Domestic double up in flames

                The mood is distressful having watched United bow out of FA yet again, losing to Chelsea in a QF replay. To catch this game Live, I had taken the post lunch session off from work. In retrospect, I feel I could have been at work after all L. Now I pull myself to whip up a post after disappointing my blog’s solitary follower by not sharing my views on the Sunderland game.

                Now enough of prattling, let us look at the first surprise for the game – Wayne Rooney not to be seen in the matchday squad, 2 games in a row. However, the fears were allayed ironically with news on groin injury that was picked up while at Internationals. The second surprise was watching Jones taking the centre midfield when he was expected to fill for Rafael and compounded by Valencia deployed at RB, Nani in the right (this is not a surprise) and Cleverley starting on the left wing (this clearly is).

                The Chelsea supporters for a change, instead of booing at Rafa, booed Ferdinand every time he touched the ball. It took some time for both the teams to find rhythm and start making some statements of intent. Welbeck who was paired with Chicarito to lead the frontline showed immense skill on the ball and could have had a chance if not for the veteran Ivanovic who shoved him to steal the ball in the initial minutes. Nani on the wing looked rustic after not having featured regularly this season kept losing possession with no pressure on him. His crosses were awry and passes erratic to say the least. Carrick, as ever was Mr Dependable breaking Chelsea’s attack and distributing the ball well.

                Seventeen minutes in to play, Ashley Cole pulled a hamstring while trying to fend Welbeck off signalling immediately for replacement. As the camera panned to the bench, there was JT adorning a mask of sadness since he was not a favourite with the interim and hence denied a starting berth by default. I reckon he is still the best defender in the blues rank. For United, Smalling was revelling in the CB role that he so covets but accommodates for the team to play out of position often. He was excellent in blocking and shackling the blue shirts while Ferdinand on the other hand tasked to mark Ba was looking ragged. Both the teams were playing a high backline with the offside trap.

There were 2 attempts at goal in the first half, one on either direction where De Gea’s was a regulation save except that he had started parrying away with his legs more often while Cech flicked the ball with his legs at the last moment to save a Chicarito’s long range shot. Towards the end of the first half, there was a shout for penalty when Nani and Bertrand tangled in the box but Phil Dowd waved to play. A fodder for endless argument today if that was a penalty denied or Nani just trying to act his way into getting a spot kick.

                The second half started the same way with affair being drab and suddenly four minutes into the half, Mata, the pocket dynamo floated a pass over towards United’s box where Ba caught Ferdinand napping and volleyed in a over De Gea who was rooted to the spot. If it was anybody’s fault the fingers should be pointing at Ferdinand as the United custodian could do nothing but gape at his fort getting breached. Ten minutes later when United seemed to exact revenge on their opponents, Welbeck crossed from the right for Chicarito and the Mexican did what he does best, making sure the ball was goal bound only for Cech’s heroics to play spoils. A top notch save it was and no wonder he is the best in business.

Ba volleys

                Fergie in necessity to pull a rabbit from his hat hauled off Cleverley who was ineffective and RVP was thrown in. Ryan Giggs came in for Nani few minutes later. The positions were reshuffled with Jones moving to RB and Valencia RW. However, it was Chelsea who came close to scoring AGAIN, with Hazard dragging the ball wide. It was proving difficult for United to penetrate Chelsea’s defence as their strong midfield dictated the proceeding. The team clearly lacked a player of Hazard/Oscar/Mata calibre to achieve the above. Shinji needs more time I guess. Soon the tiring Welbeck was replaced with Young with ten more minutes in the clock. The comebacks United are known for could still have been achieved if not for RVP skyrocketing from 12 yards. I guess I should contend myself with watching those epics in Youtube and never Live*. Into the injury time, RVP missed a difficult header from a perfect Young cross to score thereby enabling Opta to duly note that he had not scored in the last 9 games. L

                The result though thoroughly deserving for Chelsea left me brooding on what was happening to my team hunting for 3 trophies not long ago. I guess it will have to be just the BPL unless we miraculously squander a 15 point advantage with 8 more games to go and end trophyless.

*-Of course there have been comebacks this season, but would have loved to see them in knockout games.

Roundup:

1. The “Interim” made sure he shook hands with Sir Alex before the kick off as well as after securing a victory to emphasise he has an educated background. LOL
2. Screw you Phil Dowd for sowing seeds of imagination when I looked at you having a laugh with Sir Alex on the way out from the tunnel before the second half. How I wish the United haters’ remarks on you being in United’s payroll were true.
3. On a serious note, the academy graduate Welbeck's display was full of potential that can be tapped  but needs to improve on his finishing.
4. The Easter fixture was a total letdown for the fans as the play was uninspiring.