Nice turn of results

Rio and the lads are gleeing with delight to be crowned World Club Champions

Since I've been off the computer for the past 3 weeks, I haven't had time to comment on all the footie action going on..haha. Hmm..let's recap back some of the previous weeks actions. Man Utd had been most fortunate to slog out a 1-0 win over Sunderland weeks ago when it was touted before hand that they would rampage. And just last week, Man Utd failed to capitalise on slip ups by Liverpool and Arsenal after drawing 0-0 with Spurs. It was not a happy homecoming for Berba at all. At that point, Chelsea could have gone first but their home form has been bizarrely bad recently as they drew with West Ham. Once again, in a week, amazingly all top four did not have favourable results and all were held to a draw. It was a relief for United fans as they would at least have a chance to catch up. On the Cup front, weird defensive stuff as Man Utd conceded 3 against Blackburn and 3 against (gasps!) Gamba Osaka..haha. Nevertheless, Man Utd still emerged triumphant in both matches because they banged in 5 against each of them. =p And with United in the final, they had to work hard in the match after Vidic was sent off. Wayne did the job in firing the goal to win the match and Man Utd are now World Champions too..lol. Grats to the team and hopefully it would be the catalyst for better future Premier League performances.

So, with Man Utd absent from the Premier League last weekend, it was up to the other 3 rivals to put themselves further ahead. The big clash was of course, Arsenal vs. Liverpool at the Emirates. Defeat for the Gooners would put another huge dent to their title chasing aspirations, and with Aston Villa leaping over them, things don't look so good for them. Liverpool on the other hand cannot afford to lose the game as they need to assert their authority at the top. The Gooners had the slight advantage since they are at home and they in general had more bite with their attacking play. It's just that their defence can be really noob at times. Liverpool on the other hand had big problems in attacking play especially with Torres being injured. Robbie Keane still had not being performing up to expectations and the onus is on him to win some fans in the Emirates. Meanwhile, Mr Benitez is in hospital for some kidney stones problem and I wonder how much the phone bill will be with his coaches calling him constantly to update and asking for instructions..lol.

The Gooners drew first blood with van Persie's brilliant spin on the ball to smash it past Pepe Reina. He looked to be tumbling as he latch onto the ball but he maintained excellent balance on his feet to have the chance to take the shot. Liverpool tried to press on for an equaliser with Keane trying to make those offside beating runs. However, the Gooners looked more likely to score the second goal. At the 42nd minute, just before Arsenal could grab a half-time lead, Keane, being former Spurs came on to spoil the party. Agger pumped in a nice long ball forward, Keane spotted the ball, let's it bounce once before using his first touch skills to blast it past Almunia. The Gooner's night was further marred with captain Fabregas out injured at half-time. That's not the only thing as Adebayor got his ass sent off for a second yellow card offence. Mhmmm...actually, I think the sending off was not supposed to be there considering his first yellow card was a little harsh in the first place. But referee Howard Webb was a tough man on that night. He had no qualms flashing a few more yellows for van Persie, Sagna, Lucas and Carragher. With 10 man left and without support for van Persie, the Gooners could only hope to defend to the death, or maybe deliver a sucker punch with counter-attack.

Well, as usual, Liverpool does not display to viciousness to finish up a wounded opponent. They don't look like a team that is gonna stay at the top for long. Even with the advantage, they remain cautious. Ryan Babel was a decent person to send in but he was just there to replace another attacking player instead of a defensive player. In this type of golden opportunities, you have to take the chances to push all you can to get the win. But the next two subs that they put in are laughable and they don't look any nearer in helping the Scousers. El Zhar? David Ngog?? The rest need not to be said..haha. The Scousers are not showing the mentality of league leaders at all. All the draws at Anfield had raised many questions. They are looking more like a bunch of folks at the top by chance purely because the rest of the pack are slipping up too. Definitely NOT scary at all. For the Gooners, what started off well turned sour in the end. And now, Aston Villa has leaped over them to third place, brushing even Man Utd aside, at least for now..hehe.

Ahhhhhh..that leaves Chelsea another chance to capitalise. But nooooooooooo..they squandered that chance badly. They drew 0-0 and even had their captain Terry sent off for a straight red and he may be banned for a further 3 matches. Bwahahahaha..excellent indeed for the Blues and what a stroke of fortune for Man Utd! And I got the latest news just now that Gooner's captain Fabregas would be out for 3 to 4 months, thanks to the tackle by his fellow countryman Xabi Alonso. Mhmmmmmm...I see that the wind directions are favouring the lads at Old Trafford. :)