What? A Liverpool Party?

Last Friday, I went straight to Gombak after work as Idlan attended his friend's birthday party at one of the indoor sports hall there. It was a football themed party and the whole gang actually played indoor football before sweatily cut the birthday cake!

It was held at KLFA football training facilities at Melawati, abut the theme was Liverpool!

Even the flames from the candles was redI nearly came up with rashes towards the end! Idlan donned a red shirt but luckily without a Liverpool crest. Otherwise he would have to take his own ride home! The party was fun and Idlan get to play football although it was the first time he did so in an indoor futsal hall and he did not have a proper footware. We would need to get him one.

He enjoyed the party and couldn't help harping on about his footballing conquest afterwards.

No Passion Derby

Traditionally, the biggest league game in United's calender is against Liverpool. Second to that would be Leeds. And now with Leeds in the lower league, Liverpool would be the game. Neville against Carragher! That sort of stuff! Where players becomes lagends after such games. As Diego Forlan would agree.

Last night came such a derby match. United lost their last match away to Swansea - a poor match to lose - and the two-weeks international hiatus seemed almost a lifetime. United made a few changes. De Gea decided to make peace and signed a new contract. We bought in a new striker in the shape of 19-year-old Anthony Martial. And I duly waited for the 12.30 am kick-off.

The last time the two teams met, Gerrard was sent off after a lunge on Herrera. I was expecting a game of passion. Of high pace and intensity.

Rooney was out injured. Fellaini started up front with both Scwansteiger and Carrick anchoring the midfield, ensuring plenty of possession and good use of the ball. De Gea started his first game of the season between the sticks. Martial was on the bench.

The first half was summerised by wayword passing and purposeless possession. It was the most pedestrian 45 minutes of football you were ever going to see. No flying tackles. United were taking the initiative to Liverpool but they lacked penetration. Plenty of high crosses to feed Fellaini, and that was about it. United backline was rarely troubled.

The second half fared better with Young replacing the disappointing Memphis. He injected pace and United started to string passes together in the opposition's half. A clever free kick left Blind unmarked at the edge of the box after a cutback from Mata. He took it first-time to the keeper's top right-hand corner. One-nil United.

Martial was then introduced for Mata. Carrick released Herrera, who was tackled by Gomez when he was going nowhere in the box. Penalty. Herrera. Roof of the net. Two nil.

Only then Liverpool decided to play. They tested De Gea on a couple of occasions but when the goal came, it was a beauty. It could've won any game of football, bicycle kick executed to perfection. The keeper had no chance. Shame that it was only a consolation, as a couple of minutes after Martial killed the game.

He recieved the ball on the left wing, cut inside, turned Skrtel twice before side-footing inside the far post. First game for United, first goal, and what a goal. He would tell the grandkids one day about the strike.

The fire was still missing at the end of game. There was no flying tackle from either side. None worthy of a debate. The referee never had to consider reaching for his red card. I can imagine Liverpool fans would not be pleased, and it may spell some trouble for Mr Rodgers. United was now second in the league behind the noisy neighbour without hitting top gear ....

The Final Games

At the hotel, we had only a single sports channel available in the room, Fox Sports. And for the final Premiership game of the season, it showed the Liverpool-Newcastle game live. I was sure they would cross live to the Man Citeh-West Ham match should there be any important development.

United was away at Southampton, showed on another channel which we couldn't get. It wasn't a particularly important match, but it would be the last in a series of four matches with Gigssy at the helm.

We still have a chance at clinching sixth, which would still meant no Champions League football for next season.

At the rate I was going, I would possibly fall asleep soon, through combination of overeating during dinner and the long journey earlier. No goals yet so far ...

Excruciating

I did everything I could. I followed all the ritual. But still we were soundly beaten. At home. To Liverpool. How painful was that. Not just the scoreline that was the worry, but the manner on which we surrendered did not bode well for the immediate future.

The scoreline actually did not reflect what actually happened on the field. I could see the players trying, but they lack a coherent tactic. Mata, Rooney and Van Persie kept occupying the same space, causing Mata to drop deep into Fellaini's territory to pick up possession. And that isolated Van Persie. He wasn't able to make any runs as the space between the Liverpool's midfield and back line was non-existant. Everything was compact and Gerrard and Henderson were able to pick the runners up easily and release their front two.

And in Sturridge and Suarez - and to a certain extend, Sterling - they really stretched our defense.

The penalties were fair except for the third - which resulted in Vidic's expulsion. They could've had a fourth a bit later but Clattenberg thought otherwise foe some reason. A let-off for us.

We just have to improve. We have an important midweek Champions League match, a must win. It would be our only chance to be in the Champions League draw for next season.

Losing that would pile more pressure on Moysey. And that might just be the final straw...‎

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 .....