Top:Brilliant Arsenal. Bottom: Bad boy Scholes
2 weeks ago, Many were thinking that the premiership was a forgone conclusion.Many except Sir Alex Ferguson. He knew the importance of the next 2 months but his players apparently weren't listening..
Any excuses about the Liverpool game last week were mildly entertained but United were comprehensively and derservedly beaten by a Fulham site that did something noone has been able to do this season against manchester United. For 1 half, Fulham OUTPLAYED Manchester United..Scholes handball and penalty/red card was just a boost for a team that derserved a goal anyways. Zamora to be frank,was horrible. Missing clear cut chances.Fulham could have put the game to bed by halftime.United's main culprits wee Giggs,Berbatov and Evans up to that point.Scholes was no miracle worker as well. Fulham's Etuhu took the lessons he learnt the last time these 2 met in his heart and did flawlessly well.Man of the match would go to Danny Murphy. A salt rubbing in Manchester United's wounds as he spent some time in Liverpool playing for their "Best Friends Forever".However, I felt that Fulham's whole team from Goalkeeper to Striker was magnificent.No 2 ways about that(except maybe Zamora).United did threaten in the 2nd half as champions(even with 10 men) should but all in vain. Rooney's sending off summed up the day. His body language all over the place. An unneccesary action. Whether the referee looked too much into it we will never know but Hodgson's man deserved it.
I want to take time to state what an awesome job Hodgson has done at Fulham since saving them from relegation last term. The old mastermind has not made any big signings but has been able to garner victories over Chelsea,United and Arsenal. He has also made craven cottage into a sort of fortress. I feel Fulham have been given the least credit of all the improving clubs like Villa,Hull etc..Ferguson fell into his mind games trap yesterday.He thought it would be an easy victory,he rested Tevez,Rooney,Nani and Carrick. Those who can get you goals or create some.He thought wrong.
Arsenal continued their marvellous run of form with a comfortable 3-1 win over an all over the place Newcastle side. Their players give the impression as if they did not "sign up" for a relegation fight and look like players who know that whatever happens to Newcastle, we will be playing in the top divisions come next season. The big boys are not doing their jobs.Shambolic.It is no wonder lesser named players are being chosen ahead of bigger names.Arsenal,Marvellous as they have been for the last few games, seem to be a new team with Arshavin around. I have my mixed view on Bendtner.His finishing is not there but like Carlton Cole for West Ham and Kevin Davies for Bolton, at 20 he may become an asset given the right nurturing.
Chelsea lost to Tottenham again.Apparently a sourcerer came down a season or so back and told Ashley Cole,"If you ever give Cheryl(his wife) pain, I shall give you the punishment of never winning against Tottenham when it matters..MUahahaah". Cole den offered him a beer and asked him if he would want to go clubbing.Modric Was awesome. Beyond man of the match he did his job when it was needed by scoring against an equally unrelanting Petr Cech. Gomes on the other hand, had a shaky but efective game. drogba and Anelka would consider themselves unlucky but more so Robbie Keane.For all the brilliance in Liverpool for the last couple of weeks,they should only be regretting selling him.
Everton's lost to Portsmouth was a sign that Pompey need to get out of the bottom few.Like Newcastle,managerless, the return of Kranjcar, and the goal scoring form of crouch may just help them while Stoke once against did well at home to overcome a goal-shy Boro. Letting Mido go may just have been a big mistake.West Brom did salvage a draw but it should be a case of too little too late. They are one of the best West Brom teams that ever entered the BPL but once again,not good enough.
The weeks to come will deliver good games(except for teams like West Ham who seriously are just playing for fun this days) and expect a twist in the plot maybe as United are yet to face Arsenal,Villa and Boro(away) while Pool and Chelsea have easier run-ins.My oh My.. Here we go..8 weeks.
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