Barcelona 5 RM 0 - Not So Special against the Best Team

The Special One suffered his most humiliated defeat in his managerial career.

The Spanish press was littered with words such as 'thrashed', 'humiliated' and 'ridiculed' following Barcelona's comprehensive 5-0 defeat of arch rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou.

Madrid went into el clasico unbeaten in 19 competitive matches under new coach Jose Mourinho and boasting a one-point lead over second-placed Barca at the top of the Primera Division, but they were swept aside in stunning fashion by Pep Guardiola's troops.

Goals from Xavi and Pedro put the hosts 2-0 up after 18 minutes and then another of Barca`s World Cup-winning contingent David Villa added a quickfire brace at the start of the second half to make if 4-0 inside an hour.

Guardiola's side, who have now won five successive matches against Madrid - including a similarly emphatic 6-2 mauling at the Bernabeu in 2009, added a fifth goal in stoppage-time through Jeffren before Madrid lost Sergio Ramos to a straight red card for scything down Lionel Messi.

This morning's newspapers in Spain were universal in their reporting of Barca's overwhelming dominance in what had been one of the most eagerly awaited clasicos in recent times.

The front page of Catalonia-based daily Sport had a picture of a splayed hand with the headline: '5-0. Slap to Mourinho. Thrashing, humiliation and leaders!'

It added: 'Footballing lesson from Barca to Madrid who received another historic thrashing at the Camp Nou.'

Sport, who also advertised on its front page T-shirts commemorating the victory, added inside: 'Another golden page for Barca. Spectacular game of the Azulgranas which ridiculed their rivals. The humiliation left Mourinho hiding on the bench.

The whole world saw how there is still no team like Barca.'

Sport's fellow Barcelona-based paper El Mundo Deportivo's front cover was emblazoned with a huge 5-0 over the picture of Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes and centre-back Gerard Pique holding up their hands up with fingers outstretched in celebration of the result.

It's headline read: 'Madrid thrashed!'

Madrid-based Marca also praised Barca but pointed an accusing finger at referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez as well.

On it's online edition the headlines were: 'Slap to Real Madrid' and 'This Barca is a machine'.

The Five in Seven Wonders!

Park scored the 2nd in the 7-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Dimitar Berbatov became the fourth player in Premier League history to score five in a match.

Berbatov made sure he had the matchball in his hands within seconds of the final whistle, and who could blame him?

The Old Trafford faithful who turned up hoping to see Wayne Rooney score his long-awaited first goal of the season from open play left eulogising instead about his £31million partner - one of the most talented, if slightly work-shy, players to ever wear a United shirt.

Berbatov's five goals equalled a Premier League scoring record previously shared between Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Jermain Defoe. But for a splendid late save from Paul Robinson, he would have added a sixth and held the record on his own.

Clutching the match ball, he said: 'It is good to have Wayne back. He knows how I play and I know how he plays and we understand each other's game well. We showed that on the pitch.

'I can't believe I scored five. I have scored five before but it was a long time ago back home. To do it in the Premier League and stand next to Shearer and Andy Cole is a great honour.

'The first goal was the most important, it was early in the game and gave us confidence to play.'

Incredibly, Berbatov had gone 10 games without a goal but manager Sir Alex Ferguson had predicted a return to form once he could pair him with Rooney.

'They were fantastic together. To score five is a fantastic achievement and he could have had six but Paul Robinson made a wonderful save,' said the Old Trafford manager.

Penalty Wayne! Rangers 0 - 1 MU

Rooney netted a late penalty to send United into the 2nd round of the ECL.

A timely return? We shall see...

Rooney Returns: MU 2 Wigan 0

Nobody is bigger than the club. Wayne learned that and he is back.

Wayne Rooney's first game for United after the infamous "I Quit" threat. It has been about a month Rooney didn't play. He is back as second half substitute appearance against Wigan yesterday.

Evra heads in Park's cross in the end of first half before Chicharito scored a great header after Wigan was reduced to 9-men.

Patrice Evra’s first for more than three years, set up by Ji-sung Park.

‘I might buy him a car for Christmas,’ said Evra.

Another Draw at Villa Park (Lucky draw)

Macheda makes it 1-2... and then Vidic makes it 2-2 with a late late header...

United came back from going 0-2 down to Villa to stay unbeaten. Good fighting spirit but this is not going to do it. Dropping far too many points already for any title challenge hope.

Also, they played poorly, Berbatov and Hernandez were not threatening the weaken Villa side.

Poor. Very poor.

Dull Draw at Eastlands (City 0 - 0 Utd)

Very dull match at City today.

It got a bit lively when Rafael clashed briefly with Tevez, as it did when Vidic hacked down a marauding Yaya Toure. But the half ultimately ended in disappointment, even if the six Manchester derbies prior to this had also reached the interval without producing a goal.

Interestingly, the home team failed to win on all six occasions as well and the away team looked the more dangerous of the teams. Although only marginally.

The second half was much like the first. Dimitar Berbatov met a cross from Wes Brown with a super volley that invited an excellent save from Hart, but that was pretty much it.

There might now be a mutual respect between the players but it did not make much of a spectacle for those hoping to see something rather more memorable.

Park to the rescue but for how long?

United beat Wolves 2-1 at home, thanks to 2 goals Park JS. Clearly the strength in depth is non-existent. It is a worrying sight. Bebe is a joke at the right flank, even I can cross better than him! And I am not kidding.

To be honest, this team doesn't deserve the title, in any way I try to make sense out of it, I don't think we deserver the English Premier League title. Not at all.

Do we need to buy? Yes. Do we have the money to buy? No. Obviously we don't.

Enough said. Park Ji Sung was inspiring last night, but that was about the only positive thing out of it.

Oh, and that Hargreaves guy was trying to make a come back, for 4 minutes. I think we can officially write him off the squad list for good. He is done.

The Special Notes - Jose Mourinho

Ever wondered what The Special One scribbles down in the dugout?

He is world class. He got football brain. And what does he write in the notes during a match?

Here is an interesting look into Jose Mourinho's notes taking and analysis.

The note at 2:16 in the video reads:

…Attacks
Counter attack P
Penetration against dead ball.

Pace of the ball and movement tr9 [David Trezeguet]

Time

While at 2:45, Mourinho writes:

Fast pitch, penetration

dead ball
change right wing
attacks

Penetration tr9

Turkish Delight: Fletcher, Obertan and Bebe shine!

Bursaspor 0 Manchester United 3

Ferguson will have been delighted as he began the long haul home from Turkey in the early hours of this morning. This is a season that, for all the fuss over the Wayne Rooney contract saga, continues to steadily improve.

What will have concerned him, though, are injuries to Fletcher’s ankle and Nani’s groin that forced off both players. With a derby looming, Ferguson can do without worries over two key players.

Nani scores a weird goal as United beat Spurs

Weird 2nd goal, but who cares!

Vidic scored a stunning header after a superb delivery from Nani in the first half.

Better team performance this time. Park JS was lively.