The Man in The Shed

30th April – Trepidation

So as I sat down to prepare myself for Manchester United versus Chelsea on SKY I was counting my blessings that nobody else seemed to be taking the race to finish in the top 4 seriously. West Ham had kindly ended Tottenham’s unbeaten start in their new stadium and Arsenal had capitulated away from home again (although note for later, Leicester are looking rather good).  I did quite like the tweet from Sevilla :

So we just needed a good result against United – who’d lost 7 of their last 9 games; but then we’d lost all of our away games to top 6 so far (aggregate 1-13).

Good news on team selection with both Rüdiger and Kanté back in the starting eleven although a midfield of Kanté, Jorginho and Kovacic didn’t excite. Still, we did have a recognised centre forward in Higuain alongside Hazard. United always seem to pick all of the ex-Chelsea guys whenever we play them so Mata, Matic and Lukaku lined up for the reds.

So my first thought as the game licked off was how was Ryan Babel playing for United. That red hair was a dead giveaway until I realised it was Eric Bailly – perhaps desperate to be noticed on a rare appearance. An early chance created by Hazard was followed by a Lukaku chance saved by Kepa. This was looking like an open game – worrying.

Within minutes we were behind – Willian failed to track a run by Shaw and a lob by Lukaku was controlled and crossed for Mata to side foot in. Being told that Shaw grew up a Chelsea fan by the commentator was unhelpful – a goal made in ex-Chelsea. Lukaku was cleared pumped up. The only thing making me more annoyed was the action replay showing what a pathetic attempt Alonso made to block Mata’s shot. John Terry would have pinned him to the dressing room wall for that – allegedly.

The game moved on. We looked vulnerable at the back (Rüdiger seemed off the pace) yet promising going forward until reaching the final 20 metres. A couple more United chances. Lukaku was bullying Luiz and Dave and their defence seemed far more secure. Matic elbows Dave and commentators ask if VAR would have forced a red card ? Next season we will find out !

Then out of nothing Rüdiger shoots from outside the box, De Gea spills the ball and somehow Alonso is in the 6 yard box to cut the rebound in off the post. How did that happen ? Has De Gea suddenly got the “yips” after years of superhuman goalkeeping ? Who cares.

We were second best but somehow level at half time.

The second half seemed to pick straight up from where the first left off. It was still an open game. Another Matic foul, this time on Hazard, not given. Then a harsh booking for a foul by Willian. It was all United pressure but somehow we were now looking tighter in defence. Kovacic was getting stuck in, booked and looking on the edge. We needed to get him off but then Rüdiger goes down. He had to come off (perhaps he’d come back too soon ?) but Christensen was not properly warmed up so we were down to 10. Eventually we get the Dane on and Loftus-Cheek on  for Kovacic. Fifteen minutes left.

United had also shuffled their pack with Thomas Magnum (AKA Alexis Sanchez) and Rojo into the action. It was finally dawning on me that a draw would actually be enough.

Rojo might have got a red for a bad foul on Willian but I was distracted by the wife’s insightful observation that Loftus-Cheek sounded like a medical condition ! Pedro on for the injured Willian.

United were really having to go for it – they had to win to have any hope for top 4.

Seven minutes of injury time (after injuries to Bailly, Rüdiger and Willian). A United corner is headed goalwards and Pedro heads off the line. Can we hang on ? Then suddenly we get down the other end and force a corner. A great ball over the top and Higuain is ONSIDE for the first time today. His shot is deflected wide by De Gea.

Game over . A hard fought draw and a top 4 place is now in our own hands.

Final thoughts – no second half capitulation this time (after some defensive tweaks by the manager); with regular close-ups of Higuain following repeated offsides I did realise how much he reminded me of Ben Fogle !

Next up – the Europa League semi-final. Every game is critical now.