Manchester United 3-3 CSKA Moscow

Well what a game of football that was. I have to admit i go to these european qualifying games not expecting too much in the way of entertainment these days. The quality of the opposition combined with our European tactics and the aim of just doing enough to save themselves for the premiership means that is a pretty justified expectation usually. But last night you wouldn't have guessed that they were the same team we played in Moscow. They had good players, passed well and really took the game to us when they had the ball. Allied to that our defensive woes continue whoever plays centre half it seems.
Even though we went in 2-1 down at half time i thought our attacking performance was an improvement on some of the not too imaginative fare we have had to endure at times this season. Owen and Macheda started up front meaning we played 4-4-2 with Fletcher coming into midfield alongside Scholes. Even though he didn't reach the heights of his form before his enforced layoff i thought he still showed why we have missed him. I even had him for first goal and he nearly repaid me with a fine shot that flew just wide. He showed his usual energy and good use of the ball collecting the ball constantly off Van Der Sar and the centre halves. Nani was given another go on the left and Valencia started on the right. I was a bit surprised that Valencis started as he has played about 5 games on the trot now. It was a good job he did though as yet again he was one of our very best players on the night. Nani disappointed again and when he was took off to allow Rooney to come on it said everything to me that Fergie preferred to put Macheda, an out and out centre forward on the left rather than keep Nani on. Macheda and Owen had reasonable games and indeed Owen should have scored after 5 minutes but miscued a Valencia cross. It's a bit disturbing how Owen seems to need 2 great chances before he gets his goal and it almost always seems to be the second chance he tucks away. There will be games where he won't get that second chance. Evans and Van Der Sar have come in for a bit of stick over the first goal but i thought it was a great shot. It didn't take long for us to equalise as Nani's one good moment of the night saw him flick on Valencia's cross onto the right foot of Owen who turned and despatched the ball into the corner of the net. But just minutes later the Russinas were back in front as Krasic ghosted himself into the penalty area and round Van Der Sar to fire home. I really liked the look of Krasic he looked a real quality player. They had played well but i don't think we deserved to go in behind at half time.
But worse was to come as United conceded a really soft goal from a set piece as Beretzutski crept in unmarked at the far post to head home. We were really up against it now as their confidence was sky high and as we left ourselves open chasing the game and they looked threatning on the break. Rooney surprisingly on the bench after the birth of the baby was now warming up and eventually came on for the hapless Nani. And for the last half hour United attacked like we have only really seen in the second half performance against City this season. But potential United target Akinfeev was having a stormer in goal has repelling all comers. He had made some fine saves in the first half but he really earned his corn and wasn't to blame for any of the goals. The big talking point of the night was the refs decision to book Fletcher for a supposed dive when he had blatantly been tripped in the penalty area. It couldn't really have been a more obvious penalty and showed that whilst Champions league referee's in general seem to be much better our premier league refs there is always one bad'un, i suppose.
Five minues from time the pressure at last told as Scholes nodded home Gary Neville's free kick. Fergie has praised Neville's performance as like Gary Neville at his peak and i can't argue with that. He was a big part of our siege of the Moscow half in the last half hour as he overlapped and crossed like the last three years had never happened. He seems to have a good understanding with Valencia and if he can perform like that in consecutive games he would be worth a go against Chelsea as think O'Shea needs to be given a bit of reminder that the right back spot is not automatically his. The other big part of the comeback was the introduction of Evra who was oustanding going forward and linked up well with Macheda who had a reasonable game out of position on the left and then with Obertan when he came on who looked more like the Obertan we saw against Barnsley. Obertan caused CSKA more problems in the 10 minutes he was on than Nani had in the hour that he was on the pitch. The equaliser was lucky when it came as Valencia's shot took a deflection that gave Akinfeev no chance but it was thoroughly deserved and capped off a fine evening of football.

The Independent's match report
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/rooneys-inspiration-sees-united-through-1814304.html

Ferguson not happ about Flecther's booking
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/nov/04/sir-alex-ferguson-cska-moscow

Our defensive problems continue
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/6497357/Jonny-Evans-and-Wes-Brown-give-Manchester-United-cause-for-concern.html

Simon Jenkins on what passes for our ludicous drugs policy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/nov/03/nutt-johnson-drugs-rightwing-press

Whilst Andrew Sullivan in the times thinks that in 10 years time the US will have legalised Marajuana and that people will comare our present drug laws as we consider prohibition. I am not sure about the 10 year part but i am sure that it will be compared to prohibition in the future because that is what it deseves to be compared with.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6897958.ece