Premier League Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

Thumbs Up
Chelsea
A 3-0 win away to a (supposed) title rival is quite the signal of intent. Chelsea did what they tend to do with Arsenal, at least when Drogba is playing - allow Arsenal the ball, confident in the belief that a defence including Terry, Carvalho, and Cole is unlikely to be breached often, and then punish Arsenal when the opportunities present themselves. Its been said often but to repeat it is merely to hammer home an unequivocal truth - Chelsea are a powerful team, and yet again the fancy football of Arsenal had no match for the power and efficiency of Chelsea's play.

Didier Drogba in particular should take a bow - far and away the chief tormentor of an Arsenal defence. It used be the case that Sendoros was by and large the target of his fury, but Gallas and Vermaelen yesterday joined their hardly esteemed colleague in being punished by Arsenals tormentor.

Manchester United
Travelling to a venue that has often been unkind to United was made all the more difficult by the preceding weeks events - namely the appointment of a new manager at Pompey. Not to worry. While United's defence looked erratic and uncomfortable at times, Rooney finally rediscovered the form he had lost a month ago, while Giggs simply continued his. That's ten league goals for Rooney - penalty taking duties may yet help him finally discover some semblance of goalscoring consistency.

A word on the goalkeeping situation. With Van der Sar out, Kuszczak had perhaps his best game in a United shirt. Indeed, given the poor overall defensive display, this was well timed. It was also bad news indeed for the inconsistent Foster.

Liverpool
Arguably this was a long overdue win that included some luck for a change. Consecutive wins and clean sheets (following the midweek victory against Debrecen), should finally bring some respite for Benitez. It has to be noted that the performance was still poor, though now Rafa and his team have a platform to build on, and it is vital they do so considering the relative good form of Spurs.

And while the performance was poor, still more worrying for the manager will be the continued dismal form of Gerrard since his return for injury. If Torres remains sidelined, and Gerrard keeps underperforming as he has been, Liverpool may need a lot more luck to maintain results such as this one.

Birmingham City
A big win away to fellow relegation contenders Wolves means their recent fine run continues unabated. It also suggests that they may be around next season.

Hull City
A draw at Eastlands is not to be sniffed at, even if City are in the habit at the moment. Further, this was the stadium where everything really went sour last season for Brown and his men - this may well have been akin to exorcising a demon.

West Ham United
Even they couldn't manage to throw away a five goal lead, thought not for the want of trying.

Thumbs Down
Arsenal
An 3-0 reverse at home to a title rival is nothing short of embarrassing. The fact that many people expected them to be beat should be just as worrying as the fact that they were defeated. The final scoreline may have been excessive, but the phrase 'men against boys' has been used, and it is an accurate summation of this 'contest'.

For Arsenal fans, a trophyless season may well beckon again. The real concern is that Wenger shows no signs of changing his myopic ways - his kids will eventually come good apparently. Well, they do say Arsene knows - though the trophy cabinet at the Emirates will beg to differ.

Everton
Defeat at home to your big rivals is never welcome. It is even less so on the back of consecutive league defeats. The performance may have been encouraging, but as many teams can attest to, no points are awarded for good displays. The fixture list doesn't get any kinder either - next up are a vibrant Spurs side.

Manchester City
7 draws in a row. That's nearly one fifth of the season in successive draws. One doesn't have to be a genius to work out that for the outlay in the Summer, this wasn't what the owners had anticipated. Hughes may well be getting more than a little worried, and whether or not he will be afforded more money in January given the way results have gone remains to be seen. What seems obvious is that this is not a team that should be drawing 7 games in a row. It is also painfully obvious that despite the Summer arrivals, the defence simply is not what it should be. The blame for this rests squarely with one man. He needs a swift return to winning ways - unfortunately its Chelsea in town next.

Premier League Preview

Big games to look forward to....

Aston Villa versus Tottenham Hotspur
Two of the three Premier League great pretenders. It is these two clubs along with Manchester City that are threatening the established Big 4's monopoly of the Champions League positions. For Villa, their home form is key to their success as their away form has been inconsistent. A draw last weekend at Burnley was a good result against tricky opposition in a hostile environment but back at Villa Park they must look to lay down a marker against a team coming off the back of an amazing victory against Wigan. Tottenham in particular have had a fantastic start to the season, and a win here would really signal their intentions, though a draw would surely be deemed satisfactory.

Both managers have interesting selection choices ahead of the game. Villa were rescued last weekend by the much maligned Emile Heskey, who got a goal that was overdue to say the least. They also finally have Stewart Downing to call upon.

Defoe inspired Spurs to a famous result, alongside his former Portsmouth strike partner Peter Crouch and with another ex-Portsmouth player, Niko Kranjcar providing the service. Will Harry Redknapp remove one to make way for Robbie Keane? And how do you justify changing a team that has scored 9 (9!) goals?

Everton versus Liverpool
Where to start with this one. Everton are in poor form and will welcome a return to Goodison Park following away performances that saw a defence leak 3 goals in consecutive matches. Injuries have hampered their start to the season and they have now been overtaken as the team most likely to break the top 4. David Moyes is in a difficult position. With less money available to spend than Spurs, Villa, and City (obviously), one wonders if he has taken this team as far as he can. Recently the shape of the team has been odd and un-Everton like. Two up top against Hull was a strange choice for a team more accustomed to a 5 in midfield. Even last weekend against United they ended up with Cahill and Fellaini in wide positions where neither flourish.

A wounded Liverpool may well be the last team Everton would want to face now. Pool tend to rise to the occasion when little is expected of them (see the result against United as evidence, though the caveat is that that match was at Anfield). The pressure is mounting on Benitez following the weeks events, though at least they got the win, which following an incredible run of 1 win in 10 is not to be sniffed at. One point that must be noted is Benitez's almost bizarre treatment of star signing Aquilani. Despite making his debut in the Carling Cup nearly a month ago, he is still being used sparingly. One would have thought that an away match against minnows Debrecen would have been an ideal opportunity to start him, or use him for the last 30 minutes at a minimum. Not the case, and it will be interesting to see when he will finally be given the go ahead to kick start his Anfield career. On a postitive note, Ngog played relatively well midweek, though Liverpool fans will still be praying for the quick return of Torres.

Arsenal versus Chelsea
The second part of Super Sunday features a clash of the top 4 that will likely give some indication as to how each team will progress this season. Arsenal have been in good form in general, though defeat last week at Sunderland obviously impedes that somewhat. The most interesting thing to note is that while Arsenal's season has been going reasonably well, their results in the big matches have been poor - beaten by both Manchester clubs in the league, though they did beat Tottenham (they are yet to play Liverpool in the league). The timing of Van Persie's injury is unfortunate, and this will be a big test of their character.

How Chelsea perform at the Emirates may well rest on the players available to them. Missing a host of big names and swatting aside a poor Wolves team is a different matter entirely to doing the same to Arsenal away from home. However, with Lampard back in training, and Drogba and Ballack back in Champions League action this week, the signs are ominous.

Portsmouth versus Manchester United
A fixture United have often struggled in down through the years, and now with the added ingredient of Avram Grant. The last time Avram Grant faced this team he was denied a Champions League victory courtesy of John Terry's misplaced spot kick (or misplaced foot, depending on how you choose to view the incident). In many ways Paul Hart was an unlucky manager - he had no funds, was forced to sell his best players, shopped for bargain basement Championship level players, and then even when his team did play well (surprisingly frequently given their position), the results still failed to materialise. The writing was on the wall from the moment Grant came in as Director of Football. It remains to be seen how the players respond to the managerial change.

For United's part, there will surely be wholesale changes to the team that tasted defeat against Besiktas. Fringe players such as Welbeck, Macheda, Gibson, and Foster will surely drop out, along with any number of Neville, Rafael, Obertan, Anderson, and Park. United face a tricky test up against a set of players looking to impress their new manager.

Champions League Reaction

Thumbs Up -
Barcelona
Barcelona started their vital match against Inter Milan robbed of the attacking talents of the mercurial Messi and Ibrahimovic. 26 minutes in, the game as a contest was all but over. Barcelona went on to dominate against Italy's best without two of their most influential players. And all this with more than an eye on the upcoming El Clásico. The gulf in class was far more than the scoreline suggested, and provides us with as much an insight into Inter Milan and the current state of Italian football as it does of Barcelona and Spanish football.

Arsenal
A comfortable win, a clean sheet, and qualification with a game to spare. One point was required but all three were wrapped up before half time. Job done for Arsenal and a chance for Wenger to give some of his talented youngsters a Champions League run out in the final game.

Chelsea
Champions League progression assured as group winners thanks to a one nil victory at home to Porto. The result affords Ancelotti the chance to rest key players for the final group game prior to the hectic Christmas period, as Chelsea look to continue their formidable form in the hunt for glory at home and abroad.

Thumbs Down -
Liverpool & Rafa
And so no miracle came to pass. Liverpool kept up their side of the bargain, unfortunately for them Lyon could not do likewise. Their one nil reverse in Italy ensured that Liverpool's route forward in the Champions League was blocked, their alternate course taking them into the Europa League. This is a sad reflection on a club rich in European football history. No longer allowed to play with the aristocrats of European football in the Champions League, they must now feed off the meagre offerings of its poor relation.

While the dreaded run of 1 win in 10 games may now at least be consigned to memory, Benitez now faces the daunting task of raising his players morale to compete in the domestic league, and even there, the league title is probably beyond his team. This will not sit well with Gerrard, or more worryingly Fernando Torres (incidentally if he had been fit against Debrecen, the result would have been beyond doubt long before the final whistle - though there are signs that Ngog may yet turn out a decent player). In fairness, a derby against Everton may well be the best game to get the players focused and fired up again - just remember who they beat for that 1-in-10 victory. Time will tell, but the very least expected of Benitez and Liverpool now must be to cement fourth place, and positive runs in the two cup competitions in which they remain.

Manchester United Reserves
The reserves failed to take their chance to shine, instead relinquishing their unbeaten home record to a Besiktas side hardly accustomed to winning away from home in Europe. Of the players on show, Obertan was arguably the best, while Gibson showed at times that he does possess an excellent range of passing. Whether or not he is truly "a Ferrari that just needs to be left out of the garage" as Solskjaer has said, is another matter entirely. Macheda also showed some nice touches, but whether the likes of him and Welbeck will ever break through the glass ceiling and cement a first team place is difficult to know. This is especially difficult for strikers at Old Trafford, with few (none?) ever coming through the ranks even when the youth system was flourishing. The kids are likely to get another chance next week against Spurs in the Carling Cup, but against Wolfsburg with a point still required to win the group, it may be another matter.

A comment on Anderson's peformance - it was poor. While still young, he would have been looked upon as one of the more senior players in this team, at least in terms of the front 6 that started. He disappointed. One wonders if he will ever discover the consistency necessary to dominate games week in week out. For the fee United handed over for his services, there are still niggling doubts as to his level of ability.

Scottish Football
Another setback for Rangers, Scottish football, and the Old Firm in general. A lack of funds (answering to the banks according to their manager), an average team, and horrible performances have seen Rangers crash out of Europe altogether, with not even the poisoned chalice of the Europa League for comfort. Home form is normally what the Old Firm clings to for any chance of progression in Europe - they have lost all their home games with a goal difference of -8.

Italian Football
The best team in Italy against the best team in Spain. Inter Milan barely mustered a chance and in general were led a merry dance by a team devoid of the talents of Messi and Ibrahimovic. Italian football has been in the doldrums long enough already, a performance and a result like this does little to suggest it will emerge any time soon.

Juventus further added to the despair in Italian football on Wednesday, losing two nil away to the now qualified Bordeaux. The final group game sees the Old Lady at home to Bayern Munich, a team in trouble both domestically and in Europe. A point will secure Juventus' progression.

Bayern Munich
Home grown players speaking out against the management (Lahm). Stylish imports falling out with the management (Toni). A point behind third place Juventus in Group A and 7th in the Bundesliga. These are worrying times for Van Gaal, who has seemingly been told by his superiors to win his next four games or his position will become untenable. Improvement in the league is a must...but failure in the Champions League will not be accepted lightly.

Heroes Halted By The Hand Of Henry

I can't believe that my last blog was titled 'Luck Deserts The Irish'. The irony. I really should have saved that one for a few days later...

Nobody could have expected the performance that the Irish delivered last night. To a man they were excellent. In particular, Lawrence, Andrews, Dunne, Keane, and Duff should be signalled out for praise.

Going into the match, the hope among many of the people I spoke to was that Ireland would simply keep the match interesting for 70 or 80 minutes, and at least allow the nation to believe we could qualify. The fear was that Ireland would concede early, be forced to come out, and risk the tie being over inside the first half. We need not have worried.

Trap, for once, took the shackles off the team and let them play with an attacking freedom previously unseen. The team thrived, creating by far the better chances in the match, but only taking one (though the goal was a thing of beauty). Some of the play was fabulous and saw sharp incisive passing, with the front two actually being supported from midfiled for a change.

We all know the outcome and the goal obviously should not have stood. Henry has tarnished his legacy as a great footballer in the eyes of many by doing what he did. Within seconds of the goal being scored it was clear that something was amiss just by watching the reaction of the Irish players. It's a shame that such a monumental effort from the Irish team will now just be consigned alongside the many others labelled 'gutsy defeat'.

It is clear that the French are humiliated by what happened. L'Equipe featured a picture of the handball in all its glory. While typing this I'm listening to two French journalists saying a replay should take place.

I believe that while the possibility of a replay is unlikey, it is certainly worth pursuing, if only to make our point about the level of injustice heaped upon our team. But if you then get the replay and another contentious decision occurs, is there then another replay? And another? And another? When would it end?

Well that's that. Another campaign comes to an end without the success of qualifying, but the manner of performance certainly bodes well for 2010. And who knows, maybe a little luck might be back on our side.......

Luck Deserts The Irish

So much for the luck of the Irish then. For 70 minutes Ireland, while rarely threatening themselves, had been holding France to a scoreless draw relatively comfortably. Then catastrophe struck. Anelka received the ball to feet on the edge of the box, spun, and shot. Sean St Ledger, who had a fine game, was a fraction slow in closing him down, resulting in a deflection off him rather than the effort being blocked entirely. France had the away goal they craved, and in truth their composed, possession dominating performance probably deserved. Just about.

Ireland have rode their luck throughout this campaign, with poor perfomances masked by the results that were ground out. That luck seems to have deserted them from the minute the final whistle blew in the group. Enter seedings, the worst outcome from the draw possible, and now an unfortunate deflected goal (there is an argument that their luck was in when Patrice Evra possibly should have earned his team a second half penalty).

So is there a way back? Of course there is. But it requires a mammoth effort. Not only do Ireland have to defend every bit as well as they did Saturday night, they now know that they also have to score. Which means the Andy Reid issue may well be a hot topic of conversation again this week.

It is simply ridiculous that he isn't in this squad. It is understandable that he wouldn't start given the managers preference to play with two holding midfielders, and while he has been frequently playing on the left for Sunderland, this is one area where the Irish team is served well. However, to not even have him on the bench in case, god forbid, we might have to change the system or need a goal, is simply wrong.

Traps plan will probably be to play much as we did in Croke Park, get to 70 minutes at 0-0, and then look for the goal. Reid would have been a potent weapon to call upon.

As it is we'll be relying on a bit of magic from our attacking quartet, or a set piece.....or in all likelihood, luck.

When is a Dive not a Dive?

Let me start off by saying that I have no allegiance whatsoever to Liverpool Football Club. In fact, watching their plight over the last couple of months has been quite an uplifting experience. Last night their poor form continued when they controversially salvaged a 2-2 draw at home to Birmingham.

The big talking point post match (besides Liverpool's continued poor form, lengthy injury list, etc) was the award of the penalty kick that allowed Steven Gerrard the opportunity to bring Liverpool level. There is no doubt that David Ngog, the scorer of the opening goal on the night, went down in the penalty box under zero contact from Lee Carsley's sliding tackle. A blantant dive? Perhaps not.

I accept there was no contact and that the theatrical tumble looked utterly ridiculous. However, there is still an argument that an infringment occurred. If Ngog continued in the same direction without hurdling the challenge, then contact would have been made. Penalty. (And given Liverpool's luck, probably an injury). So given that he did hurdle the challenge, why couldn't he stay on his feet rather than throw himself to the ground? Perhaps he could have. However the chance would have been gone as the momentum Ngog gained would have been lost. Maybe he could have stopped dead to avoid the challenge? Again, this is akin to losing the chance he had created for himself. There is no doubt that no contact was made. But it is not unreasonable to see why a penalty would be awarded in the circumstances. Why should a player lose the chance they have created due to a poorly timed tackle? Just because he managed to avoid contact does not mean there wasn't an infringement. Carsley's poorly timed tackle interfered with the players run, and gave the referee a decision to make.

I am not saying it was a definite penalty, I am just pointing out that there is an argument for its award.

If Ngog wants to know how to do it next time, he should simply look at Darren Bent's effort this weekend. Or maybe take the tackle and get injured.