The English fanfare continues aloud in Europe. The feelings that many amongst us had about the English domination in Europe seems to take life slowly but surely. On last night’s evidence from two English teams who played with stark contrast, the Red Devils and the Gunners drubbed their opponents 3-0 and 4 -0 respectively. First, the traveling reds at Denmark stamped their authority on the Danish side and Sir Alex accepted to have learned his lessons a few years ago. He put forth a strong side and gave the samba lad Rafael his 1st UEFA CL appearance in place of the old warrior Neville. United pressed on the gas from the start and had to wait sometime before Rooney coolly netted the first from a fine pass from the new “central midfielder” Ryan Giggs. The reds then went on to dominate possession, shots and almost everything that could be recorded as a stat till it appeared like a pre-season conditioning game. The Danes had their moments but couldn’t make it count as likes of Ferdinand and Vidic were ready to take it All day long. The feeling had set in both the dug outs and at times the ball rolled only on one side. The one way traffic soon paved way for the second as Olfers’s intended back pass sat up and only to be volleyed beautifully at the back of the net by the Berbatov for his 1st ever united goal. The brace soon followed when the Bulgarian smashed his second with exquisite technique worth 30 million from a deflected cross off Ronaldo. The Danes were exposed in defensive shortcomings and goal keeper was left helpless in most situations. Nani’s part of the game was reminiscent of some school boy stuff when his crosses and corners failed to clear the player at the near post. The shot meter kept rolling over as the teams started tiring in a monotonous game. Ronaldo had all the time and chances to make up for his missing goals from the previous games until the Danish bodies got in front of him. Rafael’s good outing was marked by his dazzling dribbling skills, his occasional solo runs and one touch play. A comprehensive win marked by an opening brace for Berbatov. Sir Alex will not have any complaints except for Scholes’s injury scare.
The Much criticized Gunners over their week end performance put up another display of a perfect team game where everybody had a memorable outing. The emirates stadium saw a fine display of free flowing football from both the sides when the Porto side afforded to attack rather than the usual strategy of the visiting teams to sit back and defend deep. The game was played unusually at the start when Arsenal played slowly and uncharacteristic of them. The home team then drew first blood when the hovering Dutchman Van persie toe-poked the ball ahead of the defender to take a 1-0 lead. Adebayor soon had a free header when Porto forgot the basics of man marking in set pieces. RVP then added a third with a cut back and a poke at the bottom left corner. Adebayor stepped in coolly to take the 4th of a penalty when Bendtner was fouled inside with a careless push. RVP and Adebayor scored braces but the highlight of the match was Walcott’s lightning runs. He deceived almost anybody with his pace and drew comparisons with former talisman Henry yet again. He could have had his name in the score sheet had he been a little better in reacting to a cut back. Nasri put in a good show despite him coming back from an injury and Fabregas was his usual with threading passes and holding possession until the re-enforcements came from. Vela came on for Theo and he seems to be knocking the door for a starting line up very soon. Sagna and Clichy had similar dashes in the flanks and put up a decent performance. When the prediction of a cricket score line over the weekend got banished by Hull, it might have once again cropped up with this comfortable win. Wenger’s men played it beautifully against the former champions of UEFA CL. As they march on, the days are not far ahead when at least half their team enter the score sheet and cricket scores are a reality.
The Much criticized Gunners over their week end performance put up another display of a perfect team game where everybody had a memorable outing. The emirates stadium saw a fine display of free flowing football from both the sides when the Porto side afforded to attack rather than the usual strategy of the visiting teams to sit back and defend deep. The game was played unusually at the start when Arsenal played slowly and uncharacteristic of them. The home team then drew first blood when the hovering Dutchman Van persie toe-poked the ball ahead of the defender to take a 1-0 lead. Adebayor soon had a free header when Porto forgot the basics of man marking in set pieces. RVP then added a third with a cut back and a poke at the bottom left corner. Adebayor stepped in coolly to take the 4th of a penalty when Bendtner was fouled inside with a careless push. RVP and Adebayor scored braces but the highlight of the match was Walcott’s lightning runs. He deceived almost anybody with his pace and drew comparisons with former talisman Henry yet again. He could have had his name in the score sheet had he been a little better in reacting to a cut back. Nasri put in a good show despite him coming back from an injury and Fabregas was his usual with threading passes and holding possession until the re-enforcements came from. Vela came on for Theo and he seems to be knocking the door for a starting line up very soon. Sagna and Clichy had similar dashes in the flanks and put up a decent performance. When the prediction of a cricket score line over the weekend got banished by Hull, it might have once again cropped up with this comfortable win. Wenger’s men played it beautifully against the former champions of UEFA CL. As they march on, the days are not far ahead when at least half their team enter the score sheet and cricket scores are a reality.
