UNITED HAVE CLEAR AIR AGAIN

 

 

Well, coming up to the end of April and United have, in chronological order, won the Community Shield, lost the European Super Cup, won the Club World Championship, won the Carling Cup and have been knocked out of the FA Cup. That leaves two trophies still up for grabs and the majority of the work is going to be in the Premiership. United had the advantage going into the next two matches but still had the Scousers hot on our heels. Fergie was predicting that the title race would go down to the wire again. The bottom line was, we needed to keep winning and if the Scousers slipped up, that would be a bonus. So, let's see what happens in the final run in.

Well the first order of business had us facing Portsmouth at Old Trafford. Wayne opened the scoring early on though Pompey had their bright spells but didn't really look like denying us the points, we even hit the net for a second time before half time but it wasn't given. The visitors were strong away for large chunks of the second half but we managed to hold them off and the three points looked secure even before Carrick ran on to get our second goal late in the match. Not my idea of a classic but certainly a much-needed solid performance after the Cup defeat. Mission accomplished really and now it was a case of bringing on the next opponent.

That next opponent was Spurs at Old Trafford. Well United had the early attacking but couldn't make anything of it. And when Spurs got going, both Darren Bent and Lukas Modric scored. United had some good chances late on in the first half but Fergie still had some serious talking to do in the dressing room. Whatever he said, it certainly did the trick. United started the second half on the front foot and though our first goal was an iffy Ronaldo penalty, Rooney's equaliser and Ronaldo's second goal which gave us the lead was much cleaner. Then Rooney got his second and Berbatov got a tap in. Wipe your guys off Harry, they're dead.

Elsewhere, Liverpool drew 4-4 with Arsenal at Anfield in what was an insane match. Arsenal led at half time only for the Scousers to turn the game round, then Arsenal, then Pool levelled, then Arsenal retook the lead but even then Pool were able to grab a late equaiser. Pool then beat Hull 3-1 at the KIngston Communications Stadium in what was a relatively straightforward affair, Pool opening the scoring just before half time and settling the match in the second half. Still United not only remain top of the Premiership but they are now three points clear of the Scousers and still with a game in hand. As Wayne says, the title is "ours to throw away".

North of the border, the Scottish Cup semi finals took place. Rangers beat St-Mirren 3-0 at Hampden Park with the Old Firm side giving Celtic's conquerers a serious reality check, scoring early on before fnishing them off in the second half. Also at Hampden Park, Falkirk beat SD1 side Dumfirmline 2-0, the first half preving goalless before the SPL relegation strugglers stepped up a gear to put the last remaining non-SPL side to the sword. That secures an all-SPL final with both semi proving fairly predictable. The question now is, what's going to happen in the final? Is that as straightforward as it appears at first glance or is there a shock in store?

Well the final sees Rangers face Falkirk at Hampden Park. For Rangers it's their second final in a row. For Falkirk it's their first final since '97. It's also the first time the two sides have met in the Scottish Cup final. History aside, the bottom line is this. The Gers are fighting for the SPL title(and have already secured a Champions League preliminary spot for next season), Falkirk are fighting off relegation(but the Gers success means that this Cup run has already secured them a Europa League spot). Of course Falkirk are going to give it their best shot and an upset is unlikely. The safe bet is certainly to go with the Gers on this one.

In the meantime, it's back to Champions League business.

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