A Title Tilting Triumph Against Tangerines

After getting completely played off the pitch, Manchester United showed the appetite that was needed to win any match with their performance after halftime.

United Celebrate Crushing Tangerines' Hearts

The majority of the pundits will claim that United got out of jail with their win at Bloomfield Road, and they really would not be too far off with their assessment, but the resolve and determination that the Reds showed to extend their lead at the top of the table to five points was the stuff that could ultimately separate them in this season's tense title race.

This make-up fixture always had the words "stumbling block" scripted all over it, because of the way that critics thought that United had an automatic six points from their two matches-in-hand, but Blackpool showed that the Reds are not invincible as some claimed before the match.

Full credit really needs to be given to Blackpool for the way replicated the style, heart and belief that their manager has not only portrayed himself, but has instilled in them over the course of their first ever season in the Barclays Premier League.

To be fair, the result will be very tough for Ian Holloway to swallow, because of the tenacity the Tangerines showed throughout the match, and they were fully-deserving of their two goal halftime lead.

Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for Blackpool in his pre-match press conference comments that the Seasiders have been a "breath of fresh," and Holloway should be manager of the year this season.

To his chagrin, those two valuations by the Gaffer were spot on and there for everyone to see, and made his league-leaders look as though they were mid-table club.

Unpredictably, the match really epitomized two of the oldest cliches in football: a tales of two halves; and a two goal advantage is the most dangerous lead to have.

If you were to ask Sir Alex if his team has honestly put together a quality 90 minutes this season, the answer should be a definite no, but some of the performances in a half - or 16 minutes in this case - have been devastating enough to see United claim at least a point from their matches.

United have already found out the hard way the latter of those two is very true by tossing away two goal leads on three separate occasions - twice at Old Trafford - so they know how detrimental that this could be.

However, United have shown the guile to extend their unbeaten streak to 28 Barclays Premier League matches after they really put themselves behind the eight ball with a disappointing start against Blackpool.

To prove that point, the Reds did not have a shot on goal until the 20th minute, and they did not force Richard Kingson into making a save until the 34th minute.

The way that United is playing away from Old Trafford is a bit concerning, and if they do not right the ship then the Premier League title will be sailing away from them quicker than they turned the game on its head tonight against Blackpool.

United have only won three of their eleven matches on the road, which is far from a champion statistic, so they are going to have to better that record if they are to land title No. 19.

Sir Alex Ferguson showed with his constant presence on the touchline that he did not select the right team or formation for this match, because United did not have the balance or the positioning to combat with Blackpool in the first-half.

The withdrawal of Darron Gibson in favor of Ryan Giggs was a no-brainer, because as the supporters witnessed against West Bromwich Albion in October, the young Irishman is not a left-sided midfielder, so the evergreen winger was brought in to hopefully inject some life.

The Welshman was disappointed to be subbed off against Birmingham City, but if anyone trusts the Gaffer's decisions its Giggs, and he and United will benefit in the season's run in from it.

Giggs' fitness levels are off the charts for anyone - let alone a 37 year old winger - so it is important to keep him fit and fresh for the hectic season that lies ahead for United.

With that said though, Ferguson might not be able to leave him out of the squad, or the starting XI for that matter, because of how influential he can be, and the runs and passes he provided tonight against the Tangerines were out of this world.

Everyone knows that you can be one of the best passers in the league, but if someone is not there to finish off the chance it is wasted.

Thankfully for United Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez were both in the mood and in the right place at the right time as they scored three clinical finishes between the two of them.

Berbatov has made all his doubters eat their words this season, and has extended his league-leading goal tally to 19 goals - five more than the next closest competitor - by scoring another two goals.

Throughout his young United career, Berba has been highly-criticized for not being selfishness or taking enough ownership in the offensive-third, but both of his goals against Blackpool confounded both of those beliefs.

The first goal that the Bulgarian scored was a typical predatory poke, like United fans used to see Ruud van Nistelrooy score, but the second one showed just how much Berbatov wants to be relied upon.

Berba has always been a class act since making the pinnacle move of his career to come to Old Trafford, but the command he took by putting the pressure on his back to score the match-winner was indicative of just how much he has grown as a player in the last 12 months.

In a bold move, Sir Alex allowed Chicharito the chance to go endear himself more into the hearts of the United, and boy did he ever.

The young Mexican has piercing eyes, but the ice that flows through his veins shows that he was made to play for Manchester United, and he offered much more than the man that he replaced - Wayne Rooney.

The pace, enthusiasm and willing to take a chance was just as pivotal as Giggs' introduction, and it should send a loud message to Rooney that he is going to have to produce to keep his place in the team, or lose his place to Chicharito.