September 18, 201213 yr I'm happy for Podolski! Thought it would be more difficult for him to settle at Arsenal's first choice line-up. Would have been tough for him if he wouldn't have scored from beginning on I think, but now that Van Persie is gone he can do nothing else but to score. Could have worked out worse!!! :wacky:
September 19, 201213 yr Real Madrid look strong, they could take the champion's league this year I reckon. That's what you took from this game? I'm honoured to be on your ignore list. I mean it's not exactly the most controversial argument to say Real Madrid can win the Champions League (Any team other then them and Barcelona and it would be), and you choose to say it after they were decidedly weak last night and conceded 2 cheap goals from poor defending. Madrid had no ideas up until City scored, they held the ball fine but City weren't pressing them, instead waiting for Madrid to penetrate the final 3rd which they rarely got anywhere near doing, long range shots were becoming their best chance. Up until they conceded there was few and far between, notably Higuain's 2 chances where he couldn't control a chipped through ball and for some insane reason decided to try and blast another chipped through ball into the top corner as hard as he could, despite being about 8 yards out and any sort of connection on target would've slipped by Hart. I just look at Higuain and wonder why the hell they haven't bought a Falcao or Hulk this summer, he's a talented player who relies too much on those around him. With Benzema as well, I'd say this is the weakest part of the squad if you're looking for players to win you a CL. From the first goal onwards the tactics went out the window a bit, and it was a bit messy but so entertaining, great game. It is pretty remarkable how biased pundits can be about a respected English player, Joe Hart made a horrific blunder for the winner, yes it did dip and Kompany was possibly just as much to blame for ducking so that Hart saw it late (What was he doing?!) but it was undoubtedly weak goalkeeping, I couldn't believe it actually went in.
September 19, 201213 yr Incredible last quarter to Real v Man City! No doubt over the full 90 minutes Real deserved the three points but credit to Man City for almost pulling off an upset when they had no right to. They need to learn how to handle this competition though. The likes of a Ferguson, Benitez or Mourinho would never allow anything like that to happen in the Champions League. Looking ahead though I think City fans should worry about the visit by Arsenal on Sunday. City haven't looked too good this season so far so really it has to start with a good performance against Arsenal come 4pm on Sunday. Arsenal weren't too impressive this evening from what I saw of them but have had a much healthier start to the league. I'd go for an Arsenal win on Sunday though and let's hope so. very worried about Sunday. Its going to take a while to get last night out of ones system.
September 19, 201213 yr very worried about Sunday. Its going to take a while to get last night out of ones system. I don't say "I hope so" in spite of Man City though. I say it in support of Arsenal who I hope can mount a title challenge this year just to make things interesting.
September 19, 201213 yr I say "I hope so" out of both, thought I can't really see Arsenal being consistent enough to keep up, it's a different mentality, a horrible run for the top 2 teams is maybe a loss and draw in a row, for Arsenal it's 5 games without a win. Paris SG and Malaga's completely new look sides performed well, it's still getting more ridiculous in football. Malaga's situation serves as a warning because the owner has quickly packed up and gone, they can't get in touch with him and he wants to sell, regardless of the debts that this could leave for them after all the big spending. Talking of big spending, Oscar from Internacional just scored 2 goals for Chelsea on his debut, the 2nd of which was an incredibly creative touch to get free of 2 players which also tee'd up a shot for himself, which he curled incredibly past Buffon. That was a hell of a goal and I'd imagine we'll be seeing it for a while.
September 19, 201213 yr Man Utd 1-0 up v Galatasaray but being caught with their pants down on the counter and set pieces. they could easily be 1-3 down at HT
September 19, 201213 yr 3-2. Meh. Messi with a header though, quite rare, Barca do unexpected things when under pressure.
September 19, 201213 yr Messi. :edit: ^ Barca were just swarming, curious to see how Spartak ever got off a shot, much less two goals. Back to Chelsea, apparently Juve equalized.
September 19, 201213 yr LOL got there first!1 God damnit, missed the Juve goal switching to Messi's goal for literally 1min. Chelsea 2-2 Juventus, 82nd min. Exciting.
September 19, 201213 yr FT Man Utd 1-0 Galatasaray could have been any scorelike you like, but poor finishing all night
September 20, 201213 yr LOL got there first!1 God damnit, missed the Juve goal switching to Messi's goal for literally 1min. Chelsea 2-2 Juventus, 82nd min. Exciting. This was really exciting,anyone could won. Shame on us surrendering the 2-0 lead.
September 21, 201213 yr I see Liverpool kicked off their Europa League group with a 5-3 win over the Young Boys.
September 22, 201213 yr Liverpool v Manchester United: Sir Alex Ferguson's letter to away fans Sir Alex Ferguson has written a letter to Manchester United supporters attending Sunday's game at Liverpool to ask that the rivalry between the sides does not cross into "personal hatred". The fixture will be Liverpool's first home game since the findings of an independent panel investigating the Hillsborough disaster were published. The United boss's letter will be handed to away fans as they enter Anfield. In it he states: "Our great club stands with our great neighbours Liverpool." Ferguson and numerous United supporters' groups have released statements over the last week, condemning chants referring to the Hillsborough disaster. United will take an increased contingent to Anfield compared to the same fixture last year, when they were handed a reduced allocation following complaints of fans blocking aisles. The letter in full "Dear Supporter, "The great support you gave the team here last season has seen our allocation back up to near-full levels. I want you to continue that progress today. But today is about much more than not blocking gangways. Today is about thinking hard about what makes United the best club in the world. Our rivalry with Liverpool is based on a determination to come out on top - a wish to see us crowned the best against a team that held that honour for so long. "It cannot and should never be based on personal hatred. Just ten days ago, we heard the terrible, damning truth about the deaths of 96 fans who went to watch their team try and reach the FA Cup final and never came back. What happened to them should wake the conscience of everyone connected with the game. Our great club stands with our great neighbours Liverpool today to remember that loss and pay tribute to their campaign for justice. I know I can count on you to stand with us in the best traditions of the best fans in the game. Yours sincerely, Sir Alex Ferguson." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19681043
September 22, 201213 yr The letter in full "Dear Supporter, "The great support you gave the team here last season has seen our allocation back up to near-full levels. I want you to continue that progress today. But today is about much more than not blocking gangways. Today is about thinking hard about what makes United the best club in the world. Our rivalry with Liverpool is based on a determination to come out on top - a wish to see us crowned the best against a team that held that honour for so long. Yours sincerely, Sir Alex Ferguson." He really just meant to say that ... Having a cheeky swipe
September 23, 201213 yr Really disappointed with that result at Anfield this afternoon. We played something of a blinder especially in that first half and did everything but score (that same old problem again). I'm not going to try and get myself wound up about the refereeing performance but it was very poor. Quite simply he could not handle the occasion. The only thing Man Utd did well all game was their first goal. Well worked and an excellent finish from Rafael. Liverpool's possession was top class though. It was definitely the biggest step forward seen under Rodger's tactical overhaul. They HAVE to keep that level up going into next week. There will be nothing more infuriating than putting in a performance like today and then putting in a shite performance at Carrow Road.
September 23, 201213 yr Van Persie penalty sinks 10-man Liverpool Liverpool 1 - 2 Man Utd Robin van Persie's late penalty gave Manchester United victory over Liverpool on a poignant afternoon at Anfield. On an occasion when the Hillsborough victims and families were remembered in moving scenes before kick-off, these two great rivals produced a typically competitive and contentious encounter. Liverpool were reduced to 10 men when Jonjo Shelvey was sent off for a first-half foul on United defender Jonny Evans - but it did not stop captain Steven Gerrard volleying them ahead seconds after the interval. United, barely in the game for long periods, responded with a spectacular equaliser from Rafael Da Silva before Van Persie confirmed a fourth straight Premier League win nine minutes from time after Glen Johnson fouled Antonio Valencia. It left Liverpool and new manager Brendan Rodgers without a league win in five attempts this season and in the Premier League's bottom three, once again rueing their lack of cutting edge. Liverpool enjoyed spells of complete domination in territory and possession but failed to make it count, leaving United the opportunity to take full advantage for their first win at Anfield in six games. As expected, Anfield was an emotional arena after the recent publication of the findings of an independent panel investigating the disaster at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. The panel cleared Liverpool's supporters of blame and the build-up to kick-off was marked with a series of tributes to commemorate the occasion. Supporters arrived hours before the start to lay floral tributes at Anfield's Eternal Flame Hillsborough memorial and The Kop was emblazoned with a mosaic reading "The Truth" while the word "Justice" decorated the lower Centenary Stand. Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton then presented flowers to Liverpool's record goalscorer Ian Rush as opposing captains Gerrard and Ryan Giggs released 96 red balloons in memory of those who lost their lives. The ceremonies were impeccably observed by both sets of supporters, as was the ritual of the pre-match handshake between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra. There was no repeat of last season's scene at Old Trafford when the Uruguayan, who had been found guilty of racially abusing the United defender, refused the Frenchman's hand. When the action did start Liverpool exerted complete control of the first half but could not find the finishing touch to compliment their fine approach work. Gerrard was closest with a shot narrowly off target at the near post as United struggled to find any fluency. Liverpool's flow was disrupted in the 39th minute when they lost Shelvey as he was shown a straight red card by referee Mark Halsey for a reckless lunge at Evans that left the United defender requiring treatment. Rodgers replaced Fabio Borini with Suso at the start of the second half and he was instantly involved as Liverpool claimed the lead they deserved. He showed confidence on the flanks and the move, which also included clever work from Johnson, ended with Gerrard sweeping a left-foot volley past Anders Lindegaard in front of an ecstatic Kop. United, who had brought Paul Scholes on for Nani to provide a measure of order to their midfield, were quickly level as Shinji Kagawa chested Valencia's cross into the path of Rafael, who curled a superb finish beyond the stretching Pepe Reina. Liverpool were still pressing forward and twice Lindegaard rescued United, saving low from Suarez then turning Suso's rising shot over the top. United had stabilised after that poor first half but it was still against the run of play when they went ahead from the spot - and Liverpool's undoing was all their own work. Daniel Agger and Johnson collided on the halfway line to concede possession, allowing Valencia to race forward. The run ended with Johnson upending the winger in a desperate attempt at recovery. To make matters worse Agger was hurt in his clash with Johnson and he was taken off on a stretcher before Van Persie finally converted the penalty, despite Reina getting a hand to his powerful effort. Liverpool had run out of steam, ending with nine men after Martin Kelly was injured, allowing United to close out an important win. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19615059
September 23, 201213 yr Some observations from the game: 1) United were crap throughout 2) Liverpool were the better team even with 10 men 3) The stats indicate Liverpool were unlucky not to get all three points 4) Shelvey deserved to be sent off 5) Suarez is still a diving bastard 6) Sterling is one hell of a player
September 23, 201213 yr Some observations from the game: 1) United were crap throughout 2) Liverpool were the better team even with 10 men 3) The stats indicate Liverpool were unlucky not to get all three points 4) Shelvey deserved to be sent off 5) Suarez is still a diving bastard 6) Sterling is one hell of a player Suarez was caught and I believe he did go down but it was the theatrics that persuaded the referee not to give it. He has to stop that.
September 23, 201213 yr John Terry has retired from England duty. "The FA has made my position untenable" he said. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19695430
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