The Reds are off to a disappointing start and its unlikely they will be able to make up that 4 point gap on Chelski. If they drop any more points in the Chester Derby and Chelski wins against pool, the title race for manu would be virtually over. Not sure if Arsenal and Pool hav enoiugh quality and depth to chjallenge Chelski so it maybe a one horse race by December.
Maye Sir Alex wdidn`t make the best possible signings over the summer.
Manu race not over yet, chelsea is more porus in defense than before, except for when Terry returns (to be seen) Personally i dont rate Ben haim as much as he is touted. he has no pace at all but makes up for it with awareness. then again witha good midfield he can look very good a defender. However I predict liverpool will be springing a nice surprise on them this weekend courtesy of bruk toe gerrard. I dont think any team will be walking away with the premiership this year.
. . .is the season still 38 games? . Chelsea IMHO will be very tough to finish ahead of this season because of the overall quality of their squad and ManU did very well to top them last year so they do have to make sure they don't drop too many points at the start. When all is said and done they would have brought in around 75-80 million pounds worth of players this Summer to add to an already very strong team-over the course of the season that kind of squad quality will show.
With Ronaldo out with a stupid Red card and Rooney out for 2 months, someone will have to step up to the plate..Tevez is getting into match fitness but Saha hmmmmmmmmmmm....with Man-City off and running this is a make or break game for US in IMO...I don't think we can afford to drop anymore points these next games..
I dsitinctly remember somebody saying Abramovich and his money being good for the game and how they and Arsenal would be breaking Man U's dominance.
50% true
.
I did say Roman`s money was good for the game in helping break manu`s dominance but I never said Mourinho`s arroanec was good for the game( I didn`t see that sort of arrogance then).
I was the most anti-Fergie person in the world but realised Mourinho is far worst, so naturally I backed Fergie and wa shappy they did last year.
And about Asenal, Wenger is technically the best but I am not a fan of his transfer policies over the last few years.
A few experienced and quality replacements would have complimented us well while the club`s policy regarding over 30s is not a good one.
Its disappointing to see the invincibles almost totally dismantle in about 3 years.(The rot started when Cesc replaced Edu in midfield)
Don`t like monopoly unless its Brazil and Arsenal`s monoply with beauty, so naturally I am not a supporter of Roman`s millions with Jose showing off as if he and not Roman`s millions are the special ones.
I am not as anti-manu as I was a about 3 years ago when mourinho showed us Fergie wasn`t as bad.
Hope Gunners can put ua serious challenge but I think we need a few quality, experienced additions.
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Title race is over? Gary how yuh love play wet blanket so Party jus a start!!! Two games doesn´t even define a 16 game NFL season much less a 38 game EPL season. 36 games x 3 points means 108 points are still in play to make up 4 points. I´ll take my chances gary. Worry bout your side, the champs will eventually be fine and still are favourites to edge out the very stiff competition. As long as nobody repeats Arsenal´s magnificent undefeated accomplishment this thing could go to the wire with 3 teams in it.
Just 1 more win...... Man Utd 4-1 West Ham By Phil McNulty
Manchester United moved to within one win of the Premier League title with a comfortable victory against West Ham.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored from 12 yards after three minutes and bundled home his 40th goal of the season from close range in the 24th minute.
Carlos Tevez added a brilliant third from 25 yards before Nani was sent off for head-butting Lucas Neill.
Dean Ashton pulled one back with an overhead kick, but Michael Carrick drove in a fourth after 58 minutes.
606: DEBATE Wigan is the final exam If United were craving a fast start and an early goal, they could not have wished for more generous defending on the part of West Ham that gave them the lead after three minutes.
Ronaldo escaped the attentions of Neill, and the rest of the Hammers' defence stood off as he raced into the area and beat Robert Green with a deflected shot.
West Ham were almost allowed a route back into the game three minutes later when United keeper Edwin van der Sar was uncertain and Patrice Evra had to clear off the line from Bobby Zamora.
And the visitors had appeals for a penalty waved away when Wes Brown handled under pressure from Zamora, but referee Mike Riley gave a foul against the West Ham striker.
United doubled their lead after 24 minutes when West Ham failed to deal with Owen Hargreaves' long cross and the ball went into the net off Ronaldo's thigh at the far post for his 40th goal of the season.
Tevez made it three against his former club two minutes later when he sent a vicious swerving drive high past Green from 25 yards.
West Ham looked dejected and beaten, but Ashton gave them a measure of hope with a spectacular overhead kick after 28 minutes.
And the lifeline was extended further 10 minutes before the interval when Nani inexplicably head-butted Neill after a minor fraces - an offence made worse by the Manchester United winger hitting the ground holding his head in a desperate attempt to avoid punishment.
Ashton injured a muscle in scoring his spectacular goal and it was no surprise when he went off early in the second half, to be replaced by Carlton Cole.
West Ham were in no mood to take advantage, however, and desperate defending allowed Carrick to stride forward unopposed to send in a deflected shot from 25 yards for United's fourth after 58 minutes.
The rest of the game was played out in a carnival atmosphere as Old Trafford anticipated another title triumph
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Originally Posted By: gary
The Reds are off to a disappointing start and its unlikely they will be able to make up that 4 point gap on Chelski. If they drop any more points in the Chester Derby and Chelski wins against pool, the title race for manu would be virtually over. Not sure if Arsenal and Pool hav enoiugh quality and depth to chjallenge Chelski so it maybe a one horse race by December.
Maye Sir Alex wdidn`t make the best possible signings over the summer.
Dear Gary,
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!
Error Error Error!!!! I hope you have learned your lesson. Season finish in May not August zeen? Lookin for a good challenge from your side next season, just 4 points adrift is a really good performance. Even without Flamini and Hleb that is something to build on. But until then I shall enjoy the title.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!
Error Error Error!!!! I hope you have learned your lesson. Season finish in May not August zeen? Lookin for a good challenge from your side next season, just 4 points adrift is a really good performance. Even without Flamini and Hleb that is something to build on. But until then I shall enjoy the title.
. . .I think it's an Arsenal fan thing . My strategy in the fantasy league is always to do the opposite of what Saltman says-to great effect. Ronaldo fantasy points were really hard to come by this season .
Originally Posted By: saltman
To end, IMO ManU though they played well, had a really lucky season last year, less crucial injuries than others, the constant favor of the refs etc. and Ronaldo was the chief beneficiary, I dont think it will be anything like that this season, fantasy points from ronaldo might be at a premium this year.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!
Error Error Error!!!! I hope you have learned your lesson. Season finish in May not August zeen? Lookin for a good challenge from your side next season, just 4 points adrift is a really good performance. Even without Flamini and Hleb that is something to build on. But until then I shall enjoy the title.
Congrats boss.
Learn lesson?
Well I didn`t see Mourinho leaving, nor even arsenal making a serious challenge. I was expecting the mourinho/chelski of the previous years.
had chelski won that pool match as i said and if mourinho was still there and chelski played the way they could, it would have been over bar the shouting there is no way mourinho`s team would have folded as meekly as ours.
But these things happen. I won`t get it right every single time.
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Do you realise that under Grant they went on a long string of good results and closed Man U down? Credit him with taking this down to the last day. Have you forgotten that Mourinho was there last year too? Again I hope you have learned your lesson that regardless of who we are talking about the season never ends in August. Nobody and I mean nobody who is serious title contender can be out in August it is just insane. And they did lose the next game you thought would have sentenced them and wound up in a position where winning on the last day of the season was almost a let down. It´s a long season boss full of many twists and turns.
Nobody and I mean nobody who is serious title contender can be out in August it is just insane. And they did lose the next game you thought would have sentenced them and wound up in a position where winning on the last day of the season was almost a let down. It´s a long season boss full of many twists and turns.
Anything is possible, you can be off to an inauspicious start you never recover from. By the way, had Chelski won that match at pool, then they would be the leaders coming to the last day so i was right. Coming to the last day with the lead? I assure you they would have taken it home.
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No buddy you said Man U was done but they won the title therefore you were wrong And not winning some games in the season is normal over the course of 36 games remaining for 20 teams is the whole theme of this discussion right? You are talking about Liverpool, what about Wigan what about Old Trafford? And you are putting a big assumption into the mix. Are you sure Chelsea would have beaten Man U at the Bridge with Man U needing the result with Liverpool on the horizonf for them? Remember in the real world Man U totally controlled its destiny and could afford to lose to Chelsea and therefore rested its key players with Barcelona in mind and lost narrowly to a late penalty while Chelsea scampered to clear 2 off the line. I see no guarantees there it would have necessarily been the same result. I can also mention how Man U was unfortunate not to beat Arsenal on my birthday at Emirates and the recent draw with Blackburn during the Brad Friedel Show. Over the course of the season the truth comes out and its long season and like I said to you at the time there were still 108 points in play a and whoever will have a spot of 3 games with 1 or 2 points and it´s just a blip. Yuh haad fi learn eeeh?
Have you forgotten that Mourinho was there last year too?
. . .Chelsea's collapse last year was worse IMHO because they had both the best team and the best squad in the league and their running out of steam at the end was due to their coach being outmanouevered by Ferguson.
. Chelsea IMHO will be very tough to finish ahead of this season because of the overall quality of their squad and ManU did very well to top them last year so they do have to make sure they don't drop too many points at the start. When all is said and done they would have brought in around 75-80 million pounds worth of players this Summer to add to an already very strong team-over the course of the season that kind of squad quality will show.
