EPL: Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United [26.4.2008] - TalkSoccer

**kyan** · 23-04-2008, 09:01 PM

Win this and the league returns to OT (not quite mathematically, but assuming our GD remains better, which it should then it's true). 1 point will mean we only need 1 more win, and a defeat means we should need to win our last 2 games (v West Ham (H) and v Wigan (A)) to take the title.

I'm slightly worried by United's slump in form recently, drew with Boro, Blackburn and Barcelona in recent matches.

Really hope Vidic is back, and that our ball retention is better than tonight's.

**LAF** · 23-04-2008, 09:03 PM

tbf Chelsea haven't been that great either. Although you feel Chelsea have the tactical discipline to grind out the result they need.

A goal will decide this I feel.

**dukeofdavinci** · 23-04-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Really hope Vidic is back, and that our ball retention is better than tonight's

well he is a major doubt down wth a bug, but as we've seen in the past games even wth all the might of barca thrown down on us we still stood still so im confident we can hold on to that 3pts.

as long as we dont underestimate them we can ride their storm.

draw would suit us just fine as would a 3pt.

**Sven** · 23-04-2008, 10:32 PM

Chelsea are on top of the form table , despite playing soposidly bad.

jlae11 · 23-04-2008, 11:50 PM

it is ronaldo who has hit the slump in form in my opinion... has not played well in 3-4 games... he needs to rediscover his brilliance if united are going to win the EPL or the CL...

hanuma · 24-04-2008, 09:14 AM

Chelsea perspective:
The fact that we've managed to push it this far has delighted me, so in some ways it won't be too dissapointing if we don't get the result. Losing our home record and the title in the same game would be a bitter pill to swallow though.

I think we can do it, but I doubt we will. Up front we just lack firepower currently. Anelka and Drogba need to get more time on the pitch together, because whenever they do we are a far more dangerous proposition.

If Lampard is missing for the game (looking quite likely) then we'll have lost another major goal threat and our best set piece taker. Essien has done well scoring goals in his last couple of games though.

I imagine we will lineup like this:

Cech
Paulo Carvo Terry Bridge
Mikel
Essien Ballack*
J.Cole Drogba Kalou

*Lamps
Subs: Cudicini, Alex, SWP, Malouda, Anelka (Ballack)

Paulo always gets called our weakness by Andy Gray, but in these big games he's always one of our stronger players.

I'm not actually in favour of starting Mikel or Kalou, I'd pick Maka and SWP over them. Mikel is a great young player but he's a slow starter and lacks the discipline that Maka gives, I prefer to see Mikel come on as a sub. For me SWP is a better footballer even when he's rubbish, and Kalou does better against tired legs.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 24-04-2008, 09:19 AM

I'm pretty sure this game will win United the title.

**dukeofdavinci** · 24-04-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

he needs to rediscover his brilliance if united are going to win the EPL or the CL...

nah, dont put it solely on him, even he does hit a bit of slump in form others have picked up their pace.thats the wonder of our lads.

owen, park, rooney tevez all have upped their game come the season close.we have the right mentality and grit to take it all the way, so im not worried if a certain player is not on form since they all work for the same goal, same thinking they will get the job done.

united as a team, united as Manchester United!!!

jlae11 · 24-04-2008, 08:17 PM

thats a nice point duke... but, i wasnt trying to "blame" ronaldo... just saying that i hope he gets back to playing more freely and full of excitement... i didnt intend to "blame" him for playing off-par, i just think he has been too easy for the opponents to contain in the last few games, which is not like ronaldo... or the united TEAM, beaucse alot of their team attack is designed to free ronaldo and to allow him to get into dangerous positions... that is a team effort, not just dependent on him.

ReMad · 26-04-2008, 10:50 AM

**russe||** · 26-04-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

GK: VDS

RB: Brown
CB: Ferdinand
CB: Vidic
LB: Silvestre

RM: Nani
CM: Fletcher
CM: Carrick
CM: Anderson
LM: Giggs

CF: Rooney

Subs: PIG, O'Shea, Hargreaves, Ronaldo, Tevez

Surprised by that line-up tbh. Although as we can afford to loose this match and the league will still be ours to loose you have to say it is the right decision to rest Evra, Ronaldo, Tevez, Hargreaves, and Scholes ahead of Tuesday's game.

**unitedfan** · 26-04-2008, 11:34 AM

Fletcher back is a boost. Him and Carrick usually put in good performances against Chelsea. With Anderson too, that's a lot of fight we've got there. It's an incredibly strong bench, and Ronaldo and Tevez could provide a huge boost in the second half.