MONUMENTAL win. that's all i can say. but like others have pointed out, the war is still far from over. some controversial decisions, but the ref was quite poor for both sides imo. i've lost count of how many times the officials have got something wrong which worked against us. and that's only this season. its good to see at least sometimes we don't get the shorter end of the stick.
i read some comments on utd's thread, and can't help but notice its very familiar to what we were waxing lyrical about after last season's semi-final 'disgrace' vs barcelona. i certainly recall a good number of utd fans who made their way to the chelsea thread declaring we didn't do enough to 'merit a win' in the first place. well now they know how it feels when the tables are turned. its no fun when officials mess things up for your team is it?
on to some match analysis. joey's flick was worthy of being the winning goal in itself, and what a joy it was watching him track back, and provide some neat passes coupled with aggression in midfield. malouda was his usual self, albeit with a more defensive minded role. he got in the crucial assist, and never stopped working for the team. lamps had a disciplined role as well, with a lot of closing down and hassling of utd's midfield, but still had the guile to pick out good passes. mikel was rock solid throughout, and i counted only ONE momentary lapse of concentration when he didn't track fletcher's run which amounted in a wayward shot from park.
deco was brilliant. watch the game again, and only then will u appreciate how much he brings to the team when he's on form. subtle flicks, classy deliveries out wide to stretch play, and good closing down of anyone who was nearby. it really was the full package from our much maligned portugese and as they say, he rolled back those years admirably.
nico wasn't quite at his best, but his constant drifting around utd's defence helped to open up space for the others, and most importantly he showed good spirit. oh and had that penalty be given, we'd be showering him with even more plaudits! didier and kalou came on to devastating effect, with the former winning practically all the aerial battles when he came on. credit to kalou for the assist, which didier finished superbly from a tight angle.
ballack did what he had to do and took the sting out of the game, with his 'ball-holding' skills clearly highlighted in retaining possession between his thighs, before being fouled by giggs.
yuri was surprisingly good in defence, but had to curb his attacking instincts a little. the park incident comes to mind, but contact was made outside the box and park did make a meal out of it. ferreira was consistent, and could've had a goal after a beautiful through-ball from joey early in the second half. good defensively as well.
alex and terry didn't put a foot wrong the whole game. fantastic 90 mins for both.
my one and only complaint is about cech. flapped at a cross which could've ended up in a goal, and had no business trying to palm away nani's cross when JT and alex were both just waiting to clear the ball. like i said, watch the replay, and you'll realise both mistakes could have cost us dearly. as it stands it didn't so all is forgiven till the next match!
KEEP THE BLUE FLAG FLYING HIGH!
p. s : krk24 u need to curb your enthusiasm. no need for the unnecessary goading at their thread when we've won squat. keep it civil as they have every right to rant down at their base, just as we do at ours.