West Bromwich Albion 0-5 Manchester United

At last we got the kind of performance away from home that we had been lacking so far this season. And it has brought our goal difference equal with Chelsea if probably for only one night.
It was the performance more than the five goals that pleased me most last night. The passing was pretty good all night, the movement was excellent and once United got into the box they always looked like scoring and when they didn't it was more a case of Carson making a good save than a forward wasting a chance.
The big surprise of the night was the inclusion of Ferdinand in the back four, and what a welcome one. Evans has done great in his absence but Ferdinand has still been missed for his passing at the back and out of defence as much as his defending. And when we heard Brown was on the bench it just emphasised the depth of the squad. When Evra is fit again it is going to be a question of players not even making the bench.
United started reasonably brightly although the baggies did have one slight chance as Van Der Sar flapped at a cross with a poor punch that saw the resulting tame shot cleared off the line. Berbatov then was almost put through but Carson was quickly off his line to smother the Bulgarian's effort. The goal wasn't far from coming though and this time Berbatov made no mistake following a one two with Carrick that put him through. Ronaldo and Tevez amongst others had more chances to add to the lead but the quality build up play wasn't getting the finishing touches that it deserved.
When Robinson got sent off not long before the break it looked like the 3 points were probably in the bag. With all the different TV angles it may have looked a harsh sending off, but when you saw it from the view the ref had i don't think he had much choice as he just lunged in with both feet. When Carson dropped the ball invitingly at Tevez's feet in the last minute of the half and the Argentine made no mistake with the gift it was definitely all over.
But credit to West Brom they kept trying to play football in the second half and were unlucky when Donk hit the post after about an hour. But of course that meant they left themselves open to United to attack which they did with real purpose for once away from home this season. The form players of the last month offensively have definitely been Carrick, Giggs, Berbatov and finally Tevez showing us the form he showed last season and at the beginning of this season. It would seem Tevez is one of those players who has to be playing all the time to show his true form. Though of course whenever Rooney is fit again i would think he will have to settle for a spell on the bench again.
The third goal was a pretty poor one for them to concede defensively as Vidic met a corner unmarked to head home. He has scored a few goals over the last couple of months now. The next goal followed a neat passage of passes that eventually saw Giggs tee up Ronaldo who made no mistake to make it 4-0. Brown was now introduced to have a gentle run out to emphasise the depth of the squad at Fergies disposal. Berbatov now took the opportunity to show us that he is as good at making goals as scoring them as fed Ronaldo who again made no mistake to notch the 5th. United seem to be stepping up another gear at just the right stage of the season. Will anybody be able to keep up with us, i think i rather doubt it.

Henry Winter in the Telegraph on the match
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/4360272/Manchester-United-stroll-past-West-Bromwich-Albion-as-Edwin-van-der-Sar-sets-record.html

Van Der Sar hailed as defence breaks premier league record, it's a nice record to have. I know a mean defence is essential to winning the league but United are all about attack really aren't we, so let's hope last night is the start of a goal scoring rush for the rest of the season. I know you can't win 5-0 every game but a few more goals would be welcome and this squad has surely got them in it. Berbatov in particular is really starting to look the part now.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1093425_hero_edwin_hailed_by_reds

Should Chelsea be ruing the fact that they didn't go after Alves. Sid Lowe thinks he is almost as important to Barca as Messi, high high praise
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/jan/26/dani-alves-barcelona-leo-messi

BBC to keep match of the day package. I'm not a fan of the smug Linaker or the boring Shearer, but ITV is pretty woeful so i can't complain.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/bbc-extends-premier-league-highlights-deal-1518768.html

Johann Hari on repressive religion
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-why-should-i-respect-these-oppressive-religions-1517789.html

Craig Murray has a good piece on the lords scandal and includes thsis piece on foreign policy
http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2007/08/theres_good_mon.html#comments

Will Hutton thinks employers are getting too little help
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/27/jobs-government-help


Simon Jenkins thinks the Government are still in awe of bankers, you know the ones who fucked everything up
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/28/credit-crunch-comment

Anatole Kaletsky on the Davos World economic forum
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/anatole_kaletsky/article5607339.ece

Putin blames the US for the economic crisis, fair enough up to a point i suppose, but they are a nice scapegoat for his own inept handling of his own economy aren't they.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/wef/article5607474.ece