And so just when it looked like the destination of the Premier League Title had all but been decided for another year, the season took another of its unexpected twists.
United's draw with Blackburn last weekend, coming hot on the heels of their reverse at home to Chelsea, seemed to all but hand the title to Chelsea. After this weekend's results the race is back on.
United went into the derby knowing anything other than a win would effectively signal an end to their title defence. Chelsea surely fancied City to do them a favour. After all, for City this was more than just a derby. It was a chance to put a marker down in terms of their intentions over the coming years and more importantly to continue their assault on the much coveted fourth place. What followed was a limp performance from City, so out of character with the verve and goal scoring prowess of recent weeks. While United hardly had it all their own way and again struggled to create the chances that one has come to expect from them, they managed to steal the points at the death, with Paul Scholes rolling back the years and reminding us of his stealth like ability to ghost into the opposition box unmarked. United edged the contest and therefore probably just about deserved the victory. From City's point of view there will be much disappointment both in terms of the display and the result. Paul Scholes dominated the match and was at his imperious best. However, this a sad indictment of Manchester City - allowing a player who is likely one year away from retirement to dominate a derby in your stadium is a sad reflection of your performance.
As for Chelsea - well it wasn't long ago that their fans referred to White Hart Lane as 'Three Point Lane' such was their dominace at that venue. Not so anymore. They were out of sorts on Saturday evening, and in truth faced a Tottenham team clearly still invigorated following a fabulous midweek result against Arsenal. John Terry had the kind of game defenders dread, and finally gave away a penalty that has been coming for a couple of matches. The red card he eventually received came as no great surprise. While Lampard gave them hope late on, the reality is Tottenham would have been more than two clear at that stage but for some woeful finishing.
Arsenal were involved in the most dramatic game of the weekend - a game which served to highlight their Jekyll and Hyde character. One moment they can pass teams off the park, the next concede goals where there appears little danger. They combined both against Wigan. First strolling to a two goal lead before capitulating in the final ten minutes in the manner of a team attempting to stave off relegation rather than hunting the title. That title hunt can now be called off. They have been written off on numerous occasions this season and each time regrouped and rebounded with a revived assault on the title. After two defeats in a matter of days, the championship is surely off the agenda for another year. In fairness to Arsenal, one wonders where they would be if their relentless injury list was to ease up, even momentarily (though it is hard to escape the possibility that Arsene Wenger, with his infamous desire to curb spending a much as possible, buys good players at low prices who simply tend to be more injury prone than new signings should be). Oh well, so much for Arsenal having the easiest run in of the contenders.
It is hard to call this title race, and indeed is almost foolhardy to attempt to do so given the way the season has gone. However, with United still to travel to Sunderland and next week having to face an in form Spurs, and with Chelsea still to play Liverpool, there is a good chance more points will be dropped before a winner is crowned.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Lights Out For Dimi?
And so is that all she wrote for Dimitar Berbatov's Manchester United career? He had the chance to keep United's league and European campaign on track in the absence of star man Wayne Rooney - it was an opportunity to show those fans who continue to question him that he has what it takes to be a difference maker. He failed to deliver.
Ferguson, as he would, talked him up big time in the build up to the Chelsea game. Sir Alex has little choice in the matter - it was he who paid £30.75 million for him after all. He played relatively okay in the match but so obviously failed to provide the goal threat required of a player operating as a lone striker.
And then Ferguson showed his hand in relation to Berbatov for the Bayern Munich game - preferring to gamble on a half fit Rooney, rushing him back into the starting line up at the Bulgarians expense. Hardly a resounding endorsement of Dimi's ability and clearly demonstarting that Ferguson does in fact have a lack of faith in him, despite his claims to the contrary. While that must have shattered his confidence enough, when Rooney eventually succumbed and had to be withdrawn, the Bulgarian was left on the bench, with Nani moving into the forward role.
The following weekend Berbatov was reinstated against Blackburn - though this time with Macheda to lend a hand up front. Macheda was poor but so was Berbatov, squandering one of the few chances United created on the day in the final minutes.
There is no doubting Berbatov's ability and hearing United fans boo him at Blackburn was unsavoury to say the least. However, the truth of the matter is that he doesn't always suit United's style of play. United tend to be at their best playing quick incisive football with a high tempo. Berbatov can sometimes apply himself well as a supplier of chances within this framework and usually with a striker supporting him, but just as often he slows play up when the reverse is not only required, but is also what works best for United.
It would be wrong in the extreme to blame United's faltering end to the season exclusively on Berbatov (it is clear that many problems exist in the heart of midfield) but there is no doubting he hasn't delivered as often as United fans would have hoped when he signed.
Ferguson, as he would, talked him up big time in the build up to the Chelsea game. Sir Alex has little choice in the matter - it was he who paid £30.75 million for him after all. He played relatively okay in the match but so obviously failed to provide the goal threat required of a player operating as a lone striker.
And then Ferguson showed his hand in relation to Berbatov for the Bayern Munich game - preferring to gamble on a half fit Rooney, rushing him back into the starting line up at the Bulgarians expense. Hardly a resounding endorsement of Dimi's ability and clearly demonstarting that Ferguson does in fact have a lack of faith in him, despite his claims to the contrary. While that must have shattered his confidence enough, when Rooney eventually succumbed and had to be withdrawn, the Bulgarian was left on the bench, with Nani moving into the forward role.
The following weekend Berbatov was reinstated against Blackburn - though this time with Macheda to lend a hand up front. Macheda was poor but so was Berbatov, squandering one of the few chances United created on the day in the final minutes.
There is no doubting Berbatov's ability and hearing United fans boo him at Blackburn was unsavoury to say the least. However, the truth of the matter is that he doesn't always suit United's style of play. United tend to be at their best playing quick incisive football with a high tempo. Berbatov can sometimes apply himself well as a supplier of chances within this framework and usually with a striker supporting him, but just as often he slows play up when the reverse is not only required, but is also what works best for United.
It would be wrong in the extreme to blame United's faltering end to the season exclusively on Berbatov (it is clear that many problems exist in the heart of midfield) but there is no doubting he hasn't delivered as often as United fans would have hoped when he signed.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Barca Brilliance
Messi Masterclass
Sky claimed that this was an occasion that in years to come people will ask 'where were you when Messi scored four?' That may have been an exaggeration considering his performance came against an Arsenal side ravaged by injuries, but it was stunning nonetheless. One always wants to see the best players come to the fore on the biggest stage and while Messi may have been quiet in the first leg, he ripped Arsenal apart at the Nou Camp. Granted he was assisted by the imperious Xavi (does he ever lose possession?), Messi was still the difference maker, taking his goals with the aplomb of someone far beyond his tender 22 years.
Here Messi led Arsenal in a merry dance and Barcelona into the semi finals. Last year he sealed victory in the final. He seems to have done it all, already. But soon thoughts will turn to the World Cup. Despite his status at Barcelona, the little magician is far from revered in his homeland as a result of some less than vintage displays for Argentina. There can be no doubt that his form at international level must be hampered by the farce that is Maradona's management tenure thus far. However, to truly rank amongst the best footballers ever, he has to match the feats of Pele and Maradona at a World Cup. This summer he has that chance, but bear in mind it will probably not be his last opportunity to light up the grandest stage of them all.
Pass and Move
It's what the great sport is based on, but far too often forgotten in modern times. Watch Xavi - he recieves the ball, plays it, and moves into another position to take the next pass. It sounds so easy but if it was then everyone could do it. He is seldom static in the middle of the pitch, always available to take the ball and has a unique ability in choosing the best option in terms of whether to make the simple pass or the incisive one. While Messi rightly takes so many of the plaudits, it is this man (and to a lesser extent the fabulous Iniesta) that makes the team tick. A joy to watch and proof positive that brains can overcome brawn in the engine room of any team.
Sky claimed that this was an occasion that in years to come people will ask 'where were you when Messi scored four?' That may have been an exaggeration considering his performance came against an Arsenal side ravaged by injuries, but it was stunning nonetheless. One always wants to see the best players come to the fore on the biggest stage and while Messi may have been quiet in the first leg, he ripped Arsenal apart at the Nou Camp. Granted he was assisted by the imperious Xavi (does he ever lose possession?), Messi was still the difference maker, taking his goals with the aplomb of someone far beyond his tender 22 years.
Here Messi led Arsenal in a merry dance and Barcelona into the semi finals. Last year he sealed victory in the final. He seems to have done it all, already. But soon thoughts will turn to the World Cup. Despite his status at Barcelona, the little magician is far from revered in his homeland as a result of some less than vintage displays for Argentina. There can be no doubt that his form at international level must be hampered by the farce that is Maradona's management tenure thus far. However, to truly rank amongst the best footballers ever, he has to match the feats of Pele and Maradona at a World Cup. This summer he has that chance, but bear in mind it will probably not be his last opportunity to light up the grandest stage of them all.
Pass and Move
It's what the great sport is based on, but far too often forgotten in modern times. Watch Xavi - he recieves the ball, plays it, and moves into another position to take the next pass. It sounds so easy but if it was then everyone could do it. He is seldom static in the middle of the pitch, always available to take the ball and has a unique ability in choosing the best option in terms of whether to make the simple pass or the incisive one. While Messi rightly takes so many of the plaudits, it is this man (and to a lesser extent the fabulous Iniesta) that makes the team tick. A joy to watch and proof positive that brains can overcome brawn in the engine room of any team.
Friday, April 2, 2010
United turn to Berbatov
It had to happen. With his record of injuries it was always going to. Manchester United fans endured a horrible 90 minutes in Munich, possibly the worst their team has performed all season. And as if letting a one goal lead be completely reversed in the closing moments was not bad enough, the thing United fans had been fearing all season finally happened - Wayne Rooney fell to the floor in a heap clutching his ankle. Disaster. He left the field courtesy of the support of two men, and it is tempting to think that United's season was leaving the field with him.
The prognosis isn't quite so bad. Alex Ferguson has confirmed that the anticipated recovery time is three weeks and the hope is that he will return in time for the Manchester derby with those noisy neighbours. Apparently United fans are supposed to believe this is good news. Unfortunately though, his injury comes at the business end of the season. With the return fixture from the aforementioned Bayern match next week as well as the potential title decider against Chelsea both looming large, it is not the most opportune time for United's leading light to raise the white flag.
United now go into these crucial matches with Berbatov leading the line. In defence of the much maligned Bulgarian, his record this season is somewhat improved on his poor debut year and he appears to be in relatively good form. However, there is a reason he tends not to be selected for the big occasions. Ferguson's preference for the 4-5-1 formation in the big matches is likely to be the structure once again for the next two games. Berbatov played well last week against Bolton in the same set up. The big question now is can he do it against two teams of real pedigree and stature.
One of the main issues with Berbatov playing as a lone frontman is that he likes to drop deep and play as a link man. There were frustrating moments last weekend when he dropped into midfield to collect the ball, leaving a chasm where the forward should be. In a 4-5-1 he has to attempt to resist the temptation to drop so deep too frequently. The result can only be to stifle the midfield. By the time he lays the ball off, there is no one far enough forward to receive the next pass. When one notes the great players used as a single frontman they tend to be fantastically mobile, good at holding the ball up, and willing to graft to ensure room is made for midfielders breaking from deep. These are characteristics of the like's of Rooney and Drogba. While Berbatov demonstrates some of them, others surface less frequently. In the next three weeks he may have to bring them to the fore more often if United's season is to remain on track without their talisman.
The prognosis isn't quite so bad. Alex Ferguson has confirmed that the anticipated recovery time is three weeks and the hope is that he will return in time for the Manchester derby with those noisy neighbours. Apparently United fans are supposed to believe this is good news. Unfortunately though, his injury comes at the business end of the season. With the return fixture from the aforementioned Bayern match next week as well as the potential title decider against Chelsea both looming large, it is not the most opportune time for United's leading light to raise the white flag.
United now go into these crucial matches with Berbatov leading the line. In defence of the much maligned Bulgarian, his record this season is somewhat improved on his poor debut year and he appears to be in relatively good form. However, there is a reason he tends not to be selected for the big occasions. Ferguson's preference for the 4-5-1 formation in the big matches is likely to be the structure once again for the next two games. Berbatov played well last week against Bolton in the same set up. The big question now is can he do it against two teams of real pedigree and stature.
One of the main issues with Berbatov playing as a lone frontman is that he likes to drop deep and play as a link man. There were frustrating moments last weekend when he dropped into midfield to collect the ball, leaving a chasm where the forward should be. In a 4-5-1 he has to attempt to resist the temptation to drop so deep too frequently. The result can only be to stifle the midfield. By the time he lays the ball off, there is no one far enough forward to receive the next pass. When one notes the great players used as a single frontman they tend to be fantastically mobile, good at holding the ball up, and willing to graft to ensure room is made for midfielders breaking from deep. These are characteristics of the like's of Rooney and Drogba. While Berbatov demonstrates some of them, others surface less frequently. In the next three weeks he may have to bring them to the fore more often if United's season is to remain on track without their talisman.
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