LUCKY f***S

. .....and probably should have been on balance, but well played United. Nobody could fault them for effort. The thing which impressed me most once again was Chelsea's fitness and the fact that they can be matched if teams put in the effort, which puts all the bleating about 'buying success' into clearer perspective.

The result says nothing about the relative merits of these sides. Chelsea remain a better team by some way. Man U's performance was to be expected after what had gone on in the week, but they played above themselves. It will give them much needed confidence and improved results but they will not sustain it at that level every week.

The biggest error in weighing up form is putting result over performance. The second is having preconceptions about teams because of their name. Performance is a far better guide to future results than the outcome of any single game, and the reason I can make money by betting on only Prem matches is by not being influenced by a result or a name. Fulham 2 Man City 1 might put into perspective that Pool result when they went there. Still don't understand why so many expected it to be a win for Pool, or even a game they'should' win? Little in the performances suggested this...only in the names. Big mistake!

Despite the win against that poor Villa side I am still waiting to see if Pool have really turned the corner. Good for confidence, and that might just be enough for better things soon, and a home game against Pompy could not have come at a better time. but a win will still prove little. The next league game away at Man City is the type to find out what progress has been made.

LC