Sunday, August 19, 2007
manchester city 1 manchester united 0the epitome of smash and grab both literally and figuratively. The thing was, no one in particular was really below par, most if not all performed admirably but united truly looked quite lost out there. It was one of those occassions where it was all just alright but something was lacking, that cutting edge that spark of brilliance that stamp of authority and ownership in a game so often meted out by a united side in full flow.
it's really times like these when you're putting your best foot forth but all doesnt seem feel or go right and something's evidently missing when you bury your face in your hands and run them through your hair in rabid frustration.
and in united's case it's the fiery passion of wayne rooney and silky skills of cristiano ronaldo that we sorely miss for 3 months and 3 weeks respectively but of course im not just talking about football.
2 measely points from a possible 9. 7 away from our cross town rivals who had beaten us this afternoon who have had a 100% start to the season, not to mention liverpool chelsea and arsenal -- all traditional rivals who have all chalked up wins already, something united havent done as of yet, the champions of previous year languishing in an unfamiliar 16th position.
The odds seem firmly stacked up but we're united and we never die, we've come back from worst off 2-0 down in turin against juventus in the first 10 minutes to win 3-2 in the end and who could forget may 26th 1999 "oooh teddy teddy" sheringham's equaliser in the 91st minute and subsequently "solskjaer has won it" in the 93rd to turn a game totally around from almost certain defeat and in more recent times rooney's 93rd minute winner against ac milan, john o'shea's 91st minute winner against liverpool. Everton 2-0 up and cruising with half an hour to go when united produced a scintillating 4 goal display. this is what we're all about fight,bite, grit, determination, passion, character and a spirit that refuses to lay down and die. if we can turn it round in a game itself with 10 20 minutes to go what more the 35 that lie ahead?
today though, was horrifcly frustrating and disappointing.
penultimately carlos tevez's feeble attempt at using his head when the opportunity presened itself to him only centimetres away from goal summed it up perfectly. precision deserting the former west ham player when it was called upon.