Manchester United Increase Their Grip

It was a strong weekend of football, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all winning. But only United looked like a top-four side. Liverpool laboured to victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby, while Chelsea were saved several times by the woodwork against Middlesbrough. Arsenal overcame a 2-0 deficit and an early red card to Abou Diaby to beat Bolton 3-2. By comparison, Manchester United were brilliant against Aston Villa, crushing them 4-0.

The result didn’t flatter United, either. The irrepresible Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a delightful backheel that found its way between Olaf Mellberg’s legs and past Scott Carson. The Portuguese maestro set up Carlos Tevez for a second shortly after, with an precise cross that the Argentine finished adroitly. By that point, United were in cruise control with Michael Carrick providing as much dynamism in midfield as Ronaldo provided a cutting edge.

In the second half, Ronaldo’s flick helped Rooney in, and he dummied Carson before drawing the ball around him and slotting into the empty net. There was still time for Rooney to score at the near post off a feed from Ronaldo, and hit the post as he sought his hattrick. It was harsh on a Villa side that were certainly not poor, just unfortunate to find Manchester United at the top of their game. The Red Devils seem to be hitting their best form at just the right time and the title is certainly theirs to lose.

I also managed to catch an interesting match on Sunday between Tottenham and Newcastle. An unencumbered Spurs side played freely and took the lead against a nervous Newcastle,  who collective first touch was nothing short of shocking. Still, Baye hit the crossbar after a bursting run before Tottenham scored, Darren Bent doing well to rise and head in a cross from the left. Newcastle hit back just before halftime, Nicky Butt scoring with a well-placed strike that caught Paul Robinson flat-footed (surprise, surprise).

In the second half, Spurs allowed Geremi to easily place a free kick into the bottom corner, with Robinson and the wall both protecting the same half of the goal and leaving the other completely exposed. Ramos, perhaps trying to get a look at some fringe players, withdrew Keane and Tottenham completely capitulated in his absence, shipping further goals from Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins. Keegan’s three-pronged attack can’t be categorized as a success against such a gormless Spurs side, but the Toon fans won’t care; they look like avoiding the relegation scrap with something to spare.