First coming to the Liverpool match where it was a must win situation for Liverpool for closing the gap to 3 points between them and United but the past records were all against Liverpool. Liverpool hasn’t won a single match against Man Utd for the past 5 seasons in the league and the trend continued last night. After a satisfying mid week performance against Marseille, Liverpool were brimming with confidence but these local rivalries are always tough to handle. Even a lion would succumb to this kind of a pressure. When Fergie was asked about Liverpool’s title chances this season he replied saying that he would love to see Liverpool relegated so there was a mind game going on. Man United had a chance to widen the gap to 9 points and end Rafa’s career. Liverpool started the game quite well creating a couple of opportunities in the starting half an hour. Both Kuyt and Torres were completely off beam and out of form. Their first touch said it all. Harry Kewell was in particular was trying too hard but couldn’t get things going Liverpool’s way. Torres missed a simple header and Evra saved United the blushes when there could’ve been an own goal by Ferdinand.. Ronaldo, as usual was seen diving near the goal to get the free kicks but wasn’t awarded any. Just before the half time United scored through a corner when no one picked up Rooney, who played Tevez and it was bread and butter for Tevez . Liverpool have had a history of spectacular come backs but this one was the most tough one. Liverpool started the second half quite positively having a shot on target quite immediately but couldn’t pierce the heart of United’s defence, which saw Ferdinand and Vidic battle, their wits out. Babel was introduced in the 65th minute who tried to continue his goal scoring form but couldn’t. It wasn’t Liverpool’s day. Babel’s shot went agonizingly close to the post but that was closest Liverpool got. Rooney had a chance to put the game beyond Liverpool but the England striker lacked composure in front of the goal. Though Liverpool dominated many long spells , couldn’t salvage anything from the game. United took their only chance which came their way like true champions. Now this loss means Liverpool trail United by 9 points and the league leaders Arsenal 10 points. Liverpool’s title chances were put to bed. This loss was a major blow this season. Rafa’s place right now is like a cat on the wall.
In another London derby , which saw Arsenal face Chelsea , the gunners had to win to regain their position on the top of the table. Chelsea didn’t have the liberties to choose their squad in the mid field as they were forced to play Makelele as Essien was suspended and Ballack still struggling with an injury. Fabregas , Hleb and Van Persie were all back in the Arsenal team which was a real boost. Shevchenko was the only option up front for Chelsea as Drogba had to undergo a knee surgery. Arsenal dominated the first few minutes of the game before Wright Phillips broke free of Arsenal’s defence and had a vicious shot on target but Almunia saved it quite well. Asrenal as usual had a lot of passing near the goal but couldn’t get any shot going their way.Shevchenko had couple of good spells during the game Terry was involved in a rough tackle with Fabregas and was obviously booked and later injured Eboue , gave back Terry what he had given to Fabregas. Terry hurt his Metatarsal and had to be replace immediately by Ben haim. In the dying seconds of the first half , Arsenal opened the scoring through William Gallas , a mistake by Petr Cech. In the second half Chelsea had a couple of bright moments. Wright Phillips missed a simple chance in front of the goal. Arsenal had a bag full of chances but souldn’t score in any. The game ended in a nasty fashion when Fabregas and A.Cole were involved in a tussle. It was more like a wrestling match last night which saw 10 yellow cards totally . So this means that Arsenal regain their position on the top of their table. Chelsea lost their second game of the season under Avram Grant. Chelsea had never lost a single game to Arsenal under Mourinho.
