Tevez and a team effort to the semis

United 5-3 Blackburn Rovers
Carling Cup 5th Round

Tevez v. The Rovers from biffadigital on Vimeo.
If we didn't have tickets we would have stayed in with the radio coverage. A bitter cold night, ice on the side roads surrounding home, traffic chaos in Manchester with two matches on one night. Got a taxi up to Warwick Road with gritted roads, bright lights and crowds sauntering to the stadium. Glad we went.

The match livened up after the first goal, settled down after the second. Tevez showed how he is a class player. Phenomenal work rate, with four goals he deserved to collect the match ball and have it gold plated. Anderson I rated as well with his unselfish play.

At 4-1 you'd have thought the game over. The people in front left, the kids were well over-tired and still twenty minutes to go. Some unfocused defending and it's 4-2, then 4-3. You do not want a late night watching extra time in these temperatures. But up pops Anderson to commit the goalie and pass to Tevez to settle it at 5-3.

Tried some live blogging. Exaggerate it was live score updates from a mobile phone to Twitter and a friend watching the Bitters on the Tv, and uploaded a picture....

Game 54, admission £35, taxi £5.

Tevez v. QPR

United 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
Carling Cup 4th Round : attendance 62,539

Tevez v. QPR from biffadigital on Vimeo.
Not the most thrilling game. In fact the first half was pretty dull for me, and wanted half time to come along so I could eat my confectionary and stand up. The QPR fans were in the Upper East Stand, singing like it was their cup final. Pity their team didn't respond by showing an inclination to attack.

Danny Welback came on in the second half. Thought there might be a goal now. For all the running and work done by Tevez we deserve to win this. Well it was not from open play but a penalty after Danny Welback got brought down in the box. Being a goal down QPR started to do a bit of attacking, about time. So a few late scares, dreading extra time. Bringing on Vidic, and time wasting to protect the one goal lead. There was no way United would get one past Cerny the QPR keeper who had a great game.

Went home tutting and a bit downhearted. A game United dominated but failed to capitalise on their chances. Tevez needs a strike partner and it isn't Nani.

Game 51; admission £35, half time snack a Snicker bar, the Biffa herself had a Crunchie.

Ease Past M'Boro in the Carling

United 3-1 Middlesboro
Carling Cup 3rd Round; att: 53,729

Well clearly the Carling Cup is never a priority, with 23,000 empty seats you could still have got a ticket on the day. Charging full price instead of a few quid less like all the previous seasons is a bit cheeky. But on the plus side it gives supporters without a season ticket a chance to see Giggs, Ronaldo, Vidic, even Stuart Downing on the pitch. For me I wanted to see Possebon, Manucho and Rafael Da Silva - the lads coming through get a game with a big crowd.

The start was nearly all United possession in the first half though with not much to show. Up pops Ronaldo for a corner to make it 1-0 after about 25 minutes. Second half Middlesboro get one back with a powerful shot after a poor clearance.

There was the unfortunate ugly tackle on Rodrigo Possebon. Straight red without doubt, and you know it was serious with medics and stretchers on straight away. Up until then Possebon in my opionion was the best player on the field. The injury marred the evening. There was nine minutes extra time.

We got to see two goals at our end from Giggs and Nani. We'd have seen some more but their goalie Jones was playing well. Manucho came on, he's tall, is he the biggest player out there? Almost scored with his first touch. Can't judge on someone coming on as late sub.

Tried to make a little movie with my new mobile phone using the basic editing software supplied on the device. The idea was to upload it as a rough cut straight after the match. The result is above. Notice the empty seats, the injury bit and I missed the goals as too busy concentrating on the game.

Carling Crash to Coventry

Looking on the bright side, we won't be shelling out anymore money for the Carling Cup for another 12 months. On the down side we basically don't have a second team - John O'Shea was captain and the most experienced player in a red shirt. By half time we could have easily have been 3 goals down. It got colder (7 degrees), the Coventry fans got louder, a second goal all over...last ten minutes was a shambles. At this point I watch the electronic clock and observed when people are going to leave. Massive exodus at 12 mins to go, then the usual departures at 5 minutes left. The Coventry fans cheered it out - savouring every minute. Lost 0-2. Last year it happened at Southend United away. Does it mean anything? It does, but only if you win. Stats : 74,055 official attendance (11,000 from Coventry City), but I reckon that was tickets sold and 5,000 failed to show. Tyrell's Crisps are now on sale, replacing Walker's but I've not bought anything at OT for 2 years. Good full moon shining over the ground tonight. Does it mean anything? It does, but you'll have to ask somebody else.