Man United Were Lucky To Get Away With 1-0

Actually, not really. I think it was a fair enough scoreline; both teams could have scored a goal more maybe. I just wanted to make use of reversal headlines, my favourite kind of headlines. And reversal was something that our form needed awfully. Arsenal had just one win in a billion matches, and United’s end-of-season harvester was puttering along with a minimum of fuss, belching out remains of team after team in a string of just-doing-enough, efficient victories.

Although it wasn’t the epic, top of the table, title deciding showdown it could have been had Arsenal stayed in touch of the leaders; this match always has an undercurrent to it. And that undercurrent was enough for Sky Sports to fill our TV screens with Super Sunday induced Sky bodily fluids, they only need an MK Dons versus Motherwell to get a hard-on as it is.

So this encounter also had all the necessary hoopla. Could United win and keep the blue bulldogs off their back, could Arsenal land a successful blind punch that would make next week’s match an even bigger carnival of cum, why was Fabregas not starting, he had broken up with his girlfriend as well, was this a sign that he’s finally moving to Barca, will Ferguson undergo osmosis like a pink raisin when kept in water, how many commas can I put in this sentence, and thus Jeff Sterling faded to silence and the match started.

The First Half…

- Had statistics that were in our favour, except the most important one. We were really alive during the first twenty minutes, hogging the ball in Barcelona like proportions and having a few decent chances. Wilshere dragged a glorious opportunity wide in the first seven minutes, then Theo put one over the top after a very good Clichy cross :O (As per protocol, any mention of Clichy crosses will be followed by that smiley)

- The intensity simmered down a bit for the remainder of the half though. United had gone 4-4-2 for this one, which was surprising because their 4-5-1 system works really well at the Emirates. Most of their first half play consisted of attempted balls over the top to Rooney or Chikorita, or balls to their wingers who would then test our full backs. One Nani-led counter attack ripped open our left side but Sagna blocked brilliantly to force it out for a corner.

Ref Blunder Watch…

- And there was a big one midway through the first half. Walcott put in a peach of a cross and Vidic clearly handled it in the box and out for a corner. Penalty not given, poor decision. RVP seethed, but the ref and linesman were unmoved.

- Speaking of unmoved, the referee was literally unmoved on a couple of occasions in the first forty five, thus blocking Arsenal passes and players. Insert joke about how Chris Foy is United’s midfield workhorse here.

The Second Half…

- Started on a much more equal footing. United saw more of the ball and Szczesny did well to save a Rooney free-kick and the grass pokemon almost got on the end of a Nani cross.

- The pattern was achingly familiar, but then Arsenal did something they’ve hardly done this season- score early on in the second half. Van Persie got the ball wide out on the left, twisted, turned, waited and slid it back to the onrushing Ramsey to sweep home. The crowd sang the ‘1-0 to the Arsenal’ song, but this was the first time in two years that we had taken the lead against United.

- The rest of the game didn’t have too many noteworthy moments. Squillaci came on for Djourou along with much praying and totem clutching, the Bulgarian Count sauntered on from their end. But to be fair to our team, United didn’t have any clear cut chance to equalize. A few half chances, close crosses, optimistic free kicks but nothing concrete from open play.

- Szczesny started mucking around whenever he had the ball, dribbling a bit before picking it up just as the striker closed in. Szczesny. Never. Do. This. Please.

Ref Blunder Watch…

- And he didn’t award a penalty to United this time. Owen was raked on the shin by Clichy. Clumsy challenge and we’ve seen spot-kicks given for those. I don’t know if the referee was handicapped by the crowd of players and couldn’t see the incident or not, but that was a let-off.

Performances Worth Mentioning…

- And no one had an abject, horrible game, which is more than what can be said for the past month or so. A 7/10 for the team on the whole.

- Some performances that drew a double take were Wilshere (again), Koscielny (again) and Ramsey. Wilshere yo-yos with the ball in a way that’s great to see, shifting it in a split second with that wand of a left foot he has. He’s still immature with his shooting and decision making in the box, but he’ll get better #iftheocananyonecan

- Koscielny was what you’d call intercepty. He harried the forwards and won the ball from them a few times. He also cunts the ball out for a throw or corner if need be, no silky passing out from the back like he has a gun to his head. This has been a good first season for him, a big step up from Ligue 2 and he’s coped well.

- Ramsey’s comeback has not been as instantly rewarding as Eduardo’s was but, touchwood; I hope it reaps better long term rewards. He’s been sent on loan a couple of times and Arsene has used him sparingly. He got a surprise start today in the wake of a Cesc injury (it’s a broken heart I tell you, he wants to shuttle off to Catalonia) and played really well against a competent United midfield. His approach play was a no-frills one most of the times, but a few passes reminded everyone that the lad can play. He took his goal calmly, something that Jack can pick up on.

- Special mention for Arshavin who came on in the second half and went on a sliding tackle spree of epic proportions. He’s still huffing and puffing a bit, but good to see commitment from the Russian. And he can actually tackle well.

So we end our winless streak, heartiest pats on backs to our boys. I can haz zombie outbreak at Old Trafford next week?