One nil - scoreline of Champions?

It wasn't pretty and it has come at a large cost, but as I type we are top of the league pending the Liverpool derby this evening.

Rooney's goal against Wigan was massive given how lacklustre we looked once he left nursing his hamstring, which we are told will keep him out for three weeks minimum. I've always said and maintain that he is our most important attacking player. Without him, I would venture that Ronaldo wouldn't currently be World Player of the Year, such is the symbiotic nature of their link up play and the space they make for each other. Seeing Tevez and Evans limp off at the end wasn't a happy sight either.

Thankfully though, come Saturday, both had passed their fitness tests, though Evans required a painkilling injection in his troublesome ankle. This is never a desirable measure for any player but such is the importance of every game at present. In better news, Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown are expected to return for selection soon.

The Bolton game itself was yet another tense affair, with the home team good money for their half time draw but we had them heavily under pressure in the second half. After yet another poor game, it seemed fate was on Tevez's side as he wriggled between two defenders, made his way down the right channel and played a perfect cross for Dimitar Berbatov, who put it just above Jääskeläinen in an area he couldn't react to in time, even when in impressive form as he had been all game. Don't let the cross mask the fact that Tevez continues to play to a fraction of the form he showed last year. That wasn't good enough, and his current showings should do nothing to force a contract offer. He is playing on borrowed time now and he simply must take the chances Rooney's absence afford him. Berbatov, while not spectacular, has increased his effort massively and is starting to gel. His intricate play around the box is starting to pay off but he must start hitting the back of the net more frequently.

The Bolton game was the tenth league clean sheet in a row, which is an excellent statistic when you take into account the injuries and suspensions. Yet again Evans was fantastic and Vidic continuing his run of superb form. Personally I found Vidic's early season form a little worrying, but he has come into his own in the last couple of months and has been an absolute rock. His ability to cover ground has really impressed me, he has had to cover for his full backs quite often of late (as we struggle to keep a consistent right back) and has excelled.

There are a few worries in form. Anderson seems to be suffering second season syndrome. Many think a goal would spark him into life and there's no denying one is long overdue. Scholes has looked a bit jaded in his last couple of games, too. O'Shea is still having to cover other players but surely it is a matter of when and not if he costs us a vital goal. Nani will surely leave the club in the summer if Tosic shows any kind of form... Ferguson was very specific when he said that Tosic was a Nani type of player, not a Ronaldo type of player, in the Serb's introductory press conference. That was surely a statement aimed at Nani that he needs to improve and quickly.

Another big week of football lies ahead, starting tonight as Liverpool play Everton at Anfield, looking to regain top spot. Anything less than a win and they will remain in second place. After this we move onto the cup games, Derby first up at Old Trafford. Ferguson has already told certain players they have the week off, hopefully not enough first teamers to allow Derby to hold onto their slender 1-0 lead from the first leg. This trophy is certainly bottom on the wish list right now but when you get this far it is time for a club like ours to acknowledge that we should fight for it. Spurs at the weekend in the FA Cup will be a huge test. Their league form may not be anything to worry about but neither is our recent style of play. They always seem to pose a test now. The worst case is almost a draw. Should we beat Derby tomorrow and draw against Spurs, that leaves another two games to be rearranged and that is something we can do without.