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World Cup Smallest Nations ๐Ÿ”

Manchester United Walk On But Oh What A Nani!

Andrew McNairMay 3, 2008

I had the pleasure of watching a Saturday afternoon of Premier League football for the first time in weeks today, butย its left me a little disappointed.

Just not enough heart!

Manchester United was absolutely magnificent and brushed aside their "bogey team," West Ham United, inside 25 minutes.

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Cristiano Ronaldo (2) and Carlos Tevez made a mockery of any statement claiming the English Premier League to be the most competitive in the world by firing United into an unassailable lead.

A moment of "lack of concentration" didย cost United a goal. Rio Ferdinand pushed aside as Dean Ashton finished acrobatically. West Ham had nothing else to offer and a 10 man, United, coasted to victory.

Michael Carrick finished off the scoring in the second half with substitute Darren Fletcher, unlucky not to further compound the Londoners misery with a shot that struckย Robert Green'sย upright.

West Ham's lack of "anything" really was not the main talking point from this game, however.

Young Portuguese midfielder Nani was sent off shortly before half time for a clear headbutt on Lucas Neill. What was he thinking in such an important game?

Nani himself dropped with Neill to the ground, covering hisย face, feigning injury. The more I thought about it though, the more I realizedย that he was surely holding hisย face in embarrassment.

Had Iย dropped to the ground after headbutting another man, I would myself be pretty reluctant to get up, and this proved the case.

Nani was eventually pulled to his feet by numerous West Ham playersย just in time to see the flash of red that signalled his game was over.

No complaints from the youngster, but had this game turned on its head, I doubt he would ever have been forgiven by theย Old Traffordย faithful.

I'd been looking forward to Fulham vs Birmingham City all week, but I don't know how I sat through that 90 minutes. In fact, I lie. I got up when Erik Nevland all but relegated Birmingham late on.

The 2-0 result was no more than Fulham deserved, and they must be given huge credit for the turnaround they've achieved over the last few weeks.

My bones, though, are with Birmingham City, who last week challenged Liverpool to a hell of a game at St Andrews.

This week, like nearly every game against the teamsย around them, they proved unable to scrap when it mattered.

The Blues have been immense against many top half sides this season. If you can't get basic results, you don't deserve to be in the EPL. They just don't look likeย they want to stayย up!

Fulham proved they have the heart for a place in the top flight and are showingย albeit a bit late. The form that may well keep them there.ย 

So the English Premier League title will be decided on the last game of the season,ย along withย the prospect of two decent sides losing their top flight status.

Therefore, next weekendย should be the most exciting final day in EPL history, and I for one expect it to deliver!

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