I have think long and hard about Cech's involvement in the game, especially in the 2nd half. Apart from the goal, I don't think he had to make one save. VDS excellently pulled out a triple save and I recall a Lampard free kick that came through the wall. Chelsea also hit the post, Essien had a crack that was not too far off. I also recall a period of corners in the second half where shots were blocked and defended by Man Utd players. I think that the result was right. Man Utd's weak midfield was exposed by Ramirez, Essien & Lampard. Whatever happened to Michael Carrick? He used to be a decent midfielder... Fergie's ranting is also just angled at trying to make sure he gets the decisions to go his way against Liverpool on Sunday. He cannot believe for one minute that this game was decided purely by the ref. They lost it by losing control of the midfield in the second half. Luis was lucky, sure - but there were several bookings missed by the ref. If we want to be super critical, Rooney could have gone before 20 mins. Vidic could have gone earlier. It's all part and parcel of the game. I am sure that had the penalty gone the other way we would have heard Bacon-Face tell all and sundry that it was the right decision. And it was the correct decision - he has put his leg in and tripped the player in the box. Clumsy, but still a penalty. I have seen them given for way less. Zirkov's introduction was a blessing for Ancelotti. He hit the ground running and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet himself. It shows that Chelsea still have a very strong squad when all are fit. Bringing on Drogba and Zirkov as apposed to Raphael and Giggs is a big difference. It is interesting to note that Terry is also pouring forward more the last few games. I wonder if he has seen Luis do it every day in training? He is actually not bad on the ball and I think at one moment he went past 2 united players before releasing the ball. It is so difficult to play against when defenders start making runs like that as no one knows who should pick them up. The only Chelsea players in the United box when Chelsea scored their first goal were a centre back and a right back. Luis was unmarked for his volley as Evra was caught into following the right back. Interesting times ahead. Title is for ManU to lose. I feel Arsenal will not have the stomach for the fight and Chelsea are just a bit too far away - but it will be an uncomfortable ride for United, that's for sure. If they go 1 down on Sunday, it will be very interesting...
Not like SAF that mind, he normaly gushes praise on the side that beats him, must have been an off day, or maybe the ref did not need the cash.
Carrick was once a decent player and for the life of me I cannot understand his decline. Fletcher also if he plays to his strength he is a good destructive CM that every team needs. Nevertheless I agree that Arsenal will falter themselves despite Utd probably going onto lose another 2-3 matches before the end.
Tpyical sour grapes from Fergie, the way he kept leaping over to Ancelotti moaning about his players getting hit. Glad your lot put one over on them.
I think Chelsea did get a fair bit of luck, specifically for the two Luiz incidents, without which you might not have won the game. But as you pointed out, that's the nature of the game. A good team will always be able to overcome those sort of incidents, and last night we just weren't good enough in the second half. You could make an argument that Utd deserved a point based on their first half dominance, but if you can't hold onto a lead when your opponent changes tactics then you deserve whatever you end up with. I honestly think everyone's making too much out of SAF's comments. It's nothing to do with sour grapes or moaning or any of that bollox. It's simply the fact that experience has taught him that his team responds better to a defeat when he can claim the other team was lucky or didn't deserve the win. Particularly when we're competing at the sharp end of the season. If you look at the times he claims we were robbed, they almost always happens after important games at crucial monments (Chelsea in 2008, 2010 and last night, Liverpool at OT in 2009). In contrast, when he claims the opponents deserved the victory, or at least a better result than they got, it's either in the early stage of the season (Liverpool at Anfield last season); when the first team wasn't playing (Leeds last season, Crawley this season); or when it's the end of the season (Barcelona in 2009). Any comments he makes now can only be seen in the context of protecting the team's morale ready for the next match. Wenger tries the same thing, as do Ancelotti, Mourinho and all other top managers.
One thing that tickled me today and I can't remember where I read it regarding maybe the Telegraph sport? the Luiz/Rooney incident where the correspondent clearly NOT a United fan stated that the referee called called the incident perfectly when saying "Rooney went down to easily as if he had been shot by Ashley Cole" Did it for me Although this has just been sent to me!
You were totally out played in the second half by a out-of-form Chelsea side. Petr Cech didn't have to make one save the whole of the second half! Lets hope you man-up before the May game because if you don't you will be clapping us off the pitch
