With our best player and deadliest striker in the league out with an injury, and with just about 4 matches to the end of the premier league season, fear is the name of the game for me right now. Can United still win the league?.

First was the defeat at Bayern in the first leg of the UCL quarter finals, then came the shocking defeat to Chelsea at Old Trafford, then came the exit from the UCL, and then this draw at Blackburn. Men, i can’t remember the last time we went through such a barren spell.

With Chelsea also out of the Champions League and wounded, they are going to do anything to make sure they win the league. Therein also lies the hope for all Red Devils. The blues have to play 2 difficult away games in Tottenham and Liverpool. United will Tottenham at Old Trafford, and i reckon that Chelsea’s remaining games are potentially tougher than United’s, and in football, don’t discount anything.

I do believe that United can still win the league if we win all of our remaining matches and hope that Chelsea faulters. I know folks are asking, how about Asernal. Guys, the Gunners are a good side, but they lack the mental toughness that will drive them the remaining crucial games, even though, on paper, the have the easiest games remaining. But guys sincerely speaking, they are no easy games in the premier league these days. Take to the field against today’s Fulham, and you will know what i am talking about.

UNITED FOR LIFE

A Darren Bent short hit a red beach ball that had Reyna fooled into diving to save the beach ball,instead of the deflected ball that ricocheted into the net for the only goal of the match.

This incident raises a lot of questions concerning referees and the decisions they sometimes allow to stand. In my opinion, the goal should never have been allowed to stand. Its so unfair.

A fourth defeat of the league season will only add to the question marks over Liverpool’s title credentials after they were outplayed without injured midfielder Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres.

Ahead of a week in which they face a crucial Uefa Champions League tie against Lyon and host Manchester United, they only added weight to critics who label them a two-man team.

Liverpool were lethargic and looked at unease with a 5-4-1 formation manager Rafael Benitez had opted for as he tried to cope with injuries and tiredness after the recent internationals.

Benitez was probably hoping that full-backs Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio, as well as wingers Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun, would have more of an impact going forward.

But Sunderland, with a near-capacity 47,000 crowd behind them, did not let Liverpool settle and aggressively took control of the game before being rewarded with the lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances.

Bent’s shot went in off a beach ball and, to compound Liverpool’s misery, it was one punched on to the pitch by one of their own fans. A clear case of one causing one’s own downfall you might say..

Oh! for the records, Chelsea were beaten by Aston Villa, while Manchester United and Arsenal both won at home respectively.

Before this math, two things were on my mind. We needed to get the maximum points but we also needed to confirm that we rule the city of Manchester when it comes to football.

If we drew or perhaps lost, Manchester City fans would have bragged that their big money spending were paying. But if you asked me though, i would tell you that Man City should now be taken very seriously in the premier league. But what a goal by Owen

But one just wonders what might have been the outcome had the penalty not been given, or Diaby’s late own goal. Anyhow, somebody had to win the match and i am glad that it’s Man Utd that won it.

Other results of note are that of Spurs’ 2-1 win over Birmingham to keep their 100% start to the new season, their best in years.

Liverpool finally came good today beating Bolton by 3-1, delight for Benitez, and of course Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Burnely. End of a fairytale two weeks for Burnely you would say.

Rooney's moment

Villa had been heavily criticised after losing their opening home game to Wigan Athletic and slumping to defeat in the Europa League against Rapid Vienna – but they answered all the questions in emphatic fashion at Anfield.

Liverpool faded after a bright start, and have now lost as many league games as they did last season following losses against Spurs and now Villa.

Anfield was left frustrated as Liverpool wasted the opportunities that came their way, but ultimately they were reduced to running up blind alleys, and out of ideas, in the face of Villa’s resilience.

Villa were set on their way after 34 minutes when Lucas deflected Ashley Young’s free-kick into his own net, and they grabbed a second on the stroke of half-time when Curtis Davies headed in Nicky Shorey’s corner at the near post.

Liverpool surged forward after the break, but met a white wall of resistance as Villa defended their precious lead, with Carlos Cuellar outstanding and goalkeeper Brad Friedel a commanding presence.

Fernando Torres gave Liverpool hope with a close-range strike after 72 minutes, but any hopes of a dramatic revival ended three minutes later when Steven Gerrard brought down Nigel Reo-Coker and Young scored from the spot.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill was elated – and rightly so as his side got their season up and running with a landmark victory.

For Liverpool, they will now simply have to produce better – and more creative – performances as they chase their first title in 20 years.

One just wonders what will happen to the much touted acclaim by a lot of people that Liverpool’s wait for the premier league title could be over this season.

Quite frankly, i don’t see the Reds picking it this season with such displays, and with the other big boys and Manchester City started so well already.

My problem with them though is that they are very inconsistent. Much like Arsenal, they knock the ball around very well but in contrast to the Gunners, score goals easily.

With all of these in mind, i wander why they don’t at least finish in the top four of the league table. Maybe that is about to change as they have started this season so very well and now lead the league table.

Early days yet, but i think Spurs have got what it takes to hang on to top spot at least till December.

Aaron Lennon kept up Tottenham’s 100% start to the season as he grabbed his side’s winner at West Ham.

They have a free flowing style of play and i just wander if they can  keep playing like that come December. Its not so often a small team that just gained promotion into the elite division have the confidence to play their own style of football.

It just makes me remember Hull City last season when they stayed for a couple of weeks in the top half of the premier league table, only to fall way down the table when the tough got going.

But i guess its a case of making the most of the opportunity you are presented. If the big teams won’t beat you, then beat them and get your points. It helps you stay in the league you know.

Oh! Saha missed a penalty. I thought these big players are not supposed to miss spot kicks. At least Everton could have gotten a draw.

Secondly, i welcome everybody into the new English Premier league season. As we all know, the season has started with  a huge surprise already. Burnely has put the first dent on our season and that really hurts. Not a team that has spent the last 5 to 10 seasons in the premier league, but a team that was last there some 30+ years ago. That really hurts you know.

Don’t wanna sound too gloomy, its a brand new season and we still have many weeks and matches to go, and i know come season end, we, the “Red Devils” will be champions again. We know how to do this things .

So, this is a brand new blog and a brand new season, i can only say ‘Welcome’.