31st October vs Blackburn. 2-0.

Berbatov has vocally admitted struggling to adhere to the prestige and, consequently, profound pressures that are instantly attached to United's elite strike-force and their proud traditions. Best, Hughes, Le Roi and Van Nistelrooy are all fairly tricky acts to follow and ones that Dimitar - with his ridiculously high standards - has felt almost embarassed to share the same on-field position and illlustrious tag with. However, he sometimes gives us magical glimpses into his genius that might just make him a worthy, honorary advocate of the role.
Just as he showed last season at OT against West Ham with his ridiculous skill to set-up Ronnie, and with his scissor-kick against Sunderland a month ago; yesterday - with his back to goal - he controlled, turned and volleyed into Robinson's bottom corner to once again (although not often enough) reassure Sir Alex's faith in his continually progressive ability to, one day, deservedly share the podium with those greats.







After the games stunning opener on 55 minutes, we dominated and gave Alardyce's hapless, faltering side a second devastating away trip in as many weeks. Evra pushed forward as powerfully and possitively as usual; Valencia was as threatening on the wing and as careful with his possession as usual; and Owen - when he was granted his chance - was as wasteful, as usual. Although it didn't really matter, as Berbs' goal was followed by Rooney's clinical, accurate conversion of Anderson's perfect cross late on in the game. 2-0 to the Champions was therefore more than enough to flush last week's tragic display out of our system and see off a Blackburn side, who will surely endure a gruelling season-long battle to stay in this league.

Good. Berbatov. Incredible strike: quick and strong on the turn followed up with a stunning volley, reminiscent of his unbelievable 'scissor' against Sunderland a few weeks back...the Berbatov volley is the new, umm...Van Basten volley?
Valencia. Again dominant on the right and again performing at the highest level of confidence and assurance that will slowly convert those 'Ronaldo replacement' sceptics. His game, we all have to accept, is completely different to Ron's, yet as a natural right-sided midfielder he is almost the accomplished, word-class product; worthy to take on that famous position.

Liverpool. 6 defeats in 7. Another classic managerial display by the fat man as their most attacking, productive players, Benayoun, Kuyt and Torres, were taken off while Liverpool were still completely in the game (to be replaced by the ineffectual Eccleston, Ayala and Babel respectively). The result of these baffling substitutions? A 3-1 defeat. Bye bye Rafa...?

Carragher. He was lucky not to be sent off against us and even luckier yesterday to stay on the field for as long 80 minutes. He is having his most abysmal season for Liverpool, and make's Rio and Vidic's occasional blunders this term seem in comparison professional and an 'interesting' perspective to their game.

Chelsea's 4th goal. Sorry, but it was incredible.

Classic.

Bad.

Chelsea. They seem to be annoyingly raising the bar, so, although only 2 points behind them, we need to seriously catch up and improve; especially on the goalscoring front. Chelsea have scored 28 to our 23 this season and have a goal difference of 20 while we're still only on 12. It's encouraging to see Rooney back on the scene, but more is needed from the rest as we will soon learn the danger and unnecessary risk of relying purely on the front two for goals all season long.

Lucky

We kept a clean-sheet, which again was much sought after to pump-up our confidence in defence and shattered moral from last Sunday; yet Blackburn's disallowed goal should have stood. Evra played Kalinic on as he 'scored', yet the flag was raised to leave the helpless visitors without even a consolation. Oh well.

Unlucky.

Obertain and Owen. They both came on, earning an appearance after impressive performances mid-week, yet both missed their chances when they came. Obertain's was a bit of a shocker which you can convincingly blame on a lack of experience and confidence (that will undoubtedly grow as he is granted more games and freedom on the field) while Owen was certainly expected to convert his effort too. With Owen it's worryingly becoming a case of he'll convert 1 out of 6/7 chances; not good enough when you consider he is fighting for a place against the likes of Berbatov and Rooney - who both took their efforts so fantastically yesterday. I am still intrigued by this player, who definitely has the potential to cconfirm himself as one of Sir Alex's most inspired signings, yet as effectively our sole back-up striker - well, experienced striker - I think we most definitely need to bring in someone else. Rooney and Berbatov are world-class...Wellbeck, Macheda and Owen are not.

Thoughts.

A perfect, healthy response to last weeks afternoonus horribilius. We dominated and out-classed yet inconsistent Blackburn team (conceding 5 at Stamford Bridge last week, yet scoring 5 themselves on Tuesday against Peterborough). We were fluid in midfield and our passing game was concise; and although not the toughest of opponents, it was an ideal result - and Blackburn were the ideal team - as we a) kept tightly on the tails of Chelsea, b) moved on promisingly and successfully from the Liverpool game, and c) gave our strikers a hearty dose of confidence, as they both scored well deserved goals of the highest quality.

Also...should Samba and/or Dunn have really been allowed to take to the field? Having missed the Chelsea game with swine flu, they were casually puffing away all over our boys yesterday. Expect an explosive Fergusonesque law-suit against Blackburn if any of our players contract the illness...