LEN Teh Footy God's Footballodium

[johnhughthom]

The winner of the league is going to be whoever wins the Untied - Chelsea game at Old Trafford next week. Unless of course Bolton can play out of their skin tonight.

Haven't seen the goal yet, but it sounds like Wengers refusal to buy a dominant keeper has cost them again.

[Strike For The South]

I noticed the US doesn't have an official/referee representing them, they've instead picked two Mexicans.

They don't want it to seem like favoritism after America skull drags the other 31 teams who dare take us on

[naut]

Haven't seen the goal yet, but it sounds like Wengers refusal to buy a dominant keeper has cost them again.

It was more the lack of Vermaelen. He is a presence in the box and a leader already. Plus the playing surface, it's essentially a rugby pitch and the ball is liable to go any where. Plus Webb's ridiculous officiating, the Brum got away with a bundle and the first foul committed by Song gets him a card. Then Gardner dives blatantly and Clichy gets a card. Then it takes all of 70+ minutes of fouls before a single Brum player gets a card. It just killed any flow in the game.

[Craterus]

Chelsea need to win at Old Trafford or United will definitely win the league. Though even that may not be enough. I did the predictor before this weekend and had United winning the league by 4 points.

Shame Arsenal slipped up today, that has cost them whatever chance they had at the title.

[Secura]

Chelsea need to win at Old Trafford or United will definitely win the league.

The press are saying that the winner of this game will effectively win the League. I think even if United win this, there's still potential points to be lost at City, which was always going to be a tough one. And if Chelsea win, there's still points for them to lose against City and potentially Spurs. It's a close call. :3

Shame Arsenal slipped up today, that has cost them whatever chance they had at the title.

While I want Manchester United to win and finally overtake Liverpool on league titles... well all I will say is never say never. Arsenal have dragged themselves right back into contention after they were written off by so many... they're not out of the running by a long shot.

[naut]

To many variables and reliance on other teams to slip up. Essentially Arsenal need Manchester United v Chelsea to be a draw. And then lose and draw at Manchester City v Manchester United and Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur. And with the bus stop in Fulham, a loss and a draw at Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea and Liverpool v Chelsea.

There's a chance for a couple draws there, but you never know which Liverpool side is going to turn up. And the T*ny T*oTTs, well, again they've been performing well above their level this season, but they don't have the bottle to beat either. Basically I'm relying on the Sp*ds to do me a favour. Sigh...

[naut]

That is all.

[naut]

Also, I'm as tense as a pig in a thunderstorm. Just over 6 hours. Win this for Rocky Rocastle.

[Ferret]

Rooney's injury is perfect from my point of view. He should be out for the chelsea and city games in the league and the return leg with Bayern, so hopefully manure will be out of both these competitions but he will still be back for the world cup

[johnhughthom]

Imagine if Rocastle had have played under Wenger...

[Secura]

It's been twenty years in the making and, to me, it would be more important to surpass a long-standing English league record than to go to the World Cup and be knocked out in the second round or quarter-finals. I don't think England have the capability in the side to win the trophy, whereas United have every chance of winning a nineteenth league title.

Basically, what I'm saying is, if Rooney isn't able to play the most important games of this season against Chelsea and City, I wouldn't be all that fazed if he was an uncertainty for the World Cup; I don't fancy England's chances this year, haven't done so since 1998 and it's precisely the reason I've supported the Spanish national team for the last ten years. I'd rather watch Cesc, Silva or Villa over Barry, Crouch or Wright-Phillips.

The irony that the very people who give Rooney all that grief on club match days and want him to be injured will be the very same people cheering him on during international games or lamenting that English chances are slim without him.

[Strike For The South]

The irony that the very people who give Rooney all that grief on club match days and want him to be injured will be the very same people cheering him on during international games or lamenting that English chances are slim without him.

Not this guy

[naut]

Imagine if Rocastle had have played under Wenger...

Or Cruyff, or Van Gaal, or Pep.

That was an intense match. From amazement that Almunia can actually save, to frustration at the ref, to crushing disappointment, to hope. All in ninety minutes. I'm disappointed that Cesc got a very soft yellow for a perfectly legal challenge, but again I am very happy that Barca will miss both their first-choice centre-backs. To come back, with Gallas and Sharva off injured, and a make-shift back-four. And a 40% fit Cesc made me very proud. But, why, oh why, did it have to be Zlatan who scored, the most overrated forward in the world game. And in the end the criticism of Arsenal that they aren't clinical enough simply wasn't true. This seasons stats in the Champions League suggest a different view of things:

                    Shots                Goals                %

Arsenal           104                  18              17.3

Barcelona        101                  12              11.9

Man Utd          110                  17                   15.5

Real Mad        122                  16                    13.1

If you add in today's it moves even further towards Arsenal being clinical. So certainly, we are lucky that Barca is prolifigate, unlike a more clinical side like United or Inter. Who would sit and break and then ease out the result.

Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Ferret]

It's been twenty years in the making and, to me, it would be more important to surpass a long-standing English league record than to go to the World Cup and be knocked out in the second round or quarter-finals. I don't think England have the capability in the side to win the trophy, whereas United have every chance of winning a nineteenth league title.

Basically, what I'm saying is, if Rooney isn't able to play the most important games of this season against Chelsea and City, I wouldn't be all that fazed if he was an uncertainty for the World Cup; I don't fancy England's chances this year, haven't done so since 1998 and it's precisely the reason I've supported the Spanish national team for the last ten years. I'd rather watch Cesc, Silva or Villa over Barry, Crouch or Wright-Phillips.

The irony that the very people who give Rooney all that grief on club match days and want him to be injured will be the very same people cheering him on during international games or lamenting that English chances are slim without him.

Glory hunter

and in my defence, being one of those people, it's not my fault he chose to play for such a horrible team, and if him being injured will do them harm then I want it to happen

oh and that was never a penalty

[Secura]

Glory hunter

Hahaha, because Spain were definitely winning things back when Hierro, Luis Enrique and Morientes were in the side, right?

I simply support them because the English team is a constant letdown (the so-called Golden Generation being the case in point) and I enjoy watching Spain's style of play; I've been chastised for doing so by exes, family, friends, tutors, random people in pubs... I don't think localisation or nationality should have any bearing on what team someone supports. :3

and in my defence, being one of those people, it's not my fault he chose to play for such a horrible team, and if him being injured will do them harm then I want it to happen

I believe you're what the Stretford faithful refer to as an ABU, then.

oh and that was never a penalty

Perhaps not, but it has given the Gunners a sliver of hope and that's better than going into a return leg with no chance at all; it's a shame about Cesc, but fantastic that he was able to leave his mark on the tie. I hope Gallas and Arshavin manage to shrug off their respective problems and get back to playing as soon as possible too.

[Ferret]

Morientes, what a man.

And yeah fair enough Spain play some quality football and lots of top players, I was supporting them at the euros as well to be honest But this year, and I know people say that every time, I reckon England have a decent chance. And yeah I would be called that, but I'm sure not all of them will be so polite, particularly as I'll be living in Manchester for the next few years and will probably end up a city fan

[Jolt]

Time to see what Liverpool is made of.

[Jolt]

Time to see what Liverpool is made of.

Wasn't too difficult for Benfica. They massacred Liverpool through and through.

[Ferret]

2-1 at home with both goals coming from penalties and the away side down to ten men for most of the match is hardly a massacre. Even this weak Liverpool side should still win the tie at Anfield imo.

[naut]

Benfica's made it unecessarily hard for themselves. Conceding an away goal and not utilising that attack you mentioned Jolt to it's full potential at home. Anfield is not an easy place to go and win at, just ask United.

Well done Fulham. I'd love to see them go all they way, they've got the second worst odds, and I would put a fiver on them, it's good value.

[Jolt]

Benfica's made it unecessarily hard for themselves. Conceding an away goal and not utilising that attack you mentioned Jolt to it's full potential at home. Anfield is not an easy place to go and win at, just ask United.

Well done Fulham. I'd love to see them go all they way, they've got the second worst odds, and I would put a fiver on them, it's good value.

Considering the sheer amount of epic misses Cardozo had, if he was on a 'yes' day like he usually is, it would have ended like 4-1.

[naut]

I hope to hell Stoke go down next season. Those no-skill cloggers don't now how to play without injuring other players.

Sunderland. Bringing the Sp*ds back down to earth. But should have been 6.

[johnhughthom]

Sunderland. Bringing the Sp*ds back down to earth. But should have been 6.

We were toying with them.

What brought on that little Stoke rant? Did they hurt somebody today? I would have thought Bentner's late winner would be all you were thinking of right now.

[naut]

[johnhughthom]

Chris Kamara is by far the best sports presenter on tv.

[Craterus]

Saw it live Kammy

[InsaneApache]

Chris Kamara is by far the best sports presenter on tv.

He is good but what about Stuart Hall? Anyone who can quote Macbeth in the context of a footy game has to worth his weight in salt.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Whoa...Messi IS the Greatest Player of All Time.


Good grief. Where will this end?



Nobody knows, at the moment in question, that a player is playing better than he is ever going to be again. Other players have had unbelievable spells before, for a few months, or just a tournament. Even so, if all of this in the end will turn out to have been a few months during which Messi had the peak of his career, it is close to the best we've seen from any player, at any time. Maradona 1986 springs to mind, but better.

Blimey.

[Secura]

Might as well just give Barcelona the trophy now and pay the remaining clubs their respective prize money; I can't see Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Bordeaux or Lyon giving them even a fighting battle.

It's a shame, because I really wanted Arsenal to go through; alongside Barcelona they play some of the most attractive football in Europe. I'm certain that some time in the near future will be their year, though.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Might as well just give Barcelona the trophy now and pay the remaining clubs their respective prize money; I can't see Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Bordeaux or Lyon giving them even a fighting battle.

It's a shame, because I really wanted Arsenal to go through; alongside Barcelona they play some of the most attractive football in Europe. I'm certain that some time in the near future will be their year, though.

Arsenal is great. I would agree though that this is all about 'who can stop Barcelona'.

Tomorrow's games should be great! Man Utd - Bayern I think will be very tense. Bordeaux still has a shot, but we blew it last week.