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[dww]

Did everyone avoid watching/posting about it on purpose or have I missed a thread?

I thought it was a pretty entertaining game. Nani provided a microcosm of his career to date - some promise, a goal, at fault for the equaliser, faded into irrelevance for the rest of the game.

Neither side looked fully 'on it' to me but there were definite signs that unsurprisingly they will challenge. Although I also felt both looked vulnerable at times.

[Reece]

I only saw it from about 60 minutes because I was out. It wasn't bad. I enjoyed the Ballack/Evra spat. Was hoping a few red cards would end up getting dished out

How **** were the Utd penalties though

[Guest]

Saw the game as from the 50 minute mark and thought it was **** but not bad entertainment. From what I've seen from our game against Athletico, we are more or less at their level but we do have a better the best of the attackers. There isn't a match for Gerrard and Torres anywhere.

[Neil Young]

I realised I was watching it so quickly changed channels to watch unedited coverage of Saturday's final stage of the Tour of Poland.

Greipel.

[dww]

I realised I was watching it so quickly changed channels to watch unedited coverage of Saturday's final stage of the Tour of Poland.

Greipel.

Is that as prestigious as it sounds?

[dww]

I only saw it from about 60 minutes because I was out. It wasn't bad. I enjoyed the Ballack/Evra spat. Was hoping a few red cards would end up getting dished out

How **** were the Utd penalties though

The Ballack/Evra nonsense was entertaining but Ballack certainly came off better - if only sue to poor decisions from the referee. Red cards would have made it a lot better I agree.

I was shocked by the quality of Giggs and Evras penalties, although the latter was in a class of its own really.

[Neil Young]

Is that as prestigious as it sounds?

Yes.

[tommyg]

Chelsea's penalties were all top draw really, i think it was Ballack who whipped it to his left with Foster going the right way and still being miles off.

[JohnDoe]

I haven't been impressed with both sides. Mancs started with a lot of enthusiasm but eventually the difference in quality from last season showed and they struggled in the 2nd half. Their midfield is really average and they'll be hoping that their defence continues to carry them (not with that goalkeeper though). If Rooney ever gets injured, they're ****ed.

I'm also quite skeptical of Ancelotti and his diamond formation. I don't think it will work well over a long season, it may work in Serie A but not in the Premier league. Proper wing play will stretch them. They are all about power and pace but they're missing creativity and invention.

[PTP]

yeah i watched it - it was a really entertaining game i thought - enjoyed it. Few tasty tackles, enjoyed watching ballack pole axe evra then laugh at him - and bit of drama at the end with the penalties - uniteds were just woeful.

I was interested to see how the likes of valencia and owen got on - valencia didn't get a look in, i think his name was mentioned was and that was when he was being brought on and owen was only on for 15 and didn't get a kick - hopefully a sign of things to come

[PTP]

I haven't been impressed with both sides. Mancs started with a lot of enthusiasm but eventually the difference in quality from last season showed and they struggled in the 2nd half. Their midfield is really average and they'll be hoping that their defence continues to carry them (not with that goalkeeper though). If Rooney ever gets injured, they're ****ed.

I'm also quite skeptical of Ancelotti and his diamond formation. I don't think it will work well over a long season, it may work in Serie A but not in the Premier league. Proper wing play will stretch them. They are all about power and pace but they're missing creativity and invention.

drogba looked very sharp for them yesterday - but he was chelseas only threat going forward.

[tsb]

Beyond the pale

[JohnDoe]

drogba looked very sharp for them yesterday - but he was chelseas only threat going forward.

Yep. Chelsea are just pushing the ball and bullying the other team while hoping something goes in. Their goals were just about that.

I do expect Zhirkov to displace Malouda eventually, and he may help that creativity problem to an extent, but not enough.

Chelsea will struggle against sides with good wing play.

[PTP]

the problem is though with this ****house league - 90% of the teams are beaten by chelsea and united before the whistle is even blown! - I'd say the same of us/arsenal but a lot of teams still prob think that they can frustrate and nick a point of us/arsenal if they keep it tight for 90 mins.

[dww]

the problem is though with this ****house league - 90% of the teams are beaten by chelsea and united before the whistle is even blown! - I'd say the same of us/arsenal but a lot of teams still prob think that they can frustrate and nick a point of us/arsenal if they keep it tight for 90 mins.

I actually think that might change last season after we beat United (the second time) a few teams, including Fat Sam's Blackburn, had a real go at them. I also think what really made the difference for United was that run with few goals conceded where they always managed to knick one - a habit we could do with developing.