While the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa has come and gone, there are many indelible marks which we take from Africa’s first world cup. One of those is the mantra: “Ke Nako! It is Time!” This rings true in the English Premier League race as we get to what is almost coined as “squeaky bum time”, the last leg, the home straight.
As things stand the race is down to two: the champions Chelsea, and title favourites Manchester United. The slumps in form, the injuries, the lucky or unlucky results, the views of the linesmen and the typical Gunner collapse have all culminated in the season coming down to where we stand today. Two teams, 3 points in it, equal goal difference. It doesn’t come more down to the wire than this, aside from maybe this game being moved to the end of the season! Billed as the game that will decide the colour of the ribbons that adorn the trophy, there is much at stake when these two giants clash at Old Trafford this weekend. Chelsea have been resurgent of late and carry some good momentum going into this game, and United have been here before after similar such wobbles. It’s hard to draw too much into their form because at the end of the day, it comes down to who will be hungrier to write their name in Premier League history. United sit on the verge of a 19th title, while Chelsea will have defied the odds and retained the title following the worst run in our history. A run that would have us keeping our London neighbours company at the foot of the table.
So while we avoid clichés such as “this game will be won and lost in the middle”, let’s have a look at the many battles that will be key to the winning of this war, and undoubtedly the direction of this season’s championship because, with all due respect to Newcastle, Everton, Blackburn and Blackpool, I don’t see these 2 sides relinquishing even a single point in their remaining 2 games should they do the business in this one.
ANCELOTTI v FERGUSON: Both highly experienced and respected characters, the way they line-up on the day will be vital to mapping out their plan. Attack would be the order of the day and I feel that no quarter will be given. Both sides should have a full complement of their best players for this clash and all should be well rested. You can most certainly expect that Ferguson will be patrolling the touchline in his usual fashion, assisting the officials in their decisions, while Carlo on the other hand will be standing firm with eyebrow raised in his typical calculating manner. No doubt the resolve of the managers when things start getting tense will reflect either positively or negatively on the players. Ferguson will be charged up for this one, with the 19th title in his sights and playing at home, one would “think” that he would be confident going in. Ancelotti has some momentum after a positive string of results and with Roman Abramovich leaning over him; one wonders how this will affect his use of Fernando Torres in trying to get one over on Sir Alex.
TERRY v WEBB: 3 penalties in his last 4 matches at United would have any Chelsea fan/player/staff member thinking that there is a 12th man in the opposition line-up. Regardless of how little we think of Ryan Babel, there seems to be an element of truth in his twitpic of the man in black in Red! JT will need to have his wits about him and manoeuvre the troops well enough to evade being caught in the ‘Webb’ on Sunday.
DROGBA/TORRES v VIDIC/FERDINAND: Much has been said of how Torres has Vidic’s number from his Liverpool days, and what a time this would be for the Spaniard to come to the party. An 88th minute winner would do quite nicely here ‘Nando! Didier Drogba is coming back to his mean and beastly best, and there is no doubt that the veteran Chelsea front-man still strikes fear into any defence he faces. Strong on the ball, good with the ball at his feet and equally deadly from the set-piece, his impact is no doubt going to be huge. Vidic and Ferdinand are a solid combination for United and could cause problems from their own set-pieces so the best plan of action here is to silence them and give them something to think about by opening the scoring and pinning them back in their own half.
IVANOVIC v GIGGS: We all remember how the Bosingwa version of this battle turned out! Brano needs to be on his toes for this one with the wily Welshman proving that age is nothing but a number. Maturing with every game and proving that there is still much in the tank, Giggs will be a handful in front of his home fans. Ivanovic has pace and strength going forward and has proved his goal scoring touch which will be a much needed boost at the set piece. Nothing like JT, Luiz, Ivanovic, DD, Torres running at you at corner time.
LUIZ v ROONEY: The first time they met at The Bridge one has to say that Luiz had his day. Barring that minor blip where Rooney got a gap and made it count, the most recognisable Chelsea player was on top throughout. He’ll have a lot on his plate trying to keep Rooney quiet and if normal service is resumed, we should see Luiz continue his scoring run against Manchester teams. But before that happens, there’s the task of keeping the British Bulldog locked up at the other end. David Luiz has been a breath of fresh air since his signing and there’s no better game than this one to put a stamp on his status as a Chelsea cult hero.
COLE v FABIO: This for me will be one of the more exciting battles in the game. Both fullbacks love to get forward, both have pace, and while Cole is the better defender, it will be interesting to see how they both cope with each other’s forays going forward. Cole will no doubt be antagonised by the United fans as he is pretty much used to (the only time he doesn’t get heckled is when Chelsea plays at home), and this will either work for us or against us because he’ll either fall into the trap and give Howard Webb reason to send him off, or he can thrive in the environment and lead us on to victory.
CECH v VAN DER SAR: Both of them are great keepers, and as the last line of defence it’s very hard to see them not being the automatic choice for any side on the planet, even in VDS’ his ripe old age. Both are in fine form and imposing at best and will need to be at their most commanding to be the difference when the two sides meet. In what looks to be his final season in football, VDS will no doubt want his last “big” game at home to end with a victory and sterling performance on his part, and Big Pete knows the importance of this game to our title aspirations and his own clean sheet record. Thank goodness for both sides that it’s not Gomes in goal.
LAMPARD v CARRICK: Graduates of the West Ham Academy both Carrick and Lampard have been central figures in their sides’ successes. Carrick bossed the middle against Schalke in the first leg, and it’s very hard to recall a Chelsea success that didn’t involve Lampard. The link play between Lampard and Drogba and that of Carrick and Rooney will be the deciding factor in unlocking the defences this weekend.
With top quality on display this weekend it’s very hard to see this coming down to a lapse in concentration or a mistake on the parts of the players. If anything it’ll be a moment or moments of brilliance that will be the factor in this one, or the man in the middle who will be under heavy scrutiny from all who will be in attendance (albeit from the comfort of pubs and homes for some). Let’s be having this one! Come on the Chels!
