It certainly will not go down as one of our best performances of the season but last night, it was all about United getting all the three points as it would be fatal to hand the chasers momentum at this stage of the season. It's always difficult when you play after all your challengers especially when they both won their games a day earlier.
Newcastle United is one of those teams that can easily get going when they have 40,000 fans behind them. It's why for the first 20 minutes we looked like the team fighting relegation while they looked like title contenders. Obviously they had to raise their game given the visit of the Champions but United should have seen it coming. It's one thing conceding an equaliser on an away ground like this but it's another conceding the lead. We were lucky to be just a goal down when Rooney got the equaliser as the Magipies rallied.
Fortunately for us, a mistake by Steven Taylor allowed Park to feed Berbatov with what proved to be the winning goal. It was one of those goals we've been missing since the departure of Ruud van Nistelrooy so nice to see Berba alert around that box.
Now, Ronaldo, as usual, got the best of Taylor's studs throughout the match and there are reports that the two of them fought in the tunnel at half time. Anyway, the Portuguese was not impressed with his treatment throughout the match and I was wondering how long it would take before he kicked out again at somebody. I've got no sympathy for the lad because he said 99% of defenders are fair to him and he also said that opposition fans should boo him more as it brings the best out of him! That's Ronaldo for you!
Then there is the small issue of a rare EVDS blunder that pegged us back almost from the on-set. I'll take Fergie's view on this one: You always hope that such blunders are made in the games you win!
Rooney took his goal well but I liked the way he covered up for Vida when the Serb was of the pitch receiving treatment. That was the instinct of a natural leader.
I was really pleased to get this win because it means that we can now handle a defeat next week better.
Before you complain about my pessimism, let me just say that I would very much prefer us to lose games against tough opposition than weaker opposition. It's why I was happy this time round that we didn't lose games against Bolton, West Ham, Man City and the like. The reasoning is simple, there are more weaker sides than strong ones so you collect more points from those teams than the others. Look at Arsenal for instance--they have beaten almost all difficult opposition that has crossed their path. They have the best record in the 'big four' standings this season but they have often times failed at lesser opposition!
The win sets us nicely for the big game at OT next week against Liverpool. Before that however, there is the small matter of an FA Cup quarterfinal against Fulham and then Jose is at OT!
Labels: REVIEWS
