World Cup and European leagues

[Hoosier Titan]

Most here will probably have more interest in the Man U game today, but what I've been able to see so far are Portsmouth-Birmingham and Tottenham-Fulham in the FA quarterfinals. 

The Pompey-Birmingham match made the best possible argument for video review of goals--after David James made one brilliant save, the ball was clearly, incontrovertably, 100% over the line for a Birmingham goal--and it was disallowed.  It was obvious on the first viewing. And yet, a ruling has been made that video reviews will not be allowed:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8553463.stm
The best that can be said is that the score was 2-0 to Portsmouth--at least Birmingham have no claim to a draw.

The Spurs-Fulham match paired two of the sides that I generally support when my own team (Liverpool, of course) are not playing.  Given the standings right now, I wasn't in favor of anything that would give Spurs a leg up, and so I found myself cheering for Fulham. It was a lively, spirited match, with the bulk of the possession and chances going to Fulham, but it ended in a draw and a rematch.  Bobby Zamora and Damian Duff did well, Peter Crouch stopped whining about a supposed bad tackle for the post-match interview, and they'll all do it again in a week or two.

Meanwhile, those of you who aren't traveling to basketball games probably saw the EPL live.  Here, we watch Match of the Day at 10:30 before basketball from the Central time zone starts at 1:00 a.m.....

[ScotsFan]

The Spurs-Fulham match paired two of the sides that I generally support when my own team (Liverpool, of course) are not playing.  Given the standings right now, I wasn't in favor of anything that would give Spurs a leg up, and so I found myself cheering for Fulham.

I started following Fulham more closely when they had 3 Americans on the squad in Dempsey, Bocanegra and McBride.  I still keep a close eye on them even though Dempsey is the lone American left on the squad.

Hoosier, was that match at Craven or White Hart Lane?

[ScotsFan]

Finally had a moment to watch the recap of the weekend action in the EPL and in the FA Cup. 

And, things are looking back to normal at the top of the table.  ManU didn't play particularly well and went without Wayne, but they still managed to beat Wolves 1-0 to re-claim their top spot atop the league standings.  Granted, they have a game in hand as Chelsea were busy taking down Stoke on their way to the FA Cup Semis, but it is what it is! 

And I've also got the DVR set up to record the ManU/AC Milan Champs league match. Pregame starts at 2pm on Fox Soccer Channel with the match itself kicking off at 2:20.

[sac]

The Spurs-Fulham match paired two of the sides that I generally support when my own team (Liverpool, of course) are not playing.  Given the standings right now, I wasn't in favor of anything that would give Spurs a leg up, and so I found myself cheering for Fulham.

I started following Fulham more closely when they had 3 Americans on the squad in Dempsey, Bocanegra and McBride.  I still keep a close eye on them even though Dempsey is the lone American left on the squad.

Hoosier, was that match at Craven or White Hart Lane?

That match was at Craven Cottage the replay will be at Tottenham.

.......shame Chelsea/Aston Villa were drawn in the semi's, that would be a better final.  I suppose Chelsea/Tottenham could be good as well.

[ScotsFan]

That match was at Craven Cottage the replay will be at Tottenham.

.......shame Chelsea/Aston Villa were drawn in the semi's, that would be a better final.  I suppose Chelsea/Tottenham could be good as well.

Yeah, I caught that watching Super Sunday Plus on FSC. 

And the Villans are taking down the Blues in the semis!    I'm also hoping the Cottagers do the same with Spus so it will be a Villa/Fulham final!   

[Hoosier Titan]

sac beat me to the Craven Cottage answer.  I agree that Fulham/Villa would be fun to see.

Watching the Man U/AC match live tonight.  Right now the evening news is reporting on Beckham's return to Old Trafford.  Evidently there will be a fair number of green and gold scarves in evidence protesting the Glazers.

[ECSUalum]

Manchester United 4 - 0 AC Milan  -
13min Rooney
46min Rooney
59min Park
87min Fletcher


From RTE Sports:

There was no fairytale Old Trafford return for David Beckham as Wayne Rooney led a Manchester United cruise into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Rooney scored a goal in each half to take his tally for the season to 30 and snuff out any chance AC Milan had of crowning Beckham's appearance against his former club in glory.

Instead, the joy was all the hosts' as Park Ji-Sung ran on to Paul Scholes' pass to widen the gap before Darren Fletcher headed a fourth near the end.

Pray that Wayne stays healthy from now on as he is on a wicked tear. 


   

[sac]

The news of the night though was Lyon knocking out Real Madrid.

[ScotsFan]

The news of the night though was Lyon knocking out Real Madrid.

That is excellent news indeed!!!   

All that money spent by Real and they fall in the round of 16 in the Champs League?  Niiiiice!   

BTW, I wonder what was going through the minds of the Glazers as they watched the protests start to unfold in the 2nd half at Old Trafford yesterday? 

[ScotsFan]

Wayne Rooney continues his assault of Christiano Ronaldo's EPL record for goals scored in a season as he added 2 more to his total vs. Fulham over the weekend taking him to 32 in all competitions.  He now only needs 10 (off the top of my head) to equal Ronaldo's mark.

And BTW, ManU is still at the top of the table!   

Also, Landon Donovan's time with Everton came to an end over the weekend as well as his loan expired.  From all reports I've heard, Donovan has been getting nothing but glowing reviews for his time with the Toffeys.  Landon's stint with Everton seems to be, by far, his best run of form while playing overseas which included him being named Everton's player of the month in January!  Well done Landon!

Also of note from a MNT perspective, Clint Dempsey was back in the lineup for the Cottagers over the weekend at Old Trafford and he had a couple of nice strikes from distance.  From the highlights I saw of the match, he looked pretty good and comment was made that he should have no problem getting back into form by the World Cup!  That is good news for the Americans! 

[Hoosier Titan]

Also, Landon Donovan's time with Everton came to an end over the weekend as well as his loan expired.  From all reports I've heard, Donovan has been getting nothing but glowing reviews for his time with the Toffeys.  Landon's stint with Everton seems to be, by far, his best run of form while playing overseas which included him being named Everton's player of the month in January!  Well done Landon!

Also of note from a MNT perspective, Clint Dempsey was back in the lineup for the Cottagers over the weekend at Old Trafford and he had a couple of nice strikes from distance.  From the highlights I saw of the match, he looked pretty good and comment was made that he should have no problem getting back into form by the World Cup!  That is good news for the Americans! 

Donovan scored his first Everton goal in his last game with them, and a pretty one it was, too.  You're right; he's been getting high praise from everyone over here.  That's very good news about Dempsey, especially with Davies still questionable at best.

Looks as though David Beckham is definitely out of the World Cup, and maybe finished, as he seems to have a ruptured Achilles tendon.  Those take a long time to heal. 

[ScotsFan]

Looks as though David Beckham is definitely out of the World Cup, and maybe finished, as he seems to have a ruptured Achilles tendon.  Those take a long time to heal. 

Yeah.  I heard that too.  What were his chances of making England's squad before the injury?  I thought he was questionable at best to make the squad before this injury.  Now, there's no doubt about it I guess. 

[sac]

I've been terrible about remembering when the EPL games have been on ESPN........was able to catch most of Liverpool/Porstmouth today, at least the exciting parts.

Portsmouth were horrible, Liverpool weren't bad, in fact good at times.  The atmosphere at Anfield was also terrible.

Liverpool will be lucky if Gerrard isn't suspended for the Sunday match with ManU, without Gerrard I doubt Liverpool has much of a shot.  Who knows what he thinking.

Torres was nearly brilliant all game long.


Didn't see much from Liverpool to make me think they can make the top 4.......unless they get to play Portsmouth every game from here out. 

[Hoosier Titan]

Just now got to see the goals from the Liverpool game.  Torres was brilliant; he set up the Babel goal as well as scoring two of his own.  Gerrard was directly involved in a couple of the goals, too, even if he didn't score.  The goal conceded toward the end looked to be due to horrible defense, which has been the Achilles heel all year.  Injuries haven't helped--it's been a different lineup almost every match.

I haven't seen the Gerrard incident.  I know that the frustration level is rising amongst the players--Torres has publicly called on the club to bring in more top players with noises about moving on if that doesn't happen.  That sort of thing doesn't usually sit well with me, but I can understand his frustration.  I think he--and Gerrard, and Reina, and Mascherano--have been quiet longer than most would have been.  And of course the lack of money, thanks to the wretched owners and their debts, is responsible.

None of that excuses violence on the pitch, if that's what happened, of course.

[Stinger]

Looks as though David Beckham is definitely out of the World Cup, and maybe finished, as he seems to have a ruptured Achilles tendon.  Those take a long time to heal. 

Yeah.  I heard that too.  What were his chances of making England's squad before the injury?  I thought he was questionable at best to make the squad before this injury.  Now, there's no doubt about it I guess. 

Beckham was a lock for the England team.  You have to feel for him. Like his celebrity or not, the guy worked his arse off to make the WC a reality.  Perhaps he pushed just a little too hard and his body gave.  Too bad.

As for LD, all you have to do is look at his Facebook fan page and read the posts from Everton supporters.  They really embraced him, and it's obvious they would've loved him to stay. It will be a shame if the MLS players strike, as LD could've spent a couple more weeks playing in the EPL.