World Cup and European leagues

[sac]

And C. Ronaldo is still the #1 flopper in the world!

Drogba is #1a, Ronaldo #1b......they are both too talented to need to do that crap

[ScotsFan]

I didn't see the first ManU-Barcelona match, but after watching the second, I'm astounded that they combined for 1 goal total.  Today could have easily been about a 6-5 game.  Both offenses seemed much superior to either defense (the only goal came on a really bush-league defensive giveaway, and many other surprisingly easy shots missed by inches, or were barely blocked).

I don't know if I'd go as far as to say it could have been a 6-5 game.  Really, outside of Messi, Barca didn't really offer anyone that looked like they were a threat.  I mean, it has been 4 games now that Barca hasn't even found the back of the net.  That tells me they're not doing something right offensively.

ManU could have easily put 3 in the back of the net.  Park had an excellent look at goal shortly after Scholes' goal but he pushed it just wide.  Nani had an equally good look at goal, but he couldn't direct his header goal-ward.  But, after intermission, the Red Devils weren't really looking too offensive minded.  They took their chances whenever they had a counter open up but that was about it.  I will say, that last 15 minutes or so was excruciating knowing that a Barca goal would send ManU packing.

The biggest thing that struck me about both matches was Baca's domination of possession.  Yet, with all of that possession, they had nothing to show for it.  It was getting tiresome hearing Tommy Smyth raving about Barca's domination of possession.  I just kept thinking to myself what is Barca doing with all of that possession?  The answer was not much... 

[sac]

More great stuff from England today.  Exciting match, with an extraordinary amount of drama.

Interesting that only a week after diving and feigning injury over a dozen times, and after being slayed in the press by Rafa Benitez.....Drogba stays upright for the whole game, has two great stikes and was easily the best player on the field.  He should do that every week.


Curious subs by Benitez, Babel should have come on, but why take off Torres?  ........and Jermaine Pennant?  awful.  Basically Liverpool took off their only goal scorer and the man who provided the assist.  Maybe he was playing for penalties in extra-time.  Strange.  But given the subs, Chelsea's dominance in extra-time wasn't all that surprising.

Chelsea v ManU should be great.   Some interesting head games coming for the next 3 weeks.

[Hoosier Titan]

I knew the second-guessing the substitutions would start soon, and I think everyone is mystified about why Torres came out.  I figured that Babel was being held in reserve, and I usually prefer him to Benayoun in the wing role--Benayoun has a tendency to come into the central midfield, clogging things up.  But today he made that lovely run to set up Torres, so hurray for Benayoun!  And the first, unplanned, substitution really hurt--Skrtel coming off with an injury.  He's the only Liverpool defender with the pace to keep up with Drogba.  I think that alone was probably the difference in the match.

And Jermaine Pennant has had a couple of really great games lately, including a terrific goal against Birmingham.  That was not a great match, but he was the outstanding Liverpool player that day.  So I don't fault Rafa for that one.

When Drogba stays on his feet and works, he's a great player.  When he dives and moans and cries it's maddening and a waste of a great talent.  I think Rafa's calling him out may have been intended to get the refs to watch his diving--but it might have had the opposite effect.

Oh well.  While it wasn't clear to me why the takedown of Ballack was a penalty while the one of Babel at the other end wasn't, maybe that's just because I'm wearing a red shirt.  Today wasn't Liverpool's day, but there will be others.

[sac]

I'll defer to others on Pennant's performances in the EPL, I usually don't get to see those matches.  Realisticaly I don't know who else you put on.

Your absolutely right about Skrtel, shame it was Hyypia giving up the penalty as he's been so solid for so long.   

Quote from Benitez on Torres:  "He had a problem with a hamstring."

[ScotsFan]

While it wasn't clear to me why the takedown of Ballack was a penalty while the one of Babel at the other end wasn't, maybe that's just because I'm wearing a red shirt.  Today wasn't Liverpool's day, but there will be others.

I too was wondering that.  I'm wearing a red shirt, just not Liverpool red... 

Drogba definitely was the class on the pitch in that semi-final.  He really is a Jeckyl and Hyde sort of player isn't he?  Unforutnately for ManU, he seems to be playing his best football at just the right time.  He really looks poised to carry the Blues all the way to the finish in both the EPL and the CL.  And as much as it pains me to pull for Chelsea, I was really pulling for Lampard when he nailed that penalty.  It was quite touching to see him paying his respects to his mother afterwards. 

As for the rest of the season, the drama unfolding over the next 3 weeks between ManU and Chelsea will be some fun stuff to watch!  8)

[Greek Tragedy]

Well, pretty exciting morning on both ends of the table.

Manchester United were 3 up inside 25 minutes thanks to a sweet long range effort by Tevez which was sandwiched inbetween two Ronaldo goals, both a little fortunate and lucky.  Ronaldo's first took a slight deflection, though the run prior to that was nice, and the second literally fell in his lap (the thigh finish was sweet). 

The Hammers made it interesting with an amazing bicycle kick to make it 3-1.  To make matters worse for United, Nani with an idiotic headbutt to put United down a man.  Hargreaves makes it a comfortable 4-1 win with a goal in the 2nd half.

At the other end of the table, McBride with a superb diving header off a set piece and Nevland secures all three points for Fulham with a late goal. 

Over at Whitehart Lane, Hotspur wins it 1-0 over Reading.  Reading with a late chance to take a share of the spoils, but an amazing save with about 2 minutes from time keeps all three points for the hosts. 

Fulham is out of the drop zone on goal difference now...Chelsea is 3 points back with a game to play at tricky Newcastle on Monday.  The Gordies have been playing really well lately, so it'll be tough for the Blues.

With no satellite, I splurged and bought a monthly subscription to Setanta Broadband so I can watch the Manchester United game this morning and next Sunday.  I was also watching the Fulham game and the Reading game (on Charter's Fox Soccer Channel) at the same time.  Well worth it!  I can also go back into the archives and watch other games.  Not sure why I didn't do this previously! lol...maybe I'll by the full year for a discount next season.

I would love a draw at St. James' on Monday, but would cherish the home side with a win!  That game is also on Setanta, but it's during my work hours, so I can watch a replay on it later in the day (but only if Chelsea doesn't take all three points!)

[Greek Tragedy]

If you guys get bored, go to Youtube and type in:  I'm on Setanta Sports"

There are a bunch of episodes featuring Jose Morinho, Sven Goran, and Wayne Rooney.  Real funny stuff.  I actually was introduced to it during half time of my broadband watching of the Manchester United game this morning.  Never knew they had such a thing, but it's definitely pretty funny.  Jose reminds us how "fantastic" he is, a lot! lol...

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

The American Boys can take one sigh of relief.  Fulham needs to beat Portsmouth to assure themselves a spot in the Premiership again next year.

Reading gets Derby, so that should be a win.  Bolton is playing Sunderland today and then Chelsea next.  If they get three points today, they are safe.

[ScotsFan]

Bolton is playing Sunderland today and then Chelsea next.  If they get three points today, they are safe.

Bolton - 2
Sunderland - 0

Looks like the Wanderers are safe.

Can the Cottagers pull out one more improbable win?  With Reading hosting lowly Birmingham next week, it looks like Fulham will need yet one more win to complete their late season run send Reading packing based on goal differential. 

[Greek Tragedy]

Can the Cottagers pull out one more improbable win?  With Reading hosting lowly Birmingham next week

Reading actually plays the more lowly DERBY, as posted previously, while Birmingham hosts Blackburn.  Fulham may get a break with Portsmouth looking to rest players for the FA Cup Final, though it's 6 days later.

I think Derby will have a lot of pride playing at home, so it's not like Reading will have a cakewalk, considering they've gone about a million minutes without scoring a goal!

[Hoosier Titan]

Hey, Tom, we were talking about "I'm on Setanta Sports" a few days ago--you missed it!  We caught a rerun of the Willie Nelson episode today--it's still funny.  I love the image of Rooney as a sweet-voiced choirboy able to do the Rubix cube blindfolded. 

No matter how much they're playing for, this year's Derby side are looking to be as close to a cakewalk as one is likely to see in an EPL side.  11 points for the season and a -65 goal differential?  I hope that won't be bettered (?) any time soon.

[sac]

I'm Stoked about this years promotion teams.

[Hoosier Titan]

It was a wild day at the Championship level in the EPL.  Fourteen teams had something riding on the results:  West Brom and, yes, Stoke go up, and Watford, Crystal Palace, Hull, and Bristol City go into a play-off.  Wolverhampton go miss the playoff by two goals--they were tied on points with Watford and a goal back in GD.  Leicester go down to League One for the first time in their 120+ year history.  And Colchester go down, sadly.  (Colchester is a GREAT little city/town, an hour's train ride from London, with a wonderful Roman castle and museum). 

On the Premier level, Arsenal-Everton was a deadly affair, with Arsenal narrowly earning a one-goal win.  It was the kind of match that has most Americans saying they hate "soccer."  Liverpool pulled out a one-goal win over Man City that I haven't watched yet.  Evidently Torres had a peach of a goal.

[Greek Tragedy]

I guess I never connected the dots on that puppet show on Setanta...oops.  I figured I kind of skipped over that stuff since I didn't have it and then forgot all about it when I did watch the broadband thing.  Yeah, pretty funny stuff.

Promotions, playoffs and relegations are all fine and good, but there are only two games that matter to me this weekend...the Man. Utd. game and tomorrow's Chelsea game! Sorry everyone else! lol...