There were three mid-week games this week with the top three teams all involved. Tuesday saw Manchester United travel to St. James' to face Newcastle in the fixture that was due to take place last weekend, but Manchester United were involved in the FA Cup semi-finals, which they lost. Questions were asked whether United would suffer an FA Cup hangover but the answer was almost a no within two minutes; Carrick finding a beautiful cross-field ball to the returning Rooney, Rooney then laid the ball across the box where Hernandez was waiting four yards out to tap it in, but Krul bravely saved Hernandez's shot and Newcastle escaped. From there Newcastle grew in confidence and were all over Man United but just couldn't find the breakthrough. The second half saw Man United start better but just couldn't break Newcastle down, the first bit of controversy came just before the hour mark when Lovenkrands went down in the box; he dribbled through two defenders before Anderson stuck out a leg, the ball moved as if Anderson had kicked it away but it was actually Lovenkrands before slight contact was made. Referee Kevin Friend said play on but Newcastle arguably had a case. The second bit of controversy came in injury time when Hernandez went down in the box after Danny Simpson left his leg out, this time there seemed to be less if any contact and Hernandez was booked for simulation. The game therefore finished goalless moving Newcastle to ninth on goal difference.
Wednesday's games were the reschedulements due to the League Cup final. Arsenal had a chance to close the gap on United away to Tottenham. It turned out to be a thriller with Arsenal breaking the deadlock after five minutes with Walcott scoring. However the lead lasted only two minutes when Van der Vaart equalised. Arsenal then re-took the lead after twelve minutes with Nasri getting the goal before Van Perise made it 3-1 five minutes before half-time. Earlier on this season Arsenal lead 2-0 at half-time before losing 3-2 and Huddlestone pulled a goal back just before half-time to make it 3-2 here. The sixth goal was a penalty when Szczesny brought down Lennon, Van Der Vaart stepped up and converted the penalty to make the final score 3-3. Tottenham are now just two points behind Manchester City.
The winners of the League Cup, Birmingham, headed to Stamford Bridge in a crucial match at both ends of the table. But it wasn't looking good for Birmingham as Chelsea took the lead within three minutes with Malouda getting the goal. Kalou made it 2-0 after 26 minutes before Malouda wrapped it up two minutes after the hour mark. Birmingham did get a consolation when Luiz brought Derbyshire down in the box after 76 minutes, Larsson converted it but the score finished 3-1. Birmingham stay fifteenth, five points ahead of relegation.
United's draw sees them now six points ahead of Arsenal but Chelsea are now second on goal difference after closing the gap. Harry Redknapp said Arsenal have no chance of winning the league now and many have already written off Chelsea but United's next five games reads as this: Everton (h), Schalke (a), Arsenal (a), Schalke (h), Chelsea (h). So the next two weeks are going to be extremely crucial in the league and for Manchester United's season.
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