime and losing their key defender for the season early in the first half. I couldn’t agree more with him, this is a team worthy of champions, a team that’s hungry for success, and a team whose togetherness has brought them pretty far this season. Character is one of the key point on this team, so ready to de-throne Chelsea from their arrogance that has lasted for nearly 3 years.

The man of the match could go either Scholes or Carrick, although if I were to pick, Scholes would be my pick. His equalizer is the key to the game, especially with the way he danced through almost 4 defenders before putting the ball into the net with great composure. His goal, and the timing of the goal gave plenty of time for United to keep pressuring Rovers’ defence while at the same time getting rid of their frustration as chances built-up have been denied by either poor finishing or Fridel’s brilliance –as he showed twice denying Rooney from point blanks.

It was a great result for United, the second successive 4-1 (after last week’s result against Bolton). The way United pressed, passed, and controlled the game during the second half is virtually second to none, not even Barcelona matched that performance. Ronaldo, again proved to be the flair and the creative genius on the wings coupled with composure off Scholes and Carrick in the middle, and the tireless Park supporting and fighting the ball everywhere.

Game Analysis (Premiership, Old Trafford, MANCHESTER UTD 4 – BLACKBURN ROVERS 1)

• Blackburn’s 1st goal: Panic, simply the result of panic after Vidic was injured and United’s hurriedly trying to get their first goal
• United’s 1st goal: absolutely brilliant, one of Scholes’ best goal of all time
• United’s 2nd goal: amazing composure from Carrick, the goal is crowded, but the shot selection is just perfect
• United’s 3rd goal: Park again showed positioning is important, slotting in the rebound into the opposite corner
• United’s 4th goal: Ole, Ole, Ole!!! This is an amazing guy, his confidence and minutes to goals ratio this season is unbelievable (when you think of his age and him being out for nearly 2 seasons)

Brilliant game, excellent result, although Vidic’s broken collarbone will sideline him for the rest of the season. It’s a blow for United considering his contribution on defense (and attacks) this season, although looking at the bright side, this is an opportunity for Brown to get good run of matches in the central defence (and probably make his cases with England), and with Gary Neville out of three weeks, O’Shea will prove to be an important of this squad, now plying his trade at right-back position. Alan Smith is showing nice touches as well, and I just thought Sir Alex might just be right on his confidence and trust on this squad.

Fight on, lads!! Next, Roma!!

Manchester United vs Bolton Wanderers

United need to win tonight to keep the 6 points advantage over Chelsea before a visit to Stamford Bridge at the end of this month. That, is a fact that everyone aware of, although with Saha, Solskjaer out due to injury, and Larsson no longer with United, Rooney will be the lone striker tonight, unless Ferguson opt to get Alan Smith his first start in more than one year in Premiership. That I thought, would not be too wise.

It’ll be interesting to see how United players react to this situation, given Scholes is also out due to suspension. The team though this year has shown some character and togetherness, that even Eric Cantona has given praise to this generation of United. It’ll be a long day if Bolton managed to pressure United to make mistakes in the first 15 minutes to concede a goal, although I doubt it’ll happen. Playing at Old Trafford, with Ronaldo at top form, I’ll give a depleted United side an edge over Allerdyce’s Bolton team. It won’t be pretty but the boys will get it done. UNITED 2 – BOLTON 1

A Master Class United

4-0 at White Hart Lane, that’s no small feat and all two thumbs up to my United.  It was a master class performance, and the second half football is just absolutely beatiful and efficient.  The taint was of course van der Sar’s broken nose at the end of the game, although O’Shea performance at the goalie is absolutely fantastic!! Denying Keane and another corner punched, that was one of the most interesting game!!

Vidic deserved to be the Man of the Match although Scholes, who won the award, dictated the midfield along with Carrick, whose in-swinging corner found Vidic to seal the game in the early minutes of the second half.  Everyone deserves an applause last night, including van der Sar who made two great saves, one similar to the goal that was conceded against Henry a couple weeks ago, only this time Berbatov’s header was safely tipped over the bar, en route to a second consecutive clean-sheet.

Brilliant lads!!!

EPL Preview: Tottenham vs. Man United

Will it be another defeat for United at White Hart Lane on yet another late kick-off game away from home? My gut telling me it might be. That’s a tricky answer, especially if you’re a lifelong fan, and your gut is most of the times a pretty good predicament of what’s going to happen to your beloved team.

Four points in the last four away games, United has been disappointing in that sort, and co-incidentally all those games are late games on Sunday. With Chelsea winning last night, I hope United can put together a performance that proves me wrong. Carrick might hold the key to breaking down the midfield and play a pressure and possessions football for United throughout the game.

mindcubes‘ longtail: If I were not a fan, I’ll say the most United can do is a draw, but I can’t do that to my team. So, I guess Larsson and Rooney will produce another night to remember. HOTSPURS 0 – UNITED 2

MAN UTD vs. WATFORD

In a few hours time, United will kick-off their Premiership match against Watford, looking to maintain their 6 points over Chelsea, with Liverpool lurking 2 point behind Chelsea after their win at Upton Park yesterday.  Watford will be without Danny Shittu and Foster, the United on-loan goalie.  I’m pretty glad that Premiership prohibit players on load to play against their parent club as the memory of Morientes torturing his own club, Real Madrid during his loan time at Monaco in the Champions League is still vivid.  His career was never been the same after he returned to Madrid from that pretty successful Monaco spell.

Back to the game, United, on the other, will be on full-squad with Ronaldo and van der Sar back into the games after being rested at the FA Cup win against Portsmouth at home.  Playing at home, expected United to play high tempo early in the game, and trying to settle into an early lead. The key would be on Scholes and Carrick controlling the midfield and breaking plays to give a few steps advantage for Ronaldo and Giggs on the flanks to split the defense.  Larsson will partner Rooney up front as Saha is still not coming back 100%.

If United were able to take an early lead, it’ll be United all over, however, if Watford managed to hold it until the hour mark, they might have a chance to snatch something memorable, much like what Sunderland did to United last year.  So, United to be on a high alert especially Watford is on high spirit following a 2 match winning run and a dog-fight all the way into the end of season for relegation battle.

mindcubes’ longtail: After the slip at Arsenal, I think United players got the idea.  Converting chances and an alert defense is the key to winning championships.  United, with a fresh Ronaldo running at defense, should be able to get the first of 12 wins that Sir Alex mentioned needed to win back the EPL crown this season.  UNITED 4 – WATFORD 1

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.