If not for David De Gea, we wouldn't have the opportunity to even talk about this match, let alone watch it. It was the Spanish future Number one goaltender who kept out his compatriot, Juan MATA in the closing minutes of the pulsating game of two halves. Manchester United bossed the early exchanges and were deserving of their 2 goal lead at half time. Chelsea came out more purposefully in the 2nd half and made the home side pay for all the wastefulness of the first half. Eden Hazard, who came on in the 2nd half, scored the first before Ramires scored a beautiful equaliser. No more than the pensioners deserved. Tomorrow, the red army will have the chance to right all the wrongs of previous matches v the blues.
Fergie will lead out his troops at lunchtime tomorrow knowing fully well that a repeat of the collapse they have had in recent games v Chelsea will prove costly. In all 3 games prior to this, the red devils have thrown away leads and it has cost them twice and a Capital One Cup ouster. The Champions-elect will know better than to let this particular one slip.
Both teams come into the match with contrasting fortunes. Chelsea lost at Southampton on Saturday, while Manchester United moved a step closer to its 20th Domestic title with a hard fought win at Sunderland which has cost Martin O'Neill his job there. Chelsea were without Juan Mata and Gary Cahill for the match at St Mary's due to physical problems and ill-health. Both are expected to shrug whatever ails them and feature from the start. It is the Spanish playmaker SAF will be worried stiff about. When he shows up, he is almost unplayable. He, alongside Hazard and Oscar are ruthless at best.
The two Leviathans very much want to do well in the F/A Cup this term. It is difficult to say who wants it more. This is because Chelsea have won four of the last six trophies on offer and Man United last tasted victory nine years ago (d. Millwall) and are hungry to add to their record total of 11. Chelsea's season has been one of ups and downs. Only this and the Europa League represent the two chances they have of claiming any silverware. The come from behind performance on March 10 at Old Trafford was breathtakingly excellent. The United rearguard was run ragged by the brilliance and tact of the M-H-O trident.
On Monday at the Bridge, it will be a different ball game altogether for both teams. The home side are formidable at home and will be hopeful that home advantage counts when both teams lurk horns. Manchester United will welcome back a host of stellar names for this fixture. The likes of Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs, Danny Welbeck, Jonny Evans and Luis Nani are all likely to be in the Starting lineup.after they were rested on Saturday. Sir Alex Ferguson will be very happy with the depth of his squad. The quality of players at his disposal is frightening.
The game can be won and lost in midfield. What Carrick, who has been gigantic this season, brings to the game will play a vital role in whether MUFC progress or not. CFC's main midfield man for the last two seasons or so, has been the Brazilian willing runner, Ramires. The ever imposing Samba boy scored the all important equaliser than secured the replay and is poised to even better that performance. He often shows up when it matters most. The problem for Benitez is his friend, Fernando Torres. The persistence/insistence of Roman Abramovich to always include the 'kid' from Madrid in the starting 11 is doing more harm than good. He has failed to repay the faith and his goal return has been worse than poor by his standards. Demba Ba isn't exactly firing on all cylinders. However, he is more of a goal threat nowadays than the beleaguered Spaniard. The theory is that the Senegalese will start since Torres got the nod at the South Coast. As for Man Utd, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez knows how to score against Chelsea. He has scored 5 in his last 6 games v the West Londoners and might line up alongside Rooney in attack just as it was at Old Trafford. Portuguese star, Luis Nani is back from injury and should replace Ashley Young or Valencia on the wings. Evergreen Ryan Giggs still has it in his locker. His experience will be key.
200 goal man, Frank Lampard is still looking for the 3 goals that will see him march past Bobby Tambling in the hierarchy of Chelsea's Highest ever goal scorers. He could move a step closer to that mark if he scores a couple tomorrow. Easier said than achieved. Wayne Rooney is also close to the 200 goal mark for Manchester United. 4 more and he's there. Four against Chelsea is a massively daunting task, but you wouldn't put it past the Englishman. The Premier League is as good as over with the red army comfortably on top of the table, 15 points clear of the the chasing pack. Chelsea fell to 4th after the loss to Southampton coupled with Tottenham's win at Swansea....although the blues have played a game less.
Rafa Benitez was lambasted for fielding an under strength team on Saturday. Even the introduction of Eden Hazard did not yield the needed result. Many felt he should have started Hazard since Mata was unavoidably absent. No one seems to see reasons with the fact that he has 6 games in 16 days and has to tinker the squad to negotiate through all of them successfully. Hazard could have been there and the result wouldn't have changed much.
We await the drama.................Tough one to call.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
CHELSEA: Cech, Azpi, Cahill, Luiz, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Oscar, Hazard, Mata, Ba
MUFC: DDG, Rafa/Smalling, Rio, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani, Giggs, Rooney, Chicharito
There's still some doubt over the fitness and availability of Rafa Da Silva after he was pulled out of the Sunderland game with a hip problem. Smalling might come in for the much improved Brazilian right back. The Englishman has played very well for club and country in the last three games. Shouldn't be a problem.
Ohireime P Eboreime
Catch me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
