Premier Soccer News

Was the FA practicing double standards in their system of appeal?

(soccernet)

The FA four-man Regulatory Commission has decided to overturn the red card dismissal given to Frank Lampard and the resulting 3 match ban as well.

This decision gives credence to Middlesbrough’s earlier accusations that they were treated unfairly by the FA’s double standards – one for the big clubs and one for the rest.

Their attempt at appealing against Jeremie Aliadiere’s dismissal in the Liverpool match was brushed off by the English Football authorities as ‘frivolous’ and incurred an extra match ban.

Video replays rightly show that Frank Lampard’s red card was perhaps too harsh and that Luis Boa Morte has to bear part of the responsibility in the clash over the weekend fixture. What is ridiculous to Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is the failure to punish Javier Mascherano for his part in instigating Aliadiere’s light slap.

The FA will need to relook at its system and probably its definition of ‘violent conduct’ in the oxford dictionary.

Bryan

Finally… a title RACE…

“A Photo Finish???”

For the past few seasons, premier league fans would be forgiven for being frustrated at the predictability of their “best league” in the world.

How ironic is it? The best league in the world yet with such predictable results. All that has changed this season. The Barclays Premier League is finally living up to its tag as the most exciting and adrenaline rushing football competition in the world. Before the weekend, Inter Milan nearly ran away with the Seria A Championship, Real Madrid still looks on course to retain their trophy in La Liga.

From fighting for the trophy and the right to be named champions to the fight against relegation, the BPL is set to justify the ridiculous amount of money flowing in to them. One very important factor was the influx of ‘new’ (some quality some rubbish) managers coming in.

THE TOP

At the top of the league, it will be a three horse race for the title. With Arsenal looking shaky in recent games, the red devils have done well to cut off their lead and are hot on the gunner’s heels. Punters will be wise not to write off Chelsea as even with their problems off the pitch, they are still a force to be reckoned with. Although Liverpool are as good as gone from the traditional “Big Four”, they still can influence the title race with games to come against the Devils and the Gunners, holding the key to who lifts the trophy come May.

Grant is doing well since taking over the Special One at Stamford Bridge, Fergie and Arsene have both stated they will not write Chelsea off and with good reason; the Blues are still a solid team that can play efficient football to get them the points. With Arsenal’s problems in squad depth and the devils ability to ruin things for themselves, John Terry and Co might just sneak past them come May.

The fight for the fourth champions league place is also a three horse race between “Liverfool”, Everton and Aston Villa. The Toffees more than deserve this coveted spot with their fantastic performances throughout the season. It remains to be seen if they have the perseverance and determination to keep their driving seat. Since, Martin O’Neill took over the Villians, they have been transformed into a solid team capable of competing against the best as seen in the weekend’s draw with Arsenal where they really should have won.

THE MIDDLE

With the Carling Cup Champions Spurs having secured for themselves a UEFA cup spot, it is down to Blackburn and Manchester City to try and fight for an unlikely 5^th position to secure a UEFA cup place. If that fails to happen they will at least have to ensure they are entrenched in their current positions to avoid being pulled into the relegation zone.

THE BOTTOM

The relegation battle is looking very interesting, even Carling Cup Champions Spurs are not spared with only 7 points separating them from the dreaded last 3 placings in the league. Derby and Fulham seems to be condemned to playing championship football next season while 8 teams fight to avoid that final third spot. Newcastle could well be that team if they still do not find their feet fast. Keegan has failed to live up to expectations and it is not surprising given that many experts believing he should not have been taken into consideration in the first place.

Birmingham might have found a gem in Alex McLeish. If they can stay up this season, they could be fighting for a European Place next.

From top to bottom, it is a tough battle throughout for honours and from humiliation. Let us not forget the UEFA Champions league still have four English clubs and the UEFA Cup 3. Now, can anyone still doubt the quality and entertainment of the BPL? Get Ready… this season promises to end off with a bang!

Bryan

MIDWEEK EUROPEAN ACTION

After a ‘torturous’ 2 weeks wait, the 2^nd leg of the UEFA Champions League’s round of 16 is back. This action packed round will see 16 big guns fighting out to qualify for the quarter-finals.

On paper at least, it seems that only Barcelona are bound for a place in the final 8. The only worry is whether their morale-crushing defeat to Atletico Madrid in their domestic league will allow Celtic to hand them a shocking knock out. If it does happen, Barcelona fans will be ruing their team’s inability to win by a bigger margin given their superiority in the first leg. They go into the match at Nou Camp with a 3-2 aggregate advantage over Celtic. Based on pure ability, the Catalans should find this an easy match especially since they will have home ground advantage. However, unless they are able to regain some of the same kind of composure and class they produced in the 1^st leg, they could be in for a rude awakening.

Barcelona’s La Liga rivals Real Madrid will face a sterner test against a Roma side high on confidence after demolishing Parma 4-0 over the weekend in Seria A. Roma skipper Totti will be raring to go and extend their 2-1 lead in the 1^st leg. He was on his best during the 1^st leg and will be hoping to enjoy the reproduce that performance and celebrate a memorable European night. Real Madrid is looking shaky after a run of bad results recently. Will this match be their turning point or ending point?

Sevilla, the UEFA cup winners in 2006 and 2007 will be looking to overturn their 1^st leg 3-2 deficit. Although they lost their La Liga match against Deportivo over the weekend, the Spanish side is well equipped with the attacking flair to knock out their opponents on their home ground.

Manchester United will fight it out with French champions Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford, the red devils will seek to extend their away goal advantage from the 1^st leg. Fergie will be hoping to settle this tie early in the game so as to ensure Karim Benzema does not do any damage to United’s 2^nd treble dream. With an attacking unit comprising Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez, and not to forget a formidable central defensive partnership starring Ferdinand and Vidic, they will only have themselves to blame should they fail on home ground.

Arsenal has their work cut out for them, with Milan expecting the injured trio Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Nesta and World Player of the Year Kaka to be back in action, the Gunners can get ready for a tough up-hill battle against last year’s European Champions. Will lady luck be smiling again on Arsenal after their last minute equaliser against Aston Villa over the weekend to force a draw on home ground? Wenger would certainly not mind if it happens again as it would mean they can get through on away goal rules, especially with the decisive tie on Milan’s intimidating home ground, The San Siro.

Chelsea showed what they were made of in their 4-0 thrashing of West Ham… with 10 men mind you. If the Blues can reproduce that form, Greek champions Olympiacos should not post too much of a problem for them. But if recent rumours about the problems within Chelsea’s dressing room proves to be true, we might see the near of the end for Avram Grant. He should know that his Russian Boss wants nothing more than winning the prized Champions League Trophy to cap off the impressive achievements in domestic league and cup competitions since buying over the club in 2003. I believe Chelsea still have enough strength in character this season as many of the players would not have easily forgotten the bonding José Mourinho forged into them.

German side Schalke will try to protect their 1-0 lead from the 1^st leg against 2003 UEFA Champions League Winners Portuguese side Porto. The Portuguese might have changed dramatically after that wonderful season but they are not to be underestimated as they sit nicely on top of their domestic league table with 12 points over their nearest rival Benfica. If Kuranyi decides to lace on his scoring boots, it could be an embarrassing elimination for the former 2003 European Champions.

It promises to be an interesting and exciting week for football fans all around the globe as the teams fight for a final 8 position and the right to lift the cup in Moscow come May.

Bryan

(Teamtalk.com)

So liverpool won 3-1. It was a weird match with a really weird first goal. Poor Jussi Jaaskelainen, I’ve always rated him as a top goal keeper! But that goal he conceded was really quite shocking! Still don’t understand Benetiz’s insistence on playing Kuyt as right winger…

In not so good news, Everton thumped Pompey 3-1 to remain in the oh-so-coveted-4th-spot. Bah! I watched that match and I really can’t help but really admire the stength, resillience and temerity of the Toffees. Ayegbeni Yakubu look more and more like a top top striker…c’mon Benitez do something already!

Liverpool take on Bolton this Sunday, 5 major talking points this past week.

1. Carragher got arrested for assault

2. Benitez reveals he has got 10 offers for Lucas Leiva

3. Steven Gerrard threatening to leave Liverpool. (Ok an exaggeration)

4. Phil Thompson and John Aldrige Joins Share Liverpool Fc

5. Benitez admiting and concuring with Stevie that Liverpool should not be
challenging for 4th spot and also that he should rotate less.

Hur hur, took you several disatrous run of results to realise that eh?

-Dy

That’s the 400 pound hooker that Christiano Ronaldo paid for to bonk. I think he is Bonkers!!!  First Wayne Rooney with his ‘granny’ and now Ronaldo and this very fleshy girl. I mean, come on…£400 for this Brazilian chick? YUCKG!

I’d chose his girlfriend, Carolina Patrocinio, anytime.

- The Sun

Other News

Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has revealed Chelsea star Didier Drogba wants to join him at the Nou Camp. 

Toure, the brother of Arsenal centre-back Kolo, said: “Didier spoke to me and said he would like to come to Barca.

“He said that he was also keen on AC Milan and Real Madrid but that most of all he would like to come to Barca.” Bah, go to Barcelona, Stay at Chelsea or move to Reading…who cares… - Tribal Football

Yeah! It seems that D.I.C looks set to have a fresh bid. I hope those greedy Americans take the money and LEAVE. Various sources on the internet have pointed to a fresh £500million bid to buy Liverpool.

BBC Sport claim an offer is in the process of being made to American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

This is dragging on too long. Put an end to it already!