What a Day! What a Day!
It’s 115 am and am still up from all the excitement after the round up of the Barclay’s English Premier League which to me is THE BEST League in the WORLD! Well i had planned the evening for friends to come down to catch the match. Unfortunately, many Bastard me! Haha. No lah. Eh Guys, must watch together for the Champions League Final between Chelsea and Man U! The people were busy and it was Mother’s Day after all!
Before delving further,
HAPPY Belated MOTHERS DAY to all the mothers out there! Had a nice dinner with my family at our favourite local shop food Chai Chee (OH LA LA!) Restaurant.
I would like to thank Starhub and Football Channel for coming up with the great idea to show up to 8 matches on this day. Also, it’s partly due to the EPL board of having the plan to have every game start with the same kick off time. Indeed, i was switching channels from the Chelsea match to Man U, Fulham, Reading, Birmingham and finally my own team Newcastle vs Everton.
Manchester United ARE THE CHAMPIONS of The Barclays English Premier League
I have to give tribute to them as they have been the most exciting team to beat from start to finsih. With the likes of Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Scholes, Neville, Anderson & Giggs ; what more does a team need than with such determined characters having the class & style to perform week in week out. Being led by the ever brilliant Alex Ferguson, who is as wily as an old fox ever hungry for the next trophy. Give it up to Man U, they deserve to be the Champions with a whopping 58 goal difference and having such style and Never Say Die attitude.
Title Challengers
Man United vs Wigan [2-0]
Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t disappoint the fans when he has duly brought back his 10th Premiership Title. As you can see, it will be a day of records. The game started as a boring scrappy match with me trying to prevent myself from falling asleep. Both sides weren’t able to have many chances due to the tight close marking employed by Steve Bruce and it didn’t help that the heavy rain ensured no fancy footworks or passing will be a sight. However, Man U opened the lead with a 33rd minute penalty after Rooney was brought down in the box by Emerson Boyce. Ronaldo, having missed the spot kick against Barcelona in the Nuo Camp, stepped up and coolly finishes the penalty. One have to praise him for having the guts and nerves of steel to win his club the title. Furthermore, he equaled Alan Shearer’s Premier League Best Haul of 31 goals. Amazing skills from an amazing player. And it was certainly most befitting that Ryan Giggs ensured Man United’s title win by slotting in Rooney’s through ball in the 80th minute. Ryan Giggs, a devoted servant to Man United, equaled Sir Bobby Charlton’s with a 758th United appearance and nicely finishing it off with a goal too. Certainly, he will surpass the record when he plays for Man United in the Champions League Final against Chelsea. Special praise also to Bruce’s Wigan & the crowd for giving Man U a tough fight.
Chelsea vs Bolton [1-1]
I was expecting Chelsea to cruise here but they too had the jitters playing another boring game from such a talented side. Chelsea have been performing beautifully in the past recent weeks especially with the reemergence of Michael Ballack. However, an upset wasn’t to be as they only managed a draw dashing hopes of Avram Grants final playoff plea. Indeed, it was quite ironic that their goal came from a man that is rumoured to leaving the club at the end of the season. Shevchenko opened the scoring with a sublime shin goal that even left me speechless as to how he placed the ball into the back of the net. However, i guess word got to the Chelsea team around the dying minutes that Man U were leading 2-0. In the dying minutes, a stupid goal slipped past Cech that left Chelsea looking like fools. However, Cheer up Chelsea Fans (that includes you Fauzy!) you shall be in your first Champions League Final and i have a feeling that an upset is in store for Man U. But, it will be without the incredulous brave captain John Terry once again risking his body and breaking his collar bone which will certainly rule him out for the match. Unless, the have discovered a new form of accelerated Bone Stem Cell growth. A nice point to note, Avram Grant was seen shaking fan’s hands. One can’t help but think was that a farewell? But it was nice to see a poster held up by a boy stating “Don’t Go Avram! We love You!”. Credit to pushing Man U till the end and finally entering the Champions League final by beating their bogey team Liverpool too.
Relegation Battlers
Fulham vs Portsmouth [1-0]
And the team that makes it through, once again defying the odds, is Fulham. The team which was the least likely to beat the drop miraculously clinch above both Reading & Birmingham. I have always had a feeling they will stay up even though many others mocked by suggestions. One must only have praise for the wonderful works of Roy Hodgson that changed the overall perspective of the team after the dour management of Lawrie Sanchez. Fulham already did themselves a massive favour last weekend by beating Birmingham 2-0. One had the feeling that Fulham was the most fortunate as they entered on a high and Portsmouth coming from a string of loses and poor performances with nothing else to play for other than the F.A. Cup. Again, lots of scrappy play and harsh tackles. But i have to praise the American contingent of Casey Keller & Brian McBride whose heroics indeed gave Fulham a chance. However, the star of the day was to be former Liverpool man Danny Murphy turning back the years to ensure Harrod’s owner Al Fayed’s team Fulham continues to play in the Premiership. Good luck Fulham and congratulations. Although, i think Hodgson has a lot to do to improve the team. Or else, i do spy them being in the same circumstances again next season. And it might not be a happy ending for a third time.
Reading vs Derby [4-0]
Unfortunately, after two seasons in the top flight, Reading are out of the Premier League. The Fairytale Royal team that performed last season was hindered by the lack of foresight of Steve Coppell wanting not to delve into the January transfer market to strengthen up his team. Also, it didn’t help with players personal problems that lead to the dropping of Sonko last week due to his refusal to play in a reserves match. Reading performed up to expectations by duly brushing aside Derby as the rags they are. However, they too shall be brushed alongside with Derby into the Championship next season. But am sure Coppell has learnt his lesson and i have a feeling it won’t be long before we shall see them back in the Premiership. It also helps to have that extra $12 million pounds in relegation aid by the Premier League.
Birmingham vs Blackburn [4-1]
A tough match with Birmingham showing a little bit of class to upstage the more successful Mark Hugheso Blackburn. The goals flowed in nicely with beautiful set plays. But it wasn’t not to be as certainly last weekends results had them shooting off their own foot. A little info from John Burridge “Budgie”, for such a massive city of 1 million people ( Deemed as the 2nd city in UK), it is indeed a major disappoint to see them playing in the Championship with such talented players. The sacking of Steve Bruce must be seen as a major regret for the club although he left for his own future and the instability in the club. Alex Mcleish tried his best but he too wasn’t ready for the trials and tribulations of the everyday Premiership Club. However, have no fear. I too have a feeling that they will be back soon in the league.
UEFA 5th Place
Everton vs Newcastle [3-1]
Everton had their UEFA dreams in their own hands. It was theirs to screw up or achieve their aims. But, with the help of David Moyes, they calmly achieved their target though with some scares from Newcastle that made the match intensely exciting. After opening up the game with Ayegbeni Yakubu goal in the 28th minute, it was a big scare when Newcastle came back to draw in the 47th minute with penalty successfully converted by Michael Owen. However, Newcastle played poorly leading to a consecutive league defeat. Goals by Lescott and another by Yakubu ensured that Kevin Keegan still has a lot to do to improve the club next season. Praise to Yakubu, the $11 million pounds striker was indeed money well spent as his double took his tally to 21 goals, finally the first Everton player to hit the 20 mark ever since Peter Beardsley last did it. David Moyes will indeed be happy and had no reason to worry as Villa failed to win. Special mention too is the saga unfolding around his delayed contract negotiations. David Moyes might certainly would like a clause that will allow him to break his contract if a managerial position opens up among the Big Four. Certainly, Liverpool and Man United are in his mind.
Special Mention
Man City vs Boro [1-8]
A scoreline that i was certainly not expecting. After reports of Sven Gore Eriksson gaining the Man City faithful wanting him to be the manager next season, this scoreline certainly doesn’t do any favours for him. One would have expected Eriksson to prove his Chairman Thaksin Shinawatra wrong on what may be his final match for Man City. It doesn’t also bode well with their chance to qualify for Europe through the Fifa Fair Play spot by the sending off of Richard Dunne. However, it seemed that Thaksin might be proved right. Unfortunate for Eriksson as he has led them to their highest position ever since Keegan’s 8th spot. The mauling by Boro is indeed devastating. I just hope he will still be given a chance as am sure he is a good manage. Or else, we will just be seeing him managing Benfica next season.
Overall Summary
Well indeed, a season full of excitement and promise. It wasn’t a dull two horse race but a three horse race with Arsenal leading initially only to burn out their youngsters in the dying moments to be out of both the league and Champions League in the same week. Wenger does need to buy experienced players or else he will face the same results with more of his players leaving the club. Flamini has already followed the trend set by Henry. Chelsea gave a nice photo finish though i have a feeling that Franck Rikaard will be taking over to give more spice to the team next season. Praise to Man U for performing once again with Ronaldo ever magnificent. I am sure he will win the World Footballer of the Year if he helps them win the Champions League. Liverpool too performed well in the ending with Torres proving everyone that he is a wonderful striker. Can’t wait for Benitez to build his team around him and finally getting better wingers. May Keegan too spent wisely to improve my beloved Newcastle. Will be seeing what football promise holds in store by Stoke and West Brom. Will they follow the foot steps of Roy Keane’s Sunderland or follow the dismal performances of Derby County. Only time will tell.
Praise to Football Channel. I have indeed been entertained by the crew and gives a different style as that of John Dykes. The calm and smiling presence of Joe Morrison with colourful kitsmen like Carlton Palmer and my favourite, John “Budgie” Burridge, with his frank, interesting comments and indeed colourful suits that brightens up the studio. Will be looking forward to next seasons soccer with a glee. And can’t wait to have Football Channel to cover the action once again.
Upcoming Matches
UEFA Cup [April 15th 2.40am]
Zenith Petersburg vs Rangers
It will be an interesting match between two relatively unknown teams. Am looking forward to Rangers carrying the title. Can’t wait for next years European Champions Cup between Rangers and Man U. Haha. Watch out for Pavel Brogveniak in Zenit.
F.A. Cup [May 17th]
Portsmouth vs Cardiff
Portsmouth are indeed having a torrid performance in the league. However, everything may change come the F.A. Cup Final with the likes of Jermain Defoe and hopefully David James. For once, a final without the big guns. Might prove this match to be an exciting spectacle if Cardiff unexpectedly does the impossible and wins it. Will cause an interesting Charity Shield next season.
UEFA Champions League [May 21st]
Man United vs Chelsea
What is deemed to be a classic all English Battle, it shall prove to the world why the English League is the Best League in the World. Held in the cold exotic Moscow, one remembers the escapades of Liverpool there. The stage is set as it shall be an amazing spectacle and the best place for Chelsea to exact their revenge upon Man United. However, i do spy that Man United will have that extra class and quality to see off Chelsea. And if it happens, it might prove to be the best moment for Sir Alex Ferguson to step down. Shades of him savouring the League win in his eyes might indicate hints of a man wanting to leave the game on a high note. But, Avram might have other ideas in wanting to prove Chariman Abramovich that he is suited for the job. Moscow will be a night to remember. Trust me, it will.
Fai @ ilovelookinggood
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