I think the game showed that our team is getting more and more mature. We no longer have to play beautiful football to win games with ease. Of course we all want to see the quick game from last season, but when even our main title rivals come to defend, the free-flowing game will always be difficult to reach. Right now the most important thing is to get results andbuild up confidence (can you imagine how well we’ll play, once confidence reaches the level of last season). It also showed how important Saha is to the team. His deep runs have been missed, and we always look harder to defend against, when he’s on the pitch. Having said that, the Rooney/Tevez partnership looked great to me (even with Rooney not in superform yet). If all 3 stay fit from now on, no one can stop us.

About the penalty on Saha. There’s clearly contact (a kick on the leg and a slap in the face), so it should be a penalty. The problem is that these type of situations are often overlooked by the refs, if the player doesn’t make an extra effort (like going down theatrically) – such has the game become.

As for Saha, he definitely gets a 9.5 for style on the dive and should get one game suspension. Shit like this has to stop. I am fed up with the puffers of football who have made diving an art form and also thumbs down to all players who feel the need to grab a players shirt (especially in the box) in order to keep up with him. Cowards and cheaters the whole lot of them. United are as guilty of these theatrics as anyone else and it is time football leagues came down on this nonsense.

Finally I cannot remember a time we have ever played a top opponent where they never even threatened our goal once. Their cowardly tactics were disgusting considering this lack of attacking ambition was the reason for sacking Mourinho in the first place. They never looked to score even before their red card. And although our offensive game is far from fixed, it seems to be coming along and hopefully it will gel like Arsenal has this season. It wasn’t that long ago when Arsenal was struggling with injuries and young players trying to fit in.

High marks also to our back four for a strong game as usual. Vidic and Rio have been sexy beasts this year. And I was also overjoyed by the fine performance of one Michael Carrick. I have been one of those harsh critics, so my praise doesn’t come easy. He deserved it. Now if he can grow from this and show this form consistently enough. If so, we will be awesome to watch very soon from now.

Look for yourselves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ipc291bEuQ

some of uniteds cross pitch passing was sublime at times. carrick was good but still would like to see him looking more dangerousat the edge of the box, and have a shoot not necessarily always pass along the edge of the box. thought evra was justabout the mom, got up and down the wing constantly and supplied a nice overlap for giggs continually, really helping giggsy into the game. he is having an outstanding season to date.

ohh and i thought wes brown was fantastic, a real physical threat around the pitch.

chelsea look like they are in alot of trouble this season, and im so glad we mikel never played in the red shirt and i honestly think that jose may have sold him. hes a talent but to arrogant and just a pathetic person.

good result but should have been better after chelsea went down to 10, lets hope a mark of thins to come!!