Marching On

Vida battles with Cole to preserve United's clean cheet

Man Utd continued their relentless march towards the Premier League title with yet another 1-0 win. United faced West Ham on Sunday in London and had the privilege of going into the match with a buoyant mood after seeing Chelsea drawing 0-0 with Hull at the Bridge. It's never easy playing against West Ham at Upton Park and United had lost several times there in recent years. For the squad, Fergie has placed his old guards Giggs and Scholes to lead the attack but he left Neville out and placed young Rafael to play as right back instead.

It was a goalless affair in the first half and there were several times West Ham threatened to be the first team to score against United since November. Hot-form striker Carlton Cole was notable for making several runs that caused the United back line to be in a panicky state but fortunately for them, Cole's finishing was not as impressive as his run-ins. Anyways, Giggsy broke the deadlock at the 62nd minute with the only goal of the game. It was a fantastic goal by the team captain as it reminded everyone what he used to do in his younger days. Giggsy waltzes into the West Ham half, beating not once but a few defenders who were caught embarrassingly in between their legs. Credit to Giggsy who steps up at moments when it mattered. With this victory, United re-established a 2 point lead over Liverpool with a game in hand. The record continues rolling on, now with 13th consecutive clean sheets.

Things seem to can't get worse for Chelsea isn't it. In the old days, they would have mauled poor Hull to bits at the Bridge. However, Chelsea failed to dismantle a team with one of the worst form in recent times. Frustrations at the Bridge escalated to the point where even their own fans were chanting "You don't know what you are doing" to Scolari. Big Phil is having one of the worst moments in the club, and it proved to be his final swan song. Just this morning, he was given the boot, possibly by Abrahamovic himself. Fellow peers were stunned, considering that Big Phil himself is one of the respected managers in the game having won one of the World Cups with Brazil and bringing Portugal to the final in Euro 2004. Big Phil lasted just 7 months and some were wondering how Graeme Souness managed to keep his job longer than him. He screwed up just this past month, and he got the axe. Gosh, I think they should given him time instead of having irresponsible sacking. It was pointed out by some that Big Phil's failure to sign Robinho was the crucial factor in his futile attempt revitalising a worn-out Chelsea team that was inherited from the days of Mourinho.

It's not looking good for the Bridge. 3 managers sacked within a period of 18 months and at the moment, they are 7 points adrift Man Utd. Even Aston Villa are standing 2 points above them. In a turn of events, looks like only Liverpool remains as a realistic challenger for the league title based on the math. Unless Man Utd slips up really terribly for the next few matches, Chelsea will have to contented at looking at the FA Cup or try to gun for Champions League..that is if they could even get some quality candidates on the managerial seat. A reunion of Zola and Clarke sounds pretty delicious on the cards but the signs are pointing that Abrahamovic is getting tired playing with his London toy.