Man Utd looked sharper and decisive when they had the ball while Chelsea had more of it without looking threatening. What happened to the team from last season who had no problems putting it away?
And can we say Chicharito played exactly like a £50m striker should. A preternatural ability to find the net. Ryan Giggs and John O'Shea combined nicely to provide the spadework.
Carlo Ancelotti went to Drogba at halftime and the Cote D'Ivoirian delivered. But Man Utd almost immediately replied back through Park Ji Sung. That is their mantra. If it is not Rooney, it is Berbatov. If not him, its Chicharito. If he switches off, Berbatov switches off, it is Rooney. It could also be Giggs, Park Ji Sung, Nani, or Vidic.
The goals always get the highlights but in the midst of them was the sight of 40 year old Van der Sar running out to tackle Nicholas Anelka. Simply amazing. Utd were thoroughly deserving winners. They face Schalke in the semi-finals unless Inter manage to pull off a miracle.
And lets not forget Ji Sung Park. One of the biggest names on the Man Utd bench.
KevNYC: I think Wilkins dismissal was one of the factors but there are others - Chelsea's lack of depth on the bench. They have Gael Kakuta and Josh McEachren while United can call on Giggs, Chicharito, Berbatov. Another is the demise of Frank Lampard. There was a time when he would have taken Malouda's pass and blasted it past Van der Sar. Ancelotti also relies on a 4-4-2 which loses attacking power because its two central midfielders are essentially holding. Plus, this is a Chelsea team that is definitely on the older side.
Chelsea were unstoppable at the beginning of the season and then after the Wilkins dismissal, something happened. They went downhill fast. There must have been some internal strife or it was simply irrefutable evidence of Ancelotti's lack of power?