A Magnificent Comeback!

What a match it was! 

Conceding two goals at half-time and facing a certain hair-dryer treatment from Sir Alex Ferguson, many people thought that Manchester United had blown it again. The title seemed for a while slipped from Manchester United's grasp and going down the motorway towards Liverpool. 

As the match resumed after the half-time break, many people wondered if Manchester United could turn the tide and rescue the season. Of course, they could and they did. What started with a 'doubtful' (I still think it was legit though) penalty decision by the referee and the eventual penalty conversion by Ronaldo, there was no doubt that Manchester United was making a comeback. The introduction of Tevez changed the pace of the game. Paul Scholes was then put onto the pitch to make his 601th appearance for Manchester United and his impact was almost instantaneous. Apart from the odd bad tackles and a yellow card, he continued to control the midfield and produced defences-splitting passes. Then came a period of a four-minute blitz, during which three further goals were scored. Wayne Rooney, undoubtedly the Man of the Match, scored two goals and Ronaldo the other, to completely turn the match on its head. Ronaldo could not care less that he was yellow-carded as he took off his shirt to celebrate his second goal. Dimitar Berbatov scored the final fifth goal to complete Manchester United's comeback. Credit to him to curtail his celebration of scoring a goal against his former club. 

It was one victory which may prove crucial in determining  the final destination of the Barclays Premier League at the end of this season. This is the stuff that Champions are made of. Never to concede defeat until the fat lady sings. It was a great reply to Liverpool's and Chelsea's wins over Hull City and West Ham respectively.

The victory returned Manchester United to the top of the Barclays Premier League which was briefly kept warm by Liverpool for a mere two hours. 

This is a welcome preparation for the first leg of the Champions League Semi-final match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Wednesday (or Thursday early morning Brunei time). Manchester United's next Barclays Premier League match will be against relegation-threatened Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday 3 May.