World Cup and European leagues

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Wow, what a weekend in the Premier league.  Liverpool win with an injury time goal v Fulham on Saturday.  ManU wins with an injury time goal v Aston Villa Sunday by a 17 year old making his debut.

Ya can't make that stuff up.

[Ralph Turner]

Today's Dallas Cup action.

Manchester City FC 4, AC Milan 0

[Hoosier Titan]

There's a new version of the Liverpool song "Fields of Anfield Road" available on iTunes and at other sites to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.  The video features former Liverpool players and families of the 96.  It can be seen on the Liverpool FC web site (liverpoolfc.tv) or on YouTube:
Fields of Anfield Road

Proceeds will go to the families of the 96.

In current news, Steven Gerrard seems to have developed a groin problem that will require careful monitoring for the remainder of the season.  He is in the starting lineup for tomorrow's early match against Blackburn, however. 

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Speaking of this weeks action,  Yikes were ManU and Liverpool awfull, difference was ManU held on and eeked out a draw, Liverpool couldn't do the same against Chelsea and deserved to get whipped.

Chelsea weren't awesome but they were better for sure.  It might be different without Terry in the lineup at Chelsea but I doubt it.

[Hoosier Titan]

Liverpool bounced back nicely against Blackburn Rovers today 4-0.  Torres's first goal (of two) and Agger's were both things of beauty.  Gerrard was on the subs list but did not play.

Man U got another late goal from Machada to pip Sunderland.   That kid has come on at the right time for them.

I went to my daughter's match at 10:00 am on the prairie on the outskirts of Bloomington and gave thanks for hot coffee.  It was colder than winter in the north of England!

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I was just thrilled to see Liverpool put a little tension into the 2nd league at Chelsea, and oh my did they.  Fun stuff.

[Hoosier Titan]

The Memorial Service for the 20th anniversary of Hillsborough was incredibly moving today.  LFC TV carried it; the channel is available free today on liverpoolfc.tv

I was glad that the Reds put up a good fight, especially without Gerrard even on the bench.  But today's events helped me put the loss in perspective.

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Arsenal and ManU won today........can't help think how bad Liverpool and ManU looked last week and how crucial it was for ManU to draw with Porto instead of facing Liverpool's fate.


Arsenal v ManU and Barcelona v Chelsea.............all of the 4 possible final matchups are compelling.  Imagine if Liverpool end up winning the Premier League, not likely but possible.  Oddly its still possible for all 4 English clubs to win 4 different trophys.


As good as Chelsea was v Liverpool I think Barcelona might be too much for them, they have to be the favorites.

[WLCALUM83]

Arsenal and ManU won today........can't help think how bad Liverpool and ManU looked last week and how crucial it was for ManU to draw with Porto instead of facing Liverpool's fate.


Arsenal v ManU and Barcelona v Chelsea.............all of the 4 possible final matchups are compelling.  Imagine if Liverpool end up winning the Premier League, not likely but possible.  Oddly its still possible for all 4 English clubs to win 4 different trophys.


As good as Chelsea was v Liverpool I think Barcelona might be too much for them, they have to be the favorites.

After the way Barcelona took it to Bayern Munich, I'm inclined to agree with you.

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Chelsea came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 to move into the FA Cup final.

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Everton beat a severly diminished (and strangely) ManU 0-0, 4-2 on penalties in the second FA Cup semi-final.  This assures an all blue final at Wembley.  Everton v Chelsea

[ScotsFan]

Everton beat a severly diminished (and strangely) ManU 0-0, 4-2 on penalties in the second FA Cup semi-final.  This assures an all blue final at Wembley.  Everton v Chelsea

I'm torn by this result.  On the one hand, I was really hoping for ManU to pull off the quint.  But, the squad Sir Alex put out really left me scratching my head.  And I'm even more surprised that the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo were not even available for subs?!  Eight of ManU's starting eleven sat out yesterday's semi-final loss.  Of those 8 replacements, four were teenagers and the average age of ManU's starting 11 was just 22.     I think it's pretty clear that Sir Alex was gambling on his youngsters getting the job done while allowing his regulars time to regroup for the final push in the Premiership and also the semi's of the Champs League.  Unfortunately for Sir Alex and United, that gamble didn't pay off... 

The part I was torn about was seeing Tim Howard's brilliant performance in goal for Everton!  He made saves on United's first 2 PK attempts by Berbatov and Ferdinand no less!  Howard was probably relishing every moment of that PK shootout getting the chance to stymie his former team!  I will definitely be pulling for Tim Howard the Everton Blue in the finals!

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The usually solid Liverpool D suddenly can't stop giving up goals.  4-4 to Arsenal, I think they probably needed that one to have a chance at catching United.  3 back now, two in hand for ManU

[ScotsFan]

The usually solid Liverpool D suddenly can't stop giving up goals.  4-4 to Arsenal, I think they probably needed that one to have a chance at catching United.  3 back now, two in hand for ManU

I'm not going to say it's over just yet, but I think the fat lady is starting to warm up...

I can't believe that result for ManU yesterday at Old Trafford!  I was only able to watch the 1st half before I had to go to work and when I left, things didn't look good for the Red Devils with Spurs holding a 2-0 lead and they really had been taking it to ManU the whole 1st half.  Needless to say, when I checked the score while at work to see what the final damage was, I couldn't believe when I saw that ManU put up a 5 spot on Totty in the 2nd half! 

With Liverpool already beating Hull earlier, they had temporarily moved back to the top spot in a tie with ManU.  But thanks to the Red Devil's epic comeback, they are now once again 3 points clear with a game in hand. 

There is still a lot of football to be played and with ManU and Arsenal tangling up 3 more times before the season ends, a lot can still happen.  Liverpool is hardly out of this thing yet...  United definitely have the tougher fixtures remaining with their derby with City and a prem league match with Arsenal.  Both games are at Old Trafford which should help.

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I hadn't realized untill today that Newcastle United is in serious danger of being relegated.  That would be a shame..............when I could see matches on Fox Soccer I always loved the games at St. James's Park.  Great crowds.

Remaining matches
Portsmouth
@ Liverpool
Middlesborough
Fulham
@ Aston Villa

They play Portsmouth Monday evening, pretty crucial match for them I'd say.  A win for Portsmouth probably makes them safe from relegation.  Its about a 6 team race for the bottom right now.

Here's the bottom 9
12 Stoke 34 -16 39
13 Bolton 34 -11 38
14 Portsmouth 33 -15 37
15 Blackburn 34 -18 37
16 Sunderland 34 -15 35
17 Hull 34 -22 34
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18 Middlesbrough 34 -24 31
19 Newcastle 33 -16 30
20 West Brom 34 -30 28


The flip side of relegation is promotion and it looks like the league will welcome back Wolverhampton, with Birmingham City 1 point up on Sheffield Utd for the 2nd promotion spot.