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

BENGALS 23 – BRONCOS 24 !!!

What a game!! As Kenard Lang of the Broncos said, this only happened on PlayStation game!! Who would imagined the Bengals would’ve missed the snap on the extra point that would’ve sent the game into overtime with psychological advantage for the Bengals. Nevertheless, at 9-7 a win against the 49ers at home on the final week of the regular season would ensure Broncos a wild-card spot at the number 5 seed.

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It was a great performance by Cutler, showing his strong arms and a better decision making, especially on when to take the sack. The defense also came up big with 2 interceptions, from both corners, Bailey who now leads the league in interceptions with 9 picks, and Darrent Williams who has his first pick of the season.

Awesome Broncos!! One more job to be done and we’re in the playoff!! Remember the Steelers last year!!!

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Super Scholes Kept United at the Summit

A magnificent goal from Scholes midway through the second half ensured United a victory at Villa Park, before a late second goal from Cristiano Ronaldo (his brace) kept United at the summit of the Premiership with a 3-0 win against a spirited Aston Villa. Scholes’ goal could go down as the goal of the season. It was a Gigg’s corner head-cleared by Villa’s defense before it fell to Scholes on 30 yards out, which was volleyed home magnificently by the midfielder.

It was not, however, the prettiest performance by United, especially in the first half where Park Ji-Sung is pretty much not effective, considered his lengthy lay-off due to injury and a surprise start at the right wing, in place of Ronaldo, who was shifted to the left, of which Giggs was playing up-front in place of Rooney., who was given a breather by Ferguson. United, though were lucky to escape the early break where Villa could’be been 1-0 up had it not for the crossbar to denied the header, and for van der Sar to make a great save off the line from the following effort.

The second half though is a different story, especially after another magnificent goal from United, this time it was the Man-of-the-Match Ronaldo who danced from the halfway line against no less than 5 defenders before a sublime effort blocked by Villa’s defender at the edge of the penalty box, though it fell back to Ronaldo who smashed home a thunder to the left corner of Kiraly’s goal. That goal, changed the course of the game, and United were in full control afterwards.

The third goal is classic United. It started all the way in the left of the defense sending through beautiful passes involving Ronaldo, Giggs, Neville, and finished coolly by Ronaldo, who was denied earlier with an offside from a similar play. Three goals up, and United were not to be denied this season going into the festive’ season leading the Premiership for the first time in three years with 2 points advantage over Chelsea.

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NBA: Yet Another Brawl

As a fan –who started to walk away from the game of basketball, these days NBA doesn’t possess the type of grace that has made the league one of the most successful league in the world, far more successful than the NFL, which obviously are US-based. Having said that though, as a fan it’s just sad to see how the league’s image has once again being tainted with yet another reckless brawl in the avenue of basketball, Madison Square Garden.

I totally agree with SI’s Chris Mannix, that the league needs to do something, something serious enough to warrant any players (and their teams) of the consequences of such senseless acts. San Jose Mercury’s Eric Gilmore echoes similar message hoping for a harder (and wider) punishment from the league’s commissioner.

As a fan, one of the key reason to watch any sports event is to enjoy its atmosphere (and US has been arguably the best country to do that with the exception of European football –aka soccer– which is literally not a sport, but a religion there). And if the league wasn’t able to ensure that fun competitive exciting atmosphere is alive and well in each of the basketball arenas, the NBA would be in for some hangover.

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Race to the AFC Wild Card (UPDATED)

After the Colts’ convincing 34-16 victory in Monday Night Football (under a magnificent performance from Peyton Manning with 4 TDs, of which 3 of them went to the marvellous Marvin Harrison), the Bengals found themselves being one of the 4 AFC teams with 8-6, and throwing into the mix are the back into contention Steelers, Titans, Bills, and Chiefs at 7-7. This is one of the most interesting race in the recent years with teams in the contention have remaining games playing each other.

Again, Jets and the Broncos (the key game will be at Invesco at Mile High against the Bengals on Dec 24th) should’ve led the packs looking at the opponents’ records, but this is the NFL, and going into the last 2 weeks of the season with playoff at stake, only the spiral will do the talking. Let’s the game begins!!

WILD CARD AT A GLANCE

Bengals (8-6 overall, 6-3 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 4-2 on road)
Dec. 24 at Denver (8-6 overall, 7-4 in AFC, 3-3 at home)
Dec. 31 Pittsburgh (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 2-5 on road)
FOES: 15-13

Denver (8-6 overall, 7-4 in AFC, 3-3 at home, 5-3 on road)
Dec. 24 Cincinnati (8-6, 6-3 in AFC, 4-2 on road)
Dec. 31 San Francisco (6-8, 2-5 on road)
FOES: 14-14

Jets (8-6 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 3-4 at home, 5-2 on road)
Dec. 25 at Miami (6-8, 3-7 in AFC, 4-3 at home)
Dec. 31 Raiders (2-12, 1-9 in AFC, 0-7 on road)
FOES: 8-20

Jacksonville (8-6 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 6-1 at home, 2-5 on road
Dec. 24 New England (10-4, 6-4 in AFC, 5-1 on road)
Dec. 31 at Kansas City (7-7, 3-7 in AFC, 5-2 at home)
FOES: 17-11

Kansas City (7-7 overall, 3-7 in AFC, 5-2 at home, 2-5 on road)
Dec. 23 at Oakland (2-12 overall, 1-9 in AFC, 2-5 at home)
Dec. 31 Jacksonville (8-6 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 2-5 on road)
FOES: 10-18

Pittsburgh (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 5-2 at home, 2-5 on road)
Dec. 24 Baltimore (11-3 overall, 8-2 in AFC, 5-2 on road)
Dec. 31 at Cincinnati (8-5 overall, 6-3 in AFC, 4-3 at home)
FOES: 19-8

Buffalo (7-7 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 3-4 on road)
Dec. 24 Tennessee (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 3-4 on road)
Dec. 31 at Baltimore (11-3 overall, 8-2 in AFC, 6-1 at home)
FOES: 18-10

Tennessee (7-7 overall, 4-6 in AFC, 4-3 at home, 3-4 on road)
Dec. 24 at Buffalo (7-7 overall, 5-5 in AFC, 4-3 at home)
Dec. 31 New England (10-4 overall, 6-4 in AFC, 5-1 on road)
FOES: 17-11

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A Derby You Can’t Miss

With United having the opportunity to be 9 points clear of Chelsea, who won’t be playing until the next day against Arsenal, this is a derby that you can’t miss. Manchester City during tha past few years somehow have been able to overcome United, although United is highly confident coming into this game knowing both Premiership and Champions’ League run are in a promising state.

Expect United to play fast and free flowing football at the yet again sell-out crowd. Heinze might come in for Evra with Fletcher playing some important part later in the game. Ronaldo might yet again be the key to the opening score with midfield controlled by Scholes and Carrick.

mindcubes’ long tail:
MAN UNITED 3 – MAN CITY 0

Trio Heads United into the Last 16

Three headers, three goals, and Manchester United came back from a goal behind –courtesy of a brilliant struck by Benfica– to claim a convincing 3-1 victory over Benfica at Old Trafford ensuring a place in the last 16 of the prestigious UEFA Champions League, as a group winner (with Celtics losing at FC Copenhagen). Vidic, Giggs, and Saha scored the goals for United with Vidic scoring at the stroke of half-time providing the key moment to the game. With Henrik Larsson joining United in January, I’m thrilled with United’s chance this year in the Champions’ League. In the meantime, check out the highlights below from the Benfica game.

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

What’s Up with AC Milan?

The 1-2 lost at home to Roma over the last weekend marked the 4th successive defeat of AC Milan in the Serie A Italian league, although not that that many people these days care too much about that league any longer ever since the blown-up bribery case that has demolited Juventus to the Serie B and severe penalty point punishment to Milan, Lazio, Fiorentina, and Reggina.

It’s rather strange to see how that would happen to Milan who has virtually unchanged team except for the high-profile move of Shevchenko to Chelsea just before the start of the World Cup. They still have Gilardino, who played pretty well last year, and the return of both Pirlo and Gattuso from their glorious World Cup, as well as Real Madrid’s ever wanted man, Kaka. And here’s more discomforting stats, they’ve lost to Atalanta and Palermo, although the latter is now sitting at the summit of Serie A table, even more suprisingly.

In the Champions’ League though Milan is almost sure to go through to the next round, after being admitted to the competittion at the 11th hour –due to UEFA’s inability to find enough evidence and precedence to suspend them from the competition due to the bribery case, and apparently they were pretty lucky to be drawn in a very weak group along AEK Athens, Anderlecht, and Lille after a hard-fought win against Crvena Zvezda in the qualifying stage. Nonetheless, Kaka’s performance has been pretty sparkling in this competition, and with their strong history, the Champions’ League seems to be the only chance for AC Milan to add to their silverware after a disappointing exit from last year’s semifinal to the eventual winner Barcelona –although note that Shevchenko’s goal during the 2nd leg is valid as Puyol just threw himself into the ground. Nonetheless, football is football. Referee is human, and only with video replay can things like this be resolved, although I don’t really understand why FIFA strongly rejects this proposal. Today is the year of 2006, the football field is that huge, and with a referee and two aged linesmen, how would it be possible that football still doesn’t leverage technology?

Back to the original story, with almost a third of the season already gone, and Milan is now at 16th on the league table, it’s probably time for Ancelotti to give more playing time to Yoann Gourcuff, who is dubbed to be the next Zidane after a sparkling performance in the French league for a couple of years. Watching some of his clips, that claim is understandable as his moves, posture, and playing style does show some reminiscent of Zidane, although I don’t think there will be anyone can replace Zidane, just as no one can ever replace Platini. It would be interesting to see how well he’ll grow at Milan, especially with the fact that Serie A these days has been lack of stars compared with the Premiership, an ever decreasing stadium attendance, and with the bribery case has just set the final damage, the Federation probably need to do something to restore their once brilliant league with necessary actions, and so does AC Milan. They need to step out of this zone to get back to their old self, winning.

Brilliant Saha maintained United’s lead

A well-struck goal by Louis Saha on the 64th minute fired Manchester United back to 3 points clear of Chelsea –who had crushed Watford 4-0 earlier– at the top of the Premiership table.  It started from a deep cross from John O’Shea on the right flank which was cut superbly by Giggs back across the goal for Saha to smash the ball back into the roof of the net.  It was a goal well deserved for United, who have controlled the majority of the match, and despite heavy rain and winds in the beginning of the match have played beautifully flowing football throughout the first half and created two clear cut chances which were wasted by Rooney.  Ferguson jumped euphorically right after the goal, and that was understandble, knowing it would be a tricky night for the visitor while referee Mike Riley hasn’t helped the cause by calling a few questionable calls, such as a non-yellow card for a reckless challenge by Tugay during the first half on Ronaldo, and a non-advantage play when Ronaldo escaped a foul to setup a beautiful one-two with Rooney, and a penalty claims when Saha was brought down just before break.

Nevertheless, United stood firm, and despite the late scare from Blackburn when van der Sar needed to be at his best to denied Benni McCarthy twice.  United were the better side, and they deserved to win, although credit to Blackburn for fighting the lives throughout the game, and they nearly came away with a point if it were not for a determined and gutsy performance by the whole United team. It was hard-fought win, and Chelsea can now even smell the instinct that United is the main force this year, and they will recognize that truly at the end of the season.  BRILLIANT and FIGHT ON UNITED!!!

mindcubes’ ratings:

van der Sar (8) : the Dutch international captain once again proves to be the difference by holding firm to the late surge by Blackburn.

Neville (7): Solid first half performance, although injury has forced him to be replaced by O’Shea.

Vidic (8): Another great performance by Vidic, who provided a number of important interceptions.

Ferdinand (6.5): Looks shaky at times, and a few misunderstanding with O’Shea towards the end of the game nearly provided Blackburn with their much-needed set-play.

Evra (6.5): Strong in the second half although a few missed tackles at the end almost proves to be disaster

Scholes (8): Brilliant touches on the ball, dictates the midfield throughout the game

Carrick (8): Solid performance, timely tackle, and was brilliant in breaking and sending in long passes

Giggs (9): Man of the Match, fought tirelessly througout the game, and his assist proves to be the only difference separating the two sides

Ronaldo (8.5): Amazing runs, take on defenders with no fear, and most of the times, beat them easily.  If he could improve on his finishing, Ronaldo will be at Old Traffford for a very very long time.

Rooney (7): Solid game, strong holding up balls and possessions, although missing a few chances might’ve cost United on another day

Saha (8.5): Strong, take on defenders, nice touches, and just in the right time at the right place to smash home Giggs’ cut.

O’Shea (7.5): Provided the much needed flair at the right flank, initiated the goal, although there were a couple of misunderstanding with Ferdinand at the back towards the end of the game

Silvestre (7): Came in with strong legs and better aerial coverage for a slowing Evra

Fletcher (6): Came in for only a couple of minutes for the limping Ronaldo