UNITED STORM EWOOD PARK

 

(Image taken from Manutd.com)

 

Blackburn are always going to be an interesting opponent. Firstly because of our history with them from the mid 90s. Secondly because recently they've been a pain in the backside. Having said that, we did come into Ewood Park with the home side at the wrong end of the table and having re=overhauled the team that lost in Southend. Van de Saar back in goal, Gary at right back and skipper, Vidic and Rio in central defence, Evra at left back, Carrick and Scholsey in central midfield, Giggsy supporting Saha with Rooney on the left for some reason.

A first choice United X1 needed to show they meant business in the first half and though the first serious chance fell to Blackburn it was United who were soon running the show. The only reason that United couldn't hit the net was down to the on-form Brad Friedal, missed opportunities by our deadliest assasins and one blatent penalty we should have had. Mark Hughes knew that he was going to have trouble keeping his managerial record against his old club intact.

You knew Blackburn were getting desperate when their defenders weren't willing to retreat far enough to deal with United freekicks. Not that it mattered, United kept hammering the home goal and in the 64th minute O'Shea(on for the injured Gary)sent in a cross which Giggsy steered to Saha who slammed it into the net. Blackburn only had one decent attempt to equalise but the bottom line was that United got three points out of Ewood Park for the first time since '98 when Coley and Becks were on the scoresheet!

Elsewhere, Chelsea did what the could to keep up with United by beating Watford 4-0 at Stamford Bridge. Didier Drogba struck twice before Andriy Shevchenko made in three and Drogba completed his hat-trick. That probably helped Chelsea's goal difference but with United also winning, it was of no practical use for the time being as we're still three points ahead on top of the Premiership. The Blues' best shot at overtaking us is probably the big rumble at Old Trafford at the end of the month.

North of the border, Aberdeen faced Motherwell at Pittodrie in the SPL. The Dons started pretty slowly but gradually took over as the first half went on. Motherwell then created the first real chance on the second half only for the Reds to open the scoring thanks to Jamie Smith opening his account for this season. Motherwell were able to equalise but only due to an og from Dons defender Michael Hart and Lee Miller hit a late winner to keep the Dons in 4th in the SPL.

Elsewhere, Rangers have become the latest beneficiary of the madness of Vladmir Romanov. The Gers beat Dunfirmline 2-0 at Ibrox while Hearts only drew 1-1 at Falkrik which dropped them down to third but only on goal difference. That leaves Gers, Hearts and the Dons on the same points total with the Dons only with a -2 goal difference deficit from the teams ahead of them and three points ahead of Hibs in fifth. In the meantime, Celtic beat St Mirren at St Mirren Park to go fifteen points clear at the top.

Back south of the border and down a level, it was the 1st round of the FA Cup this weekend. Unfortunately my old local team Brentford, didn't fare to well, losing 1-0 to Doncaster at Griffin Park, forcing the Bees to concentrate on the L1 relegation struggle. My new local team didn't do much better, Exeter got beaten 2-1 by Stockport at St James Park, the L2 side clearly not as fazed by Exeter's giantkilling reputation as the local media were expecting.

Finally, the Carling Cup quarter final draw has been made and it looks like this: Spurs face Southend at White Hart Lane(Spurs should win at home), Liverpool face Arsenal at Anfield in what has to be the tie of the round(with the Scousers probably winning on their way to the trophy). Newcastle face Chelsea at St James Park(Blues to win) and Charlton face Wycombe at the Valley(Charlton to win as they're on a hiding to nothing).

England's up next.

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