Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
US national TV used the term ‘the greatest ever live soccer game on US TV’ as Fox hosted the Chelsea vs Manchester United game live with expert summary by Piers Morgan, who had endeared himself to the viewers with his withering attack on Arsene Wenger last week.
Such a build up is often doomed to failure as the game doesn’t live up to its hype especially here when hype is the norm. However the team news did suggest United were gong for it, with Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young on in a 4-4-2 attacking formation and John Terry out. I expected dominance.
Playing David De Gea aka Dracula in goal was a risk and at the start his fear of crosses led to weak punches that put Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans under pressure as they have no idea if his Buzzcocks style has an answer (should I stay or should I go?).
But the goal came from the man with no form, Patrice Evra, who let the very poor Danny Sturridge beat him against the line and Dracula stuck out a foot when a serious boot was needed. Give a boy a man’s job and you get weak results. 1-0 Chelsea.
However the good news was that Michael Carrick was dominant against Michael Essien, and Rooney looked on fire. Antonio Valencia was solid but not at his best and Young showed flashes of form, but still is absent for too long for my liking. It’s not vintage United but it was better.
Rafael da Silva looks a very good player and both wings were providing ammunition, I thought we could score but halftime came and 1-0 wasn’t all that bad, especially as Howard Webb would learn that Gary Cahill should have conceded a penalty, I am sure he would know that as he left the dressing room.
Straight after half-time and 10 mins after the restart the game was over, or so I thought. The horror of Rafael coming in under Ferdnando Torres ‘cross for Juan Mata’s goal, and the simple header of playstation man David Luiz off Rio’s shoulder put the game to bed.
But Chelsea aren’t the team of old, they are not good and they didn’t look like they knew how to possess the ball and boss the game. Two penalties, the first down to Andre Villas-Boas after he roasted Sturridge for not tracking back, and then learned why he is best not tracking back, as he tackles like Scholes. 3-1.
The second penalty was a make up call for Webb’s first half error as Danny Welbeck kicked Branislav Ivanovic and the Ref got it wrong. Both dispatched by Rooney with confidence, where did that come from?
Now the game was there to be won and Rooney was suddenly a threat with every touch. THAT’S the player I and every United fan want to see!
The third goal was coming and who else but the poacher. Javier Hernandez three yards out unmarked, up early and powering it in. Brilliant!
But it wasn’t over and the softest of Scholes fouls gave Mata a chance which I predicted would hit the top right hand corner. De Gea gave him that half of the goal and then he slyly slid across as Mata ran in and just tipped it over. Fantastic save and one that proves he is a great shot stopper but does nothing to improve his ability on crosses.
Later in the game Cahill also fired in powerfully and a weak hand clipped it over, far less convincing but nonetheless effective from De Gea.
At the end I was happy with a draw, I heard Morgan say De Gea had redeemed himself and the world was right again as I realized he is only a good pundit when he is a fan, and after Arsenal won 7-1 he can’t say anything nice.
What did we learn?
Well firstly we learned Chelsea are not a good team anymore. And frankly who cares?
For United we learned that Evans is playing well, Da Silva is the future, Young is fit, Chicarito is back, Welbeck is a good player, and Rooney might return to form.
Evra remains a problem, and we need cover, and in midfield we can’t rely on Giggs, Scholes and Carrick every week.
De Gea remains a problem for me, he has to get stronger on crosses.
Manchester City know they have a run-in now, once we hammer Liverpool next week we have the easier run in and 2 points in March won’t be enough at Middle Eastlands.
This was a classic game, United at their never say die best, and if the US don’t want more of that then they will never get to love Soccer.
By Steve Burrows CBE @ifollowsteve
