Betfred's traders guide us through what they learnt from an action packed weekend of sport.
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Another sporting weekend has come and gone and it is time to reflect on what we have learnt from proceedings over the past 48 hours with FA Cup shocks and controversy aplenty (Chelsea 4/1 fav FA Cup Outright).
1. Revenge is sweet for Manchester United
There has been a sense that United have been hanging onto Manchester City’s coattails this season, with a few unconvincing performances in recent times, while the 6-1 drubbing to the blue half of the city at Old Trafford still riles the Red Devils’ fans.
But they were certainly up for the cup at the weekend and knocked their ‘noisy neighbours’ out of the FA Cup despite a spirited comeback by 10-man City.
It was a positive end to another turbulent week for United with rumours of an imminent exit for Wayne Rooney denied by everyone connected to the club, and his two-goal showing at the Theatre of Dreams and the way he kissed his badge after scoring will have assured the United faithful that he will remain in the north west.
2. Defeat set to galvanise City
It was always going to be difficult for City to beat United after losing Vincent Kompany to a contentious red card and a 3-0 half-time scoreline would have had United fans dreaming of a similar result to the one they had to endure back in October.
But, far from capitulating in the second period, the Eastlands club rallied to score two goals and put Sir Alex Ferguson’s men under real pressure late on in the contest.
City have been criticised for spending huge amounts of money on assembling their squad but, after the spirit showed by the City players in defeat, it proved that there is more to the side than money.
Roberto Mancini came out and stated that they would win the Premier League with a similar level of commitment every week and it would be difficult to argue against his comments as they bossed an experienced United side despite being a man down on the pitch (City 1/2 Premier League Outright).
3. Andy Murray’s time has come
The yearly debate as to whether Andy Murray might actually win a Grand Slam is about to begin once again with the 2012 Australian Open on the horizon (Murray 5/1 Aussie Open Outright).
The British number one has made the last two finals but been blown away on both occasions by Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
But he began his preparation in fine style by winning the Brisbane International on Sunday and looks in good form ahead of the Melbourne Park showpiece.
The Scot looked in good nick towards the end of the 2011 campaign with three successive tournament victories before injury struck at the ATP Tour Finals.
The 24-year-old beat Rafael Nadal during that winning sequence but the joint threat of Federer and Djokovic still exists and Murray will have to overcome at least one if not both if he is to land his maiden ‘Slam.
The link-up with Ivan Lendl should help matters and he will hope that his career follows the same path as his new coach, who won his first major at the age of 24.
4. There is no sentiment in football
Neil Warnock rescued Queens Park Rangers from the depths of the Championship to achieve promotion the following year and send the west London club back to the Premier League after a 15-year absence.
But he has now been sacked after just 20 games of top-flight football, with Mark Hughes tipped to replace the veteran tactician.
Managing in the Championship is vastly different to the Premier league and Warnock only had a few days to bring in some quality players before the transfer deadline in the summer.
If he had been given time in January to strengthen the squad, who knows where the R’s might have been at the end of May, but now they will have to start again under a new boss – will chairmen ever learn?
