VIEW: United vs Chelsea. 2-1

Good.

You're joking, right? For it to be a truly memorable European night at Old Trafford, three things need to be met and assured: a great performance, the right result and a sense of occasion. Well a United v Chelsea fixture in the Champions League was always going to be a momentous occasion, and the majority of us 'BELIEVE' inspired United fans thought we would have made it through when the draw was made. But did anyone genuinely think we'd perform this well over the two legs? Really? If the first leg was all about getting the goal and doing all we could to hold onto the advantage, this game was about killing the tie off by any means possible. But out-classing and dominating against a team that boasts a £50million striker, unjustified levels of arrogance and a pathetic hangover from an overachieving season in 2009/10 was simply poetic. The performances from Rooney and Giggs over both legs, as well as seeing Park and Chico slot in idealistically (combined cost = £11million) will be remembered forever.

Response of Champions. Drogba took his equaliser on 77 minutes well, but our response within a minute was incredible. The stuff of Champions. By all means criticise the Chelsea defence who didn't reorganise themselves, but the determination and commitment we showed after realising that Chelsea were back in it was simply magic. Straight from the centre, we bombarded their lazy defence, unaware of the ambition United have shown in recent weeks. And deservedly, they were punished. A perfect response, with Giggs (of course) playing his part and Park finishing off the move beautifully...inspiring this classic from the Sun:

John O'Shea is a football genius. I didn't think much of him on the night to be honest. I was sitting low down in the North Stand and had a good view of his movement up and down the flank. He was a little slow for Malouda and Cole and often struggled without the support of a stable winger, with Nani and Giggs roaming and switching sides regularly. But then it happened. Out of nowhere, like a stroke of Canton-esque genius that you don't expect, even though you should. Receiving Giggsy's cheeky lay-off, surrounded by two defenders, he had the vision, touch and sublime intuition to find the wanting Giggs...who duly delivered his second out of three assists during the Quarter Final tie.

Ryan Giggs is a football genius. He architected and guided his team to a fourth Champions League semi-final in five years. Three goals; three assists. The man is 38 for fucks sake!! It's surely illegal to still be this good!?

YSB! Yes, of course I am referring to the ever worsening - and only female footballer playing in the men's game - Fernando Torres. He ended the first leg firmly inside the pocket of Rio Ferdinand, and although he didn't even finish this one, he didn't even receive or attempt to receive enough of the ball to get anywhere near to Rio's pocket. It was embarrassing...I was actually embarrassed watching his display. And when he was subbed off at half-time for Drogba, a move that I knew would instantly revitalise Chelsea, the crowd simply erupted. £50million to win the Champions League, as Sir Alex rightly observed, and he could'nt even get near a back two consisting of the most inconsistent, injury prone (although brilliant) centre back of the last few years, and his old friend Vidic, who he's supposed to enjoy playing against apparently. He didn't even get a 5 out of 10 rating from the Star. Everyone get's at least a 5!

Bad.

...the first 30 minutes? Obviously I'm digging deep here, as we were inevitably the ones that ended that half in the ascendency (it should have in fact been two, with Chico unfairly flagged off after his diving header found the net). But they could have and really should put away an effort or two seeing as they had about 70% possession in the first 30mins.

Hobbling Ferdinand. Remember that inconsistent, injury prone defender from earlier? Well mid-way through the match he was caught rubbing his knee and grimacing as though he had just received a stiff one up the bum. Whatever it is that bothered him, I will put money that he doesn't start in the Cup semi-final on Saturday, such is the sensitive nature of our deputy.

Noticed.

'Viva John Terry' Flag. Never gonna get old.

Red mist. A proper European night isn't complete without it.

Player Ratings.

Van der sar 7; O'Shea 7, Vidic 7, Ferdinand 7, Evra 7; Nani 7, Carrick 7, Park 8, Giggs 9; Rooney 9, Hernandez 7