Ugh...The Red Devils win the Champions League after Anelka's penalty is saved by Van Der Old. So now we will have to watch SAF strut around as if he were god's gift to footballing....great. A few quick thoughts on the game:
- Much like Italy in the 2006 World Cup, they goal posts should be getting a thank you note from Man U. Twice during the run of play Chelsea saw their shots die on the post and John Terry, on what would have been the clinching kick for Chelsea, saw his shot deflect off the post. The ESPN commentators predicted that the pitch might come into play since it became loose and slippery as the game dragged on...none more evident than when Terry went for his kick and slipped.
- Chelsea, overall, were the better team. The Blues took the game to Manchester United. Other than a few moments of panic in the beginning of the game, Chelsea and Cech were not really tested. The Ronaldo goal was from a huge mistake from Essein who looked completely lost for spells of the match. Rather than mark Ronaldo tight on the cross he hesitated, looked to move forward towards the ball, and instead found himself in no man's land allowing the Portugese striker to easily head in the ball. Chelsea then faced a scare when Tevez and then Carrick were denied by huge saves from Cech. Otherwise, the game was clearly in Chelsea's hand. The entire second half Cech did not seem bothered one time by Manchester United.
- Rooney looked lost, he was completely marked out of the game. The fact he was subbed off was an indicator that not all is right with the striker. Hopefully he will have time to recover for the Euros....oh wait England is staying home. Okay I guess he will have plenty of down time before the start of the season in August.
- Essein was not his usual rock. Granted he was playing out of position at right back, but when he plied his trade in France he would often times find himself at right or left back and played the role with world class ability. I know he was marking Ronaldo, no easy task, but he looked pedestrian on at least 2 one on one confrontations with the Portugese.
- Drogba vs Vidic. The central defender was clearly in Drogba's head, none more evident than a late game goading by the Manchester United player getting Drogba red carded. A good word of advise for Didier Drogba from Ryan - don't hit anyone. I want to see Drogba stay in England just to watch those two going at it again next season, there is no love lost there.
With the European season winding down we can start looking to June 7th and the start of the Euros...cannot wait.
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