I knew that Man.United were not going to win at Stamford Bridge the moment I saw the line-up. Why isn't Ronaldo, Scholes and Tevez in the starting eleven? And why is Giggs playing?
Don't get me wrong, I consider Giggs to be one of United's legends, but he has lost that pace to be a winger. Instead of fielding Ronaldo, Giggs was played, with Nani slotted on the other flank.
There was also no depth in midfield either. Scholes was missing, and his footballing brain and wit was needed to neutralise the strength and passing by Essien.
Things did not look good when Vidic was taken off due to injury. On paper, Chelsea were the more balanced side on that day.
I think Ballack had a terrific game, and his display was the reason that Chelsea won. Nevermind that Drogba tried to brush the German captain with his ego, Ballack was just superb.
Rooney's goal was a fluke, and it was really charitable of Ricardo Carvalho to hand United the equaliser. At this point, the game was level again, and United should've brought on Ronaldo and Tevez to beef up their side and match Chelsea.
When United do decide to bring in the young Portuguese, he was clearly held, wrestled and obstructed by Ballack which should've been a clear cut penalty, but somehow match official Alan Wiley missed the incident, when replays clearly showed the offence.
This decision incensed Fergie and the entire United fans in Malaysia. And as if that wasn't enough, in the dying minutes the linesman flagged Michael Carrick for handball inside the penalty box, and awarded Chelsea a penalty instead! Replays clearly showed that it was ball-to-hand & NOT hand-to-ball. Linesman is soooooo BUTA KAYU!
In my personal opinion, Fergie made a mistake with his selection for this match. Instead of fielding a strong side, he opted to rest several stars and paid the price for it.
I was really disappointed.
Pictures courtesy of:
www.premierleague.com
www.soccerlens.com
www.goal.com
1 comment:
sir alex always know ronaldo capability. he cant play against ashley cole!!
that is why...sir alex put him as substitute!
a.cole tackle was to hard for ronaldo to handle!
lets see next week at moscow...sir alex will surely put ronaldo at the left side..so that he will never be against cole!
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