ONE GOES UP. THE OTHER'S GOING DOWN.
United 1 - Middlesbrough 0



Last night United inched three points closer to the top after toying with 'boro for over an hour. Then they turned on the juice. At least Berbatov did. Once again he was at the right place to tap in a beauty as 'boro secured its spot near the drop zone.

The match got a little chippy, and cruelly frustrating as United hit everything but the back of the net for over an hour. But Berbatov is confident the Reds are right in the hunt for the title.

“We are there, we are right there,” he added. “We can win it and we have two games in hand. When we win them it will be good for us, but in the end I think it’s in our hands.

“Personally I have plenty more to show. But I’ll keep working and with the help of the guys I think we can do a lot."

Mad Ron vs Mad Pog
Cristiano Ronaldo had a head-to-head clash with Emanuel Pogatetz, which led to a tunnel bust up according to the Royal Rags. Ronny's not used to being choked to the ground during a routine dive. For his trouble, Pog walked away without a booking or warning. But Ronaldo wouldn't let it go and gave as good as he got in the second. A shin kick here. A hip bump there. No biggie, but quality payback.

Now it's onto the FA/Carling cup ties — Southampton & Derby County respectively. Yawn. Then the big one: Chelsea at OT. Mouthwatering. Vengeful. Hopeful. And without a doubt, doable.

Liverpool: enjoy your time at the top. Just don't buy any green bananas.

NIL BY MOUTH

UNITED 0 'SPURS 0
Boring boring boring. Another tie when a win was likely. Last weekend's ugly cup was played at the soon to be raised White Hart Lane. So dismal was this affair I won't bother with details.


I'M JUST MOANING
Why? Because all the top sides, save for the newly inducted contenders/pretenders Villa, tied. OK at least United did it away, and at a hostile environment. But Chelsea once again dropped points at the Bridge. Shameful yet predictable.

The following day the squad left for Japan. The club of the club cup or some nonsense. More silverware for the trophy case. But do they really want it?

Reports say the mood at the team hotel in Yokohama remains buoyant despite the dismal weather. Whatevs. Grab your silverware and make a B-line for Stoke away. This is one side that unnerves even the toughest opponents.

United has faced tougher competition, almost weekly. Stoke, not so much.

UNITED 1 SUNDERLAND 0
Vidic's late goal ignites United

This was supposed to be an easy one. Sunderland at OT without Keeno (hopeless, right?). To their credit Sunderland hung with United 0-0 into added time. Already feeling gutted. But then the impossible - a last minute miracle from Vidic. Right place, right time, right on target. In just his third season it's hard to imagine the Reds without him. He's vital on so many levels. A total team player.

This is the type of match champions win. With any luck, they'll continue down this path. In the short term, they next face a up/down Spurs side without the support of Evs & Rooney (penalty sit outs). Wigan, Stoke and Middllesbrough follow. I see W's. But as witnessed, anything is possible without total focus.

Speaking of which, Ronny looked hot & cold Saturday and left the match with bruised ribs. But that didn't stop him from flying to Paris Sunday to collect the Ballon d'Or. One thing is certain, his ego's never to fragile to pick up silverware, a Leeds las, or a bag of loot.

Ever get the feeling United's about to hit their stride? Sure, the big four are playing well, but no side has dominated - including United. I think that's about to change.