Such is the ease with which Manchester United dispatch certain teams these days that you cannot help but think that the '99 spirit is with us this season. For the past few weeks, I've watched United without eating my finger nails and that has laegely been beacuse of the way they start games these days with an aura of invincibility. Such is the superiority of United's football these days that the main worry ahead of games is if we shall finally let in a goal and not if we can actually win the game.
Yesterday's match with Fulham was supossed to be that game in hand that has proved so difficult for teams. United had to win to move 5 clear Liverpool at the top of the league and you would expect that fate would throw a spanner in the works for United as has been in seasons past. United fans are used to seeing their team do it the hard way and so you felt that this game was not going to go to plan. Thankfully it did.
After last night's performance, many managers will understand Fergie's descision to keep awarding the squad veterans contract extensions. This time, Paul Scholes was the one to roll back the the years. He brightened the game with some precise 40 yard balls that made the pitch suddenly appear too big for Fulham. His more telling contribution was a 25 yard pile-driver that left the goalkeeper helpless. It was a fine strike from Carrick's corner and one that will surely be a contender for goal of the season for us.
Berbatov got the second to kill off the game as a contest and Wayne Rooney got a goal of his own with his first touch--he's started from where he left off.
The result and performance must have sent a shiver down Benitez' body as the title now looks United's to lose. Another win on Saturday and Liverpool will be 8 points behind us by the time they play City on Sunday. Another clean sheet and EVDS will claim a European record for consecutiove clean sheets! Another title and Liverpool's record of 18 titles will be equalled!
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