Following the weekend’s dramatic twist in the race for the Premier League title, the pendulum of public opinion has been quick to swing. Manchester United’s disastrous 1-0 defeat away to third-placed Arsenal means that the Red Devils have no margin for error in their three remaining games, including a crunch tie against rivals Chelsea next weekend. Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti was quickest to take advantage of the media frenzy surrounding the game’s aftermath, with the message to Sir Alex: “We’re coming to get you.”
 |
| Ramsey scores the winner |
United had been sitting pretty at the top of the table, with a chance to go six points clear of second-place Chelsea. The game away to Arsenal had always looked tricky, but with the Gunners boasting just 2 wins their last 10 games in all competitions, European semi-finalists Man Utd surely needed only to see the game out as a formality.
Arsenal showed all the attacking verve that has become the hallmark of their football in recent years, and deservedly took the lead early in the second half. The goal came from 21 year-old Aaron Ramsey, who netted a cool side-foot finish – his performance gave no hint of his 9-month injury lay-off with a broken leg. He started the game only because skipper Cesc Fabregas couldn’t overcome a thigh injury, and called the goal “a special moment.” Ramsey’s strike proved to be the winner, leaving United’s assistant manager Mike Phelan to bemoan his team’s lack of spirit in the first half. “I’m very disappointed,” he said after the game, “in the first half our lads were sluggish, didn’t get into gear quickly.” When asked about the Chealsea tie next Sunday, he “We put ourselves in a good position before this game and now we go home back to Old Trafford and I’m sure we’ll be ready for a performance against Chelsea.”
It’s yet another exciting twist in this season’s Premier League storyline, leaving football fans of all teams with an undeniable spectacle to repay their faith. Chelsea now have a chance to go top with two games remaining, and a win would see their goal difference edge out United’s.
Chelsea had themselves been in the driving seat for much of the season, but suffered something of a batting collapse in November following a confidence crisis at Stamford Bridge. After losing 2-0 to Liverpool on Novermber 7th, the Blues went on to win just 2 of their next 12 games. Now though, they threaten a remarkable pantomime-villain comeback after United’s uncharacteristic slip -up. Ancelotti’s men will be hungry for some payback against the Red Devils, who have not only stolen the inititative in the league, but also knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League.
If Chelsea can achieve the unthinkable and take all three points at Old Trafford, it would set up the most memorable Premiership finale to date. United however won’t accept that their campaign has been de-railed, although the impetus has undeniably shifted now; They’ll no longer be leaving their competitors behind in the Premier League, but instead – weary and bruised – will be thankful just to stumble over that finish line.
Chelsea will claim that recent results will re-invigorate them, and blow the title race open. United on the other hand will look to render this latest set-back an irrelevant hiccough in the crusade for their personal Holy Grail: a record 19th league championship.
No comments:
Post a Comment