United Succumb to City

Two's Kompany, Three's a...but seriously, why wasn't Ferdinand marking him?

Sooooo, Manchester United play conservatively against City rivals and get beat. Surprised? Neither am I. What happened to the tried and tested, goal scoring formation including Welbeck and Valencia!? Have we (I say we because I support, not because I am part of the team. Unfortunately for me, fortunately for them) relinquished the title with two games to go? Perhaps. Will QPR pull of another miracle (after beating Arsenal and Liverpool) and beat City? Unlikely. Very unlikely. However *rubbing hands together*, there is a small matter of the Toon to come, at St. James...sorry, The Sports Direct Arena (bleuurgh!). If ever I were to request a favour from Newcastle in my days of being a United supporter and football fan, it is now. I am not a pessimist, but on seeing the team sheet for Monday night, I had to predict a close City victory, but I am hopeful and do genuinely believe New'cassle can take a point from that fixture and presuming United don't f**k up at Sunderland and SMASH QPR, we can still run out victors!

The Demba-Bus is Coming!

 

Premier League Match of the Season so Far...

The Come Back Kids...and Grandpa Giggs

Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United. Perhaps the Londoners will not feel the same way as us United fans, or the neutrals, but seeing a team come back from 3-0 down is always a thrilling one. And as Rooney rightly pointed out after the match, it is indeed a point that could end up winning United the League in the long run. It is games like this which helps prove that the Premier League is THE best in Europe...dare I say the world?

Although two of Chelsea's goals were soft, an awkward own goal bouncing in off Evans after striking De Gea's knee following Daniel Sturridge's cross, and a re-directed header from David Luiz taking another deflection off Ferninand (Juan Mata's goal was pure class), it takes nothing away from the way in which United fought back. They never looked like losing, even from the first minute. They looked the most dangerous of the teams on the attack, with the in-form Antonio Valencia dancing through the Chelsea defence at break-neck speed on one flank and Ashley Young (presumably with a new leg) zig-zagging in and out on the other and with Giggs and Rooney orchestrating play in the middle. However fortunate they may have been, by the 50th minute Chelsea had taken what looked to be an unassailable lead. Many teams would have crumbled, admitting defeat, but not United. Still they plugged away, winning two penalties, Welbeck's admittedly slightly dubious (but it makes up for the Cahill foul on Welbeck that was missed in the first half at 0-0), with Rooney despatching both with aplomb and a classic Chicharito, right-place-at-the-right-time, header to level in the 84th minute. Ferguson wanted another penalty late on but it would have been a harsh decision on Torres (for handball) as it struck him from point-blank range. Not forgetting a special mention for David De Gea who pulled off one of the saves of the season against a late Juan Mata free kick, at full stretch tipping the ball away as it careered towards the top left corner of the net. Magnificent reflexes and agility from the under-fire keeper.

'That' inspired save from the Spanish keeper

 Perhaps two points dropped in a way, but considering the deficit to have to come back from, I think it's safe to say a point is definitely not to be scoffed at. More of the same next week please Premier League.

What did the Premier League teach us this weekend?

So, most importantly, Manchester United finally vanquished their City demons when they hammered Premier League newbies Swansea in emphatic fashion, punishing their opponents in a goal fest...oh, wait, nope. 1-0 will do I hear you say, well not when someone other than Sinclaire is attempting to score in an open goal.

Balotelli continues to infuriate for two reasons. The totally unlikeable, arrogant, and egotistical Italian's understated, crossed arm celebration evoked the need to punch him square in the face, yet, on the other hand, he is such a caricature, it's hard not to laugh. The tank that is Micah Richards was somehow  bundled over *cough, dive, cough* by the flimsy, one legged midfielder Ben Arfa for a penalty, whilst Ryan Taylor should stick to taking set pieces and give up on defensive responsibilities all together. His mindless, "accidental" (keep your damn hands down when in the box!) handball was followed by his quite pathetic excuse of a tackle/clearance on Richards' prior to his goal.

Pedersen invents new corner

Steve Kean still can't provide Blackburn's fans with just their second win of the season, despite Morten Ganst Pedersen's best efforts. Pedersen (left) decided that it was acceptable to take a short corner, to himself, before crossing for Hoilett to score. Also, David Jones misconstrued a game of football for a game of Tekken when he attacked Paul Robinson with a flying kick to the head, conceding a penalty, of which Yakubu converted.

Per Mertesacker is every bit the joke EVERYONE except Arsene Wenger made out he was before he had £8 million splurged on him. Morison was gifted Norwich's goal after the man-giraffe lost the ability to think, stumbled over his own gangly legs and allowed the Wales forward to easily slot beyond Szczesny. However, man of the moment, Robin Super-Van Persie continued his goal streak with a brace, taking his seasons tally to what seems like his 1,000th, and once again saving Arsenal's bacon.

 Elsewhere, Everton called a halt to their poor start with a largely unconvincing 2-1 win over Wolves. However, Fellaini has given the Toffees a boost by signing a new contract, showing his intent to (most probably) take a huge slice of a transfer fee to a larger club in the summer...we all know it's inevitable.

QPR fought their way to victory over Stoke, the win largely owed to the officials turning a blind eye to Joey Barton's mis-timed tackling inside his own penalty area. "Nah not pens them lads" he quipped on Twitter, no Joey, not if you're blind at least.

Bolton continue to surprise...at being utterly rubbish. What happened since last season? It seems the hammering of Stoke the week before did absolutely nothing. In fact, it probably hindered them this week in their 2-1 defeat to West Brom, luring them into the belief that they have turned into a quality, goalscoring machine overnight. Rain check.

Fulham drew 0-0 at Sunderland...enough said.

Abram did it differently

Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea...they've got it ALL wrong. They have a bunch of players old enough to be managers, and a manager young enough to be a player. Is Roman Abramovic 'the backwards man'? David Luiz, now there's a defender who loves to do anything but defend. Sure, he's amusing for the neutral, striding forward, hair bobbing all over the shop, getting tackled, frantically trying to get back for the first 10 yards, giving up and letting his team-mates deal (or not) with the threat he's just caused, and then doing the same again 5 minutes later. Not so amusing if you're a Chelsea fan, player or manager I would imagine.

And Finally, Tottenham Hotspurs on a hot-streak, their best start to a campaign in over 40 years, sitting pretty in third place. Adebayors double was enough to condemn Villa to a mid-table-off with no less than nine other teams, only 4 points separating them with 17th placed Wolves. Spurs look to have gotten it together after the Modric saga, and Scott Parker looks every inch the player England need in the heart of midfield. It's a shame then that he will most probably get injured before the European Championships, that or Capello will opt for Gareth Barry instead...yay.