1 more point (vs Chelsea)

1 point. That’s all we need from our remaining two fixtures to win title # 19 after an amazing display against Chelsea.

This was the first league game in a while where we played like would-be champions. Far too often this season, the knock on us has been a group of rather average over the hill players who somehow manage to grind out unimpressive results. Today, everyone showed up to play and it was a sight to behold.

Impressions:

1. Chicharito – Sure he fluffed his lines a couple of times in the second half to really kill the game. But what composure he displayed 36 seconds into the game to slot past one of the league’s best and set the tone for the rest of the match. With 20 goals in his debut season, it’s getting more difficult for the haters to justify their claims of him being “overrated”.

2. Park started off with so much energy that he must have completely taken Chelsea by surprise. Yes, we know he’s Mr Energy, but the way in which he started off the gates was so pivotal in ensuring that we got to set the tempo and get the crowd involved from the get go.

3. Rooney in the hole was brilliant yet again. In Chicharito, he may have found the perfect complement to his withdrawn forward role. It’s a different partnership than the one he forged with Berba early in the season. Based on the success that they’ve been having lately, the departure of Berba in the summer appears to be more imminent. Especially if he can be used as a makeweight for a big name midfield signing.

4. Considering the run of form that Chelsea had been in prior to today’s encounter, I was surprised by their sluggishness. Theirs was not a side that lacked experience. Yet, in what was easily the biggest game of the season for both teams, they looked overwhelmed to start before settling into a rhythm that was still far short of their usual best.

5. VDS made some big stops in the first half. Yes, SAF has told him to go out on top despite the pleas of his defenders to come back next season. I’m going to have to (selfishly) agree with his peers and hope with everything that I have that he considers a u-turn on his retirement decision.

6. Speaking of old geezers, Giggs was a giant in the center of the park today. Aside from being involved in both the goals, he was always on hand to play the short passes to retain possession and help settle some of our nerves after Lampard scored. He also tracked back and tackled well breaking up potential Chelsea attacks. An incredibly hardworking and dedicated display by the old man.

7. Considering the season that Nani was having, it would have been unthinkable to not see him featured in the final run in for the title. Yet, that’s exactly what’s happened with Valencia showing us yet again why SAF prefers him over a player who was quite easily our top performer for months. His direct running troubled Cole throughout the game and the only letdown may have been some of his decision making. But that’s just nitpicking on an otherwise great and direct performance by the Ecuadorian.

I am well aware that this post reads like a pre-teen girl gushing over her favorite pop idol. Yet, such was the display by United today that few could argue against the result being a fair one on the balance of play. I for one have openly lamented when our performance has been poor this season (and it has been far too often). So, when we actually put in a shift like the one we saw today, I can’t help but get giddy at the thought of us rediscovering the kind of play that we’ve grown so famous for.

All of this would be in vain of course should we fail to earn that one elusive point in our next 2 games.

1 point. Let’s go get it.

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Category: English Premier League, Manchester United, Match Reports, Old Trafford