Manchester United vs Everton
"...If we win today and keep another clean sheet, get ready for Fergie to pick up the Manager Of The Month award with Van der Sar picking up the Player Of The Month award alongside...."
- JayWalk, 31 Jan 2009
We finally reach the 8th game of 8 in this crazy January fixture. We have been very lucky to come out with 7 wins and 1 loss, of which it was an insignificant loss (Carling Cup semi-final 1st leg) to Derby County where we duly whacked them back and book our ticket to the Carling Cup final.Problem is that we really paid a price in terms of picking up injuries from playing twice a week non-stop.
Just when we were bracing for the worst in the away match against the Baggies, with hardly enough people available to start on the pitch, we came out and surprised everybody with a 5-0 romp.
The Baggies were no match for us and we were very surprised to see Ferdinand show up to play us back to the top of the table with a 2-point lead and a game-in-hand.
So anyway, this is an important weekend as Liverpool is playing Chelsea which gives us the opportunity to pull further ahead, if we win today. If either side win, then only one side loses 3 points. If it turns out to be a draw, then both sides loses 2 points, totaling 4. I say we go for a Liverpool-Chelsea draw!
JayWalk The Talk: Here's wishing
On the Evertonian side, the only absentee of significance is Cahill who will be out with a very badly bruised foot. While the x-ray indicated no fracture, the bruise was so bad that he won't be able to play.
Bookies are making ManUtd give Everton a 1.25-ball handicap with a decimal odds of 1.925 to beat it. Many pundits are predicting a 2-0 win for the Red Devils which I feel is a tad optimistic.
We look at our last four matches prior to the West Brom game, we really struggled to win despite some of the score lines being deceptively flattering. So suddenly a 5-0 win against the Baggies, does not instantly turn us god-like invincible.
We are still vulnerable and especially against Everton whom which we always have to work really hard to beat them.
I say we should still win but only but a 1-goal margin. Avoid the handicap.
Disclaimer: The above views are purely my own two-cents' worth. In other words, I cannot and will not guarantee that my predictions are accurate. If you want to bet on the game, do so at your own risk. Also, please bet responsibly and within your means regardless of how "sure thing" that game may appear to be. As the old saying goes, "The Ball Is Round". Good luck.
Now we know Fergie's definition of scarifice to achieving 4 trophies with more injuries. With the Fifth Round tie against either Derby (again!) or Nottingham Forest, and Champions League tie against Inter Milan, there is chances of seeing youngsters from the Reserves.
And a happy Chinese New Year to one and all as we enter the 7th out of 8 games in the ridiculously packed January schedule.
redherring (20 Oct 2008)
We are one win away from regaining the top spot. Well, at least for 24 hours until we fully play out our game in hand.
Just when everyone thought this game was a tight affair, Chelsea went back with tails between their legs. Chelsea's tight defence was oddly not there. It doesnt look like the Chelsea that Jose Mourinho and to a certain credit, Avram Grant once managed.
So the writing is really on the wall when Fergie wants to win a Quadruple. And there is a great danger of missing that out when they lost to Derby in the first leg of Carling Cup semi final. Didnt we saw someone mentioned that before? I know i have covered in the last review, but Fergie doesnt seem to be good with history lessons. At this rate of going on, we could even win nothing at all coming this May.
Before this match kicked off, we had the FA Cup 4th round draw. And the opponent for the next round is none other than Tottenham Hotspur. I got a feeling Manchester United is sick of facing them already.
A happy 2009 to one and all as I return from my month-long break from writing previews.