The Cream Rises To The Top

Nemanja Vidic shows the Potters how you get to the top.

One of my favorite attributes about Manchester United is that it is never over until it's over. In last week's derby against Manchester City, the Reds looked to draw against the Blues in a hard-fought battle. But with seconds on the clock, Michael Owen left the neighboring wannabes...well..."wannabeing."


The Reds are always slow starters in the Prem League, and this year has been no different. Chelsea always manages a big start to the season and then slowly fades, as they did last year when they ended up third behind Liverpool and the champions, United.


A perfect start for the Blues this season, with 6 wins and 18 points (although some wins were not so convincing) put them ahead of United in the standings...until today.
In an away match against Stoke City, United outplayed the Potters and won 2-0 on goals from Dimitar Berbatov and John O'Shea. Both goals were assisted by United captain, Ryan Giggs.
Chelsea struggled in their away match against Wigan Athletic, and their keeper, Petr Cech, was ejected. The offending play gave Wigan a penalty, which they converted easily. Now playing with ten, instead of eleven, Chelsea could not keep pace with the Latics. Late in the match, Chelsea suffered another blow with injured player Ashley Cole. Now down to nine (because they had used all their subs), the Blues gave up another goal in injury time...3-1.


The Latics had not beaten a top-four team in 34 attempts. But I guess the 35th time was the charm. Manager Roberto Martinez summed up his team's attempt:


"When you are Wigan and playing against the top four you have options, you can be brave and beat them or you can get hammered. That is what happened. We were beaten 4-0 and 5-0 (by Arsenal and Man United) and today the only reason we won is because we learned our lessons. We have been brave from the first moment and no-one can say we did not deserve the win. That is a big compliment to our club."


What did this match mean to United? That they vaulted to the top of the Prem League Table in front of Chelsea (on goal differential). But with only 7 games played out of the 38 matches this season, the fight is hardly over. Little mistakes can cost you big, though. Last year, Liverpool was in front of United at Christmas...one month later, United was in front of Liverpool by 10. It can happen that fast.


Has the tide turned already? I hope so...


For full match analysis, follow this link to manutd.com

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7B3165B97F%2D681E%2D4B39%2DBE53%2D94EC9521C3DA%7D&newsid=6640396