Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
Manchester United beat QPR 2-0 at Loftus Road yesterday and it was a comprehensive win.
Set on their way by a wonder goal from Rafael (you sure he’s a Right Back!?), United overcame the blow of Robin van Persie’s first-half substitution through a hip injury to go on and win the game via a Ryan Giggs goal. Here are the five talking points from the match:
1) Classy United Performance: This was a classy showing from the away side. They were professional from the offset and always looked in control of the situation. QPR needed 3 points and they tried but couldn’t break down the well set United backline. Everyone played well and had it not been for some blocks and misses, it would have been a 4-0 easy. One must salute the team for the business-like way in which they dealt with the home side’s threat. Calm and unflappable.
2) Evergreen Giggs: There was a post on Facebook 2-3 days which showed the ages of Giggs’s current team mates when he debuted for United. Well, 22 years on and as he mesmerised the football populace then, he mesmerised them now.
He scored the second goal and hit the bar besides creating chances for the likes of Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck time and again. He was at the heart of almost all that United did and his positioning for the 2nd goal was so typical of him. He finished smartly and went on to put crosses and hit the bar as well. You really have to marvel at the guy. He’s 39 years old and he plays like he’s never aged. A legend like no other.
3) Solid Show From QPR: In my opinion, the home side did nothing to embarrass their fans. They slogged it out against the runaway Premier League leaders and tried very hard to take the 3 points which they desperately needed. They lost to a wonder strike from Rafael and a late goal from Giggs which could happen to anyone.
They were solid defensively with Clint Hill and Christopher Samba especially being rock-like at the back. There were quite a few crucial blocks made to deny the away side a 3-0 or a 4-0 advantage which shows that QPR were acutely aware of the goal difference factor.
Their attackers tried hard and Loic Remy went close with a good shot and Samba had a header cleared off the line by the brilliant Rafael. All in all, a performance to take heart from for QPR. If they can do this and get a bit of luck in their remaining 11 matches, avoiding the drop may look a bit more than a dream for the R’s.
4) Rafael’s Mature Showing: Yes I know. His goal is a GOLAZO. It was one of the strikes of the season, which in my opinion beats Glen Johnson’s goal at West Ham by a mile. He hit it perfectly and Julio Cesar knew he had absolutely no chance with it. He didn’t dive. It was simply an amazing goal which was his third in the league this season.
He also set up RVP with a fantastic floated ball which any winger would be proud of. His defensive play was an indicator of his growing maturity. He was solid and didn’t allow much to go past him. He is fast becoming one of the better right backs in Europe and this showing in a tough environment adds a feather to his cap. His brother Fabio would be immensely proud of him. He’d be inspired actually by his brother.
5) Title Looks Sewn Up: Let me stick my neck out here and say that I think the title race is finished. 11 games to go and we are 12 points ahead following City’s win over Chelsea. United really do look in ominous form. They just look unbeatable.
They are solid at the back, the keeper’s shining nowadays!, Michael Carrick’s having a great season, wingers are coming back into form (Nani and Antonio Valencia both looked sharp and smart in their play and thought process today. Nani`s assist for Giggsy’s goal was proof that he’s learned not to shoot at every chance. It has been great to see him building on the Reading showing) and even though RVP got a hip injury today (hope he isn’t seriously injured!) the team didn’t blink at all and went about business as usual. That is the hallmark of champions. Win with WHOEVER you’ve got.
This game was always going to be a tight one and so it was. Both teams set out to play with certain game plans and it was the away side which executed its plan perfectly, a performance which was champion-esque in character.
By Yashasvee Prasad @yash647
