The great thing about football is that just when you think you know it all, it comes back to bite you on the behind. All the media were declaring the race for the Premier League was over at the weekend. How wrong they were.
Everyone was convinced that Manchester United would turn up the DW Stadium and get their usual three points over Roberto Martinez’s plucky Wigan Athletic side. Well surprise surprise, United slumped to a defeat.
So now United’s lead at the top of the table over Roberto Mancni’s Manchester City is back to 5 points after City convincingly beat West Brom at the Ethiad with Carlos Tevez even getting on the score-sheet to cap a great night for the Blue half of Manchester.
Wigan to their credit got the three points. They were the better side on the night and needed a win to not be cast off adrift at the bottom of the table along with Terry Connor’s doomed Wolves side who lost again tonight at home to Arsenal.
The fact Ali Al-Habsi only had to make one real save all night told the whole story as United in particular Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick in midfield never got going. Even Wayne Rooney saw little of the ball; it was just one of those nights.
Mind you David De Gea wasn’t exactly worked but Wigan inspired by Victor Moses (who harshly saw a goal ruled out in the first-half) took advantage and never gave United time to settle into the game, pressing the ball at every opportunity.
The Premier League is never an easy league to win. Every point has to be earned and now the pressure will fall back on City to beat Norwich on Sunday and put more pressure on United who face Aston Villa at Old Trafford in the later kick-off.
Perhaps this is the kick up the backside that United’s players will need and remind them that there are always twists and turns. They knew that going into tonight’s game and should make up for it at the weekend. Hold your hats fans It’s a nasty ride in store.
Adam Dennehey
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