In another fascinating chapter in the Premier League title race; United signalled their intentions with an authoratitive demolition of Chelsea, Liverpool’s lacklustre performance at Stoke, hinting Rafa possibly should’ve held his tongue? Add a Comment below and  have your say on recent events and the significance they will prove in the title race?

Rafa Benitez stands by what he said despite his sides poor performance

Personally, it was a weekend of mixed emotion, with the surrealism of a (the legend that is) Deigo Maradona appearance in the Potteries, merely adding to the peculiarity of its flavour. Elated by the performance of my first team Stoke City,  juxtaposed so indiscriminately close to such contrasting fortunes of my second team Liverpool, made for an altogether bittersweet Saturday evening, culminating in me getting my wish of Stoke being the feature match on BBC’s Match of the Day. Manchester United’s comprehensive victory against Chelsea on Sunday only enhanced this intangible emotion. 

Maradona queus for his oatcakes before heading up (H)anley for some scoops!

But despite McManaman pointing out that the title will not be won or lost at the Britannia Stadium (or ’something like…’), I have this horrible overriding suspicion that Stoke City’s two remarkable draws against Liverpool this season, might yet play a major part in deciding its outcome. I just hope Stoke receive more recognition for such Stella performances against the big  teams (not forgetting how fortuitous Man Utd were against Stoke City at Christmas), especially when you consider they did enough to win this particular encounter. Results like these may not decide the title race, but they could prove vital in keeping clubs, like Stoke, in this division. Stoke City are making me feel extremely proud right now, and if Liverpool’s title challenge happens to capitulate, their much unfancied Premier League survival, may well provide stoic consolation.

Will Rafa’s words come back to haunt him and Liverpool; and has Ferguson finally got under the skin of the usually so diplomatic Spaniard? Or was Benitez right to say what he said, and will it eventually plant seeds of doubt in the minds of referees throughout the land, assisting his sides assault on the title? Judging by yesterday’s game, I remain sceptical, especially after Chelsea, whom I feel were treated harshly; and seeing loud mouth Rooney go unpunished for his typically United outbursts.

John Terry - Is this the end for him and Chelsea?

Yesterday for me nevertheless did insinuate the end of an era of Chelsea’s dominance, and a removal of the Abramovich factor, as not only do the careers of Lampard, Drogba and Ballack (all the wrong side of thirty), seem to be diminishing, but so too does it look prematurely ominous for their two main stalwarts: Terry and Petr Cech; both of whom seem shadows of their former selves. And despite United knowing more coherent days, the evergreen Giggs and irritating Neville appear revitalised specimens by comparison.

For all those who missed Ferguson’s response to Benitez’s scything yet measured attack, here it is:

Is this the end then for Chelski? Have United proved once again to be the dominant irremovable force at the summit of English football? And has Rafa contributed to his Liverpool side’s own demise? Let us know what you think by adding a comment below.
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