EPL 2008/2009 Champions...Manchester United again!

There were many moments and occasions that the thought had crossed my mind ...that Man United may not make it a 3rd consecutive Win of the current EPL trophy. Their early season form was abominable to say the least. By sheer good fortune, the early pace-setters Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal then inexplicably began to drop points, either drawing easy games they should have won or worse still suffering the loss of 3 points in defeats to lesser opponents.
It was a roller-coaster ride for the top 4 teams but with one major difference when it happened...all of a sudden, Man U's defence became an impenetrable fortress! For over two months or an 11 match streak, no EPL team could score a single goal against the Red Devils! Unbelievable? Believe it. That purple patch was to end at United's home soil at the hands or rather feet of Liverpool...in a spirit-sapping, gut wrenching 1-4 defeat. Something almost unheard of in the modern era under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Earlier at Anfield, Liverpool had duly beaten the Red Devils 2-1. That was different. This is Old Trafford. So, can't really blame me for feeling it was an ominous and perilous time for Man U. However, the saving grace is this fact...that Man U have been through such a scenario many times before and came out victorious. As for me, I wasn't that confident they will pull through this time. But a few defining moments and matches changed my later perspective.
" When the going gets TOUGH, the tough gets GOING!"
1st Defining moment:
Aston Villa were cruising to a 2-1 win. With less than 10 minutes to go, C Ronaldo equallised making it 2-2. There was euphoria all round at Old Trafford. In came Federico Macheda a 17 year old youth team player in his 1st ever debut at the senior team level, in injury time and with practically his first touch of the ball, this boy scored what must be the most important goal of his young career. It was a beauty as I recall his exquisite shot. Man U won 3-2!
2nd Defining Moment:
Tottenham was leading 2-0 going into halftime. A transformed Man U tore them apart in the 2nd half with the final scoreline of 2-5! It was an exhilarating, stupendous comeback from near defeat!
3rd Defining Moment:
Man U had just returned from Japan with the Club World Cup. They were tired.
The match between them and Stoke City was heading for a goaless draw as the minutes ticked away. Then, super sub Carlos Tevez was released into the fray. He scored the only goal of the match.
So, overall I think Man Utd had the better endurance and consistency...right until the draw with Arsenal on Saturday that won them the Title.
This did not happen by sheer chance.
They had the mental toughness of a bulldog to fight to the very last second if necessary...as exemplified by the bulldog himself, Wayne Rooney...who was an inspiration for doggedness!

How United won the title
[ AFP report ]

AUG 08: Manchester United start their title defence with a flat display in the 1-1 home draw with Newcastle, setting the tone for the first two months of the campaign. Chelsea justify their status as bookmakers' favourites to reclaim the title by setting the early pace.

SEP 08: Liverpool claim first league win over United in four years with a 2-1 success at Anfield, helping the Merseysiders join Chelsea at the top of the table. United winger Cristiano Ronaldo returns from ankle surgery at end of the month.

OCT 08: Liverpool end Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten home run in the league to pull three points clear at the top. United continue to stutter and end the month eight points adrift of their rivals, albeit with a game in hand.

NOV 08: United's poor form against the other members of the Big Four continues with a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal but the champions remain in touch with pace-setters Chelsea and Liverpool

DEC 08: United undertake the gruelling trip to Japan to claim their first trophy of the season, the Club World Cup. Despite looking jaded on their return, they grind out 1-0 wins over Stoke and Middlesbrough to take advantage of points dropped by Chelsea and Liverpool in their absence.

JAN 09: Chelsea are humiliated as United romp to a 3-0 victory that secures their first win of the season against a Big-Four rival. United's defence looks impregnable at this stage and they don't concede a league goal all month. Not so Liverpool, who are held to draws against Stoke, Everton and Wigan.

FEB 09: United are in record-breaking form now as goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar shatters the British mark for consecutive minutes without conceding a goal during the 1-0 win at West Ham. Liverpool stumble, drawing against Manchester City and losing at Middlesbrough.

MAR 09: Liverpool end United's 11-match winning run as Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard inspire a 4-1 victory at Old Trafford. United then slump to a 2-0 defeat at Fulham as Liverpool underline recovery with a 5-0 win over Aston Villa.

APR 09: Liverpool keep winning but cannot close the gap as United get two crucial breaks. A stoppage-time winner by Italian teenager Federico Macheda secures a 3-2 win over Aston Villa and a mistake by referee Howard Webb results in the penalty that triggers a comeback from 2-0 down to a 5-2 win over Spurs.

MAY 09: With the finishing line in sight, United rediscover their form but still need a late Michael Carrick goal to claim a 2-1 win at Wigan that leaves them one point from retaining the trophy. A third straight title is wrapped up at the first attempt as Arsenal are held to a goalless draw at Old Trafford. -- AFP.

Photos: [ source BBC sports ]

Awesome LIVERPOOL !

They knew that Man Utd and Chelsea had wobbled over the weekend. And if they win this match against Aston Villa they would come within a point of the Red Devils. And who would dare bet against this from happening after watching how they had demolished and humiliated mighty Real Madrid 4-0 and Mighty Man Utd 4-1, in the space of a week!

Unk Dicko watched this very encounter intently and enjoyed the sheer majesty of Liverpool's movements on the field. It reminded me of the Liverpool of old in the heydays of Ian Rush, Kenny Dalglish and Souness.

Their passing and control was precise and all the players played with such verve and supreme confidence that it was a sheer joy to watch.

The goals were a bonus especially that spectacular 2nd goal by Reira!

Pepe Reina had collected the ball and saw what must have been a gap in the last line of Villa's defence. He kicked a long, high ball for striker Reira to chase. With only defender Reo-Coker to beat, Reira timed it so perfectly that the ball only bounced once before he connected with a volleying dip over the GK for the 2nd goal. FLAWLESS! And that overall is my impression of Liverpool's play over the last 2 weeks

A lot of the increased confidence among the players is due to the way Gerard and Torres has clicked..with an able supporting cast of solid midfielders and solid defending.

Photo:

Gerard showing 3 fingers for the hattrick he scored.

Photo:

Reira volleying that spectacular 2nd goal created by GK Reina.

Photo:

GK Brad Freidel given the Red card for bringing down his nemesis.


It was a comprehensive victory for Liverpool and a nightmare defeat for Villa. But Villa should feel no shame as mightier teams like R Madrid and Man Utd, with their big name stars have been humbled and bundled out of the way.

Can Liverpool sustain their chilli-padi form for the remaining 8 games in the EPL? If they win all their remaining matches and Man Utd lose another one or two more, the Title would be at Anfield after 19 long years. Unk Dicko would not bet against that from happening.

The weeks ahead look very exciting for those watching the unfolding end drama.

EPL...Spurs beat CHELSEA !

On the same night that Fulham hammered the Red Devils 2-0 and caused a major panic among Man Utd fans, Tottenham Hotspurs took on mighty Chelsea at home. The home team showed no fear of their rivals as the 1st half was played to a goaless draw. They came close to scoring a few times and only the quality of Peter Cezc in goal saved Chelsea the blushes.
During the interval, in the dressing room, Guus Hiddink discussed the 2nd half tactics with his players and what to expect. They expected that Spurs would come out firing all cylinders for the initial 10 minutes

and they would defend before subjecting them to a torrid half hour spell that should produce something. Yes, something was produced and it was an absolute beauty. And no, it was not by Chelsea but by an upcoming Spurs superstar... Luka Modric! In one swift attacking move, Aaron

Lennon down on the right flank sent in a cross deliberately between Cole and another Chelsea defender. Robbie Keane could have taken the first shot but wisely let the ball run on. In came dimunitive Modric with the angelic look to strike a shot that went in at an acute angle of the corner. Gk dived but could not save. It was the perfect shot!

Tottenham 1, Chelsea 0.

It remained that way as the game ended.

Manager Harry Rednapp has again successfully weaved his magic on to his players. It is all about self-belief.

And when you have that in abundance you'll have no trouble taking care of so-called "mighty" teams like the poor Blues or Arsenal or even the current leader Man Utd.

Red Devils LOSE Again !

Is Manchester United losing the plot? After having been walloped 4-1 by Liverpool last week, Alex Ferguson has warned they will come to their senses and come back strongly against Fulham in the match played today. Senior players like Rio Ferdinand and others also joined in the psychological warfare saying they will have "their revenge" over the host Fulham for that dismal home showing against Liverpool. Betting houses and football pundits seem to agree too...that the Red Devils will bounce back strongly.

Unk Dicko feel very sorry for all those who pinned their betting hopes on such unpredictable predictions. As the saying goes ...the ball is round and anything can happen in a football match, even the most unlikely of things.

Take for example this very match.

Man Utd has beaten Fulham 4-0 and 2-0 in earlier games. And Man Utd has not lost 2 matches in a row in the League since the mid 60's. So a stroll in the park may not be the expected thing but most thought the outcome was a foregone conclusion in United's favour...after all they are still the current World Club Champion! The Best of the best in the world!
Unfortunately for all those who lost money, Man Utd is suffering from a crisis of confidence. Their play lack sharpness and imagination and cohesion. Fulham took full advantage of this and attacked strongly. It paid off...in the 17th minute of play. Paul Scholes parried the ball with both hands as it was going into goal. Suicidal! Referee P Dowd showed him the Red card and Danny Murphy converted the penalty. 1-0 to Fulham.

Man U had their chances to equalise or even go ahead but an inspired display by the GK kept things safe. In the 87th minute Wayne Rooney "the Looney" acted that way. He threw the ball in anger in the direction of the referee and was given his marching orders. Reduced to nine men, they had no hope of survival.

Zoltan Gera half-volleyed in the 2nd goal for the homeside soon after this sending-off.

Fulham 2, Man Utd 0.

This result will make the EPL title challenge more interesting, more intriguing and more gripping in the coming weeks.

Shocker at Old Trafford !

Manchester United vs Liverpool, EPL...the Big one!
This was the match everyone was dying to see. In Singapore, the match was covered "Live" at Clarke Quay by Joe Morrison, with Peter Reid and Nigel as guests. I was out shopping but returned just in the nick of time to catch it at home.

Man Utd started brightly when Park JS was brought down by keeper Reina midway through the 1st half. Referee Alan Wiley pointed to the spot and
Ronaldo converted the spotkick. Other than this, the home team were terrible in their passing and lack of imagination. Almost everyone was guilty of this,especially so were Rooney, O'Shea, Anderson and Carrick.
Towards the end of the half, a long punt of the ball upfield found Torres and Vidic chasing for it. Vidic trying to be clever tried to control with his chest but Torres upstaged him and ran on to sidefoot home. Score 1-1.


A few minutes later, it became worse for United as Steven Gerard was hauled down by Patrick Evra in the box. Gerard cooly slotted home the penalty. 2-1 Liverpool!

Photo: Gerard brought down.

Photo:

Gerard converting the penalty.

The 2nd half was a nightmare for United as they were chasing shadows. They had their chances but Liverpool were more resolute in defence. Giggs, Scholes and Berbatov were brought in in one swoop in the 70th minutebut it was a little too late as Vidic again hauled down Gerard outside the box.


The Ref, thinking he was the last defender, gave him a Red card! From the freekick taken by Aurellio, it went in beautifully at the top corner. Keeper Van Der Sar did not even move! Score: 1-3 Liverpool.

In the dying seconds of the game, Dossena lobbed over Van Der Sar for the 4th goal.

Final score: Man utd 1, Liverpool 4.

Effectively, this result has brightened up Pool's chances for a late title challenge. They are now 4 points behind the leader.

The Best Senior Footballer in the world!

I have been
been an avid fan of football for as long as I can remember and that is more than half a century of following, not the soccer ball , but the players who can do wonders with the ball. And there have been many over the years who have impressed.
One such wizard is current soccer magician par excellence...RYAN GIGGS of Manchester United.
Last Sunday night I was watching the game between Man Utd and West Ham "live". It was a very open game with fluid passing and many attacking moves by both sides. The 1st half was goalless. When the 2nd half resumed, I remember thinking to myself...this is the kind of game that will likely need an individual performing a brilliant solo move to end the stalemate.
That wish of mine came true in the 62nd minute of the game.
Paul Scholes, another of the fabulous oldies of Man Utd, got the ball and sent a pin-point pass to Giggs who was lurking on the left wing. Giggs trapped and controlled the ball and instead of crossing the ball decided to go on a solo run.



What a stupendous run that was!
First, he approached the on-rushing Carlton Cole,
dummied to the left but went right. Then there was Scott Parker about to cut him down. Giggs dummied again to the left but went right again and there was a sea of players in front of the goal.
With his weaker right foot he unleashed a curling shot which beat everyone including the keeper Green. Man Utd won that game 1-0 and Giggs won every old timers heart, mine included!

The whole move, with not a single break in stride, was so smooth, so perfect, so sublime to watch...Poetry in Motion.
And that coming from a 35 year old player!
Right winger Rafael was only 8 months old when Giggs 1st played for Man Utd in 1991 against Everton....as the b/w photo showed.

He seems to get better with age...just like good wine!
Last night, I stayed up to watch the magician again. Though he did not score any goal, his control and contribution and assists were instrumental in Man Utd beating Derby 4-1 in the FA match. And he was a joy to watch.