Cristiano Will Always Be CR7: Down the Homestretch

With 13 matches left to play in the Barclay's Premier League, every game is crucial, with relegation-avoiding bottom-feeders just looking to scrap some points from the big boys. United, who trailed leaders Chelsea by 2 points at the beginning of the day, were up against a perennial cellar-dweller, Portsmouth (Pompey).
On a solemn day at Old Trafford, when the Reds and fans remembered the Busby Babes from the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, the possibility of an emotional let-down was in the air. When the Reds took 40 minutes to score, after having many chances in the first half, the crowd could be forgiven for thinking this might be a long day. But unlike 2008, when United wore the '58 kit and lost to City, Rooney and company had their sites on the top of the Prem League table.
It was the prolific goal-scorer Rooney, with 23 goals this season, who started off the stampede in the 40th minute with a beautiful header past David James. Nani, who has had a renaissance or "reNANIssance" in the past six outings took a wicked shot, which ricocheted off two Pompey players and in to the goal. 2-0. But the Reds weren't done. With a crowd firmly behind them, as always, Michael Carrick smacked a cracker on goal that scooted in off an opposing player, 3-0. With a win in their sites, Dimitar Berbatov finessed his way through a crowded box and unleased a cracker...4-0. How many would the Reds score? The death blow was delivered when Patrice Evra put a beautiful cross in to the box...but Marc Wilson (Pompey) tried to clear it, and cleared it right into the net! 5-0. You would think that a 5-0 score is what United are looking for, but left-back Evra had another spin on it:
"We played in the right spirit and it was pleasing to score so many goals. I wasn’t concerned because I knew we could go on and win the game but I was angry that we didn’t score earlier."

Pompey, who are in dire financial trouble, have had four owners this season alone. Their players are paid irregularly, and the Prem League has stepped in on many occasions to ensure that the club takes care of it's financial obligations, with a large amount of money owed to other clubs for transfers. Playing under that duress couldn't be easy, so I have to give props to the players for keeping their heads about them. But today they didn't face fiscal woes, but a team looking to bag an unprecedented fourth-straight Prem League title. The Reds are on the move...the homestretch is in site and the team that wants it the most will prevail. Bring. It. On.

A SHOUT OUT to Jozy Altidore of Hull City. The US Nat'l Team striker bagged his first EPL goal, helping to down a struggling City 2-1.
SAD FACE of the day. My Bordeaux were beaten 4-2 in a rugged road test at Rennes. Our 9-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table is now only 3. Come on, Marine et Blanc!

Some pics from the day: