Monday 8 February 2010

Weekend Review (ish)

Liverpool v Everton




 I set my alarm for 7:30 am on Saturday to get up to watch the Merseyside derby. I wish I hadn't. It was a very poor derby game settled by Kuyt's flick from Gerrard's well-whipped corner. People may blame Howard but to defend a cross like that is almost impossible. I think that most people's gripe would be that Howard should be throwing his weight around more in the 6 yard box and not letting Kuyt get his feet planted in front of him.

Derby games are not known for their flowing football, more blood and snotters, than tricks and nutmegs. The tone was set for this by Carragher's thumping tackle on Pienaar, which rocked not only the South African but got the stadium cranked up another notch. And that was as good as the game got. Rash tackles and no composure.

If Phil Neville hit one more diagonal ball from the right back position I'm sure Roy Castle and Magnus Magnusson, would have stopped the game to present him with a 'Record Breakers' award from beyond the grave. It was shocking.

Landon Donovan again showed that question will always remain about his appetite for physical encounters; he was a non-factor in the game. Another disappointing performer was Steven Gerrard, who must be having his worse season in recent memory. Yes, his quality showed at the corner, but his tackle on Pienaar showed that ugly side of him. Again.

Felliani was lucky to stay on, as were a host of players, Mascherano, Gerrard, Pienaar (before he walked) and Anichebe. It was just a throw back to times when people kicked lumps out of each other, and got up and got on with it. Which in all honesty, I'm not too sure how I feel about that. It was refreshing to see full-blooded tackles, but it took away from the creative aspect of the game.

I think that Moyes hit the nail on the head when he stated that he didn't think Everton deserved to lose the game, but they also didn't deserve to win it either.

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Chelsea vArsenal

OK here goes, Chelsea win comfortably probably ending Arsenal's chance at the title. Real story. Wait I need to clear my throat for this.


*Switching 1000 megaphone on

"WILL SOMEONE AT ARSENAL PLEASE TAKE A FUCKING SHOT AT GOAL"

We know you can play cute little one-twos, we know that if the Premiership title was handed out for best 5 v 2 team, you would win every time. BUT IT IS NOT. Arsene, please for the love of god, take you players this week and make them train on a pitch that is 500 yards long and 250 wide. And make the kick the ball, hard. Very, very hard. Perhaps very, very, very hard in the direction of the goal. Anyone who passes it less than 25 yards, or does not shoot on sight of goal gets electrocuted, or worse shoved into a closet with Susan Boyle.

 I don't care for either team, but Nasri yesterday had me screaming "FUCKING SHOOOOOOOOT" I can only imagine the pain that Arsenal fans must be feeling. Two TOOTHLESS displays against their most bitter of rivals (Spurs excluded) have seen them limp out of the title race with their tale between their legs. Unless a miracle resurgence or Man Utd and Chelsea do a 'no after you, no no no, after you" job, that allows Arsenal to mount a late challenge.

Drogba looks fantastic, he is everything that Arsenal desire, pace, composure, brute strength, and most importantly clinical. I was never the biggest of Drogba fans but on form like that; he is clearly the best line leader out there. Which brings me to another point, while watching the game yesterday, I was struck with a thought that had I thought a few years ago, I would have been locked up in a loony bin. That of how happy and unselfish Nicholas Anelka looked. He seems to have found himself and most importantly seems to enjoy football, his run for Drogba's second goal was class, without it Drogba doesn't score, and the pattern of the game changes. On such little details titles are won.

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