That was the best 90 minutes of football we have played this season. Possibly even last season too, I can't be sure. Everywhere except the penalty area, where unfortunately we were once again unable to fashion a clear goal scoring chance.
In many ways this game confirmed for me my feelings at the start of this season that ManU are the team closest to our grasp in the traditional top 3 (Chels/Arse/ManU).
With the exception of our ability to craft a quality chance, every other aspect of this game was superb. We started off pressing from the front, and although ManU had moments, we were the better team from start to finish. Probably the first time I've been able to say that in a league match against any of the big 3 since Arsenal at home (with 10 men for a lot of the game though) in Redknapp's first season.
And, in Modric, we had the best player on the pitch. He was magnificent today. Ran the gaff from start to finish. Close second would have to be Palacios, who provided the perfect foil. I still want to see Modric able to play further up, with more freedom, and there have been plenty of games that support this idea, but today wasn't one of them.
I've always said that if he does play there, Palacios is the most suitable partner, and today he was also superb. Made sure that at no time ManU's midfield got hold of the game. Seeing more of the ball than both Carrick and Fletcher and passing it more efficiently than both.
The defence were never truly examined, and as such were fine, with Ekotto particularly having one of his good games (still had a couple of Ekotto moments). VDV was very bright in the first half but not quiet as effective in the second, Bale worked hard going forwards but wasted several good opportunities with a lack of composure, and there were spells again where he needed to work harder defensively. Lennon on the other hand was possibly our most disappointing player. Wasted some good positions - last minute beats Giggs, goes clear with four players screaming for a ball and incomprehensibly decides to allow Hernandes to strip him - also played a crap ball to Hutton in another great position - and other times just didn't move well enough off the ball.
Ratings:
Gomes 8 - Wasn't exactly over worked but did everything well and made one match changing save. From a goalies perspective as good as a goal.
Hutton 7.5 - Saw loads of the ball today and played really well for the most part.
Gallas 7 - Good game.
Dawson 7 - Good game.
Ekotto 7.5 - See Hutton
Lennon 6 - Disappointing
Palacios 8 - Superb.
Modric 9 - Outstanding. Industry and craft.
Bale 7 - At tmes worked hard to fashion something, but his end product was disappointing and there were occasions when he needed to get contribute some defending and looks a bit less motivated.
Crouch 6 - Worked hard as ever, but didn't get quality service from our wingers in the box and the rest of the game just fizzed round him a bit. Not his best.
VDV 7 - Worked hard, some good stuff, but in truth, was a bit disappointing by his high standards in the second half.
Redknapp 7 - Start tactics were pretty good, team selection etc, but although I like what Crouchie brings, this game clearly needed something different as it went on, and I thought Pav or Defoe should have come on a lot sooner.
Ref 5 - Seemed to allow ManU so much more leeway. Why wasn't Carrick booked on Palacios, Rafael straight red ? the foul on Modric ? VDV booked for kicking it away but not Giggs ? Usual bullshit, different face.
Epilog
Days like today you need your creatives to use their heads. They didn't. You need a striker who could do something exceptional, make something out of nothing, make that difference in a tight tight affair. At the moment we don't have that.
Just watched MOTD2. Quote of the day, from Mike Phelan:
"I think we just edged the game today"
Didn't realise he was a Spurs fan.
But the fact that we didn't create chances was in no small part down to the difference in delivery of Bale (and Lennon) today. Bale got himself into several superb positions to cross, but nearly every single time he wasted it, instead of putting in the killer ball, like he did against Inter.
Against Inter we only played for 45 minutes, after that we sat back and stopped playing, in the same way we do often.
And let's be honest, Inter have also been on the decline this season too, and their results in the CL elsewhere weren't exactly brilliant.
That was a great 45 minutes, but what impressed me today was that we dominated the game in midfield, we kept playing a high tempo against the top team in the league (not the best, but clearly one of) and we did actually get our wide players into positions, but they wasted them. If Bale hits a better ball in today we maybe win that game. We deserved to.
Just watched MOTD2. Quote of the day, from Mike Phelan:
"I think we just edged the game today"
Didn't realise he was a Spurs fan.
Just watched MOTD2. Quote of the day, from Mike Phelan:
"I think we just edged the game today"
Didn't realise he was a Spurs fan.