UNITED MARCH ON

MANCHESTER UNITED   3   ASTON VILLA   1 

                                       (Herrera 43', 90')                         (Benteke 79')

                                       (Rooney 79')    

With Liverpool losing in the early kick off 4-1 to Arsenal this was a chance for United to consolidate their hold on a top four position and they did not disappoint. Much has rightly been made about United’s recent renaissance and praise has been given to players such as Fellaini for finding the type of form that made United fork out 27.5 pounds for his services over a year ago. Today was about another man who last year was widely lambasted from all sides. Ashley Young had for a long time failed to ingratiate himself to the United faithful but today he took some steps towards remedying that with an energetic and effective performance.

Villa, despite catching United with a sucker punch immediately after United's goal, were always second best in this game. They may have one eye on an upcoming FA Cup semifinal against either Liverpool or Blackburn but on this performance they didn't show anything to suggest they are clear of relegation just yet.

This game took but 4 minutes to explode. A beautiful  forward pass by Young was helped on by Fellaini sending Rooney bursting through on goal. Ciaran Clark seemed to wrap his arm around Rooney’s neck in the struggle for the ball and when Rooney went to ground the United fans demanded a penalty but referee, Roger Eastland, was having none of it and waved play on. It looked a clear penalty on first view and it can only be that Rooney was over-theatrical in his reaction to the challenge. United dominated possession after that incident and with them playing a back four Ashley Young was excelling without the shackles of having to track back. Villa had to concentrate hard to deny United making anything of their pressure and Ciaran Clark, who might have been sent off by this stage if the referee had given the penalty, was the main rock on which United’s attacks floundered.

There still were lots of encouraging signs for United fans that their sides recent improvement in consistency was still on the right track. Along with Young other payers were beginning to show a cohesion that was not present, understandably, at the start of the season. Herrera, Fellaini and Mata were finding each other easily and Daly Blind was adding another dimension attacking down the left wing. At this point Villa, with Benteke and Agbonlahor up front, were feeding off scraps.  With half time in sight United moved up a gear. Again it was down the left wing, Ashey Young released Blind on the under-lap and he was able to cut the ball back to Herrera who had time to control the ball and pick his spot.

At the start of the second half it was more of the same with United doing all the pressing and Villa restricted to a half chance where Benteke couldn’t adjust himself properly after some good work by Weiman down Villa’s left wing. While United were not creating clear cut chances they were in complete control of the game and this was what was most impressive, their ability to keep the ball and deny Villa any foothold in the game. After Young and Fellaini had been substituted to generous applause the game suddenly jumped to life again. On 80 minutes, Di Maria, who had come on for Young, showed some good footwork to make space for himself and create a cross into Rooney who with his back to goal was able to bring the ball down with one touch and then turn and hammer the ball home on the half volley. Here was another man who was hitting a vein of fine form. What happened next though was similar to blink and you have missed it. 

Within a minute of kick off Villa had won a corner and in a training ground routine Weimann stepped over a low ball played to the edge of the box allowing Benteke to sweep the ball home under the body of United goalkeeper De Gea who will be disappointed with his efforts to save it. United, however, were determined not to let Villa spoil their party and in injury time they got their third and Herrera’s second. Rooney was first to react to a drop ball and get the ball to Mata who was allowed to get his head up and find Herrera who was again arriving late into the box to deliver a clinical finish and dispatch Aston Villa who will be anxiously looking over their shoulder only three points now outside the relegation zone.  

GERRARD SEES RED AS UNITED MARCH ON

LIVERPOOL   1       MANCHESTER UNITED   2

                                       (Sturridge 69')            (Mata 14' 59')  

Both of these clubs came into the game buoyed after some good recent performances. Liverpool being the most consistent team since the turn of the year and Manchester United with whispers after their good win against Spurs that maybe, at last, they had found their best starting eleven,  interestingly, a starting eleven that did not include the expensively acquired Falcao and Di Maria. For this game United retained the same personnel and shape from  the Spurs game which meant Rooney and Juan Mata were given another chance up front for the Red Devils.    

The first half in this game was very tight, both teams denying the other any space in the attacking third. United had started with a back four but Liverpool continued with a back three and two wing backs.  With the wings backs committed to going forward there can sometimes be space either side of the back three and Manchester United exploited that space for the opening goal of the game after 14 minutes. Herrera picked up the ball just inside the Liverpool half and seeing that Sakho had positioned himself too centrally and Moreno had got caught up field, slotted the ball into the open space for Mata to run onto and he coolly shot past Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.

United were just about value for their lead as they were the more pro-active in their approach to the game. Liverpool were very committed but didn’t create a clear cut chance until the 34^th minute. Jordan Henderson played a lovely long ball over the United defence for Sturridge to chase and he played a precise cut back for the on rushing Adam Lallana who unfortunately for Liverpool connected with his shin and skewed the ball wide.

The first half had been a cagey affair but the second half exploded in the first few minutes. Liverpool fans had warmly greeted the introduction of Steven Gerrard but it would only be a matter of minutes before they were waving him down the tunnel after he had been red carded for kicking out at Herrera. Gerrard had obviously come on with fire in his belly as his first action had been to make Juan Mata aware of his arrival on the pitch. Herrera had sought to get some retribution on Gerrard with a late challenge of his own and Gerrard reacted by kicking out at the United midfielder. Referee Martin Atkinson had little option but to send the Liverpool legend off.

United quickly took advantage of their numerical superiority with their second goal after 58 minutes, and it was a similar goal to the first one. Again Sakho had been dragged in too centrally and Moreno was nowhere in sight when a flighted ball by substitute Di Maria found Mata unmarked. He still had a lot to do as the ball was slightly behind him but Mata adjusted himself and produced a textbook scissors kick to find the far corner of the net past the diving Mignolet.

 Juan Mata celebrates scoring the second goal for Manchester United at Liverpool. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

At this stage, with ten men, it seemed all up for Liverpool but they would not let United have it all their own way. On 69 minutes Coutinho got on the ball at the edge of the box and slipped in Sturridge who still had a lot to do from a tight angle but his shot somehow beat De Gea at his near post.  Liverpool did their best to get the equalizer but United with their extra man were able to contain them. It would be United who would have the best chance to score the next goal.

Wayne Rooney before this game had only scored one goal at Anfield, that goal coming way back in 2005, and when the referee awarded Man Utd a penalty in injury time for Can’s foul on Danny Blind Rooney was not going to give the ball to Mata to try for his hat trick. However, there was no joy for Rooney as Mignolet guessed correctly and was able to push away his effort. The game ended on a sour note with Skrtel leaving his leg in on De Gea when reaching for a ball played through. There very well may be some post match repercussions on that one for the Liverpool defender.

Liverpool will feel deflated after this game. Besides being now 5 points behind fourth placed United the manner of the defeat and the sending off of Gerrard will leave a bad taste in their mouths. Liverpool were never really in the game and with so much riding on the result that will be of disappointment to them. On the other hand, United will be very pleased with another convincing display. Solid at the back, measured in midfield and effective in attack United looked very balanced. With Di Maria back to full fitness again it will be interesting to see Van Gaal’s next team selection. Will he play both Mata and Di Maria as he did in the second half today or will he just opt for one of them?  On current form, Mata is undroppable.  

ARSENAL SHOW RESILIENCE TO HOLD ON

NEWCASTLE   1    ARSENAL   2

                                                      Sissoko 48'              Giroud 24' 28'

   

St James' Park, 21st March 2015

In football there are lots of cliches and this is a game where we can accurately use one of them. This "was a game of two halves" if ever there was one. In the first half, Arsenal were dominant and could have been out of sight. In the second half it was Newcastle's turn to take the wheel but alas for their brilliant fans they could not get that elusive second goal.

It is coming to the point that one can nearly predict Arsenal’s season before it even begins. Always close to the top but never having enough to be Champions; knocked out of the Champion’s league in the last 16; challenging for the League cup or FA cup and putting together a winning run at the end of the season to ensure qualification for the Champion’s League for the next season. By this rationale we are into a winning phase for Arsenal as they continued their recent good run of form in the league with a hard fought victory over a determined Newcastle side at St James’ Park.

It started off very well for the Gunners. In fact, at times it was too easy for them and John Carver would have felt that his side was not doing him any favours in his quest to be the man in charge of the Newcastle team come next August. Sitting in 11^th position with 35 points this is a team whose players might already be  thinking about their summer plans. From the start Arsenal looked bright, passing the ball around with purpose, their players always running and looking for an angle and a return pass. They finally got their reward after 24 minutes when Olivier Giroud was on hand to instinctively guide Welbeck’s header into the Newcastle goal with his knee after a good free kick in from Santi Cazorla. That was Giroud’s ninth goal in his last 11 games and he got his tenth shortly after. On 28 minutes another good ball in by Cazorla, this time from a corner, and in a battle of strength with Mike Williamson, Giroud wins the header and is able to direct it past the Newcastle defender on the post.  

Newcastle pulled one goal back but could not get equaliser.

Newcastle fans demanded a better response in the second half from their team and they got it. Looking for the ball now when in the first half a lot of players went hiding Newcastle soon had pulled a goal back. Remy Cabella made a strong run breaking down the wing and crossed well over the heads of the first defenders to Sissoko who expertly took the shot first time guiding the ball past the diving Ospina into the Arsenal goal. Newcastle were buoyed by that, as were the fans, and were very unlucky not to be level at 2-2 straight after that goal with Ayoze Perez inches from bending a shot into the top corner.

 This was a different game completely now with Newcastle hunting for the equalizer. Arsenal who had been coasting in the first half seemed unprepared for the change in Newcastle attitude. Perez and Cabella were particularly effective in terrorizing the Arsenal backline with their darting runs. Newcastle should have been level after 64 minutes with Williamson heading straight at Ospina from a corner when only a couple of yards out. Arsenal suddenly couldn’t get out of their own half with Newcastle first to every ball and the Gunners had to rely on their defence with some desperate tackles to keep Newcastle at bay. In fact on 82 minutes Newcastle had a strong shout for a penalty as Cabella seemed to beat Koscielny to the ball and the French defender clipping his foot in the follow through. To the chagrin of the Toon Army the referee, Mike Jones, waved their protestations away.  The Magpies could smell salvation but to no avail and Arsenal were able to hang on…just

Both teams will take positives from this game. Newcastle will be happy they were able to fight back from a dreadful start while Arsenal will look at their strong attacking display in the first half but more so their determined defensive display in the second half. If Arsenal are to break this Ground hog day season that their fans feel  their team is stuck in they will  need more of the back bone they showed today.

Sending off allows Manchester City to sleepwalk to victory.

SENDING OFF HELPS CITY TO SLEEPWALK TO VICTORY

MANCHESTER CITY   3   WEST BROM  0

                          Etihad Stadium, Manchester 21st March 2015

                                     (BONY 27 mins)

                                                        (FERNANDO 40 mins)

                                                        (SILVA 77 mins)   

                

 This was a game that City could not really “win” no matter the result. Even this comprehensive victory will only be seen as something that was expected. Nevertheless, after the disappointment of losing out to Barcelona in the Champion’s League midweek and a run of bad form that has seen them fall behind Chelsea in the race for the Premier League crown this was a game that City just had to win, no matter the score.

West Brom were always going to be up against it and they got off to the worst possible start with them being reduced to 10 men after just 2 minutes in the strangest of circumstances . It was to be another case of the referee, in this case Neil Swarbrick, sending off the wrong man.  Wilfried Bony got through between the West Brom centre halfs and seemed to be knocked off the ball illegally by the struggling Craig Dawson. Bony, however, stayed on his feet but was then pulled down by another desperate tackle this time by Gareth McAuley and it was he who was sent off. Straight forward so far right? But wait, Dawson’s tackle was outside the box and McAuley’s was inside the box but the referee awards a free kick for the first offense and off went McAuley despite his and his teammates protestations.

Many would have expected West Brom to capitulate after that but this is a team managed by Tony Pulis and defensive organization is something he drills into his teams. For a long spell after the sending off West Brom contained City to one long range effort from David Silva on 24 minutes which was well palmed away by Boaz Myhill in the West Brom goal. That gave encouragement to City and within three minutes they were ahead, somewhat luckily for them. A weak shot by Fernando was deflected off the misfortunate Dawson wrong footing the rest of the West Brom defence and allowing Bony to bring the ball down and find his spot beyond Myhill for his first goal for the Sky Blues. City were enjoying over 90% possession but West Brom were holding firm and looked to be on their way to getting to the interval only one goal behind but it was not to be. Again West Brom were left feeling aggrieved by the officials. Mangala seemed to have his foot very high in flicking a corner on but what followed was just poor defending from the Baggies. When the ball dropped Olsson and Myhill contrived to get in each others way to allow Fernando to gratefully mop up the spilled ball.

Referee Neil Swarbrick sent off McAuley in error

In the second half, City again dominated possession and peppered the West Brom goal with shots on average one every two minutes but for all their time on the ball and all their shots City seemed very lethargic, just going through the motions and honestly you can’t really blame them for that because as an attacking force, with just ten men, West Brom were non-existent. Until that is the the 72^nd minute, when out of the blue West Brom should have scored. A corner was flicked on well by Olsson and Berahino from 2 yards out could only hit the post. In his defence, the ball came at him very quickly but he will still be disappointed. Unfortunately, for West Brom that only served to awaken City momentarily from their slumber. Gael Clichy cut back a ball for substitute Steven Jovetic to shoot through a crowd of players in which David Silva stuck out a leg to guide the ball into the West Brom net.

 This was an important victory for City and one they badly needed to help them lay some ground work for what they will need to be a strong finish to the season. Some will say that even if City win every game from now until the end of the season, If Chelsea are crowned champions then Pellegrini will be shown the door. West Brom , for their part, will point to what they will perceive as poor refereeing as a main reason for their down fall in this game but they will not dwell too much on it. With 33 points and 8 games to go they will be confident of insuring another season in the Premier League and a lot of their players will be thinking about making plans for their summer holidays.

Monaco 0 - Arsenal 2; 17th March 2015

Monaco 0  Arsenal 2

Monaco win on away goals (3-3)

17^th March 2015

Champion’s League, Last 16

It is typical of Arsenal that we were going into this away match, last 16 in the Champion’s League being already 1-3 down from the 1^st leg and all the talk before the game was how close would Arsenal get to over-turning the deficit. Everyone knew they had the potential to do it if they played their A game and this is what makes the manner of that 1^st leg home defeat more frustrating.  They threw that game away, so unprofessionally. There was a sense that they had to win the tie in the 1^st leg by two or three goals. Being conservative and keeping the game alive was out of the question. How different this tie could have been if they had not been so naïve in the first leg. 

Another issue with the pre talk press in England was that no one gave any credit to Monaco. They were written off as an easy touch when the draw was made and it was assumed that Arsenal would beat them tonight. Here was a team that had only lost two of their last 22 games, conceding just seven goals in the process and had not conceded a goal in three home games at the qualifying stage, a team that had shown, in contrast to Arsenal, some great professionalism at the Emirates in the first match. While revealing some limitations over the course of tonight’s 90 minutes they showed enough over the two legs to merit their place in the quarter finals.  

In the first half of tonight’s game Arsenal were very professional. They didn’t bomb forward seeking an early goal at the expense of their defence. They were patient, probing gently, seeking a measure of their opponents and they got their reward with a very strong finish to the half and that very important first goal. Giroud who had been held up as villain number 1 in the first leg seemed determined to make amends, on the end of most good Arsenal attacks he finally got his reward for his perseverance with an excellent finish high into the net with two Monaco players standing on the line. In fact, Arsenal should have had a second before the break with Welbeck having a driving effort blocked by Abdennour, who was lying prostrate on the ground, and Giroud shooting straight at Subasic in the Monaco goal with an instinctive flick.

Arsenal knocked out at the last 16 stage for the 5th year in a row.

Arsenal, began the second half on the front foot and after some early intense pressure Monaco began to drop off. Long balls sent forward found no Monaco player in the Arsenal half. However, as the game wore on Monaco began to get more a grip on the game, retaining possession and as a consequence setting up some good attacking plays. This pattern continued until the 79^th minute when Arsenal got their 2^nd goal. Walcott smacked the ball against the foot of the post with a controlled shot before a terrible clearance by Kurzawa allowed substitute Ramsey to gather and drill home from just inside the box. After that it was all hands to the pumps but even with 5 minutes of added time Arsenal couldn’t fashion a clear cut chance. In the end, it was a case of so near and yet so far again from Arsenal. As against Bayern Munich in past seasons they had given themselves too much to do from the first match.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Manchester United 3 Tottenham Hotspur 0 15th March 2015

Tottenham had won their last two matches against United at Old Trafford and there was good cause for optimism in them making it a hat trick of victories. In United's defeat to Arsenal in the FA cup during the week they looked disjointed, bereft of ideas, confused as to what their game plan was. It is no coincidence that guessing what a United starting line up will look like is an attempt in futility. Tottenham on the other hand had responded well to their defeat to Chelsea in the League Cup and to Fiorentina in the Europa League with  victories over QPR and Swansea. A Tottenham victory would put them level on points with United in the hunt for a top four finish and in Harry Kane Spurs have the England national teams new Messiah. So put the house on a Spurs win right? This is why I don't bet on football any more. United came out and played as if Alex Ferguson was once again sitting in the dug out. We have not seen the play like this since the opening few games of the season, they played like a team. Suddenly, everyone wanted the ball, Fellaini and Young looked confident, Rooney looked dangerous. This was what the United fans at Old Trafford had been waiting for.

It didn't start so well for United with some nervous touches by Phil Jones one of which a back pass to De Gea that had the United goalie scrambling to prevent an early goal for Tottenham. All those nerves were dispersed, however, when United took the lead. Michael Carrick found himself in lots of space and had time to slip Fellaini through on goal who showed rare composure to slot past Lloris in the Tottenham goal. Suddenly United were a new team, as were Tottenham who now seemed to not want to be in the game. Fellaini was involved in everything good for United and Rooney seemed a new man after finally been released of his midfield shackles to lead the line in a position where he was born to play.
After 19 minutes United were 2-0 up. A corner from the left was kept alive by Fellaini and finally the ball came to Carrick who again had space to head impressively past the despairing dive of Lloris.

It was on the left wing that United were getting most joy and shortly after their 2nd goal winger Andros Townsend was substituted by Tottenham manager Pochettino in favour of the more steely Moussa Dembele in an attempt to stem the United flow. However, things were shortly to get worse for Spurs. Nabil Bentaleb inexplicably gifting the ball to Rooney who then waltzed past some statuesque defending from the Spurs centre halfs to finish clinically past the helpless Lloris. This was the Rooney of old. United were on fire and Spurs were on the ropes and grateful for the half time bell.
The second half was more or less uneventful with United content to play a little more conservatively and let Tottenham commit their men forward. As Tottenham were not able to raise their game United were happy to play the ball around. Mata, Rooney and Fellaini were particulary involved in most of United's good play. In fact, it was not until the last minute of normal time that Spurs and Kane had a clear chance with De Gea grateful to smother the ball under his diving body. Spurs were as happy as the United fans to hear the final whistle. Both sets of fans will leave with plenty food for thought.

For United it will be on whether they have finally found a working and winning formation. When you have huge investments like Falcao and Di Maria the powers that be will be keen that they get game time. On this evidence, for the time being, United looked better without them. Mata especially took his opportunity, eager for the ball and driving at the Spurs defence given the opportunity. There was no doubting what the United fans opinion was, giving Mata a rousing round of applause as he left the field to be replaced by debutant 19 year old Andreas Pereira. Rooney as well seemed re-invigorated, running the channels left and right. It was obvious that this is where he wants to play full time. United are now a point behind 3rd placed Arsenal and 2 behind second placed Manchester City and this when all would largely agree that they have been playing within their potential. If this is the start of something more consistent then United fans have cause for optimism as they enter a period in which they have some challenging games.
Those who feel, like me, that Spurs are not quite ready to threaten the top four placings will have received more ammunition from this game. From the moment Fellaini put United ahead Tottenham looked like they were not up for the game. How much did they miss the guile of Erikson in linking the play from midfield to attack. On this evidence a lot. The good news for Tottenham fans is that this should just be a blip for them in what has been a very encouraging season so far. If they can keep hold of their best young players i.e. Harry Kane and add some quality in the summer then there is no reason that they can't make the breakthrough next season.  

Chelsea 1 Southampton 1 15th March 2015

CHELSEA 1    SOUTHAMPTON  1

15th March 2015

Stamford Bridge

After the defeat by PSG in the Champion's League mid-week and the controversy that came with the Chelsea players reaction to Ibrahimovic's sending off this game was always going to be about how Chelsea would react. With Manchester City wilting as possible title challengers with a home defeat at Burnley the incentive was there for Chelsea to take a big step towards claiming their fourth Premier League title. After this game we can say that Chelsea have lost their mojo, at least temporarily. That extra piece of magic that can turn a draw into a win. Oscar was anonymous for long spells and Fabregas struggled to find his passing game. With a little bit more composure and class Southampton could have taken advantage and claimed all three points. 

It didn't start off so bad for Chelsea with them taking the lead after just10 minutes. Hazard showed some great tenacity to make the opportunity for Ivanovic who crossed for the unmarked Costa to head home from close range. That was about as much as Chelsea could muster for the half as from then on it was Southampton who made all the running. In fact, it was not long before Southampton were level. First Courtois saved well when Mane was well placed to finish and then after 18 minutes Southampton won a penalty that their industrious play deserved. Mane again was the thorn, bursting through into the penalty box before being pulled down by a combination of Matic and Ivanovic. Tadic stepped forward to take what was only the second penalty Southampton have been awarded this season. Tadic had missed that one other penalty but this time he scored electing to shoot straight down the middle with Courtois just missing the shot with his out-stretched leg.

Southampton were getting a lot of joy down their left wing where Ivanovic was time after time left out numbered as Willian disappointed in getting back to support. Chances for Shane Long near post and for the impressive Mane all came from inter-changes on that side. Chelsea were happy to get to the break and we expected better things from them in the second half.

                                                                                 Chelsea players lament a missed opportunity during their 1-1 Premier League draw against Southampton. – Reuters pic,

It almost started disastrously for them as Matic, who had already been yellow carded for the foul on Mane that led to the penalty, escaped punishment when again involved in an altercation with the same player. From the resulting free kick Toby Alderweireld had a rasping drive tipped over the bar acrobatically by Courtois. From then on Chelsea began to threaten more; a combination of Southampton sitting back and Chelsea finally beginning to put some offensive passes together. At this stage Southampton would gladly have taken the point. 

 Chelsea's increased pressure was beginning to tell but it was more from attrition rather than intricate passing. First Costa hit the post on 57 mins after a reflexive reaction to a wild shot from Willian. Then after 72 minutes a Willian cross was met by the head of Oscar who headed straight at Forster in the Southampton goal and from the rebound he had to save again when Hazard tried to drill home from an acute angle. This chance encouraged Chelsea as they went for the winner and there were chances for Oscar and the substitute Cuadrado after 76 and 86 minutes respectively.  Southampton though looked to have done enough when Chelsea had their best chance of the match. A corner in stoppage time resulted in ping pong in the box with John Terry finally shooting wide when well placed.

At the end Southampton were good value for their point having taken the game to Chelsea, especially in the first half. It will give them encouragement in their fight for a top four finish. Chelsea were not at their creative best and had to rely on their discipline and experience to get them through. Being knocked out of Europe was no doubt a big blow to their confidence and it is natural that there would be some consequences. Chelsea will no doubt recover and with no obvious challenger should have enough to claim the Premier League trophy in May.