Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Still Favorites



The Spanish appear to have chosen method over beauty. In the Euro they dazzled their way over the finish line. In South Africa, it seems they have to push their way there. They continue to put together the most intricate and intuitive of passes, but move towards goal far less often. Perhaps it is the struggles of striker Fernando Torres that has forced the Spanish hand into a reshuffling of the deck, or just the traditional caution that comes with the raised stakes of the World Cup. Perhaps it was the opening day loss to Switzerland.

But this is not necessarily a bad thing. Spain may have just found the type of balance that can beat any team. They've conceded twice - opening day, and a deflected strike for Chile - and haven't given the ball back since. While they carve out less chances, they continue to maintain possession of the highest order. Losing the ball to Spain means you may not get it back for another five minutes.
And just because Xavi and co. in the midfield aren't providing as many defense-splitting passes as they were with Barcelona or in the Euro, doesn't mean they won't. As evidenced by the Portugal and Paraguay goals, Xavi and Iniesta still recognize the moment that will change the game, and duly provide it- David Villa being the main beneficiary.
The Spanish midfield is still the most artistic on earth. They are also still the most cerebral. It is this genius that has led them to realize that unlocking any World Cup defense requires more than art. It requires surgery. Over the last two years, Xabi Alonso and the Barca boys especially seem to have acquired their Ph.D.
While Spain don't flow through defenses as they did in the Euro, they still win. And they are probably harder to take down. To win, you need to score, to score you need the ball, and it's all Spain's.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Big Wayne, Everton, and the title race


Last Wednesday, Everton threw Manchester United a desperately needed lifeline. This past Saturday, they've yanked it right back.

Louis Saha's superb set of strikes against Chelsea granted United a small midweek victory. (An earlier tie at Villa Park put them 1 point behind Chelsea. Just a week and a half later United traveled to Goodison to see the gap spread wide open again.

Bilyaletdinov, Gosling, and young Jack Rodwell did the damage for Everton, turning Chelsea and United's fixtures at Goodison this time around into a zero-sum game.

Berbatov opened the scoring for United on the fifteen minute mark, much like Malouda had for Chelsea.

Noticeably absent from the list of scorers is the man who's form will hold the key to where the league title ends und up this season: Wayne Rooney.

The talismanic striker's prolific form took a very surprise off-day against his former club, and United struggled. It is becoming ever clearer that Sir Alex has placed his title hopes quite squarely on the young Englishman's shoulders. The new responsibility has spurred Rooney into bagging an outstanding 27 goals in all competitions this season - but it's his rare off-days that truly highlight United's deficiencies.

It's not only his runs, his goals, and his work ethic that push United, it's his confidence. No longer second fiddle to Ronaldo, his attitude and energy visibly surge through the Red Devils when they hit their heights.

When Rooney isn't firing, neither are United, and such was the case on Saturday. Perhaps he was thrown off by the return to Goodison, where, once lauded as Everton's messiah, he has become Public Enemy Number One. It was obvious by the nintieth that a few early mistakes in the pressure-cooker environment the Goodison faithful created had taken Rooney out of his game.


This is not meant to be a scolding of Rooney, who has graduated from Best Supporting to Best remarkably, nor a scathing review of United, who have performed admirably this year when most said they wouldn't. But to make history, to win a fourth successive Premier League title for the first time, to win the title without Ronaldo, its going to take a superhuman effort from England's wonderkid. Go on, Wayne.


Thursday, January 28, 2010

Can Tottenham Win the World Cup?




Wayne Rooney's role as England's leading striker is undisputed. Fabio Capello rests assured that he has at his disposal one of the world's premier match turners. But every Starsky needs a Hutch.

Spain will fly into South Africa confident of their chances: to Torres there is Villa. For France, there is an Anelka or Benzema to Thierry Henry. To Brazil's Luis Fabiano there is no shortage of partner possibilities.

England are still searching for that prolific partner to Rooney. In Tottenham's ranks they have two.

Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch make up two of the long list of "possibilities" to support Rooney in attack this summer and Defoe in particular should be especially compelling to Capello. Defoe loves to run in the channels behind defenders, and who leaves a bigger wake than Mr. Rooney?

Defoe has chosen no better year to prove his worth. His 14 goals after 21 games in the Premier League for Tottenham, who see themselves currently 4th in the league, say enough. Defoe deserves to be regarded as more than England's impact substitute. The reemergence of Micheal Owen into the conversation regarding strikers for England should push Defoe beyond aiming for a seat on the bench.

Defoe can poach with the best of them, but more importantly, he has a feel for the solo effort. Ronaldo's 2002 effort for Brazil stands as proof that a striker scoring on his own just a few times can turn a tournament. Defoe's solo stunners have always made their way to the "best of" DVD's, but they occurred with irregularity in the past. His newfound consistency may just be the key to a successful campaign in South Africa for England.

Rooney has dragged Manchester United through a barely adequate title race thus far with his outstanding goal record. Defoe has been the star of Tottenham's fight for fourth. It's time these two are unleashed on the world together. England have the midfielders to feed them, and the defender's to solidify the leads they build.

One of these supporting stars may be Tottenhams other star turn, Aaron Lennon. Lennon's goal record, as a winger, is less impressive, but his consistency this season for Tottenham parallels his prolific teammate Defoe.

Lennon's performances for club and country had been sporadic. On his day though, like Defoe, he has the power to keep an entire backline on their back foot. In Germany 2006 he proved when given the space and the chances, he can beat his man almost every time. England, headed into this tournament, are firing on most cylinders. If Lennon plays at his best when England peak, chaos may ensue for English opposition.

Lennon is a lightning quick winger who offers something new to Beckham's slow and simple style of play. A game paced on pace matched with a powerful and accurate strike with either foot make Lennon the type of player to just maybe grab or create the goal England may really need.

The World Cup is a tournament that often hinges on the form of a few stars. Sometimes it is the ripening of the supporting cast that makes the difference. In a tournament that will be so flush with top talent, Tottenham may be able to offer the B-listers that tournaments typically tip on.


Friday, December 18, 2009

Redemption, Retribution, and Reunions: Just Another Champions League Draw



Just hours ago the match ups for the UEFA Champions League first knockout round were announced. As usual, there are the stinkers, the dazzlers, and of course, the reunions. In the order in which they were drawn, I will briefly dissect each match-up, and predict a winner. Predicting scorelines of course, is impossible. (see below)BARCELONA Vs. STUTTGART
Results from Spain suggest that defending champions Barcelona are even better than last year. Pep Guardiola has put on a master class in resting and managing his deep squad. Barcelona have jogged past every opponent this season, and only three ties mar their domestic record. It looks as though Guardiola is playing a video game on the Amateur setting.
Barcelona beat Madrid and their multi-million euro facelift, outclassing and outpassing los blancos in a 1-0 defeat courtesy of Barcelona's only big summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Stuttgart are stuttering in Germany, and look only a shadow of the side that attained Champions League qualification last term.
Barcelona should take their first step towards defending their title with ease.
OLYMPIAKOS Vs. BORDEAUX
While all eyes will be on Manchester, Milan, and London, it is easy to forget that sometimes the less touted matchups provide the most fire.
Olympiakos, the champions of Greece, are big fish, but they've just swam right into the biggest ocean in club football. With all the sharks lurking, they'll be glad they've only landed themselves a date with the piranha-like Bordeaux, who bit and fought their way to unsettling Lyon from their perch at the top of Ligue 1 last season.
However, Bordeaux beat Bayern Munich twice and Juventus once on their way to winning a group most thought they wouldn't make it out of. Olympiakos, comparatively, won't be as much of a test, and Bordeaux should see themselves through.
INTERNAZIONALE MILAN Vs. CHELSEA
The Heavyweight bout of this round, possibly of the entire tournament. Storylines abound in this mouthwaterer. Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge. Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti square off for another derby, this time in London. The two best African strikers on the planet, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o, are pitted against eachother. Oh, and it's the best team in Italy against the best team in England.
Carlo Ancelotti arrived in London and inherited the remains of Mourinho's old back-to-back Premier League Champions of 2005 and 2006. He added some Italian tact and instated his own interpretation of the diamond midfield onto Chelsea. It's been a match made in heaven, and Chelsea have squashed every opponent in their way with relish.
Mourinho arrived at Inter with a very clear job description from the board: win the Champions League. In order to accomplish this, Mourinho will have to put everything into knocking out his old friends.
But all is fair in love, war, and football. When Mourinho's men take the field at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will do their best to dispatch of them without sentimentality, and you can expect the same from him; Mourinho's infamous mind games are sure to start soon.
Chelsea's quality and muscle are likely to leave Inter Milan blacker and bluer than before.The capture of Samuel Eto'o has certainly made Inter a more mobile and speed based side, but it is likely the power and pace of the Premier League leaders will be too much for Inter, and for the second time the players and fans of Chelsea will be waving goodbye to Jose Mourinho.



BAYERN MUNICH Vs. FIORENTINA
Not unline the Olympiakos - Bordeaux matchup, this lower profile battle might not be front page stuff, but it should nonetheless produce fireworks.
Fiorentina, powered by the highly touted youngster Stevan Jovetic, and the newly acquired goal scoring prowess of Alberto Gilardino, produced a surprising and impressive group stage campaign, twice beating Liverpool, and qualifying top of their group.
They fully deserve their status as top of the group qualifiers, and for their troubles they've drawn the German juggernauts Bayern Munich.
A 4-1 thrashing of Juventus should leave Fiorentina very worried. If Bayern did that to Italy's current number 2, then they are surely capable of victory over Italy's number 9.
Both these teams should be worried by each other. Fiorentina lathered up the slope Liverpool find themselves slipping down, and Munich beat the Old Lady without raising a sweat. This one comes down to form, not status or past results, but Fiorentina will eventually have to surrender to the speed and guile of Ribery, Robben, and co. as Munich walk on.
CSKA MOSCOW Vs. SEVILLA
Probably the most forgettable of all the games, which probably means it will produce an interesting result.
Moscow can put up a fight, as we've seen when they nearly beat Manchester United after putting three past them in the group stage. But Sevilla are third in what is arguably the strongest league in Europe. Barcelona and Madrid are the only teams ahead of them, and you'd expect a team of that status to progress against the Russians. But the boys from sunny Spain will have to travel deep into wintry Russia for Moscow's home leg, and anything can happen in that Bermuda triangle-esque setting.
If Sevilla can make it through the arctic conditions with a lead or tie intact, their job will be done. They qualified first out of a group of relative minnows, and should be accustomed to knocking out small teams with big aspirations.

OLYMPIQUE LYONAIS Vs. REAL MADRID
Madrid's cash splash this summer has paid dividends to some extent. They've been nearly unbeatable so far this campaign. But they were felled first by Barcelona, and with this match up against one of France's top dogs, they have their second chance to prove their bite matches their bark.
The draw also sets up Karim Benzema for an early visit to his former club. Benzema's yet to hit his highest heights at Madrid, but he has performed well, and with the 2007's and 2008's Balloon d'Or winners on either side of him (Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo if you've been living under a rock) Madrid should see off Lyon's challenge.

The road is paved with gold euros for Madrid, all the way to the final, held in their very own Santiago Bernabeau, and with their desire and quality, they would be remiss to miss out this early. Or at all.
ARSENAL Vs. PORTO
A perfect first-round test for the young Gunners. Arsene Wenger should feel confident that if Arsenal can put on a strong display they should progress. They have been inconsistent this season, but at their best are capable of making defenders look like rocks in a river.
If Fabregas can conduct one of his better symphonies without Van Persie, then Arsenal will push on past Porto. But Porto should not be taken lightly. Last year they shocked Manchester United with a tie at Old Trafford, and only a Ronaldo 40 yard special in Portugal separated the sides after 180 minutes.
But Porto were at their best for that contest, and high on confidence. They've already been beaten twice in the Portuguese League, as much as all of last season when they finished first. Now is the perfect time for Arsenal to strike. A strong showing in the Champions League is crucial to Wenger proving his young charges are growing into stars. Andrei Arshavin has come to the fore as a big game player, and is a joy to watch. His performance, along with Fabregas' will be the most important, and most scrutinized.
This is Arsenal's stage to take, and thankfully for them, the headlines will be elsewhere. If Arsenal shows up confident and creative, this match-up is theirs for the taking.MANCHESTER UNITED Vs. AC MILAN
The last, but certainly not least fixture is a repeat of 2007's thrilling semi-final clash when Kaka was at the peak of his powers and United were not.
Three years on, however, AC Milan have been unable to build on their Champions League triumph. Kaka has since been sold, bringing only a little more financial stability, and even worse results.
United, without Ronaldo, have yet to strike the same fear in opponents as recent years, but still cling to that magic their renown for. Also, they still find themselves firmly in the English title race, second this year after winning it three times on the trot. It seems that both clubs fortunes have diverged since that fateful night in the San Siro.
The fortune of one man seems to keep growing, and his name is David Beckham. A lucrative contract in America, a chance to play for England in one last World Cup, and now the only thing he can't buy himself: he gets to return to Old Trafford and play.
Manchester United are the odds-on favorite to emerge victorious from this clash, but Milan are a tournament team. Maybe their core is too old for a grueling season, the legs too sore, too slow. But their heads are still sharp, and their veterans still know exactly how to operate on the biggest stage. Combine that with the emergence of the young match-turner Pato and Ronaldinho up top, and Milan still pose a threat to any club on the planet.
Tentativeness, which seems to be Sir Alex Ferguson's new gameplan since the humbling in Rome, is the only thing Milan will have to capitalize on. But it is January and February where United tend to find their higher gears, and my, how they crank through them. If United come out guns blazing, they should run over Milan.
So David Beckham will grace the pitch at Old Trafford one last time, Jose Mourinho will stalk the sideline of Stamford Bridge, and Karim Benzema will try to prove his worth against his old club. Madrid may take one step closer to the playing in the final they will host, and it's possible both sides of Milan will be missing Champions League football after this round. Davids, Goliaths, headlines, scorelines, and controversy to come.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Quarterly Reports

It's been another roaring start to the Barclay's Premier League, and with all of the Big Four having battled eachother, it's time for a quarterly report card of this season's title contenders. Oh, and Liverpool.

ARSENAL
Until Sunday, it was a realistic prospect that the title may have been returning to London. To Arsenal. It seemed all their promise and potential was finally coming to fruition. Goalfests against Everton, Blackburn, Wigan, and a convincing drubbing of rivals Tottenham put Arsenal into the category of "serious contenders," at one point just three points off Chelsea's pace.

Arsenal were flying. But Chelsea were steamrolling.


Sunday's battering at the hands of Didier Drogba and company, combined with the halting of Robin Van Persie's stream of goals by a serious injury have put Arsenal's chances at a Prem title in the locker for another year.


GRADE:

B-
COMMENTS:
Arsenal may have the speed and precision to befuddle most of the Premiership, but they've failed the quarter's two tests against the blue and red halves of Manchester, and bombed their Midterm against Chelsea. They're still boys, and too often their pretty patterns and exsquisite play are muscled off the field by the men of the league.


LIVERPOOL

After the Fernando Torres show helped Liverpool to wipe the pitch with early lesser opponents, their season has fallen apart following his and Gerrard's injuries. To everyone's bemusement but their own, Liverpool have been playing the EPL class clown, and find themselves hopelessly behind in the title race and out of the Champions League.

Without Xabi Alonso pulling their already loose strings, and an injury list that has prevented Liverpool from fielding their best XI all year, Liverpool are at sea. Wins in the big games against Manchester United and Everton are all that keep Rafa Benitez tied to his job, and just a few more dropped points will serve as the severance.
From the management to the field, this club has reached a crossroads, and it is time for a shakedown.Three successive wins against United remind us all of their potential, but seven wins in fourteen games this season is unacceptable for a team with a legacy like Liverpool, and soon even the most loyal Liverpool supporters will be calling for Rafa's head.

GRADE:
C-

COMMENTS:

Liverpool have had very good results here and there this quarter, but their performance has been abysmal overall. Injuries do play a part in any slump, but a team such as Liverpool should have sufficient depth to cope without their biggest stars, and it's been revealed they don't. There is extra credit still to be had in an FA Cup victory, but this season is already one to forget for Liverpool.


CHELSEA

Chelsea has been the EPL's star pupil by a long ways thus far. Two years of near misses and last second heartbreak have been firmly put in the past by Carlo Ancelotti's arrival. Chelsea's vast resources are again paying dividends after a three year deferral to Manchester United, with a squad deeper than the Dead Sea to attribute to their success. Didier Drogba's mini-revival and his new found compatability with strike partner Nicolas Anelka have also played an important role in the teams ability to find the net so routinely.
They have met every opponent with equal workmanlike efficiency and strength. They allowed Arsenal to run in circles with the ball for much of their recent encounter, and then strode forward with a purpose and soundly and smoothly squashed the young Gunners. The victory against their North London rivals showcased Chelsea's newest, and most champion-like, asset: the ability to win in every way. They have the muscle and personality to duke it out in physical matches, the defensive capability to keep out the best attacks, and the forwards and creativity to flow right through you.

GRADE:

A-

COMMENTS:
Chelsea's record is near impeccable so far this campaign. Only two losses blot their otherwise extraordinary campaign. They have beaten all three of their biggest challengers, but only one of these wins has been away from Stamford Bridge, and they face the reality of losing Didier Drogba and Michael Essien to the African Cup Of Nations for four weeks in January. If they withstand their big away games in the second term, and escape the Drogba-less January with their lead intact, it is unlikely they can be touched. However, there is a certain triple champion who will not go quietly...


MANCHESTER UNITED


United still show the resilience and profesionalism required to be a champion, but they may be missing some of that big game ability they were once renowned for. In fairness, they've beaten Arsenal and City at home and proved their famous resilience through several injury time winners and equalizers. But on the road against Chelsea and Liverpool they were outplayed and outmatched. Torres highlighted United's defensive frailty -- they've allowed twelve goals in fourteen games. This is not the same United backline who went sixteen games straight las campaign without conceding.

On the other side of the coin, they've still been able to produce offensively sans Ronaldo and Tevez. They've even put together some masterful performances, but it is the get-out-of-jail-free card Ronaldo provided so many times before that they've missed in the darker moments. While they've certainly proved they can cope weekend to weekend without his services, his prowess for finding the net on the big occasions, at times from nothing, have seen them drop points where last seasons United wouldn't have.


But this is Manchester United. Clive Tyldesly famously said "They ALWAYS score," in 1999. Only Scholes, Giggs, and Neville remain from that treble-winning team a decade ago, but the magic Sir Alex Ferguson can conjure seems never to die. This is the team never to count out, and Chelsea will do well not to feel comfortable at any point, not when United chases you.

GRADE:

B
COMMENTS:
United have remedied the Ronaldo hangover better than many would have guessed. Their football is still beautiful, and they still win. Chelsea have set the bar incredibly high thus far this season, but the second half of the season is where United always kick it into higher gear. The evergreen Ryan Giggs can still dictate games, Rooney has indeed done the best job possible in filling Ronaldo's boots, and Berbatov has finally come good. Sir Alex refuses to fail -- nothing but excellence will do for United, and they still have plenty of time.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Ruud Van Nistelrooy: Forgotten Man



For once in his career, Ruud Van Nistelrooy was not in the right place at the right time. For once, his timing couldn't have been any worse.

Injury kept him from partaking in Real Madrid's dismal 2008-2009 campaign. And now his absence on last year's team sheet has made his case for what was once an automatic starting role very weak.




Madrid's knee jerk reaction to last season's failures have led to Van Nistelrooy's return from injury going unnoticed. The names of Madrid's new big stars have flown around with such fervor that Ruud's has almost been forgotten.


Van Nistelooy's endless stream of goals used to broadcast constantly across the globe, and in his first two years at Madrid, these goals pulled them to back to back titles. So, in a team of high flying superstars buzzing around the field, who better to put away their rebounds and clever set ups than perhaps the most clinical finisher in the world.

So why has the Dutchman seen so little time this year?

Raul, for Van Nistelrooy, presents the problem.

Madrid, a team so global, and now, so star studded, would be in real danger of losing their identity, if it weren't for the presence of long-term servant and captain Raul on the field. He keeps the team relevant to the die-hard fans of Madrid. Madrid supporters are known for being success obsessed and fickle; Raul's name on the team sheet counterbalances that reputation.

But Van Nistelrooy is simply more ruthless in front of the net. He has two or three more years of powerful numbers in him. Raul has never had numbers comparable to Van Nistelrooy's. In fact, Raul, in six games for los blancos this season, has one goal. Van Nistelrooy, in just one game, has a goal and an assist. He was a substitute. The formula is simple: if played, Ruud will score.



Even during his well publicized falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson, Ruud managed to conjure up game winners coming off the bench, as he saw less and less playing time.

Perhaps Pellegrini likes the grit and simplicity of Raul's play amongst all the flash and speed of his new toys, but Ruud Van Nistelrooy can serve the same role, and almost guarantee better results.
Or perhaps Pellegrini is taking a cue from Sir Alex, a la Michael Owen, and keeping his aging marksman on the bench for just the right moments.

I have no qualms with keeping Raul on the field for most of Madrid's games. He deserves it, and he adds a touch of quiet class and subtelty to an explosive and flamboyant attack. But in a title race where one goal or one point can make all the difference, and the media will crucify you in defeat, Manuel Pellegrini should be very cautious of forgetting Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Take it from every back four in Holland, England, and Spain; don't ever lose sight of Ruud Van Nistelrooy.



Monday, September 21, 2009

Best Manchester Derby Ever: Where to start?





Craig Bellamy scored twice. Craig Bellamy punched a United supporter. Darren Fletcher, a "utility player" scored twice. Michael Owen poked home the winner in the ninety-what!? minute.


Before the Manchester derby this sunday, the headlines were all "Adebayor banned," and "Teves returns to Old Trafford." Afterwards, there are headlines galore: see above. Last week, Adebayor's name was on the tip of every Manchester tongue. In the furor that has surrounded Sunday's explosive encounter, the Adebayor controversy has slipped our minds.



And for good reason - what seventy thousand people inside Old Trafford witnessed live on Sunday was an early, and extremely strong, candidate for Match of the Season. The most highly anticipated derby for decades could not have been any better, or full of talking points.


In the brief space I am afforded, I will try and cover the main ones, as well as attempt to keep my preference for a particular triple champion in the background.


Well, what better way to do that then say what only the most diehard City supporters, and Mark Hughes, would disagree with: Manchester United were the better side, by a mile. Manchester City have a ways to come.



In the first half, United supporters were sweating as City showed glimpses of a team on equal footing with their cross town rival. But United, as they've been known to do once or twice before, turned the screw in the second half, playing attractive, fast, and overpowering football. The three goals they scored in the second half were inevitable. Of course, they had the bonus of being beautifully timed, but the way United were playing, the game only ever had one outcome.



United proved they are still capable of the spectacular, even without the departed Cristiano Ronaldo. That football was so good, Ronaldo, whom I will not mention again, was simply not necessary.


Before the game, Sir Alex Ferguson likened the noveau riche City to "noisy neighbors." Now they must be quiet.



Bellamy's equalizers were stunning, a mark of the class Craig Bellamy possesses when he plays football and doesn't speak. But they were also, from United's perspective, very avoidable. Mark Hughes has decided to take heart from the scoreline, stating that city showed remarkable character in battling back to push United to the line. This is manager-speak. The only thing City showed is that they have a dislikeable striker capable of scoring when gifted with the opportunities. 4-1 was a far more appropriate scoreling: aside from Bellamy's two lovely breaks forward, City were played off the pitch. Those three goals were Christmas come early for City fans desperate to talk about matching United: gifts.


Craig Bellamy almost impressed me. I have always wanted to be a fan of his, but it just seems his attitude and thuggery will always keep him on the periphery of players worth cheering for. His pacey approach and ability in front of the net is consistently outweighed by his unappealing yammer and foolish behavior. Basking in the warmth of a very pleasing victory, I let my guard down, and felt sorry for Craig Bellamy. Then he punched a pitch invader.





Look at the picture of the incident. It is clear the stewards have the renegade fan under control. Perhaps Bellamy felt he needed to assist the stewards in further neutralizing the invader? What a good guy. Sympathy lost, and for Mark Hughes, there goes another striker to the FA review board.

Something is awry at Man City. Despite some great results thus far this season, Mark Hughes has already lost two players to violent outbursts. City beat Arsenal and narrowly missed out on taking a point from Old Trafford - results suggesting they are worthy of a top four place. What should be a glowing moment for City is instead overshadowed by the petulance of their stars.

Onto the game's other double goal scorer: Darren Fletcher?!? Yes, that's right, the lanky Scot has turned himself into a player capable of truly earning a spot on Manchester United's starting XI. He used to be a hard tackling, hard working utility man, but through playing with and against the best for so long, Darren Fletcher has blossomed into a fine player. He will never have the explosiveness of Rooney, the finesse of Giggs, or the vision of Scholes, but he does bring the same consistency that those three have brought throughout their careers. His selection used to make me cringe when I saw the team sheets, when he was a below-par replacement on a less than adequate United squad. But as the team grew and improved, so did he. Sir Alex gave him his chances, played him amongst quality players, and the quality rubbed off. Congratulations, and thank you, to Darren Fletcher.


Other players Sir Alex Ferguson gave a chance to? I'm almost hesitant to mention Michael Owen's contribution to Sunday's goalfest. I almost feel too smug saying that Sir Alex's genius has again prevailed, and that Owen played the part Sir Alex knew he would perfectly. And it's almost too ironic that for the 100 million euros City spent this summer, it was the cheapest man on the field who nabbed the winner. Almost. Who writes these scripts?


As for the extra time that allowed Owen to his dramatic winner, I did some math. There was a substitution of Anderson for Michael Carrick, as well as the minute long celebration of Craig Bellamy and the City players. His celebration stretched 56 seconds past the 90 minute park, and the substitution took 30 more. Four minutes were added on by the referee, plus that extra minute and a half, which all adds up to five and half minutes. Owen scored 5 minutes and 27 seconds past the 90. Cue City silence.


With United pressing for the winner late on, perhaps the official felt it inappropriate to blow the whistle in the midst of a final attack. And if Man City feel they can challenge for greater honors this season, wouldn't they feel that those extra minutes offered them equal opportunity to score a winner of their own?





Only one team wished to keep playing Sunday, and that's the mark of an experienced champion. Between the trademark late winner, the incredible performances of Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher, and the omnipotent power of Manchester United in the second half against a team supposedly ready to contend with them, one thing is still certain: Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson simply will not go away.