SHOT DOWN AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

(Image taken from Manutd.com)

Last time around, Chelsea were gaffered by Luis Felipe Scolari and looked to be our main title challengers early on, holding us to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. We then beat them 3-0 at Old Trafford and the Blues' title collapsed, Scolari was replaced by Guus Hiddink and we went on to take our third title in a row. Overall we don't have the best of records against Chelsea though, the last time we did the double over them was before the Premiership started up! In the old First Division campaign of 1987/88, with Steve Bruce and Brain McClair the MUFC new guys, we won 3-1 at Old Trafford and 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, finishing 2nd in what was Fergie's best season up to that point.

This time, well Carlo Ancelotti was now in charge of the Blues and his guys had already beaten us to the Charity Shield. To follow that up they were also the early Premiership leaders. In theory we looked to be the best of the rest but we were running into injury trouble and even Fergie had to admit that beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge right now would be anything but easy. United wound up going 4-3-3 with O'Shea at right back, Evra at left back, Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher in midfield with Giggsy(as captain), Valencia and Rooney up front. It wasn't exactly a confidence inspiring lineup for what was arguably our toughest game of the season so far.

Well United dodged the opening bullet but the Reds were giving as good as they got and went on to become the better team in the early stages of the match. The home side kept threatening but failed to hit the target. Rooney in particular had enough good chances and should have had a penalty but ultimately the ref thought otherwise. Chelsea were cruising through the latter stages of the half without having any significant edge. Well I certainly can't remember the last time a "Grand Slam" Premiership game was this dull however the fact that the United representative on Fanzone was happy with this result reflected the level of our confidence.

Chelsea kept attacking in the early stages of the second half but didn't seem to get very far. United occasionally had their own chances but again, nothing doing. As the Blues brought on some fresh legs, the game started going up a gear but it still looked like anyones. That changed in the 76th minute though when out of nowhere John Terry headed a Frank Lampard penalty into the net. It was now up to United to get an equaliser but despite fresh legs and enough injury time to make ABUs rant, the Blues never looked like being broken down. United went home empty handed having been grinded into the ground - not what anyone would have had in mind.

Elsewhere, Arsenal faced Wolves at Molineux. Things didn't start too well for the home side when both Ronald Zubar and Joey Craddock put the ball in their own net before Cesc Febregas got a third for the Gunners. The second half was just cruise control for Arsene Wenger's men with Andrei Arshavin pretty much finishing Wolves off. Craddock tried to make amends for his earlier blunder by putting the ball in the Arsenal net but it was all over by that point. That meant that United ropped to 3rd in the Premiership. Five points behind leaders Chelsea and just three points ahead of Spurs and a detour through the Champions League preliminaries.

North of the border Aberdeen were trying to get their SPL campaign back on track. Their first attempt didn't go so well, they fell 2-0 to Hibs at Easter Road with the home side striking twice in the dying minutes after the Dons were left with nine men. Finally though, came the breakthrough. A 2-1 win over St Johnstone at Pittodrie. The Dons were leading at half time but even though the Saints equalised, the left the Dons enough time to find a winner. That allowed the Dons to move up to 6th in the table, seven points behind Dundee United and a Europa League spot but still two points ahead of St Mirren and the bottom half of the table.

South of the border again, the FA Cup 1st round was underway. Exeter did the business, beating Southern League Premier Division side Nuneaton Town 4-0 at Manor Park, wrapping up the match with ease before half time, solid work from the Grecians after some recent abortive Cup runs. Brentford however ran into a spot of trouble, only managing to draw 2-2 with BSP side Gateshead at the International Stadium with the underdogs managing to save their bacon at the last minute. Overall, the Bees have had their own Cup issues recently though so a second chance on home turf won't do them any harm. Gateshead won't be complaining about a bit trip south though.

Next up however is the 2nd round and Exeter have to deal with an all-L1 clash against the Paul Ince gaffered MK Dons at Stadium:MK. I have to say that I don't fancy the Grecians' chances here. Incey's crew have already done in City in LI. Brentford in the meantime have to first deal with a 1st round replay match against BSP side Gateshead at Griffin Park. That should be relatively straightforward for the Bees given how near they came to winning the first match. That would set up an all-L1 match against Walsall at Griffin Park. Wallsall are ahead of the Bees in the league but not by so much it can't be overcome by home advantage so the Bees have a doable route to the 3rd round.

Back north of the border, the CIS Cup semi final draw has been made. First up, Hearts with face St Mirren at Fir Park. Overall I'd say Hearts should be the safe bet to win that one given that they could do with whatever glory they can get right now. In the other tie, Rangers face St Johnstone at Hampden Park. That should be a straightforward run for the Gers who have proven to be the dominant team in Scottish football this season. That would set up a Rangers vs Hearts final at Hampden Park and really the result would depend on how much Hearts can get their act together before then. The safe bet at this point though has to be Rangers taking home the trophy.

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