After thrashing West Ham 4-0 away from home, with two central midfielders making up half of our defence, alongside our second/third choice goalkeeper, we were put within two points of league leaders Chelsea.
After the ball bounced off Emmanuel Adebayor’s back and in to the goal to put Chelsea ahead, I assumed it was going to be another one of those days where Chelsea were concerned. The ball came off Ashley Cole but the referee awarded a corner to Chelsea instead of a goalkick to City, which is where their goal came from. Great, another completely wrong match deciding decision in favour of Chelsea!
How happy I am to have been totally wrong.
Not long before half time, Shaun Wright-Phillips struck the ball and it deflected off Micah Richards arms in to the path of Adebayor. He added to his own goal with a goal for City, with the Chelsea players tearing after the referee. The referee wasn’t interested. It definitely hit Richards arms and they were on his chest, so whether his arms being there or not changed the flight of the ball is unknown. Oh well.
Then not long after the restart, City were awarded a freekick just outside the area which Carlos Tevez curled around the wall. It took the slightest of deflections off Lescott, which totally wrong-footed Petr Cech. 2-1.
With less than ten minutes to go when Chelsea were awarded a penalty for a foul on Drogba, I was hoping for a draw as the best result. Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate that Fwank would take such a ridiculously bad penalty, that a keeper of Shay Given’s ability would have no problem with. He palmed it away and that was that. City won 2-1 and United stay within two points of Chelsea.
So a massive thank you to Tevez for scoring the winning goal, to Fwank for missing the penalty, but the biggest thank you of all to every City player for trying so hard and every City fan in the ground cheering them on. How thankful we are will be determined in May.
Until then, here’s to the African Cup of Nations!
Ideas for Christmas pressies at the Republik of Mancunia shop
Costas – The dippers can’t get rid of Rafa which makes it all the more amusing.
Has anyone got a link to Stevie Me’s dive please?
king eric
left you a post on the rooney>england thread mate
@King Eric:
I know. That’s the great thing about it!
Anyway, it’s really hard to find footie highlight on the internet these days. I found this vid:
http://todayfoot.com/Football/Video-premier-league-blackburn-rovers-fc-0-0-liverpool-05122009
Stevie Me’s starfish impersonation is on 1:05 and N’Gog’s miss is on 2:44.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend? Only for those 90 mins at least.
King Eric if your out there reading this I owe you a coke, althou they should the Stevie starfish with 2 slow mo replays the panel seemed to of missed it even thou only4 things happened in the whole match and, as you said, they didn’t mention it at all
By the way – did anyone see the Real Madrid game? Ha that game summed up Ronaldo. Missed a penalty, which Benzema scored rebound, but he was only thinking of himself and didn’t even celebrate.
Then Higuain makes the goal for him on a plate, yet he runs off celebrating on his own when everyone else goes to Higuain.. gets booked for shirt off celebration. (Then got red card later..)
Makes me think that overall we are much better off without him, at least we are a team..
I’m fuming about Stevie Me’s dive, because:
1. It’s disgraceful in itself.
2. Dippers went to great lengths to discredit Fletcher after he was blatantly hacked down against CSKA, but it’s all “part of the game” and they’re “due a decision” when N’Gog and Stevie Me go down like cheap whores.
3. Media attention will be comparatively small to when a foreigner did it – “He should stay on his feet, we don’t tolerate that sort of thing in England”, etc.
4. This cunt’s had the audacity to wax lyrical in the past, and he’s been exposed as a hypocrite, yet he persists. The guy’s an embarrassment to the game.
@ Denton Davey
Anderson-
41 successful passes, 6 unsuccessful passes, 1 assist
Scholes-
61 successful passes, 7 unsuccessful passes, 1 goal
102 successful passes, 13 unsuccessful, 1 goal, 1 assist….
All in all I thought they did a good job of distributing the ball and rarely misplaced passes. Scholes scored the first that turned the momentum of the match. Anderson’s run into space allowed him to cross for an easy tap in for Valencia. Scholes made the first pass to Rooney in the move that led to the final goal, although at that point it looked like West Ham had already given up. They may not have ‘bossed’ the middle as I stated originally, but I thought they did a sufficient job and were involved in most of United’s fluid forays forward. They were also excellent defensively as you mentioned. That being said, I trust your assessment of the game far more than mine!
I liked how Wayne was heavily involved in all 3 second half goals today. And its terrific that he got one himself, it just keeps his scoring in bunches streak going for one more match.
I don’t know where I stand on this really, but is PIG doing enough to convince that we might not have to splash the cash on a keeper anytime soon? He needs to work on that celebration though!
yes i also cheered for city, buy i needed to be quarantined, scrubbed and had a colonic irrigation to make myself feel human again….needless to say that rat-faced parasite from Fuerte Apache can crawl back under his goal-drought rock now
I think Owen needs a start or a goal or something. his diary is disturbin
http://crabfootball.com/news-article/michael-owens-diary-4th-december-2009/
ulster red – Left a post on the united > Ingerlund thread.
I wonder if the media make such a big deal about this? Also Mark Halsey has said that the first person to call him and wish him well in his cancer battle was ……………………………………. yes you’ve guessed it Fergie!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1233565/Chelsea-boss-Carlo-Ancelotti-loses-cool-points-finger-referee-Howard-Webb-mistakes-Manchester-City-defeat.html
Costas – Cheers pal. Disgusting hypocritical bastard. Steeeeeeeeeeevie Geeeee not you mate!
Good night
Chelsea were 5 points clear before today because of the ref in their game against us. What goes around, comes around
They sure did us a massive favour……game on now.
on like donkey kong, 4 in a row,sunday club rocks,guiness guiness and more guiness
I’m struggling to think of any team i’ve ever seen that has better movement than this United side. They were magnificent tonight. Sir Ryan Giggs, Rooney, Anderson, were excellent, getting involved with everything. Look at Giggs before Gibson’s goal. Beautiful.
Any team with 2 decent wingers and pace in defence and attack can beat Chelsea . Slow Ballack and Fat Frank just cant deal with the pace of these wingers . Through the centre , every time Tevez had a one on with terry , he screwed him which made me happy and unhappy at the same time . We have gone through our tough start to the season , Chelsea still have the ACN and of course their fatigue factor .
I am quite happy to see the team become more lethal in front of goal. I was saying after the Chelsea game that we should be taking advantage of our possesion. I think that our attacking play is getting better because Valencia is getting better. He has settled in now and he is more involved with our attacking play. We will never replace Ronaldo, but Valencia brings balance to the team. He and Ryan are the league’s 2 best wingers right now.
@King Eric:
No problem. I was looking for it myself. And i knew you wouldn’t call me that.:P
Valencia , that guy who couldn’t score in a brotel while playing for Wigan, is as important to united this season as anyone. I’ve watched united for a bit and I’ve seen sir Alex work in genius ways but the sale of Ronaldo for£6:50 less than what he payed for Valencia is a fantastic bit of business profit never mind the real fact that the made a profit of over 60 million because, don’t know how this is gonna go over , Valencia is better to have on a Manchester united team than Ronaldo……… I’m not saying Valencia will get ya 30/40+ a season I’m not saying Valencia is a more skillful player who will be world player if the year, I’m saying for a team game Valencia is my pick because of the different ways the team can play the different formations. Manchester united played around Ronaldo which worked a treat but it left giggs pondering retirement I think it stunted nanis growth it made people shout at sir Alex for putting Rooney on the wings with stupid statment that shout never be said about the manager” look at what England do with Wayne that’s what united should do” united > England. Valencia is a winger , that’s it, he’s strong so he’ll get stuck in the box once in a while and put the power behind his boot but he won’t get I’m anyones way. Antonio is a very very big unsung hero for united as the half way spot gets as close as we are to the rent boys
I went out to the pub yesterday to watch the match had a few pints of the black stuff , maybe I had one 2 many because I’m sure Stevie starfish dis a belly flop splash dive in the box, turn out after reading some match reports Watched match of the day and sky sports news it turns out it didn’t happen. No one talked about it anywhere
No new dives on youtube this morning. what a pity!
great results this weekend – and to top it off loserpool where shown last on motd which made me chuckle and of course there was no mention of steive me’s dive in the box not even a replay – any other player and it would have been shown again from different angles and talked about – such a fukin disgrace
Lads…. Off Topic.
Michael Carricks Future at the club!
I love carrick and he has always given everything for the club, but looking at his progress this season & the progress of all the players arround him it looks as if he has taken a step backwards!
When he has played for me his passing has been wayward and at times struggled to make the simple pass.
Work Rate – I dont think his workrate is anywhere near as good as Fletcher, Anderson & Gibson
Creativity – For me Giggs, Scholes are above him in Creativeness. With Michaels Supposed Passign Ability he should be creating more chances!
Goal Scoring – Fletcher, Scholes & Gibson are all ahead of him in Goal Scoring threat.
What im trying to say is over the past months or whole season Carrick doesnt look like a first team player to me!…I think the Combination of FLetcher and Anderson , Fletcher Gibson, Fletcher Scholes, Anderson Scholes, Anderson Gibson for that matter offer more for me than Carrick and another.
What do you all think?
Off Topic – Gibson
This lad has been quite impressive, Not only his goals> The lad certainly knows where the net is tahts for sure!
I have been impressed with his Passing & his work rate. Another few years experience and this lad will be a big force for us!
Anyone else Excited?
With Hargo back and Fletch fit no chance Gibson will play.
Trevor – Bit harsh mate. Carrick stepped into the centre half spot with real confidence yesterday. Personally I think he is getting his form back.
Gotta hate – Spot on about Valencia. Some of his runs through the middle yesterday were top drawer.
Sanj @ 2:16 – there are lies, damn lies, and statistics.
The numbers you quoted about Anderson are impressive – and he did lay on a beautiful pass for Valencia to tap in the third goal – BUT I expected more from him. As I wrote, this was a game that was set up perfectly for Scholes – given loads of time/space by West Ham which stood off him – and that should have given Anderson a more forward role which should have enabled him to play his natural game as an attacking midfielder.
I’m not saying Anderson had a bad game; what I am saying is that this was an opportunity for him to take over and boss the game, linking play with Rooney who (as the “1″ in a 4-5-1) was isolated up-front. To my eyes, Anderson didn’t do that.
But, this is a minor gripe because, as I wrote somewhere yesterday, Anderson was probably instructed to “tuck in” so as to protect the defence which began with RedNev and ended up with Patrice Evra and Michael Carrick playing in the middle. West Ham didn’t score so you have to give credit to the holding midfielders – Anderson, Gibson, and Scholes – for that.
In fact, West Ham were so feeble that SAF took off Gibson and brought on Berbatov because he must have seen that the opposition were posing no threat to the (make-shift) back four.
this bloke howard webb top draw! excellent fitness, total control of game. we need more of him for our games!!! wohooo perfect weekend!!!
now for mission completion in germany.
Trevor @ 13:25 – I’m in agreement with KingEric on this one – but not completely in disagreement with your point that in comparison to some of the other pairings, Carrick looks like the weakest link. On the other hand, his play at the back was very interesting – kinda like Scholes, he provides a great alternative when playing a team that won’t press. I wrote somewhere that his defending is like the aged-Maldini – he can win the ball and yet never leave his feet. How many screening midfielders have moved into central defence later in their careers ? I have no answer to that but it sure looked yesterday like Michael Carrich might get a fresh lease on life in that role.
GottaHate – absolutely agree about Valencia. He’s coming on leaps-and-bounds and is a much better player when he’s not isolated on the wing. I’d love to see what he could do if he played with a quality right back – so far this season he’s had five “partners” – Johnny O’Shea, RedNev, Wesley Brown, Rafael, and Ritchie de Laet – not one of whom could be confused with Patrice Evra in terms of attacking skill, power, and/or speed.
@denton davey, fair play, mate. nothing wrong with expecting more from the lads… better than the muppets who constantly slag them and say they need to be sold.
@denton davey, excellent point about Valencia playing with a quality right back. I thought some of his best link up play was with Rafael (forgot which match it was). Once Rafael matures a bit more, I can see them having great chemistry. The French connection on the left (Obertan/Pat) and Valencia/Rafael on the right. I like it.
I also think centre back is a role that suits Michael Carrick very well. In general, he is very composed and excellent at those nicking tackles. He rarely makes a brash challenge (a la Scholes), and there is nothing wrong with having a member of the back four have a passing range like he does- offers a new dimension to the attack. He also has the height to deal with an aerial threat.
haha, Ronaldo didn’t get sent off for taking off his shirt, he got sent off for being a petulant brat and kicking out. So much for the Spanish league protecting their players, eh Ron?
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/4113934/
look at this stupid arrogant Chelsea blog… the author was sooo sure Chelsea wud demolish Citeh…
http://bluechampions.com/2009/12/04/man-city-vs-chelsea-05-dec-09-1730-uk/
“So the teams that beat Arsenal 3-0 last week meet tomorrow. And boys, it’s Man City’s turn next. Oh yeah, I’m arrogant. Despite the mid-week defeat to Blackburn, everyone knows that Chelsea is in some form. In fact, it’s a pity Man City has to play us at this stage. It’s not only the form that should bother them, it’s also the fact that Chelsea has got their key players back from injury. Only Bosingwa, Kalou and Alex are out injured. Ivanovic is slowly moving from a second choice to a first choice defender, in my books. So, no worries about Bosingwa not being there, we’ve got Ivanovic. No worries about Alex not being there, we’ve got . . . Ivanovic!”
I said to so may cunts waxing lyrical over Chelsea that it’s early days and if we are at least 5 points in it with two months to play, then we can still win it, due to the following reasons:
1. We have been there and done it.
2. Our performance against them cunts shows that they are not as good as people make out.
3. We invariably get better as the season reaches the business end.
4. Chelsea still have to go to Tottenham and United where they can lose more points.
5. Our most difficult away fixtures to come are Arsenal, Citeh and Villa away, places where we are more than capable of getting a result from.
6. Hargreaves is coming back from injury.
The pleasing aspect of our recent performances is that we are smashing teams that deserve it. Rooney and Valencia look to have a good understanding, which is pleasing to see.
Lads,
Carrick at Centre Half wasnt tested in that match. No Offence to West Ham but their attacking play was awful. Carrick did step in a do a job.
For me all defensive Midfielders can play in defence, carricks main advantage is his height. Roy Keane was awsome for us in defence on a few occasions, Essian has played defence for chelsea and done alright!
I dont think carrick in defence will do anything else but fill in.
My worry for him is when all players are fit where he is going to fit in. At his current Performance level i cant see him being a regular.
United wins in a stylish way. its funny to see seven midfielders in united shirt.. but who cares, 4-0..!! Gibson strike was simply marvelous..
btw, MG comment on religion kinda offensive.. I guess this is not a place to talk about religion.. peace…
trevor – I agree Carrick wasn’t particularly tested and hope Wes may be back for Tuesday as Carrick will have a lot tougher test marking Dzeko. Vidic should be back in. I also agree that Keano had some superb displays at centre back.
Arrogant Rentboy cunts. Been telling everyone that they are ridiculously over rated. Why the fuck have the media and pundits alike been banging on about how powerful they are and that they may as well get the trophy for title winners now as nobody will beat them let alone catch them. What qualifies them for this? It is fucking United not those cunts that are 3 on the trot winners and will be going for number 4. They have virtually the same squad as the last two seasons only a year older. Why all of a sudden are they world beaters? They aren’t. Only today talkshite were talking about their “defensive frailties” only 3 days ago saying how strong they all were. Far too arrogant and down right stupid to write United off in December only 5 points behind. True to form it is now only 2 points.
Kings – Alright pal. Chelsea have to go to Anfield as well don’t they? The 2-0 was at Stamford Bridge I think. On their day the dippers are capable of beating anyone at home.
King Eric – calm down, mate. The RentBoyz have had a few matches this year when they’ve been brilliant, firing on all cylinders. The fools in the press have taken those performances to be the correct indicator of their level of play whereas they’ve ignored the other matches (Bolton when they won on a flukey/terrific (?) last-minute miracle, Wigan, Villa, at home v. UTD, and yesterday when they were pretty shitty against Shitty – and while they’ve done well in Europe the reports haven’t told us of “dominance – not to mention their cup-exit against Blackburn). But, that’s the press – last year they told us that BigPhil (last seen coaching in some place north of Afghanistan) was going to pick up the baton that Roman grabbed from Jose’s hands. They desperately want the RentBoyz to win – as much as, if not more than, they want UTD to not win. Living in Toronto I don’t have to endure Alan Green, Stan Collymore, Alan Shearer, or the rest of the British “pundits” so I only see what gets written in the online press – it’s sad, often-untruthful, and always ABU. You know that – I know that, every one of us who participates in Scott’s blog knows that – so there’s not much reason to expect otherwise. Most of these writers consistently under-estimate SAF – and have done despite all the evidence to the contrary, nothwithstanding. They also loathed the fact that CR7 played for UTD and gloated that his departure would lead to UTD’s demise – and LiverPoo’s “this year”. They’re supposed to provide insight but they usually proffer shite. the bookies should know better but they’ve been fooled by the media-hype about the RentBoyz. And, it looks like this year they’re once again going to have to choke on their own bile. I can only hope that WilliamHill and his colleagues lose their shorts !
denton – good post. I know mate. I can’t help getting wound up. Even though it has been this way for years I still cannot help getting angry with the bastards. (deep breath). One minute they are “bigging up” the dippers. They drop out of the race by October so they move on to Chelsea . Everything they say about Chelsea is positive and constant back biting at United. They are enjoying the fact that United aren’t firing on all cylinders and are 5 points behind. But then…………………………… United start to click and it begins to look ominous that United could actually win the league again. They then have no choice but to start licking United and Fergies arses. They have no shame. There is absolutely no United front in any of the media. It is all abu. Why is this? Hardly any of the pundits, jounalists, radio presenters , commentators are of United pursuasion. Again I ask the question why?
I have to admit though as much as it annoys me I also revel in the fact that they are proved wrong time and time again. Hopefully they will be this season and it will be the sweetest one of the lot.
Kuszczak is a better goalkeeper than VDS presently
King Eric
well lets hope we are not 5 points behind chelsea i march but I expect united to have pulled away come the next 4 games, have you seen that idiot on the timesonline who posts on there called Graham Smith what a douche he is such a blue nose. saying we are gonna be dissapointed come may, but when I was hearing that the media was saying chelsea have won the league and I was shocked 14 games played. if we start scoring goals again in the next game then we can then start to believe we are back after being in hybernation since the 07/08 season in terms of attacking football.
Rooney – right now, December 6th, UTD’s position (2 points back after a long, long run of injuries to the central defence, missing Owen Hargreaves, and still waiting for the Rooney/Berbatov partnership to gel) is something any one of us would have gladly accepted back in June when CR was sold and the media were cumming in the shorts about the end of Fergy’s reign.
I’m still not completely sure that this team will, in fact, gel but the signs are really good since SAF has all that experience to get his ducks-in-a-row during the autumn so that he can get his guys to put the-pedal-to-the-metal when the weather gets nasty and the Londoners begin to think nice thoughts of sea breezes in far-off sunny locales.
The fact that UTD have a pretty easy schedule between now and the end of January is even more good news. Perhaps some re-jigging will take place – maybe that’s why the option on Ljajic wasn’t taken and why some other moves might free up some more money – but I’ve thought (and written) that as long as injuries don’t just snowball out of control then the key to the 19th will be getting the Rooney/Berbatov partnership to function smoothly. (Or, maybe spending big on a hired gun like David Villa or the Brazilian poacher who plays for Sevilla and whose name is on the tip of my tongue. Villa would be very expensive but don’t forget that the purchase-price – 50 million Euros – would be recouped by winning the CL.)
I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by the way that Valencia has improved in the last month which, I think, makes the “black hole” at center forward more obvious. Perhaps, however, SAF is working towards the kind of 4-6-0 formation that Roma used a few years ago – hell, with Evra playing ahead of the forwards most of the time, the formation might better be described as a 3-7-0 !
The relatively “easy” schedule until the end of January is something of a blessing because the “tinkering” is going to continue until SAF gets these guys – or maybe some new additions – firing on all cylinders.
So, in my view, our footie world is evolving in a fashion that is most enjoyable for a proper Red.
@ denton davey, in fairness, Shearer has always backed Utd to win the league and pointed out we hit form later. Let’s not get too bitter about what the press says and anyone listening to Collymore needs to go outside and slap themselves.
We haven’t been looking that slick for a while, lets hope the form continues, I think Valancia is a big plus, with Rooney and Giggs seem a better fit than Rooney and berba oddly enough, and Obertan has something to offer. Our midfield is beginning to gel and look much stronger than at the start of the season as new played bed in.
I have to say I would have liked nani to have more time but loks like he may well be shipped out.
Anyway its going to be one hell of a season from here, we have 2 more mtches than chelsea now re carling cup and the game starts now! First match we must win in Villa who look good right now in attack so please let us have our defence back.
off the topic a bit..
anyone knows valencia’s chant? i think he’s the most improving new player this season so far..
his link up play is better, he’s determination and pace are superb, and also he already starts banging some goals..
Oh, i love the african nations cup! Funny thing bout Chelsea seeing drogba, essien, kalou and mikel going is that the natural replacement for drogba would be kalou, and the natural replacement for essien would be mikel xD fucking hillarious!
And this cup reminds me that I am so fucking glad that Evra is playing for France and not Senegal! what would we do without paddy? The best leftback in the world, there’s not even a worthy challenger for that title other than him
BTW, just read ur comment Scott, in the blues forum. fucking hilarious!
24. Scott – 4th Dec
“Oh yeah, I’m arrogant. Despite the mid-week defeat to Blackburn, everyone knows that Chelsea is in some form. In fact, it’s a pity Man City has to play us at this stage.”
D’oh. How embarrassing.
let me tell you this
when berbatov manages to do what tevez did against chelsea, i’ll rate him as good as tevez
he was an enigma to their entire defence…got the 3 players booked, won and scored a decisive free kick…most importantly – did it against a top top team – something i’ve been waiting for berbatov to do in a year and a half now…sure they will both win you some small matches, one in a more flashy way, but tevez’ ability to perform when it matters edges it big time for me…
tevez as a person doesn’t come in this argument of course
King Eric – Hello mate. Yes a good point that. Yeah they are more than capable of beating the rent boys at Anfield, especially if Stevie Me takes a dive and wins a penalty!