Treble 1999 - Simply the Best

Simply The Best
By Chris O'Brien
February 20 2005

Expensively-assembled, money is no object - yet the Chelsea XI of 2005 still will not fulfil the greatest achievement in the history of English domestic football. United's record as the only club to have achieved THE Treble stands strong as Newcastle United dump the Blues out of the F.A Cup.

Player for player, perhaps the current Chelsea squad is better than the side Sir Alex Ferguson led to glorious silverware success in 1999. Victory over Spurs at Old Trafford on the last day of the season saw United top the Football League, whilst a Wembley win against Newcastle and the late drama against Munich at the Nou Camp left the Red Devils with a trio of superb honours in a great season for Manchester United.

Roman Abramovich arrived at Stamford Bridge prior to the 2003/2004 season, and instantly spent chunks of his billions in bolstering an already talented squad. World stars arrived for millions of pounds, including Juan Veron from MUFC, now thrust out on loan after an unsuccessful move. The first season promised so much, yet under Claudio Ranieri the London outfit won no trophies and didn't really challenge for the Championship despite finishing second.

Ranieri departed for Valencia. Jose Mounrinho, with his cool, charismatic, continental style and finesse, took the helm as Chelsea again spent a summer a summer of enormous spending on the transfer market. Arjen Robben was snatched from under our noses, as the Blues squad looked one capable of ending a 50-year drought and bringing the English title to the Bridge. Chelsea's ambitions went further - Mourinho and Abramovich wanted the lot and suddenly the press were full of the word 'quadruple'.

Chelsea, with football of sometime a mouth-watering standard, raced through their European Cup group stage and stormed to the Carling Cup final after brushing past United in the semi-finals. The Premiership looks destined for West London and victories over Scunthorpe and Birmingham City in the Cup meant the impossible became probable. Newcastle had other ideas, as Graeme Souness' side squashed the dreams of the Chelsea faithful with a narrow 1-0 Cup win at a snowy St.James' Park.

It was more the surrounding you'd associate with a gritty Fourth Division derby tie on a Tuesday night. The cold, the snow, the passion. Patrick Kluivert sent the Toon Army into ecstasy four minutes into the game as he broke the deadlock, and Newcastle held on as Chelsea had 'keeper Cudicini sent off and were forced to play defender Glen Johnson between the sticks. Wayne Bridge was stretchered off injured too, meaning Chelsea's half-time trio of changes backfired. Damien Duff was forced to play with injury also, so effectively the visitors had just 8-men.

This was perfect for United. It not only underlined how 1999 was a fantastic achievement that may never be repeated, but left Chelsea mentally and physically knackered. It looks impossible, but could we stage an amazing comeback? 9 points to catch up. United We Stand.

Manchester United Football Club
Treble Winners - 1999