At halftime, it looked like a visit to Upton Park was once again proving to be a major derailer in our hopes of securing the league title.
Some 45+ minutes later, United fans everywhere let out a collective sigh of relief after a rousing second half display. 5 hours after that, we find ourselves in a far better league position than we would have imagined going into halftime of today’s game with a 2-0 deficit.
Impressions:
1. Was our defense sleepwalking in the first 45? What made it even worse was that we enjoyed the lion’s share of possession. Yet anytime they hit a long ball from the back, our defense was flat footed and struggled to cope. Utterly unacceptable defending from a team that wants to challenge on 3 fronts.
2. Just how bad was our defense? Even a midfield pairing of the often maligned Carrick and Gibson put in a far steadier performance than our backline. When was the last time that happened?
3. Despite having the ball for most of the game, our first half effort lacked any real attacking threat aside from Valencia’s deliveries into the box. Rooney came alive in the second half no doubt aided by Berba and Chicharito playing alongside him. His first touch to create space for his/our second goal was outstanding.
4. My money was on Giggs to take the free kick that led to our first goal. It was perfectly positioned for a left footed player to curl into the corner. Perhaps that’s why the wall barely moved when Rooney struck it.
5. Lee Mason didn’t have a great game. I’m not sure that the penalty that he awarded for our third was indeed a handball. At the same time, it wasn’t his first questionable call of the game.
6. The introduction of Chicharito and Berba added so much more bite and purposeful possession to our play. It’s no coincidence that we got our scoring started after both were on the field. With what Berba brought to the game, you have to wonder how he keeps finding himself on the bench. Chicharito on the other hand just works so dang hard to get himself into scoring positions. Despite only 1 in maybe 10 chances leading to a scoring opportunity, he never gives and keeps working and that’s why he’s scored as frequently as he has.
Fergie has since called this performance the stuff of champions. I’m not sure if our display (especially our defending) in the first 45 was worthy of that label, but the fightback that we mounted in the second half definitely was.
Chelsea and Arsenal both drew today after our game which makes this come from behind win that much sweeter.
All of this doesn’t mean too much yet in the grand scheme of things since both London clubs still have a game in hand AND another league fixture against us in the upcoming weeks. But it does take some of the pressure off us and gives us more wriggle room should we find ourselves defending like we did today. Other teams may not be as forgiving.
Much to be pleased about today, but plenty of room for improvement.
