Going for the Dozen

The Southampton win last night was a great result for us. But that would be meaningless if we did not capitalise on it. We must have to go for the win. Anything less would be a mini disaster. And we would not want any mini disasters at this stage of the campaign. We want to go twelve points clear.

We had been churning away results without really playing well. And with Fellaini in the side, Everton was more than capable of upsetting us. As they did last season. It was the late draw here at Old Trafford that put our title aspirations in tatters.

True enough, Uncle Giggsy just put us in front with a great team effort, marking him as they only player to have scored in every season of the Premier League since its inception. It was still early doors though. We only played 20 minutes so far, and Everton looked dangerous. I will be biting my nails through out the game.

A Draw Was A Draw

A draw was a draw. And it was still a point in the bag, but that was no consolation really. We should have put then game to bed, but from a toothless performance up front. Maybe it was the Xmas round the corner. Rooney especially was sluggish with both his passing and finishing. And even van Persie was not his usual deadly self.

Swansea played a clever game. They pressed United using a high line and compacted the midfield. At times, Carrick and Cleverley were overrun and struggled to get a hold of the game. This allowed Swansea forwards to run forward, especially Michu and get into good positions. It was also quite clear that Vidic could do with a couple more outings before getting his fitness back. His reading of the game was still there, it was just the speed.

Understandably, Swansea struggled to keep such a high energy game throughout, and was getting tired after the hour. We tried to capitalise with the introduction of Chicarito. But apart from a good chance that missed his stride, he was rather anonymous. And then, there was Valencia. He was really struggling. With United only have three wingers in the squad - then other two being Young and Nani if we discount Giggs - we would have problem playing our usual wide game going forward. Both Young and Valencia was below par in then crossing department yesterday as well.

Hopefully we would clear the cobweb before the next game on Boxing Day. The lead is now down to four points after our first draw of the season. But putting things into perspective, getting a point away to Swansea was never a bad thing. On their day, Swansea could play proper football and out any team under pressure. It was just not our day, with us hitting the bar twice and the Swansea defense putting their bodies on the line last-ditch defending. The real blow came with the news of Chelsea putting eight past the Villan. Now, that was an attacking display .......

Tandoori Time is Back!

After a three week break, the tandoori take out is back. United playing Swansea tonight, away. We won the blast couple of games, so hopefully the tandoori would not be a jinx. With Barry heading the winner for City last night in injury - I meant Fergie - time, we should go for the jugular and preserve the six point leading into the festive period.

Further win would definitely put more pressure on the City outfit, which I was pretty sure would be buying more players during the winter transfer window. We seemed to be OK where we were at the minute.

Kick off would be at 9.30, so there would be plenty of time for dinner ......

Momentum Maintained

A win was still a win and the momentum was still on. It was important not to drop points after the three hauled at the Emirates last weekend. All that good work could be unravelled a careless drop in points against the supposedly weaker team in Sunderland. So, concentration was key, and we saw plenty of that focus on the first stages of the game.

We were rewarded with two goals in then first quarter of the match. First being presented to van Persie by a former United player, John O'Shea. He failed to deal a low cross from Ashley Young, parrying the ball towards the predatory Dutchman who passed the ball onto the top of the net. Cool finish.

The second was a well-worked team effort. The ball was initially brought forward by Phil Jones playing at right back. The play was switched when eventually Cleverley got the possession at the far end playing a pass back to Carrick who returned the ball via a defence-splitting pass back yo Claverley. He side footed the bal past the despairing Mignolet in Sunderland goal.

The other plus point was then return of Nemanja Vidic. But he was not able to to earn United a clean sheet. In fact he was at fault for failing to clear the ball inside the six-yard box, allowing a free header at the far end. He would be better once he got more games under his belt I was sure.

The main thing was, the win maintained a six-point lead at the summit of the league. There was still plenty to play for, but it was telling that we were in this position despite not yet hitting our stride. Come the business end of the season, I hope that the defence would be tighter. We really could do with clean sheets.

Another Comeback

I was too tired to wait for the game last night. Kick off at 1.30 am, with on call tomorrow, I decided to go to bed early. I was asleep in front of the TV by 11, until my boys woke me up to get to bed just after midnight. I set the alarm to catch the second half. By the time I switched the TV back on, the score was already two nil. For Aston Villa. Oh dear!

Fixed myself a drink, just about the time Chicarito halved Villa lead. His first of three. Soon after came the equaliser, a deflection off Ron Vlaar off Chicaritos shot from the back post.

United then held the giant white of possession with van Persie hitting the crossbar twice in quick succession. Both could have gone in, but it was his night I supposed. But van Persie contributed an assist shortly after. His shipped free kick headed in expertly by Chicharito, out muscling his bigger marker to get at the end of the ball. Another comeback.

It looked like we had use up out comeback chip this early in the season. And this was without playing well. We didn't dominate games like we used to, and the midfield had yet to click properly. We were also meaning at the back at a staggering rate, with de Gea still struggling with crosses.

Looking forward to tomorrow night's game as well. It would be Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. It would be a sizzler. Hopefully I would be able to catch the game. I would be on call tomorrow.