ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Manchester United - Chelsea 1

Posted by Mark Payne on 11/09/2009

Like a particularly plump man who was invited to dinner by Hannibal Lector, I had feared the worst about this fixture. Looking at recent form a massacre wouldn’t have been entirely unexpected. But I had a feeling that if we actually had a go and went for it we had a chance. So it proved to be. This was not the most attacking formation Ferguson has fielded in his 23 years at United, however, it was one with intent.

Anderson finally got the start we all know he deserves in a big game and Nani found his rightful spot outside of the starting eleven. The game with Liverpool taught us, if nothing else, that Scholes and Giggs on from the off leaves us short in midfield, so Giggsie’s superior form got him in.

Frankly, we needed five in midfield because we knew they were going to be playing this bloody diamond everybody keeps raving about, so I was happy not to see the “4-4-2 goals-for-you” we produced at Anfield.

So a good performance by United that merited more than we got from it. If the players were guilty of anything, it was in underestimating the skulduggery endemic in the Chelsea ranks. Ballack always looks to me like the kind of sleazy lawyer who ensures that rapists and arms dealers walk free from court, Drogba on the other hand may well be a direct descendant of the inventors of ballet. Do you have any proof to the contrary? I thought not.

Don’t get me wrong. I respect Chelsea as a unit and a team. And as individual players Drogba, Ballack and Lampard are magnificent. It’s just I am not an avid subscriber to Frank TV, that’s all.

Fergie, as is his wont, delicately pointed out that referee may have erred slightly in awarding the goal. He has a Sam Allardyce-sized point, but that’s not really why we lost. We were just unlucky and thems the breaks sometimes.

I have left Stamford Bridge seething in my time. This doesn’t feel so bad. It barely feels like a defeat. We still have a lot of season to go yet and we have proven we can give everybody’s favourites a game. The level of performance particularly pleases me when we had three regular starters out of the side. Besides, let’s face it, it’s nowhere near as bad as slipping over when facing the decisive kick in a European Cup final. Is it John?

Comments

Posted by Nuddy Pillay on 11/09/2009

Mark - really insightful analysis of the game. Like you I felt Fergie got his tactical plan absolutely right. Rooney had a few chances to seal this one off and Carrick needed to hit the target and we would have got all three points. The Chelsea midfield were strangled to the effect that Drogba and Anelka had to track way back into their own half to get the ball in the second half. Chelsea won this battle but I saw enough to believe that United will win the war.

Posted by norlaji hamid on 11/09/2009

i think ferguson must try the credibility of michael owen as england former forward.. give a change to play full time... i want to see kaka or ronaldinho as a part of this team.. do you agree?

Posted by chuma on 11/09/2009

Bulls-eye analysis. Funny but I actually feel we have a chance now after this loss than before it. The boys were just splendid! Proud to support a team that can play such beautiful stuff. Do you think we missed Berbatov?
Thanks Mark, keep writing.

Posted by shakeel on 11/09/2009

Really Chelsea stoled the match with the complicity of the man in black.I can't see where he saw the fault that bring the goal and how he did not saw the penalty charge of Terry on Valencia,English ref. are the worst.Any the title will be ours.

Posted by hongkie on 11/09/2009

Good analysis. i did think we performed well overall and deserved at least a point. i also think that both evans and brown did a good job overall and we do need to strengthen our attacking force as many people have pointed out in this forum....

Posted by RedBK on 11/09/2009

I agree that this loss did not feel as bad as it would have if we had underperformed. The Liverpool result was a lot harder for me to move past. I feel like while we may have lost the match, we won the momentum battle on the day. How long that momentum last depends greatly on the upcoming fixtures and results.

Anyone with an open mind and a minimal knowlege of the game will agree that we were the better team in more categories than one (maybe all except the score). Our finishing is the only place where I feel we fell a bit short. The one thing that I am really pleased with was how much posession we kept even facing the diamond-shaped midfield. Our passing was tight and the movement off the ball was sublime.

Finally, Can we please pull the plug on the Drogba show? I was sat next to a Chelsea supporter in a pub who exclaimed "The Oscars are over" when one Wayne Rooney was clearly fouled. My response to him: "You're right, and Didier won them all".

Proud of our boys!

Posted by tyler utd fan on 11/09/2009

Mark i completely agree with you and your first post of the day. I was sitting in a sports bar surronded by Chelsea fans rubbing their win in my face. As the taunting contined i realized they were taunting because they were scared. We had opportunities to win this game. Sir Alex gave us the best starting 11 for this game and we almost pulled it out. Why is Chelsea scared you might ask. Look at the game, no Vidic, no ferdinand, no berbatov, no 100s of millions spent on players and we looked like the better team at Stamford Bridge. I really feel like this loss will give us confidence and propel our season to eventually be CHAMPIONS. Chelsea are very beatable. Go MAN UTD By the way Chelsea fans are some of the worst fans in the world in any sport! By yourself some more great players and watch you slip behind UTD again you blues fans for you will always be blue at the end of the season. GO MAN UTD

Posted by Brian on 11/09/2009

Your forgetting about the fact "that Drogba clearly fouled Brown, and also that free kick should not have been awarded". I'm a little biased being a Chelsea fan, but it seems like the ref's don't have control over Man U, and Man U can crowed them and say what ever they want. I remember that heartbreak tie against Barca that sent Barca to the finals, and they had carded and suspended the Chelsea players do to their actions against the ref. I am not saying suspend the Man U players, but I fel that when Man U starts to complain like that, they need to just go straight to the Red Card untill they start understanding that the ref is trying to make the game fair and safe. I didn't hear them complain about Evans kicking Drogba in the chest while also in the box, which could have been a penalty kick. And a response to the comment above, from what I saw Chelsea would win the war. Man U showed that when things are tight, they start to play dirty and blame the refs, and that will catch up.

Posted by Philip Tseng on 11/09/2009

I watched previous games, and felt the weak of ManU's defence. But, in this game, I got the confidence back. To get a goal, decided by God. But, for blocking a goal, decided by us.

Posted by Rona on 11/09/2009

Mark you are spot on,Fergie was perfect with his tactical plan but I feel the players gave away the game themselves considering the number of shots they fluffed wide when they would have at least hit the target.
On the other hand the big scot should learn in his old age to accept losses as losses.Every game Man U looses ,he has every thing to complain about re freeing yet he has never blamed the same referees for giving his team ''gifts''.
Chelsea won the match,lets see whether they can hold off Arsenal till the end.

Posted by Aliyu on 11/09/2009

Yes,I will like to see this trio midfielders combine well,(Anderon,Carrick and Fletcher)with 2 or 3 attackers United will beat any team this seasson.

Posted by ken on 11/09/2009

Where was Berbatov against Chelsea? Injured?

Posted by thomas417 on 11/09/2009

Good game, we showed our class out there in Stamford. Talking about Giggs how long will him be the game as u all would ave noticed his stamina & body balance is been affected by his age, so he will not be always there to fill in gap in the left flank , is high time fergie go deep in pocket wen transfer window opens on jan to bring in Silva to old trafford now Valencia is behind in financially or trade him with Nani if he does not improve.
What u do think?

Posted by Patrice-Kigali on 11/10/2009

Fellow ManUs,

i share the same feeling as Mark and Most of comments posted before this.

Excellent game Plan and hard work from the players.

Only that Giggsy got lost all the time he was on.
Anderson later discovered himself. All the guys tried but for me; Rooney, Fletcher and Evans were outstanding. Good tackles by Evans, the boy is slowly becoming amazing!

I wish Ferguson buys a serious striker in January. We only needed a sharp shooter to finish off Chelsea. One who is stronger than Owen, faster than Berbatov and more experienced than Wellberck. We really need him, i don't think Berbatov is going to help us in that regard.

Having said that; i now know that the team is not as bad as i thought at the begining of the season, perhaps Furgie needs to get tactics and team selection right then bring two new layers in January, then we shall enjoy come May as usual.

Lost but not defeated,according to what i saw on Sunday.

ManU 4ever.

Posted by Richie Damien on 11/10/2009

In a short contrast, what United displayed at stamford bridge was superb, That's was the United we know. The players are great that day and i can only expect them to be more than sunday as the league runs on. Surely the world realize that United are out to pick the Title again.... IS ALL ABOUT BELIEVE!!!!! Lets count the unbeaten run from now... March on RED ARMY>>>>

Posted by E.R on 11/10/2009

i believe that bout times did really good somewhat of the time but other than that i'm very greatful and somewhat un greatful for that game and overall score.

Posted by Gaman on 11/10/2009

obertan is became as ronaldo one day....i thing he should give more chance in 1st eleven team because i see he performance is very good. It will be inproved while he have chance in 1st elevan team...i think Sir should give more chance for orbertan because he is football the future for manchester united....good luck sir and the manchester united team....

Posted by CK on 11/11/2009

Why not Owen in the 1st team !!!! His positioning will assist a lot in the match at least... Rooney wouldn't freeze by blue defender !!!

Posted by Philbert on 11/11/2009

You're on point once again Mark!!! Big Up for this column. Of all the games Rooney has played this season, I felt this was his best [If not being denied a goal from that wow curler, that was awesome and for the very first time I saw a Chelsea defence go shaky and fret whenever He got the ball.

Straight to the point, Obertan should be given more time, He really tormented Ivanovic for the given period. Evans and Brown Impressed me the most by silencing Drogba and Fletcher is just what we need at the heart of Midfield. Anderson shouldn't go deep as often as he did coz Giggs's balls required a taller guy, I felt we'd won had Berbatov been in to head home Giggs balls that were way over Anderson. Valencia, is just the next Ronaldo, Ashley Cole got his perfect match!!

Overall, I guess it was a Victory to us, considering Chelsea ended the game with 3 Central Defenders and no Striker, just for the torment of future United greats. Thanks Boys for giving us that game. T'was awesome. PEACE!!!

Posted by Micheal Reynolds on 11/11/2009

I must say that along with most of you, I got great hope from this United showing. I was O so sick after the Liverpool game but United came out and showed what a truely great team they are.
I was extreemly worried with our 2 centrel defenders missing but we spent so much of the game with the ball and on the attack that it was not a factor.Blind Freddy could see that the "Goal" should have been ruled out BUT who were playing at HOME???

Posted by jeetan on 11/12/2009

I like you

Posted by samz on 11/12/2009

i am quite hurt because of referee decision during the game. it is not fair to stop the game when terry is down because of Cole. it up to Manu player to kick out the ball. Manu still need to develop new star player. Obertan is one of it.. Surely he can take Ronaldo place one day or next season..

Posted by Akkas on 11/12/2009

Hey hey, wena. I O so sick of this your old complaining after every lost of his team. I am a gunner, you know. So I do believe in telling the truth like it is. Do you guys remmember that when we (Arsenal) lost at Old traford this September, that that United's penelty was in fact a dive from Rooney? That a true penelty was the one when Darren Fletcher talke Arshavin from behind witout him touching the ball but yet the ref decided to ignore that one in favour of Man United? Your Fergie was happy after that game telling the world that the ref did well. So it appear to me that the ref is only good to him when his team is winning but he's losing then the ref is not fit and that and this. What a coach he is? Come on Mr. Ferguson, face the reallity and stop complaing every time you loose and, maybe is the chewing gum you chew all the time that when you smell a defeat on case is taking all concerntration from the game to the chewing of the Gum. A bad looser talking too much.

Posted by Akkas on 11/12/2009

Valencia was lucky remain on the pitch with a two-footed challenge on Lampard but Atkinson handed him a yellow card. Why not commenting on that Mr. Ferguson?

Posted by UTD FAN on 11/13/2009

Anybody saw the NANI comment. Goodness, what was he thinking? That united would turn to him after CR is gone? That he his really that good to replace CR? The only fantastic about him is his flip after scoring a goal, and that is all that is good about. He has no vision, not teamwork, doesn't have a good reading of the game. Most of the time i see run the ball to the touch line and the game ends. Wonder if he is playing rugby or football. S.A.F PLEASE SELL HIM!!!

Posted by Wilson on 11/13/2009

Wonderful post and comments. Well I do hope Fergie places more trust in our young players, particularly in Anderson, Evans, Obertan and Tosic. We invested heavily and to reap the rewards we need to play em. Young players learn frm their mistakes and we've seen in frm the Fergie Fledging era. Remember how a young 18 year old torn apart EPL defences in his debut season? Young players need to be confident and have to know the gaffer is behind them.I feel Scholes and Giggs shld play minimally. I wish that our Vidic-Ferdiand force will be back in form. For January, we need to sell Nani, pray for a fit Owen Hargreaves and Fletcher, Berbatov to stop playing according to his mood and Fergie to stop treating Michael as a super-sub. We have the qualities to win our 4th straight title, but lets be realistic, its hard-work, team spirit and the pride of the champions that will win it for us, not hoping a player like Ronaldo will come in in January to win it. Its a different season afterall.

Posted by ONUCHUKWU EBUBECHUKWU on 11/13/2009

man unite will put more effort in attacking field and also be trying short at the danger area.
UP UNITED"

Posted by united since '77 on 11/13/2009

The real fans rave about good football and great team effort and spirit after a lost. the sunnyday-support the winning team fans only see the wins and losses....and make empty unsubstantiated boasts when we win...and uneducated criticisms when we lose.

Good football,unlucky to have lost...thats how the game goes.

Rather cheer a ManU team playing good football with good team spirit....then win games and cringe about poor play...luckly breaks..and players that play only for themselves.

Posted by Godwin A.K.A Gclims on 11/13/2009

Thanks to all the players of MAN-U what a great game,that is d kind of playing that made me became a MAN-U fan "GOOD FOOTBALL".good team formation and spirit from the players.without ferd and vidic the defends did well and i saw a great pairing in the midfield. I think Obertan should be giving a chance to prove himself as i can see another CR coming up and valencia should drive in more into the 18 area to head in ball.

Man united is a great club and a true champion keep it up as the season title is ours. MAN UNITED 4 LIFE

Posted by Nathan Nwabuisi on 11/14/2009

Mark That was really an insightful analysis of Last sunday game. The Match was one of the best game MAN UTD had played this season(though we lost), we showed our class out there in Stamford. Before the game when it was obvious that Vidic & Ferdiand will not be featuring in the game and with the recent form of chelsea in front of goal I though we will be beaten convincingly, but how wrong was I. Credit should be given to the squad that played that day, They treated the FANS all over with GOOD FOOTBALL.
Obertan and Owen should be given more playing time, and also, Evans and Brown were really! really!! really !!! outstanding that day.
The season's not over yet, "MAN UNITED TILL I DIE!"

Posted by Joeleon on 11/14/2009

Though man u is good as a team, but they complain too much especially when luck is not on their side. They should learn how to be independent. Man u always depend on ref for victory, which is bad.

Posted by Pablo on 11/15/2009

As a true lover of the game, I agree that Man U played the better football until...I'm a die hearted Chelsea supporter, and maybe just too much respect was shown to the current title holders, but for God's sake-what's with Man U and refs from the start of the season? I am sure all the other teams have had bad calls made against them (Drogba was almost killed by Brown) nobody saw that, yet he(Drogba) got the yellow. Don't hear Chelsea making a big fuss over it! I think Man U and their fans are sore losers and Burnley, Liverpool and Chelsea showed the you aren't as invincible as you think you are...with more spankings to be received too. CHELSEA FOR LYPHE!!!

Posted by Gbenga on 11/15/2009

Dont understand why people keep saying man utd depend on ref's for victory. the difference between man utd and other teams is that Man utd will always stand up to the occasion when it matters most. we lost against chelsea, so what! we will always bounce back.

GO UNITED!!!!!1

Posted by Parry Pants on 11/16/2009

mark, thank YOU!!
you have just perfectly potrayed what every Stretford Ender was feeling that night!!
i guess United put themselves on a more defensive mood much before the game..and that let chelsea to captivation!
i think boxing day is when united wakes up every season.....
i loved your analysis---...thank you!!..
MUFC till Eternity!!!!

Posted by MU fan. on 11/16/2009

Pablo, either you are sleeping when the game is on, or dust got into your eyes. First, the person who "kick" Drogba is Jonny Evans, NOT BROWN. Obviously you aren't paying attention to the game. Second, killed? You gotta be kidding me. Drogba was the one who ran towards Evans, while Evans was on the air. Let me ask you, if you were Evans, would you let a crazy idiot bang you down? Of course not right? This is call self defence. Third, Drogba was just pretending. He was lying down there, like a mad person, rolling all over the place, like he sustain a kongfu kick by a legendary kongfu master. And when the referee gives him a yellow, he immediately stood up and protest. Suddenly, the 'pain' heal and he was able to walk out of the field without any help. This is call killed? Finally, think twice before you type. Every club has their own sore losers, so you better don't group every ManU fan together, and say we are sore losers.
ManUtd Forever.

Posted by Martin Petrpv on 11/17/2009

We played as well as can be expected. Another strong central defender and finding an adequate new keeper to take Edwin's place in time would help, but still. Scholes and Giggs are playing their last games, and it is up to guys like Tosic and Obertan to take over from Giggs, and Anderson and Possebon to take over from Scholes. They have the quality, what they need is game practice. The issue with Nani, Berbatov and Owen is not that they lack quality - they are very good players. What Nani lacks is blending with the team, something Ronaldo took nearly 2 years to achieve. What Berbatov lacks is the spirit of Scholes, but we did not buy him for that, right? And Owen is still one of the better strikers, but it will take him an year to find his place, and by then he may be a bit too old. And, yes, guys like Macheda, Petrucci, Welbeck, Diouf are not yet first team material. Do we give them a chance or buy someone like Ibra? I think we should give the young ones time to develop. We ain't City!

Posted by cosmiclaws on 11/17/2009

I agree with MU fan. That pablo must be sleeping. I respect Carlo Ancelotti as he has make chelsea a better team this season. That Drogba is an oscar award winner, he should quit playing football and become an actor. Drogba is a strong and athletic player but act like a pus*y to deceive everyone. Please get a life Drogba. Man U is the better team than chelsea. Come one, chelsea why are you not winning the league or champion league?Is it because you don't have money to spend and buy trophies.lol.

Posted by adam on 11/17/2009

you win some you lose some!!! yes UTD were unlucky to lose, however we have also been very lucky this year already with some wins considering we have not been playing well. The most pleasing thing was that we actually played well! the start of the season I tipped chelsea to win the comp, so for us to have our best game of the year thus far aginst them was very encouraging. Great to see anderson start the game, I think this guy is a great player, fergie just needs to play him consistently and he will grow to be a big part of future teams. He may turn out to be the succesor of scoles. I feel that we are missing that creative edge like the old scoles had, the player that can sit in behind the strikers and make late runs into the box or supply Rooney with consistent service. anderson can give a killer pass and may grow into this role. we are realying on Giggs to much at the moment. Mark what do you think about Van de Vaart the dutchman he could fill this role while the young players mature

Posted by Adeola fanu on 11/18/2009

I think d gaffer shuld giv Obertan more time & he shuld also stick wit d trio of Anderson,Fletcher&Carrick in d middle.He shuld shop 4 a quality forward dis January.United 4 Life.

Posted by Andrew Herley on 11/21/2009

Your enjoy reading these pieces of fine literature lol, Go United!

Andrew

Posted by Respect_ on 12/08/2009

To:Akka. Firstly, what makes you think that everyone reading this knows you support ARSEnal? I do not know that you are a gunner, you know. Mister, I do believe in telling the truth like it is also. So I'll tell it to your face...The winning goal came off Abou Diaby's head. Get your facts right, the match wasn't in september, it was on 29 Aug 2009. By the way, Sir Ferguson has already apologised to Alan Wiley. Whatsmore, haven't you ever chewed gum in your life? Arsene Wenger has also admitted that he is a sore loser after the defeat to Man City in the Carling Cup recently. So please, dont critise us united fans without any concrete arguement. I do like arsenal and their philosophy, but what attracts me to united is the way they give their best, the great football they produce and their unity. The red devils will bounce back.. What you say shows your disrespect to Sir Alex Ferguson, the entire MUFC squad and the beautiful game. It also makes me wonder what arsenal fans are really like.

Posted by Respect_ on 12/08/2009

Hey Mark, your pieces are really excellent. Also .. i would like to high-light that Drogba gets my vote for the Oscars...its amazing when one moment he's clunching his chest and kicking his legs about and the next moment he's arguing with the ref about his yellow card which was given due to his obviously plain acting fiasco. I respect drogba and the chelsea team , he is a great striker but what he needs to learn is how to behave like a role model to the millions of viewers who watch him.

Posted by Jacy L! on 02/07/2010

Ya u know what would help is having another player out there to help! Have yall ever heard of Andrew Sarjant? He is a phenomenal player. I watched him out in Watford and saw very respectful man. He is extremely fast to. My brother Jack had a game and needed to wath a game so we went to Andrew's! Amazing player played professional for a while.

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