The big questions for Chelsea and Man Utd

Yesterday, Chelsea saw their excellent 40 match unbeaten run end at Old Trafford which has historically been a happy hunting ground for them. This now raised several very interesting questions that only time and games can answer.

Firstly to the victors. Over the past month or so Utd have been getting lots of bad press regarding their performances and a few hacks have once again tried to suggest this could be the end of the Utd era. While there has certainly been cause to question Utd that did seem a little premature. Inept and soulless performances against Boro and Lille left even their own captain questioning the commitment and ability of members of the squad. This appeared to have the desired affect as against Chelsea the team played with more purpose than in any other game this season.

Ferguson, having clearly taken note of the suggestions from this board, dropped the 4-5-1 and went with the tried and trusted 4-4-2 and with great results in the first half where Utd deserved their fortuitous lead. The defence also answered a few critics as they defend as a team and held strong against wave after wave of Chelsea attacks in the second half.

The big question for Utd is can they now keep it going? It’s easy to raise your game for the visit of the Champions and big pressure cooker games but with the less glamorous games of Charlton and West Ham to come after the international break will the passion and desire clearly on display yesterday still be there? Will Ferguson stick with the 4-4-2 that worked so well yesterday?

As for Chelsea everyone has been waiting for them to lose a game to see how they will react. Much has been made of how Arsenal felt the loss of their unbeaten run at OT last year was a psychological blow that sent their form into a tail spin. Will the same now happen to Chelsea?

One thing in Chelsea’s favour is that there was not the emotional investment in the game that Arsenal had last year. The game ended and the players and management teams shook hands (although the Chelsea side of things looked understandably glum). Last year after Chelsea lost, again in Manchester, to City they went on a run of seven straight wins. Can they put in that sort of run again to get back on track?

I also think the international break can help. Usually teams claim they would like a match as soon as possible to set things right but I feel that with the (as yet only minor) wobble Chelsea have had a pause for reflection and to catch our breaths can be just what the doctor ordered.

The run of games up to Christmas will go a long way to answering both of the big questions. Are Utd back? And has Chelsea’s bubble finally burst?


BlindJak