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United's season up and running
27/08/2007 13:17 - (SA)
George Dearnaley
Firstly, let me say that it was an exciting game - not a great one - but full of excitement.
I'm talking about Sunday's Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur match.
Both teams have not had a great start and you could sense that neither team wanted to risk anything at the back.
Spurs started off well and had two great chances in the first 12 minutes.
United then controlled the match but didn't really create too many clear opportunities.
The second half came to life midway through the session, and it started with Ditmar Berbatov having his shot cleared off the line by Rio Ferdinand.
Then Carlos Tevez had a shot cleared off the line by Jermaine Jenas.
It was starting to liven up - but deep down I had the premonition that it would end in a draw.
The eternal pessimist!
Spurs looked good in attack and Berbatov had another chance cleared by Wes Brown.
Rocket
Spurs appealed for a handball, but the slow motion replay confirmed that the shot hit his body before his arm got in the way (no matter what the commentator thought!)
Then Nani, who had pretty much been a ninny the whole match, unleashed a 30-yard rocket that deflected off Tevez and into the back of the Spurs net.
But there were still 17 minutes left to play and the pessimist was praying for the clock to speed up.
It wasn't so long ago that United fans cheered for optional time, thinking we could get another goal.
Not this season!
I have to concede that Spurs were unlucky.
They played well and could have had a few goals on any other day. United fans will know they got lucky, but it's something that has been in short supply for the first three games of the season, so it is very welcome.
Ominously for the "others", the big four all won without conceding a goal.
Ability and luck
Some critics remarked that Liverpool's performance away to Sunderland was "less than vintage" but the three points are in the bag, with no injuries and after resting some key players before their Champions League match, I should think they would be delighted with their performance.
Chelsea could have conceded against Portsmouth at home, but again the combination of ability and luck was in their favour.
Fat Frank Lampard has now scored three games in a row since I said Gerrard was much better than him...
Arsenal played some great fluid football against Manchester City at the Emirates stadium.
Their problem this year is going to be a lack of variety among the goals.
Robin van Persie is a class act, and will get a few goals this season, but unless the other strikers pick up some slack, they will find themselves struggling up front if VP is injured or off form.
Good to see Cesc Fabregas get the winner - probably his only weakness is his lack of goals from central midfield.
Reading got thumped away from home, City's unbeaten run came to an end and Everton drop more points - for those fans that got carried away at the start of the season, remember there are no trophies handed out in August.
APOLOGIES:
Last week's column insinuated that all Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool fans are ABU's.
I apologise for that - must have something to do with the way my sub-editor (an Everton fan) makes the changes!
Everton forever - Ed
I was being a bit irresponsible, but was impressed with the violent outrage that reached me via feedback on the site.
I too dislike those United fans with short memories, who only know the history from the 1990s.
As mentioned previously, I am a columnist, not a journalist - I can be biased!
I support Manchester United through thick and thin and have done since Bobby Stokes was off-sides and scored the winner for Southampton in the 1976 FA Cup final!
George is the publisher of Kick Off soccer magazine and represented South Africa during the 1994 World Cup qualifiers.
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