The weekend that changed the premier league

When we talk about an important weekend this was one of those that we mean, it had everything, goals, cards, drama and more goals. The lead changed hands three times over the holiday period but at the moment it is Arsenal who are leading, but after their 0-0 draw at Portsmouth it seemed for a moment that they may have thrown it away.

But it was Man Utd’s loss at the hands of West Ham Utd that has really turned things around, and now they are two points behind the Gunners going into the New Year, which is not the position that they would have thought they would be in this time last week.

One of the most spectacular games of the weekend if not the entire season was Tottenham against Reading; this was a match of ten goals! And at one point the home team may have been a little concerned, but they managed to fight through and eventually win 6-4.

The title is still open, but probably only for Arsenal and Man Utd.

Source [Sportingo]

Motherwell Captain Dies Following Match

In a tragic end to 2007 for British soccer, Motherwell captain Phil O’Donnell died on Saturday after collapsing during his team’s Scottish Premier League match against Dundee United. O’Donnell was 35.

The midfielder was in the process of being substituted late in the game when he suffered what is tentatively being reported as a seizure on the pitch. He was treated for five minutes on-site before being rushed to hospital, where he died at 5:18pm local time. Cause of death has not yet been determined.

O’Donnell began and ended his career at Motherwell, where he returned in 2004 after stays with Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday. He debuted with Motherwell during the 1990/1991 season; his contributions against Dundee United in that year’s Scottish Cup final earned him a winner’s medal. In 1994 he moved to Celtic for a fee of £1.75 million, reportedly the highest fee Motherwell has ever received for a player.

Injuries plagued O’Donnell and hampered his international career. He achieved only one cap for Scotland, but former national manager Craig Brown told Sky Sports “But for injury, I’m sure he would have had many, many more caps.”

O’Donnell played alongside his nephew, David Clarkson, who joined Motherwell in 2002. Clarkson was on the pitch at the time of his uncle’s collapse; he was substituted shortly thereafter as he was disturbed by the event. Clarkson scored 2 of Motherwell’s 5 goals against Dundee United. The final score was Motherwell 5-3 Dundee Utd.

O’Donnell’s death has plunged his clubs, fans, and country into mourning. As the night progressed Motherwell supporters rallied with makeshift shrines, many in tears. In the same interview with Sky Sports, Brown expressed his hope that there will be an act of remembrance for O’Donnell across Scottish football during next week’s round of matches. Motherwell’s January 2nd match against Hibernian has been postponed.

O’Donnell leaves behind his wife Eileen and their four children. When asked for comment, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell remarked, “Obviously our thoughts are with his family to whom we offer extreme condolences for a tragic loss of a young life. Everyone at Celtic Park will mourn him.”

Source:
ESPN
International Herald Tribune

Time To Tackle The Issue

Two seasons ago it was diving; before that it was the tackle from behind. The current flavour of the month is the two-footed tackle. The media has a new bête noir upon which to hang their coat-tails. That is not to defend the perpetrators of such an offence; it is indefensible. However, the over-reaction from the back pages does little or nothing to solve the issue. A player is going to make such a challenge irrespective of the populist opinion of a red top.

There is one fundamental flaw in the current outcry, namely the manner of communicating changes to the laws of the game to the players. Managers are told at a pre-season meeting the areas that the officials will be focussing over the coming months yet they are obviously not telling the players for there seems to be barely a game go by when the crime is perpetrated. The lines of communication are not filtering down to the players. Managers simply cannot be telling the players what is and is not acceptable. It is inconceivable that they have done so and that such a high percentage of their workforce is ignoring these edicts.

In the intensity of the action, such rushes of blood will occur but they are too widespread for it to be simply a case of a player losing their senses. The culprit has to accept the consequences of their actions yet clubs routinely appeal against dismissals which contribute to the situation.

Interpretations of events immediately post match are often widely divergent with the televisual proof offered. Interviews for the media habitually include berating the officials for a poor decision in this respect, ‘the player had one foot on the ground when the tackle was made’ a routine response. In this climate, it is little wonder that players continue to transgress.

Managers have to accept responsibility for their charges actions. It is happening more frequently, Steve Coppell admitting for example that Gunnarsson deserved to be dismissed but in the same breath he complained that he was unaware of the new rulings. Perhaps he has been in the restroom at the past two pre-season meetings when the issue was discussed. Coppell is not the only one to express such surprise but why are we then dismayed when this type of tackle continues? It is fairly obvious that managers are not communicating downwards and whilst ire should be directed at the perpetrator, perhaps those in charge deserve berating as well for failing to do their jobs properly.

With the automatic three match ban that follows red cards for such offences, it is right that managerial ability is questioned. After all, where is the benefit in losing a player for that spell? Time for those in charge to stand up and take responsibility as well.

Boxing Day Decorated in Red

For Boxing Day we received two feet, studs up, careless, high, handball, tantrums—it reads like a violent version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, but it was the reality of one high-profile soccer day. This year the buzz of Boxing Day was marked by 19 red cards across English leagues. Premier League, Championship, League Two, and League One all shared in the wealth of poor behavior. The record-setting count has prompted journalists and commentators to note the distinct lack of “good will towards men” displayed during the holiday’s matches.

The most notable trend among red card offenses yesterday was two-footed challenges; players lunged into tackles with reckless abandon and were met with appropriate punishment. It may be that none was more deserving than Ricardo Carvalho of Chelsea, who tackled Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor so poorly he was made to apologize. The Chelsea vs. Aston Villa match alone drew three red cards. (Two of the three—Ashley Cole for a handball and Zat Knight for a foul against Michael Ballack—are being appealed by their respective teams.)

Brynjar Gunnarsson was the first to earn a red card while Reading faced West Ham: his poor challenge on West Ham’s Hayden Mullins will cost him the next three games. Ricardo Carvalho will be suspended for the same period.

With the alarming rise in popularity of dangerous challenges, perhaps due to inconsistent rulings in the past, referees appear to be tightening the leash. According to The Professional Game Match Officials Board no such direction has been issued, but if the trend is allowed to continue unabated it will surely be a matter of time until tragedy strikes. As yesterday demonstrated, red cards are increasingly dispensed more liberally for challenges that not only violate rules but could cause serious harm. Whether it is absentminded pursuit of the ball or mindful risk due to lack of repercussion that prompts poor tackles, Boxing Day 2007 may serve as a reminder that players need to stay sharp when it comes to the safety of others.

Source:
Daily Mail
Sky Sports

Injury problems for Chelsea

There are problems ahead for Chelsea as there are injury problems affecting the squads main players which include John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba, these key players could be out until well into the New Year, which has some crucial matches in store.

To compound this there is the African Cup of Nations in Ghana which takes place in only a few weeks time, this will mean the loss of several other key players including Salomon Kalou, John Mikel Obi and Michael Essien, this too will surely have a serious affect on the very important games that are coming in the next few weeks.

Just to make things even more worse, Ashley Cole was sent off for a deliberate hand ball, this means that he too could be fancy a suspension when his case is heard at the FA tomorrow, these are not very good times for the club that rode high for couple of years.

Source [BBC News]

Mid-Term Report

The halfway point of the Premier League season has been reached and overall few surprises have arisen. Manchester United lead the field by a point and Derby County are cast adrift at the bottom. How they are actually performing is another matter.

Manchester United Grade: A

An impressive run has recovered their poor start. Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo have been their source of goals and with the seeming return of Louis Saha from injury, their forward line should continue to overpower lesser opponents. The defence has been the most impressive and the only question mark concerns a loss of form or injury to Vidic or Ferdinand. Will be in the top two at the end of the season. Comfortably through to the Champions League second round with Lyon awaiting them.

Arsenal Grade: A +

Post Henry, Arsenal were widely tipped to be the members of the top four cartel to be most under pressure. It has not happened that way at all with Arsene Wenger’s men playing the most sublime football so far. A blip in away form recently has asked questions which need answering but likely to be the other team in the top two with United. A tough draw in the Champions League with Milan their next opponents and a London derby with Tottenham in the Carling Cup semi-final mean an interesting January and February lies in wait.

Chelsea Grade: C

Turbulent times at Stamford Bridge. They might be the richest but this season has proven money cannot buy the title every year. Injuries have disrupted the back four and front line, goals being in short supply which will cause Avram Grant concern. Take out the ten goals scored in the two home matches against Manchester City and Aston Villa and Chelsea are barely averaging a goal a game. The off the pitch shenanigans have severely disrupted them and they need to recover quickly, not an easy task with Terry and Drogba injured and Carvalho and Cole suspended for upcoming games.

Liverpool Grade: C –

Big spenders pre-season and a good start gave false hope of a title tilt. Dropping silly points at home has been rescued by excellent away form, the best in the top flight. With trips to Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and The Emirates still to come, their only hope of a title is for a collective collapse in form by their rivals. Even delivering the Champions League may not save Rafa Benitez’s skin at the end of the season.

Manchester City Grade: A +

Without a doubt, the season’s over-achievers so far and come the end of the season, they may yet sneak into a Champions League place if they keep up the pressure on those immediately above them. The only unblemished home record in the division, nine wins out of nine – including a derby win over United - is a huge improvement on anything seen at City in the last forty years. Top marks for Eriksson in his ability to blend a large number of newcomers into a cohesive team. Only their away form might cause them to squander the good start, one win out of nine shows the huge improvement required there.

Everton Grade: B

Rated as a top six team beforehand, Everton have been quietly going about meeting expectations, exceeding them with their 7 – 1 demolition of Sunderland. Useful performances on the road have put David Moyes men into a good position to push on and grab a UEFA Cup place at the end of the season. An alternative route may come about in the Carling Cup where they face Chelsea in the semi-final

Portsmouth Grade: B –

Some scintillating away performances disguise the poverty at Fratton Park. Only two wins and eleven goals, seven of which came in their win over Reading; Portsmouth would be comfortably in the top four had they converted half of their six draws into wins. Nineteen points on the road suggest that this might be their salvation; their only defeats on their travels came at Anfield, The Emirates and Stamford Bridge.

Aston Villa Grade: B

Martin O’Neill has galvanised Aston Villa this season, making Villa a difficult proposition to beat. Having received a drubbing from Manchester United, they have taken four points from Chelsea and pushed Arsenal and Liverpool close at home. One defeat on the road suggests Villa might sneak a UEFA Cup place if they continue to produce at Villa Park.

West Ham United Grade: B –

Putting the turbulence of 2006-07 seemed a distant dream after Manchester City dismantled them on the opening day of the season. Home form remains patchy with only Middlesbrough and Sunderland vanquished. Reading, Bolton, Tottenham and Wigan have all departed with a share of the points which suggest that if the so far impressive away form falters, a bottom six finish may not be out of the question.

Blackburn Rovers Grade: C

Europe might have been distracting had Rovers not made an early exit from the UEFA Cup. Recent weeks have seen them concede too readily to consider a European place a possibility although the form of Roque Santa Cruz suggests that if they get things right at the back, a push upwards would not be beyond them.

Newcastle United Grade: D

Sam Allardyce’s debut season as Newcastle manager may be his last if media reports are anywhere near true. An opening day victory at Bolton flattered to deceive; their home form has gone from the ridiculous to the decent with heavy defeats against Liverpool and Portsmouth turning into a well-deserved point against Arsenal. Continued rumours of a sell-out by new owner Mike Ashley persist; a mundane mid-table position seems the best that they can hope for.

Reading Grade: C

Struck by Second Season Syndrome, an impressive away point at Old Trafford on the opening day soon sank into mediocrity, flirting with the relegation dogfight before pulling away to relative safety. Three points on their travels suggests that lower reaches of the table beckon, trouble definitely staring them in the face if teams below start to put a run together.

Tottenham Hotspur Grade: E

Shamefully mismanaged off the pitch with Martin Jol’s dismissal being handled with characteristic incompetence. Juande Ramos has stabilised the team affairs although Jermaine Defoe may be the highest profile departure. Fanciful dreams link them with David Villa, Tottenham are unlikely to rise to a UEFA Cup place, twelve points adrift of Everton already. For a club who boasted before the season that they would break into the top four, their performance has been little short of embarrassing.

Birmingham City Grade: C

Alex McLeish’s arrival has been a catalyst for a mini-revival to offset the continuing dramas off the pitch with Carsten Yeung’s takeover seemingly set to stall. On the pitch, City are threatening to pick up enough points on the road to suggest that Premier League safety may not be a pipedream.

Bolton Wanderers Grade: D

Doing well in the UEFA Cup, domestic form has been shambolic, improving slightly under Gary Megson. A good win over Manchester United may be the kick-start they need but right now the Reebok faithful might settle for mid-table mediocrity come next May.

Middlesbrough Grade: D

Could do much better. Home wins over Arsenal and Blackburn suggest that ‘Boro have been short-changing their supporters, attendances suggest that this is no surprise to the denizens of Teesside. Luckily others below them are worse on the road otherwise Championship football next season might already be a foregone conclusion. Other clubs could do well to note Steve Gibson’s loyalty to Gareth Southgate, continuity in the manager’s chair may save them ahead of others.

Wigan Athletic Grade: C –

Having stayed up by the skin of their teeth last season, there was no reason to believe this would be any better. Steve Bruce’s return to the JJB may be a crucial catalyst to their survival fight, something that is indicated by a mini-run of good results recently. Whether or not they can sustain these remains to be seen but two points out of thirty on the road may yet be their downfall.

Fulham Grade: D –

How different things might have been but for the two late goals conceded at The Emirates on the opening day. Had a win been carved out then, the side’s confidence may well have been unshakable. As it is, the self-destruct button has been pushed and cost Lawrie Sanchez his job. Thirty four goals conceded shows their problem although a new manager may be able to bring in more firepower, relegation seems to be the most likely outcome at the moment.

Sunderland Grade: D

Big signing goalkeeper Craig Gordon has not been able to bring good fortune to Sunderland’s road trips; the second worst away record in the division highlights their problem. Fancied by many to stay up, unless Roy Keane can bring more points in on their travels, a swift return beckons as their home form is no better nor worse than those above them.

Derby County Grade: U

Woeful. Conceding one hundred goals is a distinct possibility. Quite possibly the worst side to ever grace the Premier League. Relegation may well be assured by the end of February.

Is Becks due to return to England squad?

With the appointment of Fabio Capello as the new England manager, it may look promising for David Beckham to make a return to the England squad as Capello is the former boss of Real Madrid and of David Beckham too.

So just as David Beckham looked as if he was out of the picture it looks as if he be getting the call up once more to spin his magic on the international field once more, and with his caps standing at ninety nine he would most definitely like the opportunity to make it the round hundred and beyond.

One other thing that is working in his favour is the fact that John Terry was injured in the match against Arsenal and is likely to be out of the picture for some time.

The prospects for England are still up in the air at moment, and it will be until the team have played a few convincing games against some stiff competition.

Source [ITV Football]

Ronaldo Propels United to Victory, Poised for World’s Greatest Sportsman

Cristiano Ronaldo once again set Manchester United on the path to victory by scoring the club’s two and only goals in Sunday’s match against Everton. It is Ronaldo’s 16th goal for United this season.

His first goal came in the 22nd minute, but was negated in the 27th by a good header from Everton’s Tim Cahill. As the game progressed a draw seemed likely. However, in the 88th minute a penalty was awarded to United for a foul on veteran Ryan Giggs. Ronaldo took it well and gave United the win.

It has been a recent trend for the the 22 year old, whose fitness, pace, intensity, and accuracy have already made him a European soccer legend. His reputation is hampered only by accusations of dramatics and questionable practices such as stutter-steps. Yet simply considering statistics, he has earned his new deal with United–which could see him with the club until 2012.

Ronaldo scored United’s two winning goals in matches against Fulham earlier this month and against Blackburn in November. His goals also constituted wins for United against Sporting Lisbon and Birmingham in September.

Perhaps not surprisingly, he was nominated for this year’s FIFA World Player of the Year award. He came in third place with Brazil’s Kaka emerging as the winner. But despite the snub United’s assistant manager, Carlos Queiroz, insists it’s only a matter of time before Ronaldo is acknowledged as the world’s greatest sportsman.

In an interview with Sunday Mirror Queiroz said, “During my career, I have worked with some of the world’s finest players like (Zinedine) Zidane, Ronaldo of Brazil, Raul, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos. Yet, I can honestly say, I have never seen such a football creation like Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Ronaldo is undoubtedly a contributing factor in Manchester United’s EPL success this season. They are now neck-and-neck with Arsenal, who hold first place with a single point over United. If Ronaldo’s current form remains and United win the league, they will in large part owe a debt to his talents. Queiroz’s prediction that Ronaldo will soon become to soccer what Michael Jordan was to basketball could be well on its way to realization.

Source:
ESPN
Sunday Mirror

Champions League draw

Today was the draw for the Champions League knock out stage, with only sixteen teams left in the competition, this is where it gets exciting and the draw threw up a couple of real whoppers today.

Champions League draw

Draw Friday for the Champions League (home teams in first leg listed first):

Second Round

(Matches to be played Feb. 19-20, and March 4-5)

Celtic (Scotland) vs. Barcelona (Spain)

Lyon (France) vs. Manchester United (England)

Schalke (Germany) vs. FC Porto (Portugal)

Liverpool (England) vs. Inter Milan (Italy)

AS Roma (Italy) vs. Real Madrid (Spain)

Arsenal (England) vs. AC Milan (Italy)

Olympiakos (Greece) vs. Chelsea (England)

Fenerbahce (Turkey) vs. Sevilla (Spain)

Celtic get Barcelona, while Liverpool and Arsenal both the teams from Milan, while Man utd may think themselves fortunate to get Lyon and Chelsea meet the Greek side Olympiakos. When you think that half of those teams will not be going through to the next stage, it is then when the importances of getting a good draw in this league!

Source [IHT]

Is Arsene’s Long Term Strategy About To Pay Off

The Carling Cup exploits of the Arsenal squad over the past few seasons have highlighted the benefits of the long term strategy being followed by Arsene Wenger. Having two fourth place finishes in the Premiership has been indicative of the rebuilding taking place, losing players of the quality of Vieira, Henry, Bergkamp, Cole, Campbell and Pires was always going to be painful.

Seemingly, he is getting matters in hand with the first team now atop of the Premier League, six points clear of Chelsea in third place. The upcoming Christmas period will tell whether or not Wenger’s charges are in the mix for the long haul but with van Persie, Hleb, Flamini and Fabregas all returning to the squad following lengthy absences through injury, the signs are promising.

Coming through behind them are a talented group of young players. Some are already established internationals – Senderos, Bendtner and Eduardo – whilst others are breaking into their national squads on a regular basis – Diarra, Song, Diaby and Fabianski – so use of the tag of ‘kids’ needs to be reconsidered. Of those left - Denilson, Walcott, Randall, Traore and Justin Hoyte – all have regular berths at the lower levels of the international pyramid.

Whilst the focus invariably turns to the first team and the lack of Englishmen, those such as Lansbury, Randall and Gavin Hoyte are overlooked. Indeed, all of the natives in the Arsenal Academy play for England at junior levels. Of the current full international squad, Ashley Cole and David Bentley learnt their trade at Arsenal, more than can be said of Manchester United and Liverpool whose numbers are bloated by purchased talent. Arsene Wenger has provided more of a base for future careers than his peers yet is lambasted for having a global view for his club.

The experience gained by those who comprise the ‘reserve’ squad is not limited to the Carling Cup. Wenger’s recent teams against Slavia Prague and Steaua Bucharest gave the inexperienced exposure in the Champions League. The fundamental difference between Arsenal and other clubs is that this is the norm at The Emirates. Wenger does not wait to find out if they are good enough for the Premier League matches, using other competitions to blood them. Others are playing catch up in this department but are falling woefully short, Manchester United are a prime example with their depleted teams being knocked out in the early stages of the Carling Cup for the past two seasons. It is little wonder in this environment that huge sums of money are spent every transfer window by the English game as teams spend to stand still.

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