Man Utd win and have their 19th title well in their grasp.
Chicharito Hernandez and Nemanja Vidic were the goalscorers but Antonio Valencia was the man of the match in my opinion. He shredded Ashley Cole to bits and his service to Rooney and Hernandez should have ensured a far more comfortable victory over Chelsea. Alex a half time substitute effected two critical saves off Rooney.
The Blues came back into the match in almost anticlimactic fashion when Branislav Ivanovic's header off a free kick just found Frank Lampard onside for a toe poke into goal. It breathed hope into the match. Suddenly there was an air of nervousness. A sequence of events temporarily incapacitated three defenders adding to the vulnerability.
Rio Ferdinand recovered quickly but Fabio and Jonny Evans had to stand out as Ivanovic took his throw. But we've seen adversity bring out the best in Utd. Chelsea could not capitalize further on the Lampard goal as the Utd defense reorganized effectively and the last fifteen minutes was all Valencia - easily the most overlooked in Utd's attacking options who was just brilliant down the right. Hernandez could easily been celebrating a hat trick and Rooney should have gotten a goal or two.
An imperfect Man Utd team who kept the door ajar ever so slightly for Arsenal and later on Chelsea closed it emphatically. How? It comes down to playing as a team. It comes down to players stepping up. It comes down to belief. It comes down to plan B,C,D, and E. Sir Alex befuddled many with his unconventional line ups partly necessitated by tactics, injuries, and a full slate of matches but Utd always posed challenges because they allowed no stereotyping.
Carlo Ancelotti faces an uncertain future. Two titles in his debut year and none to show this season. This was his last throw of dice and all indications are he expects to leave.
Andrew and all Man Utd fans: Congratulations! You deserve it. This was not the best Utd team by far but in terms of rising to the occasion it ranks second to none. There were significant moments when they looked like they had feet of clay. But self belief is so powerful. And can we say Sir Alex was canny enough to realize Chicharito's potential and to retain Rooney after his gold digging ways. Rooney has matured into the complete offensive weapon. You're the side that plays 38 games the best they can and the result show that desire. It was touching to see Sir Bobby Charlton's look of utter delight at the prospect of a 19th title. The most storied club in English history.
As a United fan, I'm in wonderland today. However, I have to say, Ancelotti deserves all the credit in the world for even bringing Chelsea back into this title race. It would be a travesty if he were to be sacked for a trophyless season, although I couldn't really blame him if he walked, what with the constant undermining from Abramovich, and having to deal with the insanity and infiltration of the London media on a daily basis within his club. I can confidently say that short of somehow resigning Mourinho, they will not find a better manager than the one they have now.
Fantastic, Manchester United always seem to come through when it counts. The atmosphere in Manchester today is fantastic.