A DEFINING AND potentially decisive Easter Sunday in the Premier League. Manchester United beat QPR 2-1 at home while Manchester City fell 1-0 to Arsenal late on to create a massive eight-point gap.
Of course, that didn’t happen without a significant degree of controversy: United’s opening goal after 15 minutes only came thanks to a very contentious penalty for which Ashley Young was offside and then made the most of contact with Shaun Derry, getting the defender sent off; Mario Balotelli capped a dreadful afternoon by also receiving red for a second booking although, in truth, he should have been dismissed much earlier on for a disgraceful studs-up challenge on Alex Song.
None of that, however, should conceal the ultimate truths: both teams kept up their recent form – United winning, City stumbling. In the end, it will be that which decides this title.
United didn’t complete their job without some degree of anxiety though. Although they were 1-0 up from so early on thanks to Wayne Rooney’s penalty and completely dominated the match, they squandered a series of chances with QPR looking like they may well catch them. Eventually, though, Paul Scholes secure the three points with a brilliant strike from outside the box, bringing to a peak a superb run of form. It can’t be doubted that he’s been a huge factor in United’s post-Christmas surge.
On the other side of things, it’s going to be hard to argue that Balotelli isn’t as big a factor in City’s downfall. Aside from his disgraceful challenge today and general ill-discipline he was also plain irresponsible, frequently refusing to do his part in defensive work. That played a part in Arsenal’s dominance of this game although, even aside form Balotelli, City simply resembled the team they’ve been for the past two months: flat and without ideas. They never seriously threatened the Arsenal goal, with Mikel Arteta’s 87th-minute low winner well deserved. For that, Mancini should receive more blame than Balotelli.
While United’s superb run of victories signal that they’ve definitely done their best to take this race by the scruff of the neck, City have also done their best to lose it.
The results also had consequences for some of the other races in the Premier League: QPR failedto take advantage of the fact that all of their relegation rivals lost yesterday, but Arsenal leaped back over Tottenham into third.
Its all over!!!!!!!
I think the majority of United fans will admit when we get lucky decision but all you ABU fans need to take the blinkers off, Man City have got decisions in the last few weeks to keep them in the title race at Sunderland and Stoke… Chelsea’s goal yesterday was a blatant offside… If you want to talk about penalties, Man City have won more penalties at home than any other team in the last four years.. United form in the last 11 games is Championship winning form, whether its pretty or not who’s cares, the league is won over 38 games.. Form is temporary class is permanent so let’s celebrate number 20…
take a bow mr walsh…. well said.
some very convenient decisions the last 2 games for utd, penalty not given in fulham game, penalty wrongfully awarded and a man sent off for nothing today, but of course, these things even themselves out over a season (loool)
@just saying you would think at least one utd fan would take the blinkers off and admit they get way too many dodgy decisions in their favour, ive heard fans of almost every other team admit when they had unjust luck or their players acted in a wrong fashion, utd fans prefer to gloat about it instead
green eyed monsters are out in force this evening!!!
the usual typical response, even alex ferguson admitted the officials were well wrong today, you just proved my point
Do referees just not like QPR or something? Disallowing perfectly good goals, sending men off, giving dodgy penalties. Evens itself over a season? Well QPR must be in for a load of good fortune over the next 6 games.
maybe you should take your own blinkers off! every team gets decisions for and against them but your jealousy and bias keep your blinkers firmly welded to your head. god love ya!!!!
lol, deluded
As someone said elsewhere,the reason for thumbs down is this is packed with utd.fans.Are there worse losers anywhere else or any other sport?Cant wait for the thumbs down lol.
Georgina get back in the kitchen and stop pretending ya know something about football!
A liverpool fan using the word ‘deluded’
Wow. Ironic.
Yea Utd get all the luck??? Yea!!! Like Dzeko’s dive last weekend ring any bells????? or the fact that Balotelli should nearly be sent off in most game but it’s overlooked or he gets away with it then pops up and scores the winner or equaliser. Just admit it City couldn’t keep up the pace after 210 million sent on a team , when every player in Utds squad has been injured at some point or another and have had to play midfielders in defence and defenders in midfield because if the list if injuries. The facts speak for themselves.
yes indeed the facts speak for themselves, the facts being the match officials have almost guaranteed utd another title, im am sure they didnt need the help, or did they?
The fa need to generate cash to pay for wembley so from next season they could save money by not bothering to have linesmen at castle greyskull
WOW THE CONSPIRACY THEORISTS ARE OUT IN FORCE.
Ah sure, when your season is over & your manager is talking about agendas against your club its not surprising that the fans take that view.
Just saw Man Ure 1st effort,Young & linesman summed up 20 years of man Utd,glory glory indeed
Would you like some Cheese with that whine?
I’m just expressing justifiable contempt,
Bitter Rodger.
howard webb is really going to struggle to make it back into uniteds frist 12 after lee masons brilliant display for them. if anyone can do it though its mr webb
It is a great and huge victory for manchester united to lead the premier league 8points.i think this cup is 4man united as man u is wining and man city is stumbling.man city is struggling for there loose and will finally come zero.man u is still having the power of defending its cup.
MANCHESTER UNITED.
I think there are a few disgruntled scousers on here. Must be disappointing to see your team with all its history about as relevant as Stoke now.That King Kenny thing was never going to work.
@United fans here, why take the bait? It’s the same old story over and over. “Referees love United. They get all the decisions. Alex Ferguson gets away with murder”. If you deny it, they call you deluded. Don’t rise to it. It’s petty and pathetic and makes these people look whiney and more and more like sore losers. We know what our team is about, and we know what we’re made of. Don’t give these clowns the satisfaction of replying, just watch the ABU diatribe roll on, and smile to yourself.