Recap

November 27 – 2006

We can’t imagine the stress levels experienced by fans of Chelsea or ManU on Sunday – we hate both those clubs, and still needed a post-match nap. Some random thoughts on the clash of the titans:

• Cristiano Ronaldo spent his summer charging aimlessly down flanks and crying when the runs amounted to squat. Somehow, between then and now, he’s solved his emotional difficulties and turned himself into a dead-ball striking phenomena. This pains us to say, but Ronaldo is a joy to watch.
• Even more painful to say: Ashley Cole dealt with everything Ronaldo threw at him, making a handful of remarkable tackles on the Portugeezer. Ashley Cole is good.
• But Sheva isn’t. Not since the Comedy Central-Dave Chapelle contract has so much money yielded so little product. We’re rooting for him, we really are, but the Ukrainian is a shadow of his former self. How long will Mourinho allow him to drift around aimlessly?
• And speaking of Mourinho, he gave Sir Alex a bottle of rather expensive Portuguese wine after the match. A nice touch, and we’ll see if Fergie returns the favor on the away leg. Let’s hope: Scottish wine is not all that good, and consists mostly of sheep urine.
• People who claim Michael Carrick needs to “do more” belong in the Marcelo Balboa Soccer-Moron Hall of Fame. If anchoring a midfield, spraying balls at-will, and never losing possession isn’t enough for you, then go watch the Mexican league. Back-heels and bicycles galore.
• Chelsea’s first off the bench was Dutch winger Arjen Robben. ManU’s first off the bench was Scottish wanker winger Darren Fletcher. Wayne Rooney points to this disparity as a Chelsea weakness. Perhaps, but look for ManU to find some middle-ground in the January window.

In the end, a draw was the right result. The two horse race has been solidified, and we can now look forward to months of nervous “3 points or nothing” games involving the Premiership leaders.