A MUST WIN!!!
After Citeh's thumping victory yesterday, Manchester United face a must win situation at Old Trafford today. A performance like the one at Wigan will not be good enough! The last time Citeh won by a boatload away (1-5 at Spurs) United didn't just match that result but bettered it! (8-2)... SAME AGAIN PLEASE!!
There is a small matter of the FA Cup Semi Final to follow as well. I hope this Cockney semi final has a better outcome than the Merseyside semi from yesterday
JOIN ME
UWS
posted by United We Stand @ 10:09 AM
195 Comments:
The first big game of the day has finished
Hearts have beaten Celtic to set up an Edinburgh derby for the Final against Hibs
Hearts took the lead early in the second half. Celtic tied it up but Hearts retook the lead almost immediately fro the spot.... I guess Celtic's season is over!
MOTD's Steve Wilson at Old Trafford
Man Utd v Aston Villa (1600 BST)
"So what odds on another pivotal game between Manchester United and Aston Villa? Anyone who was there is unlikely to forget the Old Trafford meeting of April 2009 when Federico Macheda popped up with a stoppage-time winner to inspire them to the Premier League title. Villa's 1-0 success the following season is their only win home or away against United in 30 attempts going back to 1999."
BREAKING: Paul Scholes returns to Manchester United's starting XI after missing that defeat by the Latics.
That's not the only change by Sir Alex Ferguson. Danny Welbeck and Rafael also come in. Ryan Giggs, Javier Hernandez and Phil Jones are the men making way. Aston Villa news and full line-ups to follow.
If United fail to win today, the title will be in Citeh's hands. They win all their games and they would be champions
I am not a happy choppy
Villa did get a point in their two previous games. They drew at Anfield and drew at home against Stoke. They were the second best team in both.
UNITED MUST SCORE AND SCORE OFTEN
David Pleat feels that playing Wigan is tough. They play with a back three.
Paul Scholes has played 12 Premier League games since his surprise return as a player at the start of January. Manchester United have won 11 of them, and they drew the other one.
I don't know why Fergie wants to change his line ups so much. There is nothing to rest for... play your best eleven... stick with it!
Berbatov is on the bench. I was hoping that United would have sewn up the title early and let Berba have is swan song with a game that isn't needed
Here is United's line up
DeGea
Evra
Rio
Evans
Rafa
Carrick
Young
Scholes
Valencia
Rooney
Welbeck
Bench
Amos
Jones
Giggs
Nani
Cleverley
Berbatov
Hernandez
Villa's
Given
Hutton
Collins
Clark
Lichaj
Baker
Ireland
Bannan
Gardner
Agbonlahor
Weimann
Subs
Guzan
Cuellar
N'Zogbia
Johnson
Carruthers
Delfouneso
Heskey
In the Cup, wonder what side Chelsea will send out today with Barca coming up on Wednesday
Back to the Scottish Semi
Celtic tied it up in the 87th minute and Hearts winner was in Stoppage Time
Let's hope United's opponents today is
Aston Vanilla!
Are Villa safe from the drop?
They are 6 points behind Bolton with Bolton having two games in hand... one of them against Villa!
They are four up on QPR and Wigan too
10 minutes to kick off
COME ON MAN U
COME ON MAN U
COME ON MAN U
The last time the Scottish Cup Final was an Edinburgh derby was in 1896!!!!
Old Trafford better be buzzing today
Just read that I am going solo today from yesterday's post
The players emerge from the tunnel at Old Trafford. A reminder that, if Manchester United drop points today, then Manchester City will be able to overtake them at the top of the table if they win the derby on 30 April.
START FAST UNITED!
A minute silence at Old Trafford... I would guess for the Italian player that died yesterday
Impeccable silence.. well done fans
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, speaking before kick-off at Old Trafford: "The good thing we've done is to get to five points clear and, yes we lost to Wigan, but we have to be proud of getting to this position having been so many behind Manchester City.
"There's no point in harbouring on about Wednesday, it's about today. Playing against any team that is fighting at the bottom is tough, it was the same with QPR. They got stuck into us."
Away we go
COME UNITED!!
Stay high up the field please Wazza
Struth.. Villa had a chance there... nice save by De Gea... COME ON UNITED!
United have started at a slow pace again!!
WHY?????????
Valencia was crap on Wednesday.. hope he is better today
He has started like crap again.. three missed placed passes... three minutes in
Ashely Young blocks a goal bound shot by Rooney!
Valencia crosses like do-do again
The United teams of old would have had at least a few chances already.. not this one
PENALTY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ashley Young was fouled... I think it was a penalty but Young did make too much of it
Come on Wazza...... YES!!!!!!!!!!!
6 minutes in
I WANT MORE!!
SCORE AGAIN... SOON
Carrick in the book for a 50-50 challenge
Villa getting some chances... knock it off
We need six more to get over them in goals
I think there was contact and it was a pen but...
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, speaking before kick-off at Old Trafford: "The good thing we've done is to get to five points clear and, yes we lost to Wigan, but we have to be proud of getting to this position having been so many behind Manchester City.
"There's no point in harbouring on about Wednesday, it's about today. Playing against any team that is fighting at the bottom is tough, it was the same with QPR. They got stuck into us."
Sorry, wrong pasting done there!!
Former Manchester United schoolboy and Wales international Robbie Savage at Old Trafford for BBC Radio 5 live: "I have to say, I think again Ashley Young has taken a dive. I said before the game he has to be careful of his theatrics. There was minimal contact, and the way he went down was shocking. He's going to get a reputation. And the referee couldn't wait to put the whistle to his mouth and give the penalty. This is very hard to take if you're Villa."
SCORE ANOTHER UNITED!!!
This performance so far is not what the doctor ordered really... we needed to put out a statement to Citeh!
I agree with this bloke
Sam Jordan-Turner on Twitter: "People are criticising Young, but that was a penalty. Theatrical, but there was contact. Stonewall."
Theo Kabala on Twitter: "Ashley Young, not again. As a United supporter I want to win, but not like that."
Martin on Twitter: "Young at it yet again. Never ever again do I want to hear the lazy media mention foreigners diving. Pathetic. Get up man."
Ross Jemal on Twitter: "I couldn't celebrate that goal. We shouldn't have to rely on diving to break down defences. Two in two home games for Young."
Welbeck almost in with a header blocked by a defender
Good spell of pressure by United
ooh, Roon goes close again
COME ON UNITED!!
Useles cross by Rafa from a short corner... straight out of bounds
I am worried about next week.. United host Everton while Citeh visit Wolves... can we keep the gap of five until the derby?
Clark with a back header from a free kick.. just wide
Matt from Epsom: "Young is a disgrace! Villa used to pay his wages and he cheats. I would have thought he had more character than that. Shows some football players just don't care."
Sailor Bhoy in Edinburgh: "The only way we will get rid of diving is massive fines and and grossly un-proportional suspensions. Either that or dish out points deductions and the managers will soon beat it out of the cheating game-spoilers."
People are going overboard a bit... it was a foul!!!
Johnny Evans finds himself as the right winger... useless cross
COME ON UNITED... SCORE AGAIN!!!
Cross it Welbeck... takes a shot from an angle as three United players are running in
Roon misses a free header from six yards out
Young has a shot blocked at the back post
COME ON UNITED
Scholes with a trademark volley from the top of the box... deflected into Given's hand... bugger
the TV shows how Rio 'watched' the penalty... he was facing the other way!!
Ireland curls one just wide... just like Wigan's goal midweek
USELESS AGAIN BY VALENCIA... BEATS THE MAN AND FAILS TO GET THE CROSS OVER
oooh, another volley again by Scholes from a corner.. great shot... just wide... brilliant!!!
Bugger.. Scholes is down hurt!
Knee into his thigh... hopefully just a deadleg.. doesn't look like it was a twist or anything..phew
He's up
Great run from Carrick in the box... but he passes instead of shooting
ooh, great hard cross by Valencia deflected on to goal by Welbeck well saved by Given
33 minutes in ... still one nil... COME ON UNITED
great back heal from Rafa but Valencia fails to find the man again from the cross
Hopeless shot by Valencia.. went out for a throw-in... like the one against the Arse
Still not good enough ... have dominated but where are the goals? Where is the punishment of the other team?
United's passing in the last five minutes has been hopeless!
COME UNITED
United can't afford to keep it at one nil
YES!!!!!!!!!
WELBECK!!!
Sliding in at the back post
GET ANOTHER... NONE OF THIS CONTEST IS FINISHED!!
We need another five more!
Next week's match is so important.. we must beat Everton
Half time
2 nil but want some more
Just saw the penalty... IT WAS A PENALTY!!
NIce sign at Old Trafford
Why always WE??
20
Ready for the second half... away we go!
COME ON MAN U
COME ON MAN U
COME ON MAN U
The commentator asks
"how ruthless do United want to be?"
I hope VERY
Welbeck almost feeds in Roon... he could have shot or passed it sooner... he has a smile on his face.... GAME NOT WON YET DANIEL
Breaking news... Carlo Cudicini in goal for Spurs today
Scholes in the book for a high challenge on Ags
Come on United... pick up the pace... have I said that before this season?
Hutton in the book for a 50 50 challenge... not a yellow in my book... one was going to win the ball and the other one won't
One goal off a bloke's backside and Villa could be back in this... COME ON UNITED!!!
This performance will still give Citeh confidence
OLD TRAFFORD.... LET'S BE AVIN YA!!!
Roon has been pathetic this half!!!
He has given the ball away and not control the ball
COME ON.. BRING ON BERBA
at least Fergie has taken Roon off sometimes this season
He used to be untouchable!
He was taken off at Wigan
Villa starting to create some chances!
USELESS AGAIN BY ROONEY
Robbie Savage, BBC Radio 5 live
Former Manchester United schoolboy and Wales international Robbie Savage at Old Trafford for BBC Radio 5 live: "The Old Trafford crowd are getting a little bit frustrated with Wayne Rooney. He's lost the ball three times in crucial areas."
Bob's mate, Nani, about to come on soon
Good spell of possession by United but GOING NO WHERE!
Here comes Nani... he replaces Ashley Young
Sam Tomlin on Twitter: "Rooney is currently looking like he did at the World Cup. He can hardly control the ball..."
WHY???
UNITED REFUSE TO SHOOT!!!
Finally Valencia and Scholes get a shot off
Heskey coming on
United claim a handball for penalty.. not given
Citeh scored 4 goals in the last 17 minutes yesterday
United need to do the same today in the last 25 minutes
Heskey with a header saved by De Gea... COME ON UNITED
This game is not over.. one goal by Villa and Squeaky Bum time... UNITED MUST SCORE AGAIN and AGAIN
USELESS EFFORT FROM ROONEY.. HE SHOULD HAVE BURIED THAT
Truthfully, I wouldn't care if United sold him to Europe
Why wouldn't he be up for this match... just five matches to play... be up for all of them!
Villa challenging again
All Rooney has done today is score a penalty
Not impressed with United today at all
I don't care that they are winning
News from Wembley
LINE-UPSTottenham v Chelsea (1800 BST)
Tottenham: Cudicini, Walker, Gallas, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Modric, Parker, Bale, Adebayor, Van der Vaart. Subs: Friedel, Giovani, Defoe, Rose, Livermore, Sandro, Nelsen.
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Luiz, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Mikel, Kalou, Drogba, Mata. Subs: Turnbull, Essien, Torres, Malouda, Meireles, Sturridge, Cahill.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)
Villa go close again!
Why is Cahill not playing from the start?
Isn't he England's center back for the summer?
Under 20 to go at Old Trafford... come on United
Sounds like Rooney is going to replaced by Berbatov soon
HE SCORES!!!
THREE NIL!!
That goal was Rooney's last touch... replaced by Berbatov
Score some more
It was sort of a weak effort by Rooney for the goal and it deflected in
Free kick chance for Villa outside the box pretty central but a ways out
Free kick well over and wide
United still five goals behind
Given slides outside the box to the side and handballs it but it wasn't called
Cleverly replaces Scholes
People on the BBC complaining that Chelsea have to play on Sunday evening and then the CL semi final on Wednesday then this bloke texts in
Paul texts: "Re 1728: Real Madrid played Saturday night and are playing Bayern on Tuesday. Time to get over it and concentrate on winning it..."
Given saves with his noggin off of Welbeck... didn't know much about it
Valencia with a shot that was saved by Given
This win for United has gauranteed one thing
The title is going to Manchester
Arsenal can only get 79 points and United now have 82... wait til next year!
Almost into the 90th minute.. Old Trafford sounding pretty quiet
Berbatov almost with a chance blocked by the Yank
Evans heads just over from the resulting corner
We are into 4 added minutes
Nani in the book for a challenge after losing possession
YES!!!
NANI!!!
Nice movement by United with a lot of players pushing up... set up by Evans
Cleverley with a shot over the bar
Game over
A great result but still not REALLY happy with the performance... not fast enough... not clinical enough
Next week is the big one... we need to beat Everton... FULL STOP!
Teams coming out at Wembley... of course.. FSC go to the studio
COME ON YOU SPURS
United play Everton next Sunday at 7:30 am while Citeh take on Wolves at 11
United need to extend the lead to 8 points before Citeh kick off
Away we go at Wembley
Spurs attacking the same direction that Everton did the first half yesterday
Back from doing the dishes... not much happening so far
11 minutes in
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, after his side's comfortable 4-0 win over Aston Villa: "Wednesday was a blip, fair dues to Wigan they played well and we didn't turn up but we had to put on performance and we did that.
"We don't really take [Manchester City's result] into consideration, we put ourselves under pressure to win games."
I just looked at the fixtures for Cup FInal weekend
Spurs would go to Villa Park
The other fixture is Liverpool vs Chelsea!!!
If Chelsea win today, it would the second year in a row that the Cup Final would be played against two teams that would have met in the league that same weekend.
Last year, Citeh and Stoke were to play each other in the league on Cup Final Day
BBC Radio 5 live's chief football correspondent Mike Ingham at Wembley: "During yesterday's minute's silence you could have heard a pin drop. During this minute's silence... well, the minute's silence didn't last a minute. It had to be abbreviated. The noise came from the Chelsea end, it has to be said. They just couldn't keep quiet."
Christopher Hares on Twitter: "I can't believe fans at Wembley didn't observe that moments silence. Absolutely disgraceful, find out who and ban them for life."
Mathew Llyr Evans on Twitter: "That was a really disappointing minute's silence. Some real idiots who feel the need to ruin the poignancy."
James Ward on Twitter: "Despicable to hear boos at Wembley when minute silence announced for Hillsborough, and tasteless chants from a minority."
Phil McNulty at Wembley, BBC Sport Chief Football Writer
"Sad to say some Chelsea fans let themselves and their club down badly during that silence in memory of Hillsborough and Morosini."
Good run from Parker into the box and it almost fell to Ade... cleared... corner for Spurs... they are attacking the Chelsea fans by the way..
So, it looks like Chelsea will win if it goes like yesterday... Same direction.. same side for fans
BBC Radio Manchester's football reporter Steven Wyeth tweets: "Alex Ferguson on the Ashley Young penalty incident: 'He played for it. It was a dramatic fall, but it was a penalty'."
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan tweets: "Why haven't Chelsea sold all their tickets? Long way to travel, I guess..."
Great turn by Adebayor but a hopeless cross
MOTD presenter and former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker on Twitter: "Lot of one-touch football being played. Spurs have a touch, Chelsea have a touch. Poor start."
Half way through the first half... not much happening
More from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on his side's win over Aston Villa: "It was a good result, we played some really good stuff although we were careless at stages but the third goal killed it. There could be twist and turns along the way but we now need to enjoy ourselves. We can never be too confident, my experience says that something could come and bite you in the bum and we want to avoid that."
On the Ashley Young penalty incident, he said: "I think he played for the penalty. He has definitely taken a fall, it was a dramatic fall and he overdid it but it's a penalty definitely, no doubt about it."
Great break by Chelsea
Great pass by Kalou but Mata couldn't take in stride
Great fake by Lennon but failed to find a teammate
off the line by Terry
VDV's header had beaten Cech but Terry's knee blocked it... BUGGER
Struth.. Kalou was almost in at the back post
Could have been offside but a great play by Walker to stop Kalou getting to the ball
Off the post by VDV
Man United Everton is live on FSC next Sunday ... WIN PLEASE... biggest game of the season
Spurs really on top now... they must score
VDV's hit the post from miles out! He crossed it for Adebayor and everyone missed it
Into the last five minutes of the half
ONE NIL!!!
TO CHELSEA!!!
Drogba with a corker!!
BUGGER!!
TOTALLY UNDESERVED!!!
Turned well and a great shot at the front post right in front of the Spurs fans
Remember, Everton were leading at half time yesterday!
Chelsea with another chance!!
Spurs cannot concede again!
1 added minute of stoppage time
When these two met in a League Cup Final... Drogs gave Chelsea the lead.. Spurs won 2-1... same again please
Half time
Chelsea 1 Spurs 0
Second half underway
Spurs have fallen five straight times at the Semi Final stage.
Mata with a decent shot well saved by Cudicinni
Another save by Cudicinni but then Chelsea get the ball in... Ref off to talk to the linesman.... no he isn't
Ball NEVER CROSSED THE LINE!!
IT WAS A FOUL TOO!!
BALL NEVER OVER THE LINE!!
NOT EVEN CLOSE!
Come on Spurs.. you've been robbed.. GET ONE BACK
1907:
GOALTottenham 0-2 Chelsea - Juan Mata (49 mins)
Well, Chelsea do start the second half with a goal but it is a phantom one. When the corner comes over, David Luiz and John Terry go up for headers and end up in a heap on the goal-line, along with Ledley King who heads clear. Juan Mata arrives at the back post to drill the ball goalwards but it hits the pile of players on the goal-line. Referee Martin Atkinson awards a goal but it's difficult to know how he would have seen it - and TV replays reveal it was nowhere near the line. It hits John Terry's foot and then bounces off Benoit Assou-Ekotto. A shocking decision
Former Chelsea and Scotland midfielder Craig Burley at Wembley for BBC Radio 5 live: "There is absolutely no way in this world that either official could know that the ball was anywhere near over the line. Terry was lying on the line with Cudicini. It looked to me that Assou-Ekotto cleared it off the line. It was never in in a million years."
GOAL... BALE GETS ONE BACK!!
Cech took down Adebayor but ref played on... if not it would have been a pen and a red
David Luis was hurt in that play and is being stretchered off
Surely he is out of the other semi
Repleaced by Cahill
David Pleat, BBC Radio 5 live
Former Tottenham and Luton boss David Pleat at Wembley for BBC Radio 5 live: "If in doubt, do nowt. That should be the referee's edict in that situation. There is no way the referee could see through that cluster of bodies. How Mr Atkinson could have spotted that the ball was over the line I do not know."
Tom in Hull on Chelsea's second goal: "How on Earth can he give that? Absolutely ridiculous. Clearly not a goal."
Daniel texts (again on that second goal): "I would love to see a team just walk off the pitch at an atrocious decision like that. They'd lose the game, but it would make a huge point. Which is needed."
Al in Sawtry: "What's worse? Going down easily when fouled in the box, or celebrating a goal when you know the ball hasn't crossed the line?"
What is the difference when someone dives or someone celebrates when the ball clearly doesn't cross the line!
Can't wait to hear 606 complaints about video technology!!
It will actually be quite boring!
Spurs still have 25 minutes to get the equalizer and more
Spurs don't seem to want to shoot
20 minutes to go... COME ON YOU SPURS
Nice run and cross by Bale... corner
and another
and another.. almost in that time
cleared... drogba down "hurt" in the box so the ref blew up... he's fine.. there's a shocker
Ben in Southampton: "This is why there shouldn't be goal line technology. Decisions like that give us the drama and the controversy. It's a part of football at all levels. Keep it as it is!"
VDV is coming off being replaced by Mr. Ball Hog
Can Defoe be a ball hog and save Spurs?
Drogba is almost in.
King let Drogs get to the ball... corner
Under 15 to go
I REALLY don't want a Liverpool Chelsea final!!!
Goal!!
Rameires with Chelsea's third!!
BUGGER
Looks like it is going to be that DAMN Final!
Lamps with a corker free kick
I don't want people to say that the ghost goal didn't matter in the end... it bloody well did
Hey, with all this controversy...no one will be talking about Ashley Greg Louganis Young
Just saw the replay of the "GOAL"... NEVER
The Spurs end of the stadium is emptying quickly
Could this result be very costly to Spurs... could they be knocked down and not get up!
They are tied with Newcastle for fourth and only two ahead of Chelsea!
Gallas stops because he thought the ball went out of play. He just watches Malouda run in the box.. he tries to chip it to Torres at the back post... missed him
udaChris on Twitter: "Spurs bottle another big game. Redknapp for England? No thank you."
Parker really upset with someone.. he wants a fight!
He's in the book.. he was upset with Mikel who is in the book too.... he kicked out and Parker while he was laying on the ground
Malouda gets Chelsea's fifth!
That is it
Chelsea play Liverpool in the FA Cup Final on May 5th
The same day they were supposed to meet in the league just like last year with Citeh and Stoke
A long day running solo on LOB
I hope I did okay... you guys warned me that I had better!!!
Talk to you later
TTFN
Thanks for keeping the LOB going today, mate. I really enjoyed reading your comments.
Sounds like the Spurs slump continues. Great win for United.
The FA has confirmed that a Chelsea v Liverpool FA Cup final now opens up a place in the Europa League for the team finishing sixth in the Premier League. With Liverpool already guaranteed a place in the Europa League courtesy of their League Cup success, it means sixth place will offer a route into Europe regardless of who wins the FA Cup final.
This stinks
The Football Association have confirmed the FA Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea will kick off at 1715 BST on 5 May.
WHY NOT 3 O'CLOCK!!!!
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