CHELSEA HAVE LIFELINE

 

(Image taken from Sky Sports)

Well we'd already faced Blackburn at Old Trafford and beat them 2-0. Since then, Rovers are still in the top half of the table but getting to Europe looks a long shot. However a trip to Ewood Park is never the easiest of assignments for United. We went 4-4-2. Kuszczak in goal, Rio and Vidic in central defence, Ronaldo right mid, Carrick and Scholes centre mid, Giggsy left mid, Tevez and Rooney up front.

Well United dodged a bullet early on but soon made a game of it, however we were never really able to take over the match and in the 21st minute a Moten Gamst Pedersen through allowed Roque Santa Cruz to give Blackburn the lead! United kept firing but the Rovers goalie kept getting in the way if the Rovers defence didn't. Not exactly the best of positions to be in at half time.

United had all of the attacking early on in the second half but again came up empty and Rovers countered and forced United to dodge a couple of bullets. Having avoided going two down, United turned up the heat but an equaliser still proved hard to find despite a load of late chances! Finally though in the 88th minute Scholes set up Tevez and at least we could claim something from this encounter. We could have done with more though.

Elsewhere, Chelsea faced Everton at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea dominated the first half and Michael Essian hit the net just before half time. The Toffees tried to get an equaliser but the Chelsea defence had other ideas and though Everton had chances they weren't able to find the final touch. That leaves United still on top of the Premiership but 2nd placed Chelsea have cut the gap to three points.

North of the border, Aberdeen faced Celtic at Celtic Park. The Dons had a hot shot early on but the game descended into a bit of a dirge which Celtic were getting the better of and Georgios Samaras was able to hit the net. The Dons had their chances to get an equaliser but weren't able to take them. Not a good start to the final run in but then again, they were on Old Firm turf.

Elsewhere, Dundee United faced Hibs at Tannadice. The home side had the better first half but where unable to get a goal. Their hand was forced in the second half when Dean Shiels opened the scoring for Hibs but the Tangerines levelled the match through Noel Hunt and that's how it finished. That leaves the Dons in 6th place in the SPL, nie points behind the Tangerines and a UEFA Cup spot with four games to go.

Finally there was the Scottish Cup semi final between Rangers and St Johnstone at Hampden Park. Not one but two early injuries didn't help the Gers but Walter Smith's side turned up the heat but neither side really had their shooting boots on. Gers may have had the better game but the SD1 side held out and would have been very happy with forcing extra time.

Finally goes came in extra time with Daniel McBreen opening the scoring for the Saints only for the Gers to equalise through Nacho Novo. The second half of extra time proved pretty uneventful though, allowing the Saints to force the Old Firm side into a shootout. Rangers won the shootout 4-3, allowing them to stay on course for a domestic treble.

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