Had to first make a brief comment about Rowned's cultural brilliance, but it's too bad he hijacked this thread.
Well, I'm thrilled United won, but hate how it had to go to PKs. It really tempered my excitement. Normally after a goal or a win, I'm running around my living room going absolute nuts. When Anelka's shot was blocked, I raised my hands, but that was about it. I hate to have had to win like that. I'm happy and content, but that's not a real win. Neither team is better than the other.
- BleedinGreen, major props to you and Chelsea. It's almost too bad about that Bolton goal at the end of the last game. It would be fitting if the Premier League also came down to the tie breaker (though I know that probably wouldn't matter much to you). You always behave with total class on here, so major props.
- It's too bad of the incident where Drogba got sent off. The game was hard and physical but I wouldn't say that it was cheap. The fouls and hard play was almost completely done within the context of the game. Two teams going balls out with everything they have. I thought the ref was horrible, but at least he was equally horrible. I kind of got the feeling that he did not want to have a penalty or short free kick end up deciding the game. He swallowed the whistle inside of 25 yards from goal quite a bit, so I give him credit for that.
- Also major kudos to the Chelsea fans with the "No Scouse Zone" sign. Top stuff.
- To those who commented on them playing John Denver in Moscow, that song has become a bit of an anthem at Old Trafford in recent years. It is "Take me home, United Road" (as opposed to Country Road). United Road is the name of the road that runs underneath the North stand at Old Trafford (the side opposite the TV cameras--so the one that you see--when you're watching games on TV from there). I'm sure they had some Chelsea songs playing, too.
- Sir Bobby Charlton getting the medal first (he's on the United board, FWIW) was class. 50 years ago in February he survived the plane crash in Munich that killed 8 incredible young players for United after they had just advanced to the Semi-Finals in Europe. And 40 years ago, he lifted the European Cup for Manchester United.
- Manchester United in HD =
First time I've had that pleasure. Awesome. And kudos to ESPN for NOT putting Tommy Smyth in HD. He is just not an attractive man. The less definition the better.