The Nitty Gritty

This weekend could prove to be pivotal on both ends of the table in England.

1. The Race for the Title: It is officially down to a two horse race. Manchester United came from behind to defeat Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday. What an exciting game it was—Arsenal, as they did midweek, started out the better team and looked like they might go ahead on several occasions. However, United still looked dangerous on the break, with Rooney squandering several good chances in the first half.

Finally, Arsenal found the break through just after halftime. While it was certainly deserved, it did look at bit like Adebayor bundled the ball home with his arm. But Arsenal are making a pattern of coughing up leads and they did so again, within only a few minutes, as Gallas gave up a penalty. The spot kick was smashed home by Ronaldo and Hargreaves won all three points a few minutes later with a terrific free kick from just outside the area.

Now the pressure is on Chelsea to beat Wigan later today, which should not be too much to ask of the Blues. The rest of the season could come down to a match up between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on April 26th. However, if both teams obtain maximum points in their other matches, that would almost certainly give the title to United regardless of the outcome at the Bridge.

To finish the season Manchester United have Blackburn, Chelsea and Wigan away and West Ham at home. The game against Chelsea will be difficult, and Blackburn have proved to be a thorn in United’s side in past seasons. Either of those games could easily result in dropped points. As for Chelsea, their season finishes up at home to Wigan, Manchester United and Bolton and away to Everton and Newcastle. Points could be dropped to Manchester United, but also in their away games.

While Manchester United certainly have the upper hand, this race is by no means over; however, with the Red Devils’ current run of form, they have to be my pick to nip the title at the death.

2. Relegation Dogfight: At the other end of the table Fulham, Bolton, Birmingham, Reading and Wigan are all involved in a fight for their Premiership lives. Despite a win in which the team played some great passing soccer, Fulham are still four points from safety and need an absolute miracle to survive. Bolton, likewise are in a desperate situation, but their win over the weekend provided three vital points; although they are still in the drop zone. Bolton and Fulham have tough schedules down the stretch, leaving them no path back up to saftey-- my tip for relegation: Derby, Fulham, and Bolton.

As Expected

What absolutely blew me away about Wednesday’s Man Utd-Roma game was the blistering pace at which the match was played. For a game where United could have scraped by with a draw or even a loss, they came flying out of the gates looking determined to put away the tie before the fans had settled in their seats.

Despite creating several brilliant chances, where both Hargreaves and Giggs could have and maybe should have scored, it was Roma who had the best chance, with a first half penalty. Certainly fans will dispute this one, although it became a somewhat moot point as De Rossi blasted the spot kick into about row Q. When I saw the tackle by the woeful Wes Brown to give away the penalty, my first thought was: “oh boy, that was so rash, it’ll be a penalty for sure”. Upon seeing the replay I was much less convinced it was a penalty. A very harsh decision indeed, but I can understand how in real time the referee saw an infringement in the tackle.

Eventually United put the game on ice with a lovely header from Tevez. Ronaldo and Rooney (who played only a few minutes toward the end) were rested ahead of Sunday’s league clash with Arsenal. Man of the match was Hargreaves, certainly the best I have ever seen him play for United.

I missed the Barcelona game, but the match up appeared a similar result to the first leg: with Schalke blowing their chances and Barcelona scrapping in a goal. The semi-final between Manchester United and Barcelona should provide ample excitement, as both teams can play with a spectacular attacking flow. If the games were to be contested immediately I would give the edge to United; however things can change in two weeks, so I will have to wait to make my semi-final predictions.

A Penalty?

As perhaps not the world’s biggest Liverpool fan, I have to try to be a little bit objective about yesterday’s Liverpool-Arsenal encounter.

On Ryan Babel’s “soft”(soccernet’s word, not mine) penalty: yes, okay, it probably should have been a foul, Toure’s legs got a little tangled from behind and Babel took a tumble. It was one of those unfortunate moments where you cannot really blame Toure, as it merely looked like he was trying to get out of the way.

The thing about the game that has to drive Arsenal fans nuts though is Kuyt’s challenge on Hleb in the opening leg. This was a much more clear cut penalty, and of a similar nature: defender comes from behind, tangles with the attacker. Except that in the case of Kuyt/Hleb, Kuyt actually reached around with his arm on Hleb. Arsenal certainly should have had a penalty, even Liverpool fans have to admit they were damned lucky.

And the rest of the game? Until Hyypia’s equalizer, Arsenal looked incredible. They were playing amazing one touch soccer and making great runs; basically tearing Liverpool to shreds. By the half hour mark the Gunners certainly could have bagged more than the one they did.

Hyypia’s goal that followed was a commanding header, but what appalling defending! Senderos was flat beaten by the quickness of the aging Finn, surely a disgraceful moment for the big Swiss defender. And what on earth was Fabregas doing? Perhaps he could not have blocked the shot, but as a goalkeeper this sort of thing gets your ire up; stay on the post (not three feet off it) until you are told to get out. Liverpool’s second goal was much better worked, with a blistering finish from Torres (whose quickness also let him in, but is a little more renowned than Hyypia’s). Again it was the erratic Senderos doing the defending. Arsenal will need to trade up for more stable central defender if they are hoping to win any silverware next year.

The result was probably a fair result. For as good as Arsenal looked in the first 30 minutes, they simply fell apart after giving up the equalizing goal. While Liverpool did not look like anything particularly special for large periods of the game, their defending was solid and in the end they had what Arsenal did not: the finishing touch, and a little luck.

As for Chelsea-Fenerbahce, is anyone surprised at that result? This was a match up where Chelsea could have and should have absolutely destroyed the Turks. Instead, they let their foot off the accelerator and allowed Fenerbahce a few half chances, making things nervier than they ever should have been. But that was pretty much the theme of the tie; for me the result was never in question. The Blues got the job done; on to Liverpool.

And what an interesting match up this will be. Chelsea will be without Essien for the first leg and possibly down to third choice goalkeeper Hilario (who can hold his own, but must be rusty from inaction). If Chelsea can somehow pull this one out, it will certainly silence all the Avram Grant critics. Without a doubt Chelsea’s squad is stronger than Liverpool’s, but as we have seen time and time again in soccer; sometimes that just does not matter. And that is why you play the game.

And We're Back!

After a long break from writing, mainly spent skiing and coaching skiing, it's spring and I'm back.

With lots of exciting matches in the coming weeks, there will be plenty comment on.