Source: Daily_Mail
3D fever hits our screens as Sky broadcast Chelsea's victory over Manchester United
Football reached a new dimension for thousands of fans today with the launch of the first game to be shown live in 3D.[LNB]Today's top of the table clash between Manchester United and Chelsea was broadcast live by Sky in 3D in more than 1,000 pubs.[LNB]So supporters across Britain and Ireland donned 3D specs, declaring the new technology 'the future of football on TV'.[LNB]And The Firbank pub in Newall Green, just five miles south of Old Trafford, was crammed to the rafters with United fans to watch their team take on Chelsea.[LNB] A sight for sore eyes: United fans look glum after Didier Drogba's strike[LNB]Hundreds of drinkers made a spectacle of themselves, donning plastic black-rimmed 3D glasses to watch the match on specially-adapted TV screens.[LNB]Tom Murphy, 49, a former Old Trafford season ticket holder, said: "I think it's fantastic, just amazing, the next best thing to being at the match.[LNB]'I thought it was a bit of joke at first, I remember when you used to get the specs out of the paper and watch 3D at home, but this is nothing like it.[LNB]'When the ball came towards the camera I put my hands out to catch it, I almost spilled my pint.[LNB]'Everybody looks like Roy Orbison with these glasses on though, I started singing Pretty Woman but half of them in here were too young to get the joke.'[LNB]Jordan Fleury, 19, a trainee football coach, said: "It's the next best thing to being there, you feel like you are at the match.[LNB]'It looks like I'm actually there. It just makes the experience a whole lot better. The beautiful game just go more beautiful.'[LNB]Back on the pitch, Cole's deft backheeler, Drogba's second for Chelsea and the dubious consolation goal for Macheda meant the score did not go down well in this pub.[LNB] Contentious: Drogba's goal fired Chelsea two points clear[LNB]Despite the advent of 3D a defeat is still a defeat, Firbank regulars still shouted the referee was fatherless and the linesman still needed glasses - 3D or not.[LNB]But landlord Simon Delaney, 44, a life-long United fan, was rubbing his hands as the usual 50 regulars were boosted to more than 200 packing the pub to see the match.[LNB]He spent around £1,600 each for the four new specially-adapted wide screen TVs and was given 400 free 3D specs for fans.[LNB]He said: 'I've seen 3D now and the future is here. The close-up shots of the players are amazing, this is the business.[LNB]'It just takes football on TV to a whole new level. I'm glad Sky are starting off with doing it in the pubs, because all pubs are struggling and you need something to drag people out of their homes to come to watch the football, so this is perfect for what we need.[LNB]'It has been excellent business, having seen 3D today the customers will be back for more of this, without a doubt. They love it.'[LNB] Pleased as punch: Chelsea fans are jubilant at Riley's pub on the Kings Road[LNB]Sky will be showing another five Premiership games before the end of the season, starting with the Red Devils clash with Blackburn next weekend then the big derby against Manchester City.[LNB]Mr Murphy added: 'Whether 3D can improve watching Man City or Liverpool is another matter.'[LNB]Sky expects more pubs and clubs to sign up to get the 3D service in future, but do not have the rights to broadcast the World Cup in this format in the summer.[LNB]Sky said to get the 3D service pubs will not have to pay anything extra on top of their existing subscription.[LNB]The service will also be expanded to home TVs later in the year.[LNB] Manchester United 1 Chelsea 2: Didier Drogba's controversial winner gives Blues a title tonicFergie erupts at officials after Drogba hammers United's title hopes[LNB]
