Match 25: Last Gasp goal to United's rescue

Spurs 1:1 United

Carlos Tevez came up with a valuable injury-time goal to rescue a point for United to prevent a fourth slip-up this season. Honestly speaking, and as Sir Alex put it after the match, if United deserved anything from the match, it was nothing more than a point. On a day when Arsenal produce an inspired performance to hand Man City their first home defeat, United certainly had a tough job to accomplish at White Hart lane against the resurgent Spurs.

And so it turned out to be. Tottenham looked the better side everywhere, particularly in the first half and United didn't have too much of a breathing space upfront. The first goal predictably came from Tottenham but with a pinch of controversy attached. Jenas seemed to have handled the ball while passing it to Arron Lennon who's cross could only be parried by VDS towards a waiting Berbatov who put it into the net gleefully. I thought it was a little unlucky for United to concede the goal that way and that kept the pressure constantly on United.

If you'd hoped for better performance from United in the second half, you were bound to be disappointed. Particularly with United being in such goal-scoring form. But it still was Spurs who were the better team for most time specially when it came to keeping the front men of United quiet. United did change a few things around to make amends - like swapping Rooney and Ronaldo's positions - but it wasn't looking like it was going to work for them. Anderson came on for Scholes and seemed to bring life and purpose into the United attacks. On the other side, Spurs had enough chances to put the match to rest - but could quite take them. You have to say United's so talked about transfer prospect, Berbatov looked very good throughout the match. It was the last few minutes that United seemed to cause troubles for the Spurs defense. And just when the match seemed to have slipped through United's hands, Carlos Tevez scored off a corner - a goal which turned the match upside down for the hapless Spurs.

It was a huge relief to see United rescue a point in the fashion they did. It could be a very important point saved going by the title race this season. But it was hardly a performance to write too much about. I would say we were lucky not to concede too many goals. The number of yellows United received was another highlight of the match. And it's a pity Rooney would miss the Manchester derby because of his yellow because we all know how important he is inspite of not being among the goals.

Rooney's Royal Goal to the rescue

Reading 0 : 2 Man United

Wayne Rooney rescued United from what looked like another slip-up through a smart goal to keep United ahead in the race. Reading surprised everybody by employing an attacking approach all through the match. It had to come from a side managed by an ex-United player, Steve Coppell who seemed to have thought that attack was the best form of defense against United. And it seemed to be working for Reading for much of the 90 minutes.

For a change, United didn't look as potent as they've been lately. Ronaldo and Rooney struggled to take their chances. Ronaldo in particular, with the confidence of a hat-trick behind him, seemed to go for the goal from all angles. But every time he seemed to struggle to hit the target and was evidently getting frustrated with himself. With Reading playing an attacking game, it looked like an end to end encounter and an entertaining one at that too. In fact, Reading seemed to have better chances in the first half - at one instance, they almost scored only to be denied by some desperate defending by Nemanja Vidic. The best chance of the half for United was the Owen Hargreaves strike off a free-kick that almost sneaked into the top corner.

United looked determined to score in the second half. But it was pretty much the same story with their attacks. Ryan Giggs came close to scoring off a parried Hahneman stop, but it wasn't to be. United seemed to be getting frustrated with not taking their chances. The dejection could clearly be felt by looking at Ronaldo who almost seemed to come to tears for wasting the chances - just shows the kind of perfectionist he is! But when the goal did come around the 77th minute, it was such a relief. And it came off the famed right foot of Wayne Rooney - he smartly flicked a Tevez pass past the keeper. You could see from the celebration as to how relieved he was specially as he hadn't been among the goals the past few matches. Later, Ronaldo made amends for all his misses by scoring the second in the dying moments, on a counter attack.


It was a tough victory to say the least and I think much of the credit should go to the United defense for keeping the spirited Reading from scoring. Tough victories such as this, away from home show why United indeed are the title favourites.

EPL Match 22: NewCastle butchered at Old Trafford!

Man United 6 : 0 Newcastle United

United handed Newcastle united their worst drubbing this season. An already beleaguered Newcastle, in the absence of Big Sam, had to face an absolutely brilliant United attack that produced it's best score this season. It was just a perfect night for United with Ronaldo finally scoring his so-far-elusive hat-trick and United looking so good that they could have had a double-figure score.

The first half was all about Rooney going for his shots and not scoring! There was no doubt he had quality on most of his shots but Shay Given just seemed determined not concede a goal against 'Wazza'. Rooney could have had at least 4 goals within the first half! That apart there were 2 strong appeals for penalty from United, both of which looked to be on except that ref. Rob Styles didn't think so. Such was the attacking flair of United in the first half. Yet, not taking the chances seemed to hurt them a little as the first half came to a close.

United were bound to change the equation come second half and that's what we all got to see. Christiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a smartly taken free-kick, creaming the ball under the jumping Newcastle wall from just outside the penalty box. And suddenly the floodgates were all open. Tevez scored off a gift provided by the erring Newcastle defence. Ronaldo scored his second, when he characteristically cut inside defenders from the right and put it past Given.
Rooney still kept missing the chances that came his way yet created a beautiful chance for Rio Ferdinand to cash in. Then Ronaldo pounced to take his much deserved hat-trick. Tevez finished it all with a second goal, which turned out to be a dubious one though. The hard thing to see though was the sight of ex-United 'Smudge' Smith having to be sent off for arguing over that goal.

As for me, it was United's best display of the season. They just seemed to outrun their opponents and were always there to pounce on anything on offer. Defense looked their usual dogged best and kept another clean sheet. Van Der Saar was hardly made to sweat against a sorry-looking Newcastle. Not much has been said of the defense, but going by the performances and stats, United back four certainly looks to be the best in Europe at this moment.

With a determined Birmingham City, under Alan Mcleish, holding Arsenal to draw at the Emirates, United have regained the top position, courtesy of superior goal difference. And with the team looking as good as it is now, I just think I'm convinced United will retain the crown.
GO UNITED!

EPL Game 21: United 1 : 0 Birmingham

It was very disappointing to know United had conceded the lead to Arsenal over the weekend, courtesy 1-2 defeat at Upton Park. It was all the more shocking to know that Ronaldo missed a penalty there, that eventually lead us to drop all 3 points. Disappointment apart, this season's title race seems to be shaping into a real humdinger for sure.

As for this match, against Birmingham, the scoreline would suggest a close encounter. And close it was but only during the last few minutes! I honestly don't think the score does enough to indicate the United domination. Tevez could easily have scored a brace and Ronaldo his elusive hat-trick and Park, who was making a comeback could have had a couple as well. But then, the finishing somehow lacked the usual sting and sometimes the necessary luck. The goal that was scored came off a beautiful team-work between Tevez and Ronaldo who were the strike pair owing to Rooney's absence.

Lot of people have not been amused at the margin of victory. And it's quite understandable given that we were playing at OT against a bottom of the table team. But then, enough chances were created, specially in the second half and it could so easily have been a goal-fest. Somehow, United lacked quality final touches. And it didn't help that we were missing Rooney due to illness and we had Park playing after a very long lay-off. And the team just got rusty with more and more chances getting spurned. But then, the most important thing was that we won and we're taking the race further on. With FA Cup and later Champions League coming into the equation, I get the feeling the team that can best maintain it's squad and form could well win the title.

United On TOP

Finally United has overtaken Arsenal in the points race. Though it's not for the first time United have topped the table this season, Arsenal always had a extra game or two in hand whenever they have trailed. And finally, they have given way, as it was expected, during this festive season. They have played out a goal-less draw at Pompey and hence gifted United a 1-point lead.
I think this is where they'll either be making or breaking their League hopes. They have a tough run of games through this festive season (they travel to Everton next!) and also are going to see some of their players leave for the African Nation's cup in January- most notable they'll be missing Adebayor, their ace forward at this point in time. Only time will tell how Wenger and his young talented side will face up to these in the race for the title.
Finally United are where they belong - top of the table.
Stick there Red Devils!

Game 18 : Piece of Cake!

Sunderland 0 : 4 Man Utd
It was as easy as it was expected to be for United. They produced yet another thoroughly clinical performance to see off Roy Keane's side in the Stadium of Light.

It's the busy festive season and we were going to see a few changes. Giggs, Anderson, Tevez and Hargreaves were all rested. Nani, Saha, Fletcher got to start. Sunderland appeared to be very sprightly to start with, but that didn last for too long. The moment Rooney scored the first goal, the flood gates appeared wide open. Rooney provided for an easy tap-in for his striking partner Saha, Ronaldo scored off an unstoppable free-kick and then Saha scored his second through a penalty.

Ronaldo's free-kicks were a treat to watch today. He got three of them in the first half. The first two needed smart saves from the Sunderland keepter, Gordon while the third was just too good for him. Infact, it would have been too good for any keeper in the world. A lot is being discussed about the difference in technique that Ronaldo employs and how effective it is. Whatever the case, Christiano Ronaldo sure is rocking right now and is the top scorer in the League so far, and he's just a winger! Rooney was another one who had a terrific game, often toying with the Sunderland defence. It was good to see him return to scoring ways - it was his first goal after the knee-injury break. Also was good to see Park back on the pitch, after a very long injury lay-off. He sure brings in a lot of pace into the game and of course a bit of Asian magic if you want to call it so!
Another four-goaler to keep the bandwagon going!
Glory Glory United!

A Ronny Show all the way!!

Man United 2 : 1 Everton
Yet another Ronaldo brace to help United earn a hard-fought victory! I'm just amazed how this lad comes up with performance after performance for United, day in and day out.
In terms of performance, United expectedly were the better team with better possession and chances created. But it has to be said United didn't look very comfortable against a very well-organised Everton defense.

The match sprung into life after 2o plus minutes into the first half, when Ronaldo produced one of his best goals this season. He cleverly beat a defender on the right flank and unleashed an unstoppable curler from his left foot which was just too good for Tim Howard, the former United man who's now the Everton keeper. From then on, it looked as if the Red Devils were going to stream roll the Toffees with another high-scoring performance at home. Close chances were created with United showing the inclination to keep pressing forward. But against the run of play, Everton came back into the match with a nicely constructed goal. Tim Cahill was fed nicely by a Pienaar cross and Cahill made easy work of Evra's defense and scored a neat header past Kuszczak.

After that the match was well contested between the two sides and the match settled into an entertaining rhythm. Everton do look a good side when their star players in the front get going. The likes of Yakubu, Cahill and Johnson are a handful against any side and if players like Arteta and Osman (both of whom missed out this match) join in, they can compete with anybody in the league.
The second half saw United press for the winning goal but without much success for most part. Everton too created a few useful chances. United came close with Rooney's thundering shot that was just over the cross bar. I thought he deserved a goal for the sheer work rate. With Everton's defense looking very efficient, it looked as though the match was headed towards a fair draw. But that was only untill Pienaar stupidly brought down Giggs inside the penalty box. Ronaldo stepped in and coolly converted the penalty to give United a late victory.

It was obviously another Ronaldo show and people are only going to heap more praise on him and deservedly so. I'm glad he's just been going on and on as far as his stellar performances are concerned. He looks destined for greatness at Old Trafford and we're just fortunate to have him at United. As for other performance, Anderson, Evra and Tevez were at the usual impressive best. Vidic looked rock solid in defense. I thought Carrick didn't look as confident as he used last season, when he used to be the focal point of United midfield along with Scholesy. I think he needs more time in the middle this season. Overall it was a deserved victory. Two back to back wins against two strong sides are only going to spur the team on for more.

Keep it going United. Keep breathing down Arsenal's neck they'll surely give way!
Glory Glory United...