Chicharito Chokes Los Che; United Top Group

"What matters are the points, there are no heroes."

With a quote like that, is it any wonder why Sir Alex signed Javier Hernandez this summer?
For those who were wondering why a virtual unknown in Europe would be purchased by the World's Biggest and Best Club, Little Sweet Pea gave them a big reason today...in the form of three VERY IMPORTANT POINTS.

Champions League matches make my skin crawl...literally.  I am nervous from the time I awaken until the final whistle.  I'm not sure why they make me so crazy, because I think the Premier League title is so much more important to us than European glory.  But in the same vein, we don't want to look weak to other leagues around the continent...especially in Spain.
Spain seems to have been the center of the footy world the last few years, with the ascendancy of Barcelona the descendancy and vulgarity of Real Madrid, and the can't-do-wrong Spanish National Team who have won the Euro and the World Cup in succession.
So this morning when I smacked the alarm clock, I realized that my beloved Reds would be doing battle in the Estadio Mestalla...which might as well be called "Thanks for Coming but You're Not Going to Beat Us" Stadium.  Los Che have put up an impressive home record in recent years, and currently sit atop La Liga (much to my glee), but United have only won 1 out of 18 appearances in Spain (much to my horror)....
until today.
I didn't get to watch the match, and only saw one scoreline with twenty to go (0-0) and read some of the snarky comments from the numpty who does the play-by-play for soccernet.  He (or she...I shouldn't assume) never has a kind word to say about United, even when they're ahead 5-0.  So you can imagine the comments I read, and prompty turned off the computer to attend to other business.
Luckily a friend texted me the score and the outcome, which couldn't have amazed me more given the location and the fact that United haven't exactly burned up the pitch in CL play this year.
The home side were brilliant and United were "uninspired" (in soccernet's estimation).  I know it's true, as my friend said the same.  But being brilliant doesn't mean anything.  You have to win to get the points; there are no points for style (thank goodness).
Rio Ferdinand's return was much-needed and the fact that United blanked the hottest team in La Liga at their own stadium should give rest to the rumblings that Rio is past his prime.  He showed no indication of his knee injury suffered during the World Cup training, and ditto that for his recent back injury.  Let's hope he will feature more regularly, as Rio has proved an effective General in the past.
So how did it end? 
0-0 until the 85th minute when the Sweetest Pea of them all whacked home a beauty, securing the three points for United.
It gives me great satisfaction that he subbed on just 8 minutes before he scored his winner.  And greater satisfaction that the assist came from Kiko Macheda (who was only on the pitch for a minute before he fed Javier).  And gives me the greatest satisfaction that he did it in Spain...the land of a gazillion Hernandez'.

Some headlines from the newspapers:
"The Lack of Goals 'Scorches' Valencia"...Marca
"Chicharito Slows the Streak of Valencia"...ElMundo
"Little Pea So Sweet as Hernandez Fires Late Winner"...DailyMail

TOUCHLINE NOTES:
I have to say (and I've said before on this blog) that Valencia has the second-best team badge in footy (after United, of course).  I love the bat symbol.
I've always been curious by the team being called, "los Che."  I speak Spanish so I searched out its origins.  Could it be short for CHEaters?  Valencia has been known to play rough, after all.  Ask Nemanja Vidic to show you his chest after this match.  He was stomped by a player (who didn't receive a warning).
Could the Valencians be followers of CHE Guevara?
Nope.  I finally found the answer buried inside wikipedia.  To understand the origins you must first understand that people in Spain do not just speak "Spanish."  Every region in Spain speaks a different dialect.  Barcelona speaks Catalan, The Northwestern seabord speaks Gallego, Madrid speaks the awful-sounding Castellano, and Valencians speak Valencian.  "Che" in Valencian would be spelled "Xe."  According to Wikipedia the meaning could come from different sources, but this is the most widely-accepted:
Xe: In Spain, che is widely used in the Region of Valencia and Terres de l'Ebre, the last one in southern Catalonia, as an interjection since ancient times. With the spelling "xe" in Valencian, its main use is to express protest, surprise or exasperation. Xe! is one of the symbols of the Valencian identity to the point where, for example the Valencia CF is often referred to with the nickname "Xe Team".
So there you have it. Xe!

I had a thought about a certain denizen of Madrid while writing this blog.  I'm sure he was at home in La Finca watching the match.  I would love to think that he was wearing his old red number "7" and cheering on his former teammates, while holding his new bundle of joy.  "Cristianinho, this is the greatest football club in the world and I used to be a star there.  They still sing my name." :)

And now for some fantastic photos:

The lads (O'Shea, Rio, Kiko, Bebe, Brown, Smalling, and Nani) training in the Mestalla

Rio showing why he's the General in the box.

Carrick fighting for the ball

One kick was all it took.  Los Che learned a valued lesson, that it ain't over 'til it's over.

That's right, Javi...God loves the Reds!

Rio, Kiko, Carrick, and Evra congratulate Chicharito on his brilliant goal

Let's hope many more follow...

How could you not love this guy? :)