Will United get Milan back for 2003 ?  

 

 

Looking at the upcoming semi-finals of the UEFA Champions' League, it's easy to think it's just another round of the Premiership. With 3 teams hailing from there, there is a definitive English club feel to the round.

 

Limping into the final stretch of the season, with defenders seemingly falling by the wayside every game, Manchester United have had to rely on outstanding performances from the rest of their playing corps to stay in contention for another possible treble. A generous slice of luck by way of refereeing decisions has helped as well. Whereas Michael Carrick's step up from quiet midfield maestro to goalscoring hero has been timely, the lack of penalties awarded to the opposition in their last 2 premiership outings is every bit as significant. The decision (to not award a penalty) at Sheffield United when Gabriel Heinze took out Luton Shelton may have had no outcome on the game but Darren Fletcher's upending of Dong Lee in their latest game against Middlesborough should have denied them even a point.

 

Contrast those two games with their elimination of said same opponents over two legs in the FA Cup. Whereas the penalty given for Jonathan Woodgate's challenge on Ronaldo in the second leg was arguable, the spot-kick awarded for George Boateng's handball in the first leg was farcical. Make no mistake, as good as United have been this season, their treble charge should really have been contention for a league and Champions' League double.

 

Still, United have shown that their resilience and mental strength is second to none. At this late stage of the season, the machine that Ferguson has had running smoothly all season is well oiled and gelling fantastically. His two biggest matchwinners in Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo are fit and everyone on the team knows how to compensate for the lack of key personnel. They might be missing three of their first choice back four but they are still favourites over their opponents Milan.

 

If UEFA were stronger they would have prevented Milan from contesting this year's Champions' League. Having been found guilty of cheating domestically and docked points, it beggars belief that they were allowed to compete in Europe. Money, not merit, runs the modern game. One can only hope the dark influence of the G-14 is quelled somewhat by the new maverick that is Michel Platini.

 

On the football field, away from the politics, Milan have done well. They've never been overpowering and all conquering but have been quiet and steady. Benefiting from not being one the favourites for the title has played into their hands as they have gone about their business with quiet efficiency. A moderate, if tricky, opening group stage was dealt with minimum fuss. in the round of 16, Celtic were edged in true Milanese fashion.

 

This Milan team under Carlo Ancellotti, has a history of doing just enough to progress in the knockout stages in Europe and they did just that against the Scottish team who ran them very close. Since Ancelotti took them to the top prize in 2003, Milan have been the Champions' League's most consistent team. This is their 3rd straight semifinal appearance and their 4th in 5 years. If it weren't for a spectacular comeback from Deportivo in 2004, Milan would have made 5 consecutive semis.

 

Their previously injured central defensive rock Alessandro Nesta is back and their 2 attacking aces Kaka and Andrea Pirlo are both fit. With Ronaldo chipping in with crucial goals of late and Rino Gattusso still his imperious midfield self, Milan's prospects, despite being underdogs, seem good. If they let United come on to them, Milan's lack of pace at the back will be telling, but if they attack United from the off and create havoc amongst United's makeshift rearguard, the tie will be interestingly poised. United are favorites, but Milan have a few tricks up their sleeves.

 

 

Manchester United 8 - 3 Roma (on aggregate)

Comprehensive wins for Liverpool and Manchester United along with composed performances by Chelsea and Milan have ensured progression for the quartet to the final four.

United's emphatic win at Old Trafford annihilated whatever advantage Roma had built up in the first leg. Now on, Alexander Doni will probably always move a little to his left after he was beaten on that side five times by United. Given that Roma's centre backs forgot all their positioning and were generally calamitous in their marking, the additional two goals will add further pain to the Roma custodian's memories of this encounter.

One was expecting a home win that built on the away goal. When United scored first you sensed that win might be secured with a degree of comfort not previously imagined. However, once Michael Carrick scored off a quite brilliantly taken shot from just outside the area, the floodgates opened and the ensuing deluge all but swept Roma away.

At the end of it all Roma didn't play that badly, United simply played really well. Whereas most of Roma's shots were off target, even their only goal being an optimistic one-timed volley from De Rossi, almost all of United's shots were bang on the money. An eighth goal was narrowly missed when United hit the post.

Ronaldo's running with the ball, Alan Smith's and Wayne Rooney's running off it and United's long passing onto the wings stretched Roma's rearguard every which way. With both Phillipe Mexes and Christian Chivu completely clueless as to where they should stand, whom to mark and which avenue to cut out, it was left to David Pizzaro and Daniele De Rossi to track back and cut the angles and space out. With the latter two more devoted to game upfield and seemingly unable to prevent the ball from being sprayed diagonally sideways and then back in, there was way too much space just in front of the area. Balls crossed in from the flanks were left to fall to United players running in to tap them home. No one was closed down when they found themselves with the ball just outside the box.

Luciano Spaletti is a brave man, going for the jugular in the away leg, yet in retrospect defending deeper and having his twin midfield anchors protect the back four would have seemed saner and safer. Without taking anything away from the comprehensive United performance, you have to say though that most of their strikes were very opportunistic. Basically all of United's attempted shots went in, every flick on found its way to the right place or person and every cross was met at the right time by a a runner with the right amount of space. Not that this should take anything away from the performance but United should remember that days like this, when just about everything goes your way, do not come regularly. Carrick may try more shots from distance in the future and will fancy going for the top right corner more often, but I doubt he will score many more like that. Even Smith must have been astounded at his good fortune when the ball not only found its way to him, after some typically slack defending from Roma, but his first time shot left Doni rooted. For Roma, nothing came off. After a bright start in which they narrowly missed the far post with some long range drives, and other than Francesco Totti's close control and back pass, everything failed. Even Doni's strike was a lucky, first time, volley that I'm sure he doubted would go in. But on a night in which almost every optimistic strike happened to find the back of the net, it duly obliged.

Still, United showed that for all your technique, skill and artistry, the basics of the game, if done well, will serve you immeasurably even on the grandest stage. Their running was dedicated and their passing simple. Other than Ronaldo who threatened to singlehandedly take Roma apart, no one really displayed individual brilliance. But off every attack, there were runners accelerating into avenues and0 balls was always played into space. And whenever United got a chance, they decided to shoot.

On this performance, United should be the most feared team left in Europe. No one will want to visit Old Trafford now.

Liverpool 4 - 0 PSV (on aggregate)

Liverpool had done most of the hard work in the away leg and barring a miracle were set to go through after the home leg. Peter Crouch ensured that his recent purple patch continued and scored the game-winner but there was little really to write home about.

PSV were decimated by injuries themselves and came out to limit the damage. Phillip Cocu and Jefferson Farfan were the only players on the Dutch side who threatened to score a goal. Watching the body language of both teams you sensed PSV knew they had no chance and Liverpool ensured they did just enough to keep PSV at bay.

Jermaine Pennant sparkled on the right wing and his constant harrying of Carlos Salcido will go a long way towards convincing his biggest critics that he indeed does have a future at a top club. If Pennant does go on to win the Champions' League this year, it will be vindication for his supporters after indiscipline and a lack of focus and motivation threatened to derail his early career.

For all his juggling and rotation Rafa Benitez has instilled a defensive solidity to this Liverpool side. Now that they are coming together on the opposite side of the pitch, their play is more balanced and structured. Balls are quickly played out of defence and onto the wings or a runner moving towards the middle. They are clinical without being spectacular and while keeping things simple have managed to add a degree of poise to their style. However their approach often takes time. Against teams with more effort and discipline (read next opponents Chelsea) it may run aground.

Despite their lead, it took debutant Dirk Marcellis' dismissal to finally breach PSV's net. In fact throughout this tie PSV have not tried as hard as they could have (or should have) and the onus has been completely on Liverpool to find a way through. Whereas being 4-0 up on aggregate should have given Liverpool license to attack more freely, Rafa's approach has meant they will simply lock down and grind away till the end. Liverpool may have rested best players in Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher while pacey threat Craig Bellamy may have hobbled off with an injury early, but they should still have won with greater aplomb.

No matter, they are arguably one of the toughest sides to beat in a knockout tie and thoroughly deserved their progression against a very poor PSV. The latter should really question their approach. 4 years ago Deportivo La Coruna lost a first leg 4 - 1 to Milan and then triumphed 4 - 0 in the reverse to go through in the Champions' League. Although a 3 goal win in this fixture was unlikely it was not impossible. The defeatism emanating from the Dutch camp was disgusting and on this performance purely denigrating to the Champions' League. Top competition demands total effort, no matter the situation, the professional approach demands nothing less. How fitting then that there is only one remaining domestic champion left.

Roma 2 - 1 Manchester United

Italian hacks will no doubt play up this win. Roma dominated from start to finish and their win was a small reward for their thoroughly efficient performance. But the away goal will rankle. United fans will point to the lucky deflection for Roma's second goal but deep inside they know that it was every much Roma deserved. And given that United's season have been littered with the odd lucky goal and penalty decision, it would be hard for them to complain. Cue United fans writing in to dispute that claim.

Still they cannot feel too hard done by. Their loss was minimal, given that they played the better part of the game with 10 men. And Wayne Rooney's goal ensured they have an away goal to take back to Old Trafford. As predicted by many United missed Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidic at the back. Roma's convoluted midfield, meanwhile, posed a hydra like threat that was never quite nullified by the Premiership leader's defence. Roma's formation and tactics play off their lead man in Francesco Totti and in Rodrigo Taddei and Mancini, have two players capable of unsettling almost any defence on their day. United's star, Cristiano Ronaldo, was conspicuous by his absence, both during the game and from the deck.

The fact of the matter is that this result, though deserved, cannot be read into too much. United have had a stellar season. Consistent, strong and balanced. Everyone has a bad game or a game in which they are thoroughly outplayed by their opponents. It happens. There is still too much momentum on the United juggernaut for them to be derailed yet. Even a steady 1 - 0 win in the return leg will see them through on away goals. Luciano Spaletti knows this and will guard against complacency from his players. Still, Roma having the lead and United having to attack them on home turf will pose an enticing matchup that the neutrals will be salivating at.

For Roma a job well done. For United a (potentially) minor hiccup. Watch for more mind games from Alex Ferguson as he seeks to unsettle Totti and Roma some more.

Having talked about the result there are two minor points that must be touched upon.

Firstly, this was the second game in which visiting United fans were heckled and engaged. With finger pointing to start and the anti-English backlash being readied by the Italian press, one wonders just how easy it is to rile United supporters. At Lille they protested their innocence and high-handed treatment by the French Police. If there is, indeed, an agenda against traveling United fans, one would have expected them to not get provoked easily. Sometimes actions speak louder than words, in this case stoic silence (as impossible as it would seem), for as long as possible would serve to add ballast to their claims. On this evidence however, they are no better or worse than any other set of ultras.

Secondly, watching Paul Scholes getting dismissed so early for two terrible stone cast fouls, the case of English players getting preferential treatment at home is once again highlighted. It is quite possible that Scholes, and other English players, have escaped similar censure in the premiership where such challenges are often glossed over, especially when the offender is local. With such a nurturing atmosphere of domestic double standards small wonder that the English national team performs so poorly abroad.

 

Chelsea 1 – 1 Valencia

 

Ever since Jose Mourinho took over the reins at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have become this inevitable unstoppable force. A machine that, more often than not, just keeps on rolling. Whereas the performance have remained mechanical, this season Chelsea have been lucky to be home to a certain Didier Drogba maturing into Europe’s most complete forward. On the other hand, Valencia have made workmanlike performances into an art form. They are a very well drilled unit, balanced, experienced, tactically aware and garnished with the world class skill of David Villa up front.

 

This match had tactical draw written all over it. And it contained a goal of truly sumptuous quality from David Silva. His strike from the left channel, a good distance outside the box while running with the ball, was truly spectacular. Yet somehow you sensed that inexorably Chelsea would score. That Drogba, their player of the year and marquee star, hit the equalizer, was only fitting.

 

However, other than those 2 goals though you sensed a certain stalemate brewing. The 2 teams canceled each other out with Valencia’s reactive style matching Chelsea’s safety first approach.

 

Valencia have been odd this season, equally capable of scaling giddy heights as of plumbing dark depths. They play excellently against top billing but sometimes get caught out and tied up by the lesser lights. However in this, the late stages of Europe’s premier contest, they should have no problem finding top teams to beat. With a precious away goal and masters of away goal progression, Valencia will be heading back to the Mestella feeling pretty confident.

 

Chelsea have seemed more fallible this season than any other in their short time in the sun under Mourinho. Yet, they seem better placed and more imperious in the Champions’ League this time than ever before. If Jose does leave at the end of the season, this may present Chelsea’s best chance of winning the Champions’ League. Whereas Abramovich’s billions may attract the best managerial talent from across the globe, the poisoned chalice that is his obsession with Europe’s top prize may keep them away. And if Chelsea do fall here, unable to force a favourable result in Spain, Chelsea’s fall back to the mediocrity whence they came may be as meteoric as their rise.

Round of 16 - First legs III

Much Oddo about nothing
Celtic 0 - 0 Milan

The return of Rino Gattuso to Glasgow could scarcely have been more underwhelming.

A dire 0-0 draw that Milan may have edged but Celtic had the better chances. Nakamura's vicious swinging free kick, cleared by Zeljko Kalac at the near post, was arguably the pick of the bunch. Celtic came at Milan hard, knowing full well the value of the home tie. 3 times this season in the Champions' League, they have won at home and lost away. Having drawn here, and kept Milan off the score sheet, one wonders if they can travel to Italy and get the result they need. A win would be nice, failing which a scoring draw would do quite well.

Despite the performance, Gordon Strachan may be privately fearing that his side have lost their chance, having failed to hit the back off the net against a Milan side that has been underachieving this season and was reeling with injuries for their visit. Personally, I think Milan is ripe for the taking, lame at the back, lethargic at the front, only potent in the middle. In my opinion they should not have been let back into the Champions' League, despite finishing 4th after the points deduction the season before. But the power brokers of the club ensured that UEFA would be pressured into letting them back in and the latter saw fit to include a tainted team in it's competition. Their participation may continue for atleast another match but if they were to go on and win the title - it would reflect badly on the state of UEFA on the whole.

I'll take blatant dives for 400. Since Milan can't seem to score against decent opposition, it seems they have resorted to conning their way into the score books. It's evil enough to dive, it's criminally stupid to do what Alberto Gilardino did - choosing to crumple a full meter away from the nearest Celtic player and a full 2 seconds after the he had lost the ball. In that moment Milan displayed the sheer desperation that churns inside, they knew that they needed something extra to break Celtic - but instead of conjuring up magic like the great Milan sides of old - they chose to resort to devilry.

In retrospect, not starting Alessandro Costacurta and Cafu was wise by Carlo Ancelotti, knowing full well the lack of pace that would be exploited by Kenny Miller, Jan Vennegoor(of Hesselink) and Aiden Mcgeady. Having Kakha Kaladze, Milan's most consistent defender this season, shore up the backline with the ageless, but slow Paolo Maldini, made sense. With Massimo Oddo playing deeper than Cafu would at right back - Celtic's threat down that side was minimised. Additionally not having enough strikers, fit, available or otherwise, played into Milan's hands as it allowed them to deploy both Massimo Ambrosini and Gattuso in midfield while Kaka roamed upfield and Yohan Gourcouff sped down the right. It's a pity then that their strike force was as blunt and useless as Gilardino was on the day. It's always seemed that Gilardino is an unlucky striker, somehow unable to find the back of the net now matter how her tries - one hopes he doesn't add cheating to his list of options.

For Celtic, Evander Sno and Neil Lennon put in typically hardworking shifts in the middle of the park, the latter departing before destroyer in chief, Thomas Gravesen, arrived to kill any semblance of a chance that Milan may have had. For all their possession Celtic could only manage a handful of shots on goal - home advantage resulting in a performance that was more whimper than roar. Vennegoor and Miller should have done better when they sighted goal - but now have to repeat it on away soil. Celtic are notoriously poor travelers in Europe this season.

Entertaining after the first leg, both sides have it all to play for. Celtic need to be more creative and Milan more clinical when they meet again in a week's time.

All is not black and white.
Lille 0 - 1 Manchester United

Lille may have a point but have acted like novices.

No matter what happens - you cannot walk off the pitch. Displaying the mental fortitude of a 6 year old who's been pushed off his favorite playground slide, Lille walked off the pitch after Manchester United scored off a free kick. They may claim that quick free kicks are not allowed in France. Lille may claim that they were not ready or that they had not heard/seen/caught on to the fact that the referee had allowed a quick free kick. Nonetheless they have backed themselves into a corner by choosing to take matters into their own hands and trying to call the tie off. Whatever the rules in France, it does not matter, this is the Champions' League. And it's all a pity really, since Lille played rather well.

Lille took the game to their opponents and really had a go. Manchester United may be rolling over opponents domestically, but they once again they came unstuck against a team who were not afraid to play at them and attack United from the off. Cristiano Ronaldo was replaced shortly after an hour. Him, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Henrik Larsson and Ryan Giggs, as attacking a quintet as you will ever find, were restricted to one measly shot in the first half. Lille are a defensive, muscular team to being with, but United are supposed to be this unstoppable juggernaut of attacking football. They were generally outplayed by the plucky French outfit.

Thereafter, Lille tried to go for the jugular as it strove to impose its advantage on United but both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand held firm. Matthieu Bodmer, Lille main offensive fulcrum, came closest with two shots after the break but in general there was little to suggest that the deadlock would be broken. Bodmer's linkup play with the equally impressive Nicolas Fauverge was very good and should give Lille lots of heart for the return leg. Peter Odemwingie headed home but thanks to a gentle nudge in the back of an already flailing Vidic, the goal was correctly ruled out. Odemwingie should have realised that he would have headed the ball in anyway and need not have pushed the defender. Yet, sometimes enthusiasm overshadows endeavour and his push was really quite silly and totally unnecessary. The referee's call was correct but one wonders if he would have been as particular if the roles were reversed. It's a well known fact that United, like many big clubs, get better calls than their smaller counterparts. Would United have taken it in their stride if a goal was chalked off for a minor infraction and then they were sucker-punched by a quick free kick ?

If you look closely at the replay, there seems to be an exchange between, Giggs, Rooney and the referee - albeit very hurried. In what seemed to be a carefully rehearsed move, Rooney placed the ball swiftly but quickly and Giggs took a shot - deliberately aimed for the corner away from Sylva. Lille were not aware of what was happening and were caught cold. Yes it was unfair but it was legal. They have reason to feel robbed - but walking off and sulking in the corner is no way to even things out. One remembers a Champions' League tie between United and Lyon several years ago. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a hat trick of goals from offside positions. Despite the officiating, Lyon stuck to their task manfully and never gave up - or walked off.

Lille should regroup and grow up. This is a good team with a solid core. The next time they walk off they should try to do so as winners.

1999 - Manchester United 2 - 1 Bayern Munich

After their heroics in the semi-final against Juventus, I was a little unsurprised that Manchester United started this final a little flat. Nervy comebacks in semi-finals often take a lot out of teams and United are no exception. Credit must be given to Bayern though who played a very disciplined game upto the very last bit. Basler's opener seemed carefully rehearsed as Bayern took an early lead before settling into starve United into submission.

Fergie had switched Giggs and Blomqvist up on the flanks but got away with it in spectacular fashion when his replacement for an ineffectual Blomqvist, Solskjaer, actually scored the winner.

Bayern harried United at every opportunity and it surprised me how little space they afforded United. It was a complete performance, cutting United off every avenue but they undid it all with some uncharacteristic sloppiness in injury time. When Kuffour conceded a late corner I had this feeling that United would score. They did. Sheringham's header was spot-on. As often happens, a torrent turned into an downpour, and Bayern conceded another corner that led to the winner. I will say this, Giggs volley back into the danger area after the corner had been partially cleared was crucial - more so than the actual winner from Solskaer's lucky, lucky, outstretched boot.

Fair play to United, for having the belief to soldier on, but poor Bayern were truly robbed.

2000 - Real Madrid 3 - 0 Valencia

The most annoying thing about the Champions' League format is that sometimes terrible teams actually win the whole thing. For large parts of the 1999-2000 season, Real Madrid was rubbish, limping home in 5th place domestically. For large parts of the 1999-2000 final Real Madrid were brilliant.

When Roberto Carlos teed up a free kick, I thought "Bloody hell he's never gonna score - he never does anyway". He didn't score but in the ensuing melee Moreintes tucked in and scored. I was most surprised at the ease with which he did it. To make things worse I could not believe the space afforded Raul when he broke clear for the second. I think he was beyond the last defender, in his own half ! In keeping with the theme of limited talents making the most of their chances - McManaman volleyed home a flukey shot late.

2001 - Bayern Munich 1 - 1 Valencia (Bayern wins on penalties, both regular time goals were also penalties and I think another penalty was saved)

Despite the penalty shootout this was the most boring final ever - with all respects to the Italia 90 final- whatever I remember of that.

I had an exam to study for the next day and decided to plump down in front of the TV with my books (never a good idea). So dull were the proceedings, that I was actually turning away from the football game to read up on chapter 12. I guess some of it was down to the disappoinment of not seeing Arsenal make it to the final - they lost on away goals to Valencia in the quarterfinals - Carew supplying the sucker punch. But the truth is - the game was abysmal, an apology to football purists everywhere. It was this massive grindfest. Bayern kept their date with footballing Karma, overcoming the Ches in a penalty shootout. I turned the TV off in disgust. Even Leeds United would have been more fun to watch.

2002 - Real Madrid 2 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen

What a goal from Zidane. Wow. The cheek in trying it was only surpassed with the sumptuous ease with which he completed it. I have tried it on the playing field and have never come even close to matching the majesty of that strike. Zinedine, we salute you.

Raul's goal was very lucky though, capitalising on a poor throw from Basturk - but that's what he is - a nippy finisher and a tricky poacher. Lucio's equaliser was dogged - his Jesus loves you T shirt underneath would come out for the first time that summer during a football match.

Spare a thought though for Ballack, Neuville, Ramelow and Schneider. This was the third club competition they would finish 2nd in that season. But that's not the end of it - they would go on to lose the World Cup final as well.

Part 1 of 2.

We're in the final home stretch leading up to the first legs of the knockout round, here's a look at where all the various contestants stand. The engines are revving in the pit lane and we're about to embark on the warm up lap - the last few matches before they square off Feb 20/21. Who's hot, who's not and who's still looking for a working clutch pedal - or in Lyon's case a functional, healthy strikeforce. (All stats since the new year and accurate upto Friday Feb 9 2007.)

Running Smooth:

INTER
6 wins 1 draw overall. In 4 cup ties: 1 home win 1 home draw 2 away wins.

It seems the only thing preventing Inter from officially claiming the Serie A title is the suspension of the domestic championship. Luckily for Inter the Champions' League is more resilient to fan violence and considerably better supported financially. If the only worries for Roberto Mancini come matchday is whom to omit from the bench, he'll be content. Keeping this squad motivated, hungry and focussed is trickier than it may seem.. especially when you consider that one of Europe's other form teams, Valencia, pose their hardest test this year in the round of 16.

VALENCIA
4 wins 1 draw 2 losses overall. In 2 cup ties: 1 home loss 1 away draw.

Whereas the minor blip in the league against Betis can be put down to an away day blue (not so rare) in the notoriously cut-throat Primera Liga, more worrying for Quique Flores will be the elimination at the hands of Getafe. Madrid's third team is one of the tightest defensive units in the league and more akin to Inter than anyone else Valencia will meet this season. The prognosis was not good. The Kings' Cup may not rank high on Valencia's list or priorities this season but the Champions' League surely does, anything less than 100% against Inter and their continental adventure could be over by the first week of March.

CHELSEA
7 wins 2 draws overall. In 4 cup ties: 3 home wins 1 away draw.

The sludge in the engine remains, some may say in the bulky frame of Ballack. Their wins have been barely functional and hardly imperious - but they've still been victories - and the hallmark of a good team is the ability to grind out a win even when not on song. Chelsea have regressed in the year since they last got knocked out by Barcelona, but they still pose a potent threat to anyone left in the draw. Now, they've gotten their defence back, as a bonus, Ballack has been injured in an International friendly. If only we could all lose dead weight from the middle that easily.

MANCHESTER UNITED
5 wins 1 draw 1 loss overall. In 2 cup ties: 2 homes wins.

They are the form team of the Premiership at the moment - churning out victories with refreshing and often ridiculous ease. Larsson's acquisition have given them further depth up front and Saha's return will boost them further. Their team is firing on all cylinders and all parts seem to be gelling at just the right time - from Vidic at the back to Ronaldo and Giggs on the wings.

Ferguson's only worry will be United's lack of cutting edge against teams who are not afraid of playing at them. Their defeat at Arsenal was comprehensive and for the first half hour against Spurs they were definitely outplayed. Whereas teams in the Premiership often surrender after conceding the first goal to United, their opponents in Europe will show more fight and gumption - and none more so than Lille who they face first up. The away leg of a cup tie should prove an acid test of their credentials.

Having said that though, few managers would pass on trading up with Alex Ferguson right now.

LILLE
4 wins 2 draws 1 loss overall. In 3 cup ties: 2 away wins 1 away loss.

The only team besides Arsenal and Inter who have managed multiple away wins in cup ties this calendar year - a very good statistic to have. The significance of an away win cannot be overstated enough. Cup ties on enemy turf are the most intimidating matches a team can face during a season - winning then are arguably the most impressive of the a team's season.

Lille seem to care little for reputation and will plunge themselves into any tie with relish and zest. Like a pack of young huskies who know no fear, Lille's physical approach will ruffle more than it's fair share of feathers. The injury to Mathieu Bodmer however could prove to be a serious setback - one hopes he can return in time for United. He, more than anyone symbolises the all action style of Lille.

CELTIC
6 wins overall. In 2 cup ties. 1 home win 1 away win.

Solid, well oiled, robust - they just keep winning. Celtic have made dominating in Scotland look even easier than normal. The loss of Shaun Maloney shouldn't make much difference as Celtic have enough players to compensate for his absence, with Paul Hartley's arrival ensuring that the midfield corps retains its depth and threat. Their pace against Milan's aging backline should be crucial - however their lack of matchplay against quality opposition will be telling, Dumbarton and Livingston are a far cry from teams they will meet in Europe. The irony being that no matter how good their domestic form is - it's Milan's form that will decide the tie.

Celtic should make sure they never lose that winning feeling or that winning attitude. Their tie against Milan could not come at a better time and if they do not have to travel to the San Siro for the away leg, their chances may increase substantially.

ROMA
3 wins 4 draws overall. In 4 cup ties: 2 home wins 2 away draws.

They've been efficient rather than overpowering but they've added steel to their normally inconsistent performances. Milan may be limping a little right now, but Roma's victory over them in the Coppa Italia semifinals was still a good performance. 2 legged ties are often won by winning the home leg and holding out away. Roma have shown that they can do both. Their new found resilience and the fact that their opponents Lyon are in a slump themselves may make this tie tilt a little in their favour than before.

If Totti can keep his head and their midfield can swarm the opposition, progression is definitely on the cards. Their opponents look ripe for the taking.

ARSENAL
6 wins 3 draws overall. In 5 cup ties: 2 away wins 1 home win 1 home draw 1 away draw.

Unbeaten since the new year despite an injury list that seems to grow longer even longer every time they play. Arsenal seem to have welded grit, determination and resolve to their normally turbocharged frame. The gunners have never lacked the talent or skill to be successful in Europe but have now developed a clinical resilience that makes them harder to beat. Along with Chelsea, no one has played more times since the new year and just like their west London neighbours - are still unbeaten. More Importantly, no one has played Group Phase winners more often and crucially, beaten them.

If the comeback win against United at home was stellar, their back to back wallopings of a Liverpool side at Anfield are surely the pick of the bunch. Provided Arsenal stay healthy and retain focus, a place in the quaterfinals seems likely.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Manchester United

If this was a test of belief then Arsenal passed with flying colours. Stand up Gunners every where and salute.

The Premiership's most resilient team came back on home turf to snatch a deserved win over the league leaders. Arsenal beat United at their own game of winning at the death. The trip back to the gloomy north west of England will be so much gloomier for Fergie knowing that he has lost both games against Wenger this term. How decidedly delicious it is to speculate who Ferguson will kick a boot at this time.

Chelsea may be the current team to dislodge, their temporary wealth skewing the order of things in the premiership, but make no mistake, Arsenal is the team that gives Ferguson (among others) the most joy to beat. Arsenal is the team that gives most premiership teams nightmares.

Arsenal may not win the Premiership this season but have ensured that they remain the most dangerous team in the league while playing the best football. With this come-from-behind win they have completed an impressive quintet of wins over fellow big 4 clubs this season and have accomplished the double over the Red Devils. With Chelsea to visit and a trip to Anfield remaining, one can hope to see Arsenal add to that tally. And we're still unbeaten at home. Hopefully that streak can continue. Arsene Wenger stands vindicated in both his choice of approach and his backing of the kids.

I was concerned about Gilberto's absence in the middle of the park through suspension and Ronaldo's threat down the left troubling us on the break. In the event, Flamini put in a fairly good, tough performance in Gilberto's place while Rosicky on the other hand seemed to be a little wasteful overall. The Czech maestro is more than an adept shooter from distance but his aim and timing were woefully off in this game. Even though Hleb went off to be replaced by Baptista (who was anonymous), I felt the Belarussian breadman played a good game overall. He hustled, harried, ran and tackled, with his passing often angled more vertical than horizontal, as he probed the right side of United's stall for an opening.

Fabregas was the artiste in his element. He bossed the midfield at Old Trafford, he bossed the midfield here. Michael Carrick cost close to 19 million pounds, Fabregas cost Arsenal nothing. Carrick played well as a glorified ball retriever, Fabregas gave a demonstration on being a modern midfield maestro. If passing is an art, this man is master of his craft.

Senderos kept his concentration all game and had Larsson in his pocket for most of it. How Ferguson must be wishing he had started Saha in place of the Swede. Perhaps, Wenger's comment, that he was terrified of playing the Swede, had Fergie double-guessing himself. The Swiss youngster may have struggled against the physical approach of Saha, against the wily Swede, he had a smooth game. Toure, as ever, was a champion workhorse, matched only by his opposite number, the immense Vidic, at the other end of the park. The job he has done in anchoring this young squad, is admirable.

Eboue, despite himself, kept Ronaldo fairly quiet, even managing to get the Portugese wanker/winger/winker booked out of petulant frustration. A few nervous moments with his clearances and the odd clumsy challenge aside, the Ivorian was more than competent at right back and what a sweet cross it was indeed - textbook stuff, like at the start of the season. How vindicative it must be that after selling off one of their most consistent right backs of recent times, his replacement was instrumental in both containing and overcoming the threat of the league leaders. How Redknapp must be wishing Arsenal had let the other West African right back leave.

Clichy goes from strength to strength and judging by both his contribution to Arsenal's game this season (And Cashley's contribution to Chelsea's demise), he has more then replaced the money-grabbing Englishman in both team and spirit. His pacy counterattacks were balanced evenly by his dogged defending and critical interceptions. Eric Abidal must be nervously peering over his shoulder when considering the pecking order for the Les Blues's left back position.

Henry was sulking at times and a little peripheral it seemed but just as I sensed an unwilling sense of deja-vu, the captain came up with a flick-on assist and a gutsy headed winner. Tremendous Thierry, that was fantastic. He may have seemd a little unwilling to get stuck in, but boy did he rise to the occasion (no pun intended) when it was asked of him. His first half header was an apology to centre forwards everywhere, but his second half winner was a clinic in big time delivery with the head. Va-va Voom!

You sensed that, with bringing Van Persie on, Wenger switched to a more direct style in Arsenal's attacking approach. Uptil then, like on innumerable times in the last 3 seasons, Arsenal prevaricated when a more direct approach presented itself. With the exception of Rosicky of course, but he was so woeful with his shooting, it didn't matter. Tactically there is an advantage of playing the ball back to the cavalry, arriving in numbers in and around the box, when the ball is played long to the foremost attacker. By dragging the ball back and square, it pays off, on occasion, to tee someone else up in a better situation. However, Vidic and Rio were so composed in their positioning, and Carrick was so in the way, that dragbacks inevitably resulted in the ball going back to square one in the middle of the park. I was glad, therefore, to see Van Persie, never a stranger to direct, selfish shooting, positioned at the far post when Henry's flick on arrived there, rather than one our more selfless midfielders.

It was delightfully self-indulgent to see Van Persie and Henry pull the trigger, the Dutchman's sweet one time shot rifling into the roof of the net to send Ashburton Grove into hysterics while Eboue's late cross to Henry condemned United to a comprehensive defeat. Direct style: two goals from four attempts; short passing approach play: zero goals from the entire game till then. Numbers rarely lie.

Adebayor's tireless approach was illustrated in one sequence where, after running close to 50 yards to retrieve the ball, he placed it on the corner of six yard box for Van der Sar to take. Typically United, Van der Sar proceeded to waste time by shifting the ball onto the other corner. If any gesture signaled that United were a little concerned, perhaps even scared, it was that little piece of pathetic gamesmanship. One can talk all they want about the need to rush the ball back into play, but few Premiership footballers would have spent so much energy on what was, eventually, a fruitless endeavour. In my mind, Adebayor was neck and neck with Vidic, when he received Fabregas' long ball and was flagged for being offside. Had he scored, it would be nothing less than he deserved.

How fitting it was then, to see Ferguson whine at the end, when Lehmann, in the final moments, with Arsenal leading, proceeded to do a little time wasting himself. Pot calling the kettle black ? No, Sir Alex, as you sow so you reap.

Finally Lehmann, what can you say ? The German was solid at the back, keeping out 3 shots that may have trickled in. The entire game, he was only out of position once, and when you consider the aerial bombardment as well asd long distance shooting that United subjected him to, that is an achievement in itself. Lehmann led from the back and started what Henry finished at the other end.

A truly awesome, whole hearted team performance from Arsenal.

Next time Arsenal meet United, in perhaps the FA Cup or the Champions' League, you can rest assured that Ferguson will revert to employing the muscular physical approach that served him well the last time Arsenal were in direct ascendancy over them - the 2002-03 and 2003-2004 seasons. They will resort to being more forceful and rough in the middle of the park. If anything, United missed the brutish style of Saha and O'Shea when they were leading. I will however, not complain. This game reiterated once more that no one (and no one) can outfootball Arsenal. Full credit to United for playing football though and trying to beat Arsenal at it.

2-1 to the Arsenal. Wenger must be proud.