Another Setback

Let me be honest, I wasn't expecting much from the visit to Stamford Bridge. All I was asking was a good account of ourselves. To a certain extend we got that at the beginning of the game. And things began to unravel the moment Eto'o got the lucky looping deflection over de Gea. We were missing the clinical edge at the bottom and top third of the pitch.

Let's start with the defense. There was no real problem with the personnel. Vidic was solid especially, but the positional play as a unit was suspect. Often, Carrick had to drop deep to pick runners up, while Ashley Young lacked discipline in helping Evra out on the left side of the pitch.

Chelski found plenty of joy rummaging down our left side, and the astute Mourinho saw that from a mile away.

The right side was a bit more secure, due to great understanding between Rafael and Valencia, plus also the help they got from Jones.

The fact that Jones and Carrick being pulled to help the rest of the team allowed Ramires and David Luiz to dominate the centre of the pitch. And they were both adapt at making the simple masses and keeping things ticking while the more creative players do the damage.

Then the final third. Wellbeck and Adnan were a couple of schoolboys for the Chelski defense. They had to find space either deep or on the left to receive the ball. Any long diagonal would be snuffed out easily. At this level, quantity of possession was meaningless and you were unable to make it work. The lack of quality possession just spoke volumes. Put simply, we were unable to hurt them.

I think tactically, we were found out. No point pointing to the return of Rooney and van Persie, as it would not do much unless we deploy the right personnel on the wings. This was where Adnan and Valencia would thrive. And when we were this desperate, we have to play to our strength.

Onward....

Not-so-great Ending

It was a not-so-great end to a wonderful weekend. First, Dato' Lee Chong Wei appeared lethargic in what could have been his third All-England title in five years. He was clearly not in his best form, and quite rightly, was beaten by Cheng Long in straight set.

Then, I took a nap and set my alarm for then Man United-Chelsea match. It was already the second half when I woke up, and I caught Chelsea pegging United back from two goals behind. We were lucky that we did not get beat. At least there would be a return leg at Stamford Bridge. So, it could've been worst ....

Tense Time at The Bridge

Even though I was quiet and sleepy, I stayed up to catch the first few moments of the Chelski-Citeh game on TV. A cagey start. No risk taken by both sides, true to the philosophies of both managers. And this was a departure from the more free-flowing style of only last week, at least as far as Chelsea were concerned. And yes, Torres was included in the starting line-up. I guessed that Banitez's contract stipulated that.

I was however struck by the hostile response by the crowd towards Banitez. These lot clearly considered Robbie Di Matteo as one of their own, and lived to see him stay. Unfortunately with Chelsea, the owner decided everything. It was his club. Not the supporters. Shame really. And Banitez better get his act together and start winning soon. The fans won't give him too log to settle. And since I don't think Abramovich can afford to sack another manager before he end of the season, the fans would be stuck with Banitez. Tense time ahead .....

Xmas Came Early at Old Trafford

I must confess that I felt asleep right free Ramires scored the equaliser last night. I got a feeling that United would start to close shop, get the off-form Cleverley off and tidy up at the back. I fully expect to wake up this morning to a draw.

And did I miss all the drama? After watching the game - recorded on DVR - I agree that Ivanovic should be off, but to get Torres given the marching order, and Chicarito coming off the bench to score an offside goal, Christmas definitely came early for us United fans.

The Chelsky supporter were understandably upset, and later came the claim that the ref said something out of term to the Chelsky later just added more spice. I didn't think that we had ears the last of this. I fully expect more news to come out of both camps. Which make for an otherwise uninspired start to United season click into gear.

This weekend - Saturday evening - would see United playing Arsenal at Old Trafford. This should be another interesting spectacle. Will we be lucky again?

The Final

I have a couple of admissions and transfer waiting for beds, and while waiting, it was the FA Cup Final on the TV. Chelsea was playing Liverpool. And I had the whole of the Doctor's Lounge to myself, with its big 60 inch TV.

Eight years ago, the final was played between Manchester United and Millwall. Puan Anita was in labour for Idlan then, but as she was on epidural, she was actually watching the match with me in the labour ward. Surreal but through. Idlan held on overnight, when finally, Anita had to have a Caesarean.

Since then, I had always remembered the fact everytime the FA Cup Dinal was being played. I had to watch it by myself this year however. And compared to 8 years ago, the match was played a couple of weeks earlier than usual.