Sportsnob – Critics Corner

Manchester United moved back to the top of the Premiership table last night with a deserved 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers – even if they made it look fairly difficult. Considering the close nature of the battle for the league title – United will be very happy with three points, which is all that counts at the end of the day, really.

United didn’t look as toothless as I expected them to without the injured Wayne Rooney, creating a fair bit through some excellent interplay and counter attacks. Wolves might feel just disappointed though, given the fact that they had a couple of excellent chances in the first half – Steven Ward really should have netted a free header from 8 yards out. Sam Vokes blew a golden opportunity to draw Wolves level in injury time, somehow scooping the ball over the bar from 6 yards out with only the goalie to beat.

Paul Scholes netted the only goal of the game 18 minutes from time, when he took advantage of a poor clearance by Jody Craddock, shimmying away from a couple of challenges before driving it in low to Marcus Hahnemann’s right. It was the 100th league goal of Scholes’ stellar career – a career which has seen him win everything there is to win at club level, but still keep a low profile and a well-checked ego.  It’s fantastic that in an age dominated by agents, mercenaries and WAGs – Scholes has managed to continue to remain the consummate professional.  Lessons to be learnt for Messrs Terry, Lampard, Gerrard and co.

Elsewhere, Arsenal managed to assert their authority over Burnley with a 3-1 win at the Emirates. Theo Walcott and Andre Arshavin scored after David Nugent had equalized Cesc Fabregas’ opener, taking the Gunners level on points with Chelsea. The West London side doesn’t play a league game this weekend, having the small matter of what should be a routine victory over Stoke City in the FA Cup Quarter Finals to take care of on Sunday. With just nine games to go (ten for Chelsea), the topsy-turvy premier league season is definitely going down to the wire. And with three teams still in the fray – it promises to be an exciting run-in.

On paper Arsenal seem to have the easiest run in – with only Birmingham, Tottenham, Fulham and Manchester City remaining to play from the top half of the league table.  But Arsenal have found themselves in similar situations over the past three or four years before choking and it remains to be seen if the same will happen this year.

Chelsea who seemed to be running away with the title not long back also have to play Spurs and will be traveling to Anfield  in May – and that will not be easy considering Liverpool will be looking to cement fourth spot. Of course, there is the small matter of traveling to Manchester to play United at Old Trafford.  United probably have the toughest run in – having to host Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and having to make the short trip across town to play Manchester City. The one thing they have going for them of course is the fact that they have had done this over the past three years.