Yet another win,even after failing to dominate almost the entire game.Yet another comeback,after being outplayed for large periods,but most importantly,yet again 3 points added to the total.Some may say,Manchester United were plain lucky to survive,some may say they displayed the Spirit of the Champions.Whatever it may be,the fact is that United now have a Rock-solid Grip on the Title.Defending Champions Chelsea are 10 points short,which is a footballing equivalent of the Gap between a Ferrari and a Maruti 800,while let's not kid ourselves,Man City and Arsenal are just not good enough for the title.
Let's just start with Manchester City only.I was totally baffled by their Midfield selections vs Aston Villa.De Jong,Barry,Yaya Toure and David Silva.Three defensive midfielders in the same line-up?? Against a team you beat 4-0 less than a month ago?? That's not title winning mentality,Mancini.That's the Problem with City.They can talk about World Domination as long as they want,but they themselves don't seem to believe they are good enough to beat the Manchester Uniteds and Chelseas.Even though they beat Chelsea,their goal came on the counter-attack only,and before that they seemed happy enough to play for a draw.Same thing versus Man United and Arsenal.You don't win titles like that.All they have managed so far,is to give away Huge Christmas presents to Arsenals and Barcelonas and Wolfsburgs by paying extravagant money for their players.Just look what they are doing,paid 25 millions for Adebayor,and less than 2 seasons later,they are ready to send him on loan,just to splash 25 millions more on Edin Dzeko.24 millions for James Milner,like he's the next-Gen Steven Gerrard or something! But,the biggest windfall went to Barcelona.29 millions for a want-away player in Yaya Toure! I mean,who are they kidding? Harry Redknapp got Rafael Van der Vaart and Gareth Bale together,for half that price!
Talking about Harry Redknapp,Spurs have been more than decent this season,with all those heroics in Europe as well.But the talk of the title challenge still seems far-fetched.They failed to take advantage against a Ten-men United recently and followed it up with a draw at Newcastle.We can already consider them out of Title Race.Their London neighbours,Arsenal,remain very much in with the chance.But,with their amazing ability to Self-destruct,I feel they aren't ready to go the distance yet.They might push their bid all the way to the end,but then this is a team that beats Chelsea 3-1 spectacularly on a day,and then fails to beat 10-men Wigan 2 days later!
I still think,even after suffering a massive dip in form for last 2 months,which included Defeats at unimaginable places like Wolves and Birmingham,Chelsea are the only team,which can really challenge United.And even Sir Alex seems to agree,as he's already declared their game at Stamford Bridge as the Season-defining game.The Blues looked almost back to their Best in the 4-0 demolition of Bolton.The ruthless desire to win was back in the team,the ability to turn a victory in a Rout was on display again.And although the 10-point gap that has been created due to ,what Carlo Ancelotti described as a "Bad Moment" (a moment which lasted just about 3 months,that's more than a Quarter of a season!) might yet prove too much.Manchester United may have massive points on the Board,but the Champions will not be willing to give away their Crown, without a Fight!
So,at the moment, the Title looks Manchester United's to lose.Still unbeaten in the League,having Dimitar Berbatov in such Red-hot form,but I should remind those already jumping on the "Invincibles" Bandwagon,that United are yet to visit Stamford Bridge,and the Emirates,and the Anfield,and the White-heart Lane! Anyone still ready to bet they will be unbeaten,come the end of the season?
Well,United are running away at the moment,demolishing some teams,and grinding out results against the remaining ones.But,in Football,you can never promise what's gonna happen next.May be that's why,It's the Beautiful Game!
Roberto Mancini,is he too defensive-minded to win the English League? |
Talking about Harry Redknapp,Spurs have been more than decent this season,with all those heroics in Europe as well.But the talk of the title challenge still seems far-fetched.They failed to take advantage against a Ten-men United recently and followed it up with a draw at Newcastle.We can already consider them out of Title Race.Their London neighbours,Arsenal,remain very much in with the chance.But,with their amazing ability to Self-destruct,I feel they aren't ready to go the distance yet.They might push their bid all the way to the end,but then this is a team that beats Chelsea 3-1 spectacularly on a day,and then fails to beat 10-men Wigan 2 days later!
I still think,even after suffering a massive dip in form for last 2 months,which included Defeats at unimaginable places like Wolves and Birmingham,Chelsea are the only team,which can really challenge United.And even Sir Alex seems to agree,as he's already declared their game at Stamford Bridge as the Season-defining game.The Blues looked almost back to their Best in the 4-0 demolition of Bolton.The ruthless desire to win was back in the team,the ability to turn a victory in a Rout was on display again.And although the 10-point gap that has been created due to ,what Carlo Ancelotti described as a "Bad Moment" (a moment which lasted just about 3 months,that's more than a Quarter of a season!) might yet prove too much.Manchester United may have massive points on the Board,but the Champions will not be willing to give away their Crown, without a Fight!
Can Chelsea's striking Duo Replicate their last season's Heroics? |
Well,United are running away at the moment,demolishing some teams,and grinding out results against the remaining ones.But,in Football,you can never promise what's gonna happen next.May be that's why,It's the Beautiful Game!
United have Anfield, Bridge and Emirates up their sleeve. And though they may escape with a draw at the Emirates, I simply dont see them winning at Anfield or the Bridge. At Anfield, the mental barrier is just too wide to cross, and I dont see Chelsea losing anymore this season. Going to take something extraordinary to overtake United, unless United have around 3 games in hand.. :P
ReplyDeleteyeah..bt hey i dint get d last line??? united havin 3 games in hand??
ReplyDeleteYou'll never give up on Chelsea,will you?
ReplyDeleteUNLESS united have three games in hand...with tongue in cheek..:P
ReplyDelete@ sagar.....give up on chelsea,never!!
ReplyDeleteare u willing to give up on Rev? :-P
manutd rock all d way...clear champs
ReplyDeletestill long way to go though.....u never know....
ReplyDeletesaale......jale me namak mat chidak.....
ReplyDelete