carlyluvsunited
12-11-2007, 08:52 AM
www.thetimes.co.uk
Jubilant United recapture lead with the team to top them all
After 21 years at the helm, Sir Alex Ferguson probably thought that he had seen
it all at Old Trafford. Yet after United defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-0 yesterday,
even the Manchester United manager was moved to proclaim that he had never
had such a talented pool of players at his disposal.
Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo allowed United to stretch another two points
clear of Chelsea, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Stamford Bridge. At
the start of the day, United sat in second place in the Barclays Premier League
behind Arsenal, the leaders, only on goals scored but the North London club can
regain top spot if they defeat Reading by at least a two-goal margin at the
Madejski Stadium tonight.
“I believe that this is the strongest squad I’ve ever had,” Ferguson said. “So
much so that I would be pushed to name my overall best team.
“We’ve got young players led by Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo and more
in the likes of Carlos Tévez, Nani and Anderson. In fact, it’s difficult to know when
to stop when talking about our important players.”
Ronaldo fills Rooney void as United march on
United secured an eighth victory in nine matches in all competitions, the only blip
being the 2-2 draw in the league against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium eight
days ago.
Chelsea may have stretched their unbeaten record in all competitions to 11
matches but it was at a cost. Leading 1-0 against Everton, and having
squandered a number of opportunities, they conceded a goal close to full-time,
when Tim Cahill scored with an overhead kick.
Avram Grant, the Chelsea first-team coach, is reported to be on the verge of
extending his contract to 2010 in a deal worth £8.25 million. His mood, though,
was sombre. “Yes, it was very frustrating,” Grant said, “especially after we had
played well and created a lot of chances.
“I thought that we dominated for the 90 minutes and I think our players know
that. We want to win every game, but we lost two points today. The title race?
There is still a long way to go. We are not even into the last ten games yet.”
Cahill was not so much concerned by his goal as the tackle of Michael Essien, the
Chelsea midfield player, on Leon Osman, in the 66th minute. Essien went in with
his foot raised, caught Osman – who was able to continue after treatment – and
was booked by Alan Wiley, the referee.
”I was behind Ossie and I heard the crunch,” Cahill said. “So if he has gone in a
bit high, he’ll [Essien] know it and he’ll apologise later. He’s known for a few
dodgy tackles. So long as he knows what he’s done.”
Steve Bruce, the Birmingham City manager, questioned the professionalism of
Steve Bennett yesterday after the referee failed to award his team two penalties
in the 2-1 Midlands derby defeat by Aston Villa at St Andrew’s. “They [referees]
are known as professionals these days and they have got to get the big
decisions right,” Bruce said. “He’s made two howlers today in a big game.”
Juande Ramos secured his first Premier League victory as head coach of
Tottenham Hotspur, with a 4-0 stroll against Wigan Athletic at White Hart Lane.
Yet almost immediately, he turned his attentions to the vexed question of
keeping Dimitar Berbatov, the troubled Bulgaria striker, at the club. “I’m hoping
that by the end of the season, he will make a decision to stay,” the Spaniard said
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Jubilant United recapture lead with the team to top them all
After 21 years at the helm, Sir Alex Ferguson probably thought that he had seen
it all at Old Trafford. Yet after United defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-0 yesterday,
even the Manchester United manager was moved to proclaim that he had never
had such a talented pool of players at his disposal.
Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo allowed United to stretch another two points
clear of Chelsea, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Stamford Bridge. At
the start of the day, United sat in second place in the Barclays Premier League
behind Arsenal, the leaders, only on goals scored but the North London club can
regain top spot if they defeat Reading by at least a two-goal margin at the
Madejski Stadium tonight.
“I believe that this is the strongest squad I’ve ever had,” Ferguson said. “So
much so that I would be pushed to name my overall best team.
“We’ve got young players led by Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo and more
in the likes of Carlos Tévez, Nani and Anderson. In fact, it’s difficult to know when
to stop when talking about our important players.”
Ronaldo fills Rooney void as United march on
United secured an eighth victory in nine matches in all competitions, the only blip
being the 2-2 draw in the league against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium eight
days ago.
Chelsea may have stretched their unbeaten record in all competitions to 11
matches but it was at a cost. Leading 1-0 against Everton, and having
squandered a number of opportunities, they conceded a goal close to full-time,
when Tim Cahill scored with an overhead kick.
Avram Grant, the Chelsea first-team coach, is reported to be on the verge of
extending his contract to 2010 in a deal worth £8.25 million. His mood, though,
was sombre. “Yes, it was very frustrating,” Grant said, “especially after we had
played well and created a lot of chances.
“I thought that we dominated for the 90 minutes and I think our players know
that. We want to win every game, but we lost two points today. The title race?
There is still a long way to go. We are not even into the last ten games yet.”
Cahill was not so much concerned by his goal as the tackle of Michael Essien, the
Chelsea midfield player, on Leon Osman, in the 66th minute. Essien went in with
his foot raised, caught Osman – who was able to continue after treatment – and
was booked by Alan Wiley, the referee.
”I was behind Ossie and I heard the crunch,” Cahill said. “So if he has gone in a
bit high, he’ll [Essien] know it and he’ll apologise later. He’s known for a few
dodgy tackles. So long as he knows what he’s done.”
Steve Bruce, the Birmingham City manager, questioned the professionalism of
Steve Bennett yesterday after the referee failed to award his team two penalties
in the 2-1 Midlands derby defeat by Aston Villa at St Andrew’s. “They [referees]
are known as professionals these days and they have got to get the big
decisions right,” Bruce said. “He’s made two howlers today in a big game.”
Juande Ramos secured his first Premier League victory as head coach of
Tottenham Hotspur, with a 4-0 stroll against Wigan Athletic at White Hart Lane.
Yet almost immediately, he turned his attentions to the vexed question of
keeping Dimitar Berbatov, the troubled Bulgaria striker, at the club. “I’m hoping
that by the end of the season, he will make a decision to stay,” the Spaniard said
Click below to join manutdtalk.com and read all breaking news on all things United !!!
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