Counting the cost of failure as Drogba makes it a Blue day

I WAS still sitting at home watching events at Old Trafford when Fergie made his substitutions, with 15 minutes left on the clock.

If Man United should go on to take the title, you only had to look at Sunday’s squad to appreciate their principal advantage with their bench crowded with players capable of having an impact on a big occasion, compared to a selection of inexperienced youngsters who might have a tendency to be overwhelmed.

It was more by luck than judgement that I made kick off at the Bridge. Thanks to empty Easter Sunday roads, I’d traversed London and was parked up in 25 minutes. I took my seat beside a bold young Gooner, spitting fire and brimstone.