ManU's Comeback and Sourinho

If there was a weekend that determined the Premiership, it has to be this weekend. At one point, Chelsea were equal on points with ManU after going 2-1 up against Bolton and ManU deep in trouble 0-2 at Everton. However, ManU's resilience and fighting spirit came to the fore for the second time this week and with a little help from Everton's appalling mistakes, and Bolton's equalizer from Davies means ManU are 5 points ahead, with 3 more games to go.

Teams have always found it difficult in EPL games that follow an European game and especially after intense encounters against AC Milan and Liverpool respectively, ManU and Chelsea were always going to struggle. However, ManU has regained the momentum this weekend and it will hope the Gunners will do them a favor by beating Chelsea next week.

This week, Wenger has surprisingly hailed his old and eternal foe Fergie as the best EPL manager this season along with Reading's Steve Coppell. I am sure he has no regard for ManU winning the title this season but he would want to put one over Jose and prove money isn't everything.

Meanwhile, it looks like the relegation battle will go down the wire. Fulham, Wigan are getting sucked into the zone while West Ham are in the zone only by goal difference. Charlton looks doomed. Now that Watford is relegated, I am eager to see Ben Foster replace EVS in goal at ManU. Frankly, the latter doesn't inspire much confidence these days but then, he has a patched up defence in front of him.

Meanwhile, Birmingham and Sunderland top the Championship with just one more game to go, and they just have to win their games to make it to the EPL next week. Derby has to hope one of them lose next week and win their final 2 games, otherwise it goes to the playoffs. And yes, Leeds go down to division one!

Finally, we have to admit Mourinho has a problem. He just can't keep his mouth shut. First, he complains teams don't get penalties against ManU and then he fumes Chelsea did not get a penalty for a handball that clearly happens outside the box. Furthermore, he calls Liverpool a small club, with utter disregard for their history. He has exceeded the limit this time around and it's very surprising that the FA doesn't do anything about this.

In a Spot of Bother

The mounting number of injuries to key ManU players has been a growing concern lately, and with Rio ruled out for 2 weeks, I am concerned about ManU's chances in the Champions League and this weekend's away match at Everton. Not enough bench strength and player fatigue are 2 main things ManU should overcome if they have to win the EPL and reach the CL final. Meanwhile no surprises in the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year PFA awards, both goes to Ronaldo.

It has been reported in the media that Jose can keep his job as Chelsea manager if he keeps his mouth shut and plays attractive and entertaining football, both of which seems highly unlikely. The draw at Newcastle was a major blow and they go into the semifinals against a highly spirited Liverpool, a team that has only one trophy to play for. I see Rafa, a mastermind at Europe, putting one over Jose.

Meanwhile, La Liga title race could never be closer. With Barca losing and Real beating Valencia, the title is still open. Btw, the goal Messi scored for Barca against Getafe in the King's Cup semifinals is one of the best in recent times and there are already comparisons with Maradona's wonder goal.

In Seventh Heaven

What a response by ManU after two consecutive losses! A 7-1 thrashing of Roma in one of the most attacking displays ever in the knockout stages of the Champions League takes ManU to the semifinal meeting with AC Milan and gives them a chance to gain revenge after losing to them 2 years back in the 2nd round stage. Carrick played one of his best ever games in a ManU jersey and I will be surprised if Ronaldo does not win the player of the year honors this year.

A perfect year for English football with 3 teams in the semifinals. Chelsea have a chance to gain revenge over Liverpool and the chance of an all-England Final is pretty good. I have a feeling Chelsea will have their revenge mainly due to their resilience but then Rafa is a master at European games. Now then, who will have the last laugh?

Dream Theatre

ManU regained their 6-point lead after a comeback 4-1 win against Blackburn, while Chelsea scraped to a 1-0 win away at Watford. The Gunners were thrashed 4-1 by Liverpool at Anfield, while relegation candidates Charlton and West Ham managed crucial wins. The relegation battle is getting really interesting and there is a danger that Villa, Fulham might get sucked into it.

The next round of the Champions League starts today after a long break. Milan could only manage a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich at the San Siro while Liverpool scored three away at PSV. ManU plays Roma tomorrow while Chelsea take on Morientes-Valencia.

A few things I couldn't help notice...

Mascherano doing well at Liverpool proving yet again that he's a great midfielder - shows it's just that Alan Pardew and Alan Curbishley were incapable of handling such a top performer! But then, these are English managers, aren't they?

Real Madrid and Barca clashing yet again, this time off the field, for ManU's Cristiano Ronaldo. But apparently, Real is not willing to pay 50 million pounds, when they could splurge close to 50 million on a comparitively older Zidane in 2001.

Roma making too many noises about Ronaldo and diving! Italians talking about diving - now there's something you seldom come across!

Flamini is not happy being on the bench and wants to leave Arsenal and play in the first-team. Something to think about for Silvestre and Darren Fletcher!

Roy Keane-managed Sunderland's unbeaten run in the Championship this year sees them close to the automatic promotion place. 6 more good games and perhaps, we can see Sir Alex and his former protege clashing on the sidelines next year. Roy Keane at Old Trafford in the away bench...that's something no ManU fan would have dreamt of.