Would you believe it? Two teams, Manchester United and Chelsea, battling it out, not only for domestic supremacy but for the biggest trophy in club football as well. The titanic struggle between these two star studded teams has spread onto the European stage now as well, with the first ever all English Champions League final to be held in Moscow in May. Lets be honest, if you haven’t got a favourite out of these two sides, then you are the ultimate in fence-sitters.
Chelsea seemed to have nothing a few weeks ago. Seemingly falling behind in the title race, they had already lost the Carling Cup final earlier on in the season and they had a Champions League semi final against familiar opponents Liverpool. At half time in that first leg, it appeared that manager Avram Grant would be out of a job by the end of year. 1-0 down, they had been outplayed by Liverpool and were seemingly heading out of Europe.
With the last touch of the game, Liverpool’s John Arne Riise scored a terrible own goal and Chelsea had escaped with a 1-1 draw and a vital away goal. Was it about to get easier for Grant and Chelsea? No chance. Man Utd visited Stamford Bridge that Saturday, knowing that a win would all but seal their Premier League title. Even after Michael Ballack had scored, Man Utd were able to level and it looked like more disappointment for the Blues. However, they were not to be denied and after a Michael Carrick handball, Ballack scored his second to give Chelsea victory.
Last night’s nervy victory over Liverpool has sent Chelsea to their first Champions League final and they are level on points with Man Utd, with two games to play in the league. From nowhere, they have resurrected their season in quite dramatic style. Go back to February and say to anyone that Chelsea could end the season with a League and Champions League double. Did you get laughed at? I thought so. It is a great fight back from this group of players, who have had their commitment and desire questioned all season. It is certainly good news for the neutrals, who finally have a title race heading to the wire.
Man Utd, for their part, played brilliantly to defeat Barcelona in the semi finals. It may not have been the most attractive football but you wouldn’t substitute good play for defeat, would you? Besides Man Utd have some amazing players at their disposal. Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Hargreaves, Anderson… the list does, indeed, go on and on. They have also played some scintillating football domestically this season. No one can argue that should they win either trophy, that they would not deserve it.
Their slip up at Stamford Bridge last week should be looked at as just that: a slip up. A blip. Their remaining two matches should be won, also West Ham are something of a banana skin for Sir Alex’s men. They would certainly be happier with these games than Chelsea’s - away to Newcastle and home to Bolton. United’s crushing attacking play makes them my favourites to win the title. But what about that little matter of a Champions League final in Moscow?
Both teams play differently in cups, even more so in Europe. And while United are capable of playing fast, free flowing, exciting football, I wouldn’t expect them to in this game. Anyone who saw (or stayed awake for) the FA Cup final between these two teams last year will remember just how defensively and dull they played. Believe me, both teams are desperate not to lose and I believe this will lead to another dull, defensive final. Football purists can argue all they want, people like me can moan all we want - the fact is both teams want to win and will set out to do so no matter how.
For my part, I don’t think Chelsea are as good as United. I think those who are hailing Avram Grant as ‘The New Special One’ are extremely fickle. He is a poor substitute for Jose Mourinho, with nowhere near as much tactical nous or inspiration. Not long ago, he was being derided for his lack of talent as a coach. One win later and Chelsea fans have changed their tune. United, on the other hand, are a well managed and extremely talented group of players. They have an unstoppable desire to win and coupled with the genius of players like Ronaldo and Rooney, I believe they will edge this game, too.
So in my books, that’s a league and European cup double for Man Utd. It would be harsh on Chelsea given their impressive late comeback. But what a success story for Sir Alex and his men. The rivalry between these two teams has developed interestingly over the last few years and should either team claim victory in both, then the bragging rights would be well and truly won. Both sides have a lot to do still and, for sure, this tale of two cities will run on and on long into the next few years.
Chelsea seemed to have nothing a few weeks ago. Seemingly falling behind in the title race, they had already lost the Carling Cup final earlier on in the season and they had a Champions League semi final against familiar opponents Liverpool. At half time in that first leg, it appeared that manager Avram Grant would be out of a job by the end of year. 1-0 down, they had been outplayed by Liverpool and were seemingly heading out of Europe.
With the last touch of the game, Liverpool’s John Arne Riise scored a terrible own goal and Chelsea had escaped with a 1-1 draw and a vital away goal. Was it about to get easier for Grant and Chelsea? No chance. Man Utd visited Stamford Bridge that Saturday, knowing that a win would all but seal their Premier League title. Even after Michael Ballack had scored, Man Utd were able to level and it looked like more disappointment for the Blues. However, they were not to be denied and after a Michael Carrick handball, Ballack scored his second to give Chelsea victory.
Last night’s nervy victory over Liverpool has sent Chelsea to their first Champions League final and they are level on points with Man Utd, with two games to play in the league. From nowhere, they have resurrected their season in quite dramatic style. Go back to February and say to anyone that Chelsea could end the season with a League and Champions League double. Did you get laughed at? I thought so. It is a great fight back from this group of players, who have had their commitment and desire questioned all season. It is certainly good news for the neutrals, who finally have a title race heading to the wire.
Man Utd, for their part, played brilliantly to defeat Barcelona in the semi finals. It may not have been the most attractive football but you wouldn’t substitute good play for defeat, would you? Besides Man Utd have some amazing players at their disposal. Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Hargreaves, Anderson… the list does, indeed, go on and on. They have also played some scintillating football domestically this season. No one can argue that should they win either trophy, that they would not deserve it.
Their slip up at Stamford Bridge last week should be looked at as just that: a slip up. A blip. Their remaining two matches should be won, also West Ham are something of a banana skin for Sir Alex’s men. They would certainly be happier with these games than Chelsea’s - away to Newcastle and home to Bolton. United’s crushing attacking play makes them my favourites to win the title. But what about that little matter of a Champions League final in Moscow?
Both teams play differently in cups, even more so in Europe. And while United are capable of playing fast, free flowing, exciting football, I wouldn’t expect them to in this game. Anyone who saw (or stayed awake for) the FA Cup final between these two teams last year will remember just how defensively and dull they played. Believe me, both teams are desperate not to lose and I believe this will lead to another dull, defensive final. Football purists can argue all they want, people like me can moan all we want - the fact is both teams want to win and will set out to do so no matter how.
For my part, I don’t think Chelsea are as good as United. I think those who are hailing Avram Grant as ‘The New Special One’ are extremely fickle. He is a poor substitute for Jose Mourinho, with nowhere near as much tactical nous or inspiration. Not long ago, he was being derided for his lack of talent as a coach. One win later and Chelsea fans have changed their tune. United, on the other hand, are a well managed and extremely talented group of players. They have an unstoppable desire to win and coupled with the genius of players like Ronaldo and Rooney, I believe they will edge this game, too.
So in my books, that’s a league and European cup double for Man Utd. It would be harsh on Chelsea given their impressive late comeback. But what a success story for Sir Alex and his men. The rivalry between these two teams has developed interestingly over the last few years and should either team claim victory in both, then the bragging rights would be well and truly won. Both sides have a lot to do still and, for sure, this tale of two cities will run on and on long into the next few years.
1 comment:
loved it mate!!!1
keep doing it!!
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