Tweet
MANCHESTER UNITED fittingly chose this year's Remembrance Sunday to remind the world what they stand for.
A club of immense tradition, true footballing heavyweights who, unlike Nikolay Valuev, continue to punch their weight.
Yes, they lost but this was the biggest miscarriage of justice since they themselves somehow beat Arsenal at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
For long spells there was only one side in this game - and it wasn't Chelsea.
As for John Terry's pre-match claim that the title was there for the taking, the only thing actually there for the taking was Chelsea.
Yes, United finally bowed to a Terry header from Frank Lampard's free-kick and now trail the Blues by five points with Arsenal second on goal difference.
But, despite the result and some customary moaning, manager Alex Ferguson will be re-energised by his team's performance.
One achieved without both centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, the ever-reliable Park Ji Sung and striker Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian's absence, though, seemed to work hugely in United's favour.
It was as if the handbrake had been taken off. As if some ball and chain had been removed from every ankle.
Suddenly, United were pouring forward at huge pace down the flanks, severely embarrassing Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic, causing Terry and Ricardo Carvalho moments of immense panic in the middle.
Sure, it was no traditional 4-4-2 formation - more a fluid 4-2-3-1 - but it still had the hallmark of the United of old.
Pace, pace and more pace.
The most vital ingredient in modern football - and the one quality Berbatov denies them.
What a poser now for boss Ferguson.
Had United had better luck - and a sharper cutting edge in front of goal - they could have been 3-0 up by the time Chelsea scored the winner.
Ryan Giggs put one first-half effort over the top that he would normally convert in his sleep. Wayne Rooney drove inches wide in the 66th minute and then saw Petr Cech produce a brilliant save to turn the ball round the far post.
Everywhere you looked on the pitch, the best players were wearing United red.
var RStag = "";try{RStag = segQS;}catch(e){RStag = "";}document.write('');
Rooney, under the watchful eye of Fabio Capello, had one of his finest games of the season, on his own up front.
Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher totally outshone the celebrated midfield diamond of Chelsea while Wes Brown and Jonny Evans reduced the in-form Didier Drogba to the Drogba of old - a big girl's blouse.
At left-back, Patrice Evra enraged Chelsea fans more than usual with a show of individual counter-attacking football that was a joy to watch.
People often claim Ashley Cole is one of the best left-backs in the world. Yesterday he could not hold a candle to the outstanding Frenchman.
But the bottom line is United lost and they don't give cups to gallant losers. Yet, just like Arsenal's performance at Old Trafford, there is something extremely reassuring for United fans about their ballsy display at the Bridge.
Arsenal fans did not panic and continued to keep the faith a week later when they shipped four against Manchester City at Eastlands.
United punters will do the same. Compared to some of the sub-standard displays they have put in this season - Birmingham, Burnley, Sunderland, Wolfsburg, Wolves and CSKA - this was progress.
As for Chelsea, the glowing reports they have received recently seemed to go to their heads - as if three points were there for the taking.
It was casual, sloppy stuff, all Kings Road flicks and flourishes rather than Fulham Broadway elbow grease.
Most disappointing of all was Deco, who must have been as relieved as every home fan when he was finally hauled off on the hour.
There is a big lesson there for Carlo Ancelotti's team. Strut around like this again and there will be more defeats to add to Wigan and Villa.
Yes, they may be five points clear. But that could all change when they travel to Arsenal on November 29.
And, if they continue in the same vein as yesterday, United will be ready to pounce.
A club of immense tradition, true footballing heavyweights who, unlike Nikolay Valuev, continue to punch their weight.
Yes, they lost but this was the biggest miscarriage of justice since they themselves somehow beat Arsenal at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
For long spells there was only one side in this game - and it wasn't Chelsea.
As for John Terry's pre-match claim that the title was there for the taking, the only thing actually there for the taking was Chelsea.
Yes, United finally bowed to a Terry header from Frank Lampard's free-kick and now trail the Blues by five points with Arsenal second on goal difference.
But, despite the result and some customary moaning, manager Alex Ferguson will be re-energised by his team's performance.
One achieved without both centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, the ever-reliable Park Ji Sung and striker Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian's absence, though, seemed to work hugely in United's favour.
It was as if the handbrake had been taken off. As if some ball and chain had been removed from every ankle.
Suddenly, United were pouring forward at huge pace down the flanks, severely embarrassing Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic, causing Terry and Ricardo Carvalho moments of immense panic in the middle.
Sure, it was no traditional 4-4-2 formation - more a fluid 4-2-3-1 - but it still had the hallmark of the United of old.
Pace, pace and more pace.
The most vital ingredient in modern football - and the one quality Berbatov denies them.
What a poser now for boss Ferguson.
Had United had better luck - and a sharper cutting edge in front of goal - they could have been 3-0 up by the time Chelsea scored the winner.
Ryan Giggs put one first-half effort over the top that he would normally convert in his sleep. Wayne Rooney drove inches wide in the 66th minute and then saw Petr Cech produce a brilliant save to turn the ball round the far post.
Everywhere you looked on the pitch, the best players were wearing United red.
var RStag = "";try{RStag = segQS;}catch(e){RStag = "";}document.write('');
Rooney, under the watchful eye of Fabio Capello, had one of his finest games of the season, on his own up front.
Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher totally outshone the celebrated midfield diamond of Chelsea while Wes Brown and Jonny Evans reduced the in-form Didier Drogba to the Drogba of old - a big girl's blouse.
At left-back, Patrice Evra enraged Chelsea fans more than usual with a show of individual counter-attacking football that was a joy to watch.
People often claim Ashley Cole is one of the best left-backs in the world. Yesterday he could not hold a candle to the outstanding Frenchman.
But the bottom line is United lost and they don't give cups to gallant losers. Yet, just like Arsenal's performance at Old Trafford, there is something extremely reassuring for United fans about their ballsy display at the Bridge.
Arsenal fans did not panic and continued to keep the faith a week later when they shipped four against Manchester City at Eastlands.
United punters will do the same. Compared to some of the sub-standard displays they have put in this season - Birmingham, Burnley, Sunderland, Wolfsburg, Wolves and CSKA - this was progress.
As for Chelsea, the glowing reports they have received recently seemed to go to their heads - as if three points were there for the taking.
It was casual, sloppy stuff, all Kings Road flicks and flourishes rather than Fulham Broadway elbow grease.
Most disappointing of all was Deco, who must have been as relieved as every home fan when he was finally hauled off on the hour.
There is a big lesson there for Carlo Ancelotti's team. Strut around like this again and there will be more defeats to add to Wigan and Villa.
Yes, they may be five points clear. But that could all change when they travel to Arsenal on November 29.
And, if they continue in the same vein as yesterday, United will be ready to pounce.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
Comment