UCL Semi-Final II 1st Leg- Barcelona Vs. Manchester United (0-0)

1 Minute 46 Seconds (Approx)

Manchester United were awarded a penalty as early as then in their UCL Semi-Final 1st leg match away at Barcelona. Milito had handled the ball in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Man U’s top-scorer of the season – Christiano Ronaldo stepped up, took it coolly, and sidled his shot wide of the upright!!!

United will rue that miss as a further 90 minutes of play did not see any goal being scored by either side. After all the hype and hoopla that this match had generated, it rather tamely ended in a 0-0 draw. Barca enjoyed as much as 65% of possession but could create very few chances and those that were created, couldn’t be converted! Man U had fewer chances but they were moreso holding off Barca rather than attacking. Lionel Messi was in the thick of things for most part of the game but goals were at a paucity at the Camp Nou. He was replaced by Thierry Henry late into the second half who almost immediately leashed a thunderous drive towards the United goal but Van Der Sar managed to parry away the shot. United made a few telling darts into the Barca half but their finishing was poor. Ronaldo was more intent on diving and crashing around in the hope of a free kick/spot kick rather than look for scoring opportunities.

At the end, methinks Man U will be more happy with the scoreline than Barca, given that the second leg is at Old Trafford. Hope that match atleast sees some goals – all from Man U

P.S: Ten Sports’ commentary sucks (again)!!!

Grand Slam Sunday – Man Utd & Chelsea Emerge Victorious

On what was dubbed as Grand Slam Sunday by the TV Channels, the top four teams in the EPL (BPL?) were in action. The top four teams – Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool – were separated by just 11 points and for each of the teams, victory was absolutely crucial. For Man Utd, to extend their lead atop the table; for Arsenal to cut short Man Utd’s lead; for Chelsea to overtake Arsenal into the second place in the standings & for Liverpool to keep their title hopes alive and kicking. The two matches in question were Man Utd Vs. Liverpool at Old Trafford and Chelsea Vs. Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

I generally catch the EPL news on the web or catch the highlights show and seldom watch a match fully but such matches are not to be missed! So I ordered home delivery of dinner and tuned into ESPN for the back-to-back telecasts of the matches. First up was Man U Vs. Liverpool match and though it was lively in parts, it was all one-sided as Man U were the only attacking team. They went ahead through an unlikely goal from Wes Brown in the 34th minute. The match sparked up with the sending off of Mascherano for dissent and 10-man Liverpool could only haplessly watch as Christiano Ronaldo and Nani thumped in two goals within two minutes late in the second half to give Man U a 3-0 win and a six-point lead over Arsenal in the table.

Chelsea Vs. Arsenal match was later in the day and knowing Man U’s result, both teams knew that they had to win in order to reduce the gap. This one was much more lively and pacy as both teams played their tried n’ tested brand of football and created enough chances in the first half but neither could score and it remained goalless in the first half. Arsenal went ahead (again, through an unlikely scorer) via a header from defender Sagna in the 59th minute and suddenly Chelsea were on the backfoot. They upped the ante and their relentless attack paid off as Didier Drogba equalized in the 73rd minute from a Frank Lampard pass. Chelsea looked the more eager of the two teams and rung in the changes which immediately paid dividends and substitute Nicholas Anelka headed over a cross onto Drogba, whose shot sidled into the back of the net. This 2-1 victory meant Chelsea now move into 2nd place and 5 points adrift of leaders Man U.