Can't forget what happened at old trafford. Pt 1

kasapahene

 Imitation is supposed to be the sincerest form of flattery, not a shortcut to ignominy. Elite strikers are paid to be iconoclastic assassins, not unexpected tribute acts. Yet no sooner had Wayne Rooney performed his impersonation of John Terry, circa 2008, on a penalty spot in Moscow than Fernando Torres provided reminders of another Liverpool striker of the past: not Ian Rush, Kenny Dalglish or Robbie Fowler, but 'Rocket' Ronny Rosenthal, the permanent reference point whenever a player spurns an open goal. "The worst things happen to the best strikers in the world," Andre Villas-Boas said succinctly.
Such are the fortunes of the two players that, when Rooney errs, it barely matters. When Torres misses, the consequences are considerable. Chelsea exited Old Trafford pointless and resembling a work in progress. Manchester United departed looking like probable champions.

At least, at a time when English football has been encouraged to adopt the NFL's Rooney Rule, they dispelled the theory that the term had taken on another meaning: a squat striker would score a hat-trick, regardless of the opposition, discriminating against defenders, whatever their creed or colour, their quality or qualifications.

Instead, while given the chances for a trio of trebles, the executioner-in-chief showed uncharacteristic clemency, Rooney sidefooting against a post when it seemed simpler to score and sending a spot kick spinning into the East Stand as he landed on his backside. "I was dumbstruck," Sir Alex Ferguson said, mounting his own campaign against prejudice in an ageist society by putting Chelsea's young pretender, 36 years his junior, in his place.

His other charges nevertheless showed the ruthlessness Rooney usually exhibits. Three first-half efforts on target brought a trio of goals, meaning United's five matches, three against top-six opposition, have yielded 21. A soaring Chris Smalling scored the first, heading in an Ashley Young free-kick Chelsea neglected to defend. Then Nani controlled Jonny Evans' sweeping pass, wandered infield and scored with a superlative shot. "Fantastic, unbelievable," Ferguson enthused. "A wonder goal," Villas-Boas concurred.

The third goal had a scrappiness but, for the second successive week, Phil Jones' buccaneering runs brought a reward for Rooney. He was left with a simple chance after the right-back's solo run and a hurried clearance from John Terry that rebounded off Nani.

"Three-nil at half-time is crazy," Villas-Boas said. Within a minute of the restart, the scoreline had changed. No sooner had Nicolas Anelka replaced Frank Lampard - such sudden withdrawals are becoming part of his lot in life - than the substitute sent Torres clear. A classy finish was a reminder of the Torres of old, his subsequent mishap a dramatic return to the present days when he is heckled rather than feared. "What a waste of money," was the Stretford End's inevitable response when Ramires sent Torres through and he sped past De Gea before shooting into the welcoming United fans. (To be continue)

Written by Kasapahene