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Worthy Champions
Published by Ian John on May 17, 2009
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Congratulations to Manchester United, impressive and deserving winners of the English Premier League championship for the 11th time. Their goalless draw on Saturday against Arsenal giving them the final point they needed to secure the title with a game remaining, meaning that while next weeks game against Hull City will be meaningless for United and allow them to focus fully on the Champions League final in Rome the following Wednesday, against Barcelona, who like United were crowned Champions of their domestic league this weekend.
United’s success this campaign has been built upon consistency and picking up vital points at the right time. It is a hallmark of the great teams that they can play below par, and still pick up the points. It is also a hallmark of great teams that they can go one, or even two, goals down and still come back to get something from the game. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have proven this time and time again over the season and this resilience, allied to their undoubted quality and strength in depth, that has been the bedrock of United’s 11th Premier League title triumph.
With Sir Alex stating that it will be his health that dictates when he retires and that he feels strong enough for at least one more season, those fans of other teams (no doubt hoping for some kind of implosion when Sir Alex finally does relinquish control) will have to wait still longer for the greatest manager of the modern era to finally take a well deserved rest from the game. Having drawn equal yesterday with Liverpool’s 18 league titles, and having the possibility next season to overtake the Reds, seems to invigorate Sir Alex. He will also know that victory in the Champions League Final on Wednesday will take United to four Champions League triumphs, only one behind their long time rivals from along the M62.
Liverpool fans may point to the fact that United have not taken a point off the Reds this season, and they will have happy memories of their 4-1 victory at Old Trafford earlier in the season, but the fact remains is that Rafa Benitez men could have won the title. Many Liverpool fan has said they threw the title away, the truth is that they drew it away. Far too many points were dropped at fortress Anfield in drawn games against the likes of Fulham, Manchester City, West Ham and Stoke City. Eight points dropped which would not only have seen the title race still alive to the wire, but would have left Liverpool needing a win today to lift the title. Certainly Rafa Benitez can claim to have closed the gap on Manchester United, however this lack of consistency, the Robbie Keane transfer debacle and the lack of Fernando Torres in tandem with Steven Gerrard for large chunks of the season all took their toll. However it was Liverpool’s inability to break down inferior teams that really cost them the title. How much of that is down to missing players, or the managers own cautious tactics and style of play, is open to conjecture.
Chelsea can also point to poor home form as the reason behind them not being closer to United. The seemingly impregnable Stamford Bridge was finally breached when Liverpool visited earlier in the season and certainly under Luis Felipe Scolari, while Chelsea were imperious on their travels, they struggled for form and lacked confidence in home games, dropping points which they could and should have taken.
However it is wrong to suggest that United are champions due to any failings with Liverpool or Chelsea. They are deserved champions by their own merit. They have not played the flowing football this season that perhaps they have in the past, but there has been a dogged determination not to let points drop.
It will be an interesting Summer. Liverpool could finish a point behind United, certainly their best ever Premier League result, Chelsea too will not be far behind. Arsenal are showing signs of resurgence in the latter half of the season. Everton and Aston Villa are emerging as potential challengers to the top four. Tottenham under Harry Redknapp have shown top six form for the past few months. With many players earmarked to come and go, this summer could well see the gap closed on United yet again.
However, regardless of all these side issues, with Sir Alex still in charge, United fans will be more than confident of making it twelve Premier League titles in 2010.
The challenge has been laid down and now it is up to the rest of the Premier League to close the gap.
Image Courtesy of **Nov Rain** at Flickr.com
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Nabyl Charania on Sun, 17th May 2009 9:58 am
At least there was some sort of race towards the end of the season. It wasn’t a good game against Arsenal but Man U got the job done. Another year, another title, on to Roma for the Champions League.