Manchester United Outclass Chelsea

I'm late with this article, I know that, and it isn't breaking news that Manchester United have trounced Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford.

But still, is there anyone not in blue who doesn't wanna keep talking about this match?

I caught the match 'live' on TV at 12am, the kind of unfortunate thing you have to do when you live on the other side of the world. Still, I wasn't going to miss it for the world, and now I'm not just glad I didn't; I'm still feeling high from that outcome.

Even from where I was, though, the chants of Viva John Terry could've made my day. Thankfully, he's got himself back from suspension in time for this game, because it's only right that we thank him for his contribution that allowed us to become Champions of Europe. And thank him we did, deafeningly, from beginning till end.

Straight into the match now. It was admittedly more than a little worrying when Ferdinand was not named on the team, and young Jonny Evans had to fill in his role next to Vidic once more. It's not that I don't trust Evans's ability (his performance against Derby County in midweek was not as disastrous as his older, more experienced teammates), rather, it would have been more assuring to see Rio in that position, having had more exposure and games on big stages like this.

I worried for nothing though. Evans put in such a solid performance, making a couple of important tackles and marking Drogba down, I think Rio himself would have been proud. The memory of getting heart attacks watching Gerard Pique on the ball when he filled in that same postion last season made Evans's play all the more impressive to watch too.

Meanwhile, Evans's defensive partner has not just helped us keep another clean sheet. Vida's got a couple of goals for us this season already, and this time he headed our first past Cech in first half injury time, following a disallowed Ronaldo goal from a corner. Berbatov got the slightest of flicks from Giggs's corner kick and Vidic made John Terry look stupid (again) when he found a way past him to score our goal.

Speaking of the disallowed Ronaldo goal, he actually got two in the match which really should have stood. The first one came from a really cleverly taken corner by Rooney and Giggs. However, Mr. Howard Webb and his linesman, who was standing a foot from the ball when Rooney released it, deemed it illegitimate, and the corner had to be retaken, Ronaldo's header disallowed. Thank goodness Vidic headed home from the retake, or there would be much more going on about this.

The second one came from Ronaldo beating a failed Chelski offside trap, and firing past Cech, but—once again—the linesman got it so wrong. Replays showed he was level, and Ronnie knew he was, for sure, and he wasn't at all pleased that his name still wasn't on the score sheet.

Still, this was probably Ronnie's best performance of the season. Fittingly, too, with the World Player of the Year award coming a couple of days later to our winger. Nevermind that he didn't officially score a goal; he was quite brilliant throughout the game, and he made Bosingwa look like an idiot down on the left.

Two more goals (legitimate ones) came after that, of course. Ronaldo and Evra linked up superbly on the left to show us what we've missed when John O'Shea filled in the last four games (sorry Johnny, but it's undeniable). Our left-back whipped in a brilliant cross that just was just too high for Berba, but fell straight for Wayne Rooney instead. Wazza made no mistake and put away the shot. I loved his celebration, really. Blowing kisses and kissing the United crest on the corner flag.

The third should have come much earlier than it did, but I was delighted to see Berbatov get on the end of a Ronaldo freekick and poking the ball in. Dimitar's been criticised a lot, even by lots of United fans, for being "lazy," but I really beg to differ. I think he is pure class, and scoring against Chelsea like that, I don't think the fans out there will complain.

For those who didn't catch the game, well here's what it was like. We completely outclassed Chelsea, especially in the second half, when they looked like they had after the Champions League final last year.

Terry, Carvalho, and Bosingwa were constantly tormented by our lads. Evra had Bosingwa the whole time; the Chelsea rightback must have been utterly relieved to come off. But I'll bet he must have been cursing his luck, after seeing his tormenter being subbed right after he was.

You'd think a midfield containing Ballack, Deco, and Lampard would easily overrun any other midfield in the world—and we had Carrick and Scholes on the bench too. I thought Sir Alex must have been crazy to drop Carrick and pick either Fletcher or Giggs, but you've got to give it up to the gaffer.

Giggs bossed the midfield and put up such a brilliant performance. He was deservedly giving a standing ovation as he made way for Carrick in the second half. Fletcherinho may not be as much of a legend yet, but he's turning into a fan favorite with the kind of form he's been in this season. Another steady and solid game from him too.

Didier who? Aside from attempting a shot at goal that ended at the other end for a throw in, and completely miscuing another when he had acres of space, he was in Jonny Evans's back pocket the whole time. And Nicholas Anelka, well, was he even playing? Van Der Sar couldn't have wished for an easier match, honestly.

So it's ecstasy for all Red Devils out there; maybe not so from the watching Mourinho, whose team we play next in the Champions League. Nevermind that The Not-So Special One, in typical Mourinho fashion, refused to admit United played well enough to beat any team, let alone his. He probably didn't recognise the side we played against.

Special mention, before ending off, to Carlos Tevez. I think we all fear him leaving the club at the end of this season, and we all don't want to see him go. But even though he was on the bench, and out of favor for the match, he was waving and applauding in front of all of Old Trafford while warming up on the sidelines. Here's one guy who's commitment for the club we love and appreciate.

If ever he goes, we will miss him.