Just back from the match - what a day. Very little voice left and got to do it all over again on wednesday!

A terrific all round team performance and a very deserved win.

Cech - 7 Very solid. Not called on to do anything special. Was very unlucky with the goal. He got his hand to it but not quite enough to divert it wide.

Ferriera - 5 Solid enough at the back but poor going forward. Wasted at least 4 good crossing positions. Was partly culpable for their goal by playing the short freekick to Carvalho when he wasn't expecting it.

Carvalho - 6 Played much better than that but has to lose points for the careless pass to Rooney.. Otherwise was excellent.

Terry - 7.5 Was his best game for us for a while I thought. Was dominating in the air and composed on the ball.

Ashley Cole - 8 Defensively excellent and gave good support to Kalou on the right. Had no trouble with Ronaldo when he came on and capped it with a super goal line clearance.

Mikel 7.5 Had a really excellent game. Kept the ball beautifully and was part of a dominating midfield. A strong case for a start on Wednesday and much more like the performances we saw from him last year.

Essien 8 Back to his best with some driving runs and general all round excellence. Playing further forward suits him much better than playing in the holding role.

Ballack 8.5 Passed, tackled, covered superbly. Looked like he really cared and took both his goals really well. Was completely unfazed by Silvestre, Van Der Sar and Carrick trying to ruffle him before the penalty. Loved his post match interview. Today was the player I had hoped when we first signed him. Class.

Joey Cole - 6 Started very promisingly but seemed to fade as the game went on. Has been disappointing of late.

Kalou - 6.5 Frustrating. Some good touches and even worked back to help Ashley, but too often wasted good work with his final ball.

Drogba - 7.5 Worked relentlessly and was a handlful for the United defence. His work for the first goal was exceptional. The cross put some of our fullbacks and wide players efforts to shame. Ridiculous argument with Ballack over the freekick but at least he hit the target when he did take it.

Subs:

Anelka - 6 Never really got in to the game when he came on. Seems to be lacking in confidence and probably needs more playing time alongside Drogba.

Sheva - 7 Just for the goal line clearance and for keeping possession well at the end. Loved his celebration of the clearance as if he had scored.

Maka - Wasn't really on long enough to get a rating - but it was the right substitution by Avram

Overall a great day and a great game too. The team started well and Grant made the right moves when needed. Atmosphere was excellent although it did go a bit quiet when they scored. But by the end it was really rocking. I'm exhausted - felt like I kicked every ball with the boys.

Can't argue with your ratings, fair and consist. Maybe give JT that extra 0.5 to round up to 8 but other than that... spot on IMO

Absolutely spot on with your ratings here. Superb win and we just have to hope that West Ham or Wigan can produce something against ManUtd in the two remaining games.

ANd 10/10 for the crowd who really rocked today.

Ah come on, Sheva should get 10/10 for that clearance and the celebration, absoultley priceless.

An excellent set of ratings.

My only question would be over the relatively low rating for Paulo. Admittedly I only saw the game on TV but he seemed defensively excellent and that is his primary role. The Man United forwards are world class and Paulo looked in rock solid control. It was only after he was substituted (for legitimate attacking reasons) that most of the Man U goal scoring chances were created.

anyone have a video of sheva's celebration?

anyone have a video of sheva's celebration?

I'd be interested in seeing that as well. Anyone?

ANd 10/10 for the crowd who really rocked today.

Seconded. Electric today.

anyone have a video of sheva's celebration?

anyone have a video of sheva's celebration?

I'd be interested in seeing that as well. Anyone?

See this link that Abram posted in another thread, it's on there near the end.

HQ - Download And Watch 2st half Time highlight - 60MB

http://www.attube.net/view_video.php?vi ... bd0764e6ac

thanks Mod, and thanks abramovic for posting the video.

sheva's celebration (really did look like he scored a goal) is at 6:17. Actually really was a great clearance by sheva.

ya... cant agreed more.. and really 10/10 for the fans in the stadium and on my side.

Hope you guys can relive again when we meet the scouers next week..

I wanna hear your SCREAMS........................................ over here in the far east....................

KEEP IT UP..

Ballack 8.5 Passed, tackled, covered superbly. Looked like he really cared and took both his goals really well. Was completely unfazed by Silvestre, Van Der Sar and Carrick trying to ruffle him before the penalty. Loved his post match interview.

Talking about post match interviews: in MOTD, did anyone notice Grant's little smile (well, he pulled up the left corner of his mouth) when he said it was a clear penalty I couldn't decide whether he thought it was cheaply given or something else, but I actually liked him at that moment