Manchester United-Premiership Win
Victory over Sheffield United Keeps the Pressure on Chelsea
Manchester United's win over Sheffield United puts the pressure on Chelsea in the Premiership title race. Defeat for Sheffield United keeps them in relegation trouble.
The battle for the Premiership title continued with Manchester United’s win at Old Trafford over relegation strugglers, Sheffield United. The victory opened a gap at the top of the table with United now having a six point lead over Chelsea who play West Ham United at Upton Park this evening.
The match at Old Trafford went much as one would have expected with the title challengers seeing off the side struggling to maintain their place in the Premiership following last season’s promotion. Sheffield United went into the game having improved their position with a win at the weekend over West Ham United. However, Manchester United had their own ambitions in mind – mainly hoping to win the ‘treble’ of Premiership, FA Cup and European Champions League.
Manchester United were without two of their top players, defender, Rio Ferdinand and goalkeeper, Edwin Van der Sar who were recovering from injuries sustained in the FA Cup semi-final game at the weekend. However, two goals, one at the start of each half secured the Manchester side’s victory.
Michael Carrick, Manchester United’s summer signing from Tottenham Hotspur, set his team off on the right foot by scoring after four minutes - his third goal in three games, bringing his total for the season to six. A second goal scored by Wayne Rooney at the start of the second half ensured the home side’s victory. The only moment of danger for United’s defence came in the final moments of the game when a shot from Michael Tonge hit the bar.
Sheffield United’s defeat hasn’t helped in their attempts to avoid relegation, leaving them just one place and two points above the drop zone. They now have four games left to ensure their place in the Premiership for next year.
Having secured the points in their game Manchester United will now watch anxiously as Chelsea try to play catch-up by winning their game over West Ham who are currently in 19th position in the League, five points from safety with only five games remaining. Chelsea will be confident of victory over a club facing the drop into the Championship as they have only lost once in the Premiership since early November, a defeat at Liverpool, while West Ham suffered a massive blow to their survival hopes by losing to Sheffield United on Saturday. Chelsea will have to be careful as West Ham have defeated both Manchester United and Arsenal at their home ground this season. In fact, they completed the ‘double’ over Arsenal when they defeated them recently at the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea will be just as determined to succeed against West Ham as United were against Sheffield United, as they hope to make a clean sweep of the trophies by claiming all four that are up for grabs.
An exciting end to the season is assured where both the title race and the relegation struggle are concerned.
