5th December vs West Ham (a). 4-0

TURNING POINTS, in this modern game, define a season. It is not enough to simply be good or maintain a 'Championship winning' standard all season long. You need to be granted a little spot of luck, and this in turn, when looking back at the key incidences and events, will act as the focal moment of you campaign.

On Saturday afternoon, United cruised to a convincing 4-0 victory at Upton Park. As important as these wins are, the lingering, disappointing reality is that even though we are doing our job, that is not quite good enough. After falling 5 points off the top with the defeat at Stamford Bridge, we are constantly playing catch against the in-form and annoyingly formidable Chelsea; as it seems whatever we can do (or we think we can do), they can do better. 




So, come 7:30pm, when Chelsea's late match against City would have finished, they would presumably resume their healthy lead at the top with a victory at Eastlands; and in doing so, effectively rule out our efforts and promising display in East London.

Well, that was of course the plan...before fate and the enigmatic ways of the season defining 'turning point' entered the equation on this supposedly routine and conventional afternoon.

The 2 point gap didn't re-widen back to 5, as our deepest, most villainous and historic rivals seemingly did us a wee favour; beating Chelsea 2-1. The greatest ironic twist of all? Not only was it City - and not only did Fwank 'Mr. Reliable can do no wrong' Lampard miss a penalty in the 81st minute - but a certain ex-United hero/eternal United villain won them the game, and in doing so won us the claim that we are well and truly back in this title race.




'Untouchable', 'flying', 'cruising'...all pathetically premature adjectives that have been used to describe Chelsea's certain Champions after recent victories against their fellow top 4 teams. But as journo's, pundits and critics alike ignorantly coined these highly unoriginal terms to illustrate their superiority in the league, they are dangerously ruling out the possibilities of fate and lady luck.

But let us regain some perspective before we get too lost in all this title-take: 2 points is still 2 points. Yet to enhance this perspective even further: 5 points behind the precipitately crowned Champions, as it was 4 days ago, looked shite...so now what must those very same and very very naive journo's, pundits and critics be thinking?

We haven't won the league - we're not even top - but if we do go on and win this title (something a 2 point deficit at the top suggests is extremely possible, seeing as they've still got to come to OT and our Xmas run-in isn't remotely horrendous), then this will undoubtedly be the moment, if not at the very least one of the moments we will look back on with fondness; gratefully giving the big guy up above a nod and a wink. 




Last season it was Macheda vs. Villa and Arshavin's hat-trick at Anfield; this season it could well be Owen against City at Old Trafford and Tevez & Lampard at the weekend.

Thought.

Is Gibson the new Scholsey? As the master struck a left-footed peach of a half volley from outside the area on the stroke of half-time, the pupil emulated his teacher's genius by smashing home an even better strike that all but sealed victory with half an hour still remaining.




Good.

(See above.)

With regards to the game itself (I've only just realised I've barely mentioned the match once!) we scored 4 away from home to officially, and rather surprisingly, give us the best away form in the league. We've won 5 and lost 3; scored 18 and conceded 6 (+12 gd), which makes it extra special when you compare that to, say, Liverpool: who have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 4; scoring 10 and conceding 12 (-2 gd).

Also, a brilliant performace from Carrick who perfectly subsidised for the loss of Neville on 34 minutes in the centre of our defence.




Bad. 

Vidic and Ferdinand out; O'Shea and Evans ruled out today until the New Year; and Gary and Wes took possibly detrimental knocks against the Hammers. Although Carrick was a superb replacement, as was Fletcher at right-back, we seem to be in a spot of bother at the back...




Hero.

Scholes. A true, unrivalled legend of the game. He can still do the business after all these years and even keep the likes of Carrick and Park out of the team. Although not the attacking midfielder he once was, he has now developed into an incredibly effective holding, creative player who on Saturday led the way for the youthful and more energetic Anderson and Gibson.

Anti-hero.

Carlos...we knew you wouldnt forget us!