While all eyes in the UK were fixed on Manchester United’s 1-0 home win over Chelsea overnight, Australia’s gaze was occupied by the weekend form of key Socceroos.

With the Socceroos now locked in the most critical 10 days of their World Cup qualifying campaign ahead of the first decider against Uruguay in Montevideo on Sunday (our time) and the return leg in Sydney on the 16th (Wednesday), last minute injuries to key players was something we don’t need. And not only did our big guns come through unscathed in the Premier League, but the signs are good that personal form is also on the rise.

Brett Emerton did his selection chances no harm with a scintillating game, including the opening goal, for Blackburn Rovers as they spanked Charlton 4-1. Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink will also be feeling the soccer gods are smiling down on him – as Uruguay’s injuries take a serious toll of some of its stars – with even veteran Stan Lazaridis managing almost a full game (86 mins) for Birmingham in its 0-1 loss to Newcastle after recovering from a hamstring strain. A fit and hard working Lazaridis gives Hiddink a hugely experienced
option down the left side.

On Sunday morning we saw Harry Kewell come off the bench for the final 15 minutes of Liverpool’s 2-0 away win over Aston Villa and his team seemed to go up a gear with him on the pitch. Certainly its two goals were only scored after his arrival and he indirectly played a
part in the second by Xabi Alonso. At worst he should be our best weapon off the bench in Montevideo.

Perhaps even more importantly for Australia in the short term, Tim Cahill looked more like his old self the longer Everton’s home game went on this morning, as the Merseyside club continues its revival from the bottom of the table with a 1-0 result against Middlesbrough – its first home win of the season. After his two goals in European competition last week, Mark Viduka only appeared from the 54th minute which should see him fresh and champing at the bit for this weekend, while there’s nothing to drawn from keeper Mark Schwarzer conceding the only goal of the game as he presses his claim to be in goal for the opening leg.