Narrow Escape

What a game at the Craven Cottage. Fulham gave United a run for their money. United looked a bit worn out after the European night. Gary Neville was the only regular starter who didn't play in this game. A full strength United squad struggled in the beginning of the match and Fulham capitalized. A mistake by Van Der Sar and Vidic gave McBride a chance to put Fulham in the box seat and he took it with both hands. But the lead lasted for 10 minutes only as Giggs' volley put the match right in the balance. United struggled for most part of the game and Saha, O'Shea and Silvestre were sent in to launch a fresh attack on Fulham's goal. Finally, in the 89th minute Ronaldo scored the all important goal to gift United 3 points and take them 9 points clear off Chelsea. Chelsea have the Carling Cup final coming up tomorrow against Arsenal and United's victory is not a good news for them. United might have a 12 points advantage over Chelsea before Chelsea meet Portsmouth next week. The premiership is heading towards an exciting climax.

The celebrations of this victory won't last long because United have a mid week fixture coming up. The FA Cup 5th round replay against Reading at the Madejski Stadium. Reading's form has been a pleasant surprise for most people. The newly promoted team is all set to challenge the big teams of EPL for a European berth. That sounds amazing. At the start of the season everyone expected them to finish near the bottom but they currently lie 6th in the Premiership table. United didn't have a great outing when they last travelled to the Madejski. They only managed a draw. Reading performed really well at Old Trafford a few weeks ago to earn this replay at home. This match is going to be really tough for United. SAF might consider resting some players before a trip to Anfield next weekend. United are the stronger side on paper but games are not won on paper. United should get the result they want to boost the morale of the squad before key matches against Liverpool and Lille.

Crybabies

Crybabies. That is the word that comes to my mind after the fuss creates by Lille players after Giggs scored the goal. Yes, the goal was controversial but what Lille players and coaching staff did after that was outrageous. The behaviour of fans wasn't great either. The condition of the pitch was pathetic. The statements coming out of Lille camp are unbelievable. They want United to be thrown out of the competition because some away fans created trouble. That is nothing but a stunt to divert UEFA's attention from their own deeds. But the bottemline is that United won fair and square and Lille will be taught a lesson when they travel to Old Trafford for the return leg.

So, after all the cup fever, premiership resumes on Saturday with United making another trip to London. United have lost only 2 away games so far, both in London(at Arsenal and West Ham). But, their last trip to London resulted in a memorable 4-0 victory at White Hart Lane against Tottenham. Similar outcome would be expected when they meet Fulham at Craven Cottage. At this stage, every match is important and this match gives United a chance to go 9 points clear off Chelsea at the top of the table. Ronaldo might miss this match due to minor injury. But, United have too many stars to worry Fulham's defence. This match gives SAF an opportunity to rest some key players before 3 tough games. United can't afford to drop points at this stage and they should get a positive result against Fulham.

Results-UCL Round of 16 First leg

Celtic 0-0 AC Milan - The tie is balanced. The only way for Celtic to win this tie was to beat Milan at home and hold on to their lead away from home. But the chance is gone now. Milan should wrap this tie up at San Siro.

PSV 1-0 Arsenal - Arsenal surely are inconsistent. Time and again they have lost games that they expected to win. This game was one of them. Henry and Adebayor had a poor game and when your strikers fail to deliver the goods, its game over. Both teams looked ordinary but PSV scored the all important goal. Now, Arsenal have a difficult job to do at the Emirates but considering their form at home, they might turn this tie. Arsenal have a habit of doing the job in the hardest possible manner.

Lille 0-1 Manchester United - It was a great game. Lille matched United in every aspect of the game. United dominated the first half but wasted all the chances they had. Lille did the same thing in the second half. The defining moment of the match came in the 83rd minute when United were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Lille keeper was adjusting the wall but Ryan Giggs took the kick before the keeper was ready. Keeper could do nothing but watch the ball go into the net. According to rules, United were awarded the goal. Lille players and supporters got furious. The players even threatened to walk off the pitch in order to protest. The behaviour of the Lille players and supporters was far from sporting. At the end of the day, all that matters is United got a crucial away win and they should hammer Lille down at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid 3-2 Bayern Munich - This tie is far from over. Real got the win but conceded 2 away goals as well. That might hurt them in the end. The first half was dominated by Real. Beckham was in hot form. The first goal didn't take long to arrive. Ruud van Nistelrooy sent a beautiful through ball to Raul who finished it comfortably. Lucio brought the visitors on level terms after a few minutes. It was poor defending by Real and Lucio took full advantage of him being unmarked. But this scoreline lasted for a few minutes only as Raul headed in his second goal thanks to an accurate Beckham corner. Ruud van Nistelrooy extended Real's lead with a poacher's finish. With Real playing really well, the tie looked over but things changed in the second half. Real were defending all the time and their lead was cut to 1 by a fierce strike from Mark van Bommel. The tie is still alive and is pretty unpredictable. Its going to be a great game in Munich.

Roma 0-0 Lyon - Lyon's undefeated streak in the UCL continued at Stadio Olimpico. Lyon won't mind a draw away from home. Roma will have to come up with something really special if they want to progress in the competition.

FC Porto 1-1 Chelsea - A decent result for Chelsea. An away goal is always very important. Porto looked in good form throughout the game but couldn't make most of the injury, John Terry suffered during the match. Chelsea's shaky defense somehow held on to their nerves. Andriy Shevchenko had a rare good game in Chelsea shirt and he scored the equalizer for Chelsea minutes after Porto took the lead. Chelsea should get the job done at Stamford Bridge.

Inter Milan 2-2 Valencia - Valencia made a mother of all comebacks to end the game on level terms. Inter faced a difficult test after a long time. Cambiasso gave Inter the lead in the first half but David Villa equalized for Valencia in the second half. After a few minutes, Maicon put Inter in the driver's seat again but Silva equalized for Valencia minutes before full time. Valencia have the upper hand going into the second leg as they scored 2 priceless away goals.

Barcelona 1-2 Liverpool - A historical victory for Liverpool. Barcelona had more chances than Liverpool but Liverpool took full advantage of the chances they had. Barcelona's aerial weakness was exposed time and again by Liverpool. Though Barca drew first blood thanks to Deco but Liverpool didn't lose heart. Craig Bellamy equalized for Liverpool towards the end of the first half. Victor Valdez made a mess of what should have been a comfortable save. John Arne Riise gave visitors the lead in the second half and Liverpool somehow held on. Interestingly, Bellamy and Riise were involved in a brawl at the training camp in Portugal but they combined effectively to dump Barca. Barca are now left with a mountain to climb as they go to Anfield hoping to overturn this tie.

Tough time ahead

Well, Manchester United have made life difficult for themselves. You don't often get a home draw in the cup and United squandered it away. Credit goes to Reading though. They gave a great performance at the Old Trafford. A draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United is as good as a win. A 1-1 scoreline doesn't tell us that which team was better that night. United were the better team but when it came to "taking the chances that come your way" Reading were much better.

This draw means that United will now travel to Reading for the replay. This adds another tough fixture in the tight schedule that United have for the next 15 days. 5 matches in 15 days(4 of them are away games). These 15 days might determine where United will finish this season. Of course, EPL is their first priority but the glory associated with the FA Cup and UCL is irresistible too.

United will have to forget about Saturday night and move on. Their next match is against Lille(a small club from France that is improving constantly) in the UCL. United will never forget what happened last time. In an easy looking group(containing Benfica, Lille and Villarreal) United finished at the bottom. Their away form was awful and they didn't dominate at home either. Injuries to key players was the reason behind a slump in their performance. This is the time to take revenge. Benfica were kicked out of the competition at the hands of United. Now, its Lille's turn. Though United lost their last 2 European games away from home but the result could have been different if they had taken their chances. United will be fired up by the return of Wayne Rooney who is in sensational form along with Ronaldo. If United play to their potential, they will be unstoppable at Lille. Hoping to see United keep their European dream alive.

Buildup to the UCL Round of 16

After a long break, champions league will be back. The real tournament begins here.The unpredictability and excitement of football is too irresistible.Sadly Ten Sports have the broadcast rights for UCL.The commentary is pathetic and they won't show the match featuring manchester united.Anyways, here is my prediction for all the 8 matches-

Celtic vs AC Milan-This match might end up in a huge upset. Celtic have been in good form at home and the 2nd leg might be played behind closed doors or at a neutral venue(which sounds great if you are a Celtic fan).Still I feel that Milan are too good for Celtic.Players to watch out for-Kaka and Gilardino.

Lille vs Manchester United-Its payback time.Benfica have paid for what they did last time and its Lille's turn now.United are playing tremendous football.They are looking like a different team this season(though they had a couple of hiccups in the group stage).English teams have traditionally struggled in Europe but United are a serious contender for the gold if they continue to play the way they are currently playing.United are clear favorites and I think they should win it easily.Players to watch out for-Ronaldo and Rooney.

PSV vs Arsenal-Arsenal have been consistantly performing well in Europe and they should not face any problem in getting through.This tie looks one sided.The only weakness that can be spotted in this Arsenal side is that they will miss some of their key players due to injuries.Players to watch out for-Henry and Fabregas.

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich-The only tie in which there are no favorites. Both teams have illustrious history in the champions league but both have struggled domestically so far this season. The Galacticos era at the Bernabeu has ended while Bayern have been struggling to find a replacement for Ballack.I think that Real will nail this one on away goals.Players to watch out for-van Nistelrooy and Podolski.

Roma vs Lyon-Lyon have been the best team of the competition so far and they will be clear favorites against Roma.But they have had a history of losing when it matters most.Roma have been in decent form too.I think it will be closer than expected but Lyon will make it to the next round.Players to watch out for-Totti and Juninho.

Porto vs Chelsea-Another one sided tie.Chesea might kill this tie in the first leg.It will be a trip back home for Mourinho.Chelsea have been having some problems at the administrative level.That has negatively affected team's performance on the pitch.But they should see Porto off.Players to watch out for-Drogba and Lampard.

Inter Milan vs Valencia-Two months ago it would have been a great match but with Inter in hot form and Valencia struggling this might end up in a one sided affair.Although I want Valencia to win this one but it seems highly unlikely.I think Inter will get a positive result.Players to watch out for-Villa and Crespo.

Barcelona vs Liverpool-Mouth-watering match.2006 Champions vs 2005 champions.A great match in the making.Barca haven't been at their best in this season and Liverpool have been pathetic away from home.Match at the Nou Camp will decide this tie and if somehow Liverpool stop Barca from winning at home then they have a great chance to win it at Anfield.It will depend upon how well Liverpool defend away from home.Hoping to see Liverpool beat the hell out of Barca.Players to watch out for-Gerrard and Ronaldinho.

My first blog

Finally, the god of gaming has stepped into the arena called blogging.
Well, its a great time really. TS done and dusted(so, no ghisai atleast for the next 2 months), long awaited champions league knockout round begins on tuesday,bhawan day,holidays,cricket and internship interviews (though its unusual for a 7 pointer to get calls from ibm and intel but thats the magic of CSE branch).
Looking forward to a couple of exciting months.