Chelsea 2 : 1 United

I am totally gutted! What could have been a well-deserved draw for United was turned into a complete misery by, of all people, the bloody linesman. How a game of such monumental importance can be decided by some reckless stupid referee is something I just can't comprehend. Is the FA ever going to do something on the growing number of such refereeing blunders?

First half completely belonged to Chelsea. The onus was on them to take the game to United, given the must-win situation and they certainly took the game head-on. Man United looked terribly clueless in first half. Perhaps it was because of the cautious approach employed by Sir Alex - the exclusion of Ronaldo from the starting eleven was certainly an evidence to that. Chelsea created umpteen number of chances and could have taken a big lead in the first half. But somehow, they seemed to be lacking on the final ball. The injury to Vidic didn't help United's cause and the back four seemed pretty susceptible for most of the half. Another noticeable aspect of United's game was the poor show of Nani on the right. Either the situation seemed to have got the better of him or he still needs some maturing up to do. Chelsea kept creating chances and spilling them and just as when United were seeming to get away with the situation, Michaeal Ballack made a smart run to head Chelsea in front in the injury time. Perhaps Chelsea deserved that goal.

It's not in United's character to have a bad first half and not do anything about it. So, as expected United showed a spring in their run in the second half. The game looked far more entertaining and open. United had a lucky break when Chelsea's Mr. Dependable at the back Ricardo Caravalho giften Wayne Rooney a free ball in front of the goal. Rooney, who was struggling with the recurrence of his hip injury, showed great composure and self-belief in putting the ball past Petr Cech. United's performance only improved from that goal on. With Ronaldo coming in for Rooney after the goal, things looked more promising for United. 80 minutes into the game, just as it was looking as though it was destined to end in a fair draw, the linesman took center-stage.
What looked like an innocuous cross into the United box seemed to touch the hand of Carrick, who was only trying to avoid the contact. And the stupid linesman declared a penalty. Ballack, who seemed to be having a tough time with Drogba's attitude, stepped in and confidently put it past Van der Saar.

It was nothing but a shocking decision by the ref. How on earth these referees can make a hash of the whole season in one moment of indecision is something that is incredible and quite unpardonable. Of course that will be the talking point for days to come. This bitter loss notwithstanding, United can still clinch the title if they can win the remaining two matches. I certainly don't want a team like Chelsea to win the League - they're too boring for my liking. And United have been the deserving candidates ever since they put that sorry start behind and came up with solid performances week in and week out after that. Things might not be that easy for United, but then if any team can handle pressure in the EPL, it has to be United. Glory Glory United.