Gus Hiddink ended a remarkable temporary spell as Chelsea manager, by beating a less renowned but accomplished Everton side, but not without receiving one or two shocks along the way.
Louis Saha fired Everton ahead, by scoring the fastest goal in the history of the FA Cup, after only 25 seconds. It was a dream start for the Northerners, but Chelsea didn't panic and soon started to dominate. Their persistence was rewarded when Didier Drogba headed home from close range after 21 minutes to equal the scores.
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Despite having most of the possession, it was not until the 72nd minute that Chelsea went ahead, with a typical Frank Lampard goal. Although he seemed to stumble it made no difference as he powered home a fine shot, to signal that the end was nigh for the Toffees. In fact Chelsea should have been three up, when a spectacular goal by Florent Malouda, was deemed by the referee not to have crossed the line. Of course, referees don't have the advantage of television replays, and it would have been a difficult shot to call, as the ball bounced inside the goal line before bouncing out again. As it happened Chelsea's first two goals were sufficient, but there might have been an outcry if Everton had levelled the scores.
Despite their early advantage, Everton were finding it difficult to keep up with Chelsea, who were rewarded with the opportunistic Drogba goal. Despite there being three Everton defenders in close proximity he rose above them and the ball was being retrieved from the net. Accomplished Everton manager David Moyes, substituted Jacobsen for Hibbert at the break, but Chelsea continued to push forward. Anelka should have done better when presented with a chance of lobbing over the Toffees keeper.
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Although the Southerners were on top Everton still had a good chance of turning the tables, until Frank Lampard virtually put the game beyond dispute. There was a hapless bookmaker offering odds of 7-1 about Lampard scoring the next goal after the interval. What a nice little pickup that would have been, but no, I didn't!
All in all, it was a football match that was set alight, with Everton's fantastic record breaking goal. With an estimated 500 million spectators looking in worldwide, it needed to be good, and it was a thoroughly entertaining game without being technically brilliant.
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FA Cup: Chelsea 2-0 Everton
soccer and football
FA Cup: Chelsea 2-0 Everton
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Champions League Final: Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
The Premier League Champions were very much the underdogs in Rome, in the final of the Champions League. They were unexpectedly, and completely outclassed by Barcelona, in a match that failed to live up to the hype. Certainly Barca were very good, but United were a shadow of the team that has achieved so much. It is not easy to criticize Sir Alex Ferguson, but playing Ronaldo as centre forward, and Rooney on the wing, didn't seem to work.
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Ronaldo can play in any position, but Rooney is an out and out centre forward. Contrary to his usual endeavors he was unable to contribute a great deal, and you were left with the feeling that he would have done much better in his usual role. There is not a player in the Premier League who tries harder than Rooney, nor is their anybody less selfish. However, he was neutralized in this game when United could have clearly done with him forcing his way down the middle. That would have left Ronaldo to play his own game, popping up where least expected and frequently scoring into the bargain.
United's best moves came in the first five minutes when it looked as though they might get on top, and stay there. In fact, they could have scored in the first two minutes, when Victor Valdes fumbled a shot from Ronaldo, and Ji Sung Park was moving onto the rebound. However, he was thwarted by Gerard Pique, who ironically had previously played for United. It seemed that Ronaldo was set to prove himself the best player in the world, when he was narrowly off target with two more shots.
The game was turned on its head, after 10 minutes, when Eto scored a good, but far from marvelous goal. Both Vidic and Van der Sar should have done better, but they didn't and the Cameroon striker drove the ball home. The rest of the game was dominated by Barca; their possession and passing was exquisite, as United began to look increasingly desperate. Rooney was marooned on the wing, and the hard working Ronaldo was left with too much to do. He is not as unselfish as Rooney about scoring opportunities, but to be fair, he had no one supporting who half looked like scoring.
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Iniesta was good for Barcelona, but it would be unjust to single him out, as they played so well as a team. If this match was to decide whether Ronaldo or Messi is the best footballer in the world, then Messi emerged as the winner. But of course he had much better support, and first Thierry Henri and then Xavi could easily have doubled Barca's lead, before he did. However, it was Messi who rose to the occasion, and fired in a header passed Van der Sar, without giving his taller opponents a look in.
So, it was Barcelona, not Manchester United ,who emerged as Champions of Europe, and possible the world. They had already won the La Liga, and the Spanish Cup but this was a night on which the United Manager and his men on the field had few answers. All that can be said is that they can, and have played much better.
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Champions League Final: Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
soccer and football
Champions League Final: Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
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Ronaldo can play in any position, but Rooney is an out and out centre forward. Contrary to his usual endeavors he was unable to contribute a great deal, and you were left with the feeling that he would have done much better in his usual role. There is not a player in the Premier League who tries harder than Rooney, nor is their anybody less selfish. However, he was neutralized in this game when United could have clearly done with him forcing his way down the middle. That would have left Ronaldo to play his own game, popping up where least expected and frequently scoring into the bargain.
United's best moves came in the first five minutes when it looked as though they might get on top, and stay there. In fact, they could have scored in the first two minutes, when Victor Valdes fumbled a shot from Ronaldo, and Ji Sung Park was moving onto the rebound. However, he was thwarted by Gerard Pique, who ironically had previously played for United. It seemed that Ronaldo was set to prove himself the best player in the world, when he was narrowly off target with two more shots.
The game was turned on its head, after 10 minutes, when Eto scored a good, but far from marvelous goal. Both Vidic and Van der Sar should have done better, but they didn't and the Cameroon striker drove the ball home. The rest of the game was dominated by Barca; their possession and passing was exquisite, as United began to look increasingly desperate. Rooney was marooned on the wing, and the hard working Ronaldo was left with too much to do. He is not as unselfish as Rooney about scoring opportunities, but to be fair, he had no one supporting who half looked like scoring.
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Iniesta was good for Barcelona, but it would be unjust to single him out, as they played so well as a team. If this match was to decide whether Ronaldo or Messi is the best footballer in the world, then Messi emerged as the winner. But of course he had much better support, and first Thierry Henri and then Xavi could easily have doubled Barca's lead, before he did. However, it was Messi who rose to the occasion, and fired in a header passed Van der Sar, without giving his taller opponents a look in.
So, it was Barcelona, not Manchester United ,who emerged as Champions of Europe, and possible the world. They had already won the La Liga, and the Spanish Cup but this was a night on which the United Manager and his men on the field had few answers. All that can be said is that they can, and have played much better.
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Champions League Final: Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
soccer and football
Champions League Final: Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
Friday, May 08, 2009
Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona (agg 1-1)
Was this the hard luck story, to beat all hard luck stories, as Iniesta's strike deep into extra time, cruelly sealed Chelsea's fate? How they would have loved to have met Manchester United in Italy, to make it an all English final, but it was not to be, and it is Barcelona who will meet the Premier League champions in Rome.
It had seemed that Michael Essien's 20 yard pile-driver after 9 minutes would see Chelsea through. But a game is never finished until the final whistle is blown, and Chelsea succumbed, to what in boxing terms, might be called a sucker punch. That is to get knocked out at the end of a gruelling match, when a points win had seemed to be a formality.
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Unfortunately it was all too much for Didier Drogba, who had been substituted and was on the sidelines due to injury. Amid ugly scenes, he continuously harassed the referee, in an unedifying spectacle. His disappointment was understandable, but this sort of treatment of officials cannot be tolerated, and a suitable punishment will need to follow.
It must have been extremely disappointing for Chelsea who had four penalty appeals dismissed. Until the dying seconds they had defended brilliantly, but in the end it's goals that count, with a distinct advantage for those scored away from home. It must be said that Drogba had his chances to score, but failed to do so. That may have been part of the reason for his later tantrums. He thought he was on the receiving end of some bad refereeing decisions, but despite being supported by Anelka again up front, he didn't get that crucial goal that could have won the day for Chelsea.
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Barcelona, were reduced to ten men after 65 minutes, when Abidail was sent off after tangling with Anelka. If their was a time to add to Essien's goal and put the game beyond dispute, it was against the condensed opposition. As it happened, it appeared that Chelsea had held on, in spite of controversial refereeing decisions. But, time had not been called and Iniesta took advantage, to deliver the cruellest of blows. Chelsea were on the canvas, and it was too late to recover.
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Champions League Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona
soccer and football
Champions League Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona
It had seemed that Michael Essien's 20 yard pile-driver after 9 minutes would see Chelsea through. But a game is never finished until the final whistle is blown, and Chelsea succumbed, to what in boxing terms, might be called a sucker punch. That is to get knocked out at the end of a gruelling match, when a points win had seemed to be a formality.
Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site
Unfortunately it was all too much for Didier Drogba, who had been substituted and was on the sidelines due to injury. Amid ugly scenes, he continuously harassed the referee, in an unedifying spectacle. His disappointment was understandable, but this sort of treatment of officials cannot be tolerated, and a suitable punishment will need to follow.
It must have been extremely disappointing for Chelsea who had four penalty appeals dismissed. Until the dying seconds they had defended brilliantly, but in the end it's goals that count, with a distinct advantage for those scored away from home. It must be said that Drogba had his chances to score, but failed to do so. That may have been part of the reason for his later tantrums. He thought he was on the receiving end of some bad refereeing decisions, but despite being supported by Anelka again up front, he didn't get that crucial goal that could have won the day for Chelsea.
Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site
Barcelona, were reduced to ten men after 65 minutes, when Abidail was sent off after tangling with Anelka. If their was a time to add to Essien's goal and put the game beyond dispute, it was against the condensed opposition. As it happened, it appeared that Chelsea had held on, in spite of controversial refereeing decisions. But, time had not been called and Iniesta took advantage, to deliver the cruellest of blows. Chelsea were on the canvas, and it was too late to recover.
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Champions League Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona
soccer and football
Champions League Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona
Arsenal 1 - 3 Manchester United
Can anything or anybody stop Manchester United in their determination to retain the Champions League title?
Arsenal were devastated, when first Ji-Sung Park after 8 minutes, and then Ronaldo after 11 minutes, demoralised them with two quick fire goals. This was not the way it was supposed to be, as the home side started out with most of the possession in the first 7 minutes or so, but that was soon to change, and how! The industrious Park, took full advantage when the hapless Kieran Gibbs, stumbled at a crucial moment, and let him in. It would be hard to name a more alert and energetic player than Park, and it will not be easy for Gibbs to forget that he started the rot.
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Three minutes later United were able to double their lead with the sweetest of free kicks from Ronaldo, who was leading the attack from a centre forward position, he seemed to relish. There is not a better striker of free kicks in the game, and after being brought down by Van Persie, he rifled the ball home from about forty yards out. It was a wondrous goal from a wonderful player, some say the best in the world, and it is easy to see where they are coming from.
United played as a team with discipline and flair, and could easily have gone further ahead after 18 minutes when Wayne Rooney forced a smart save from Almunia. Unfortunately, for them Arsenal were being outclassed and the longer the game went on the more it showed.
The second half started, pretty much the same as the first half finished, with United continuing to dominate. They were rewarded for their persistency after 61 minutes, when they delighted their fans with a move involving Park, Rooney, and the redoubtable Ronaldo. It was exquisite football, starting deep in their own half as the United trio sprinted towards the Arsenal goal. In the last seconds the unselfish Rooney delivered the ball to the Portuguese supremo, who simply couldn't miss from that range.
There was no way back for Arsenal, although they did score a goal from a dubious penalty decision, when Fabregas went down to a tackle from Fletcher, who was harshly red carded. It was questionable whether it was even a foul, never mind a sending off decision, but it will keep the luckless Fletcher out of the final in Rome. It was the one blot for United, who are on their way to another milestone, after a glorious display of football.
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Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United
soccer and football
Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United
Arsenal were devastated, when first Ji-Sung Park after 8 minutes, and then Ronaldo after 11 minutes, demoralised them with two quick fire goals. This was not the way it was supposed to be, as the home side started out with most of the possession in the first 7 minutes or so, but that was soon to change, and how! The industrious Park, took full advantage when the hapless Kieran Gibbs, stumbled at a crucial moment, and let him in. It would be hard to name a more alert and energetic player than Park, and it will not be easy for Gibbs to forget that he started the rot.
Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site
Three minutes later United were able to double their lead with the sweetest of free kicks from Ronaldo, who was leading the attack from a centre forward position, he seemed to relish. There is not a better striker of free kicks in the game, and after being brought down by Van Persie, he rifled the ball home from about forty yards out. It was a wondrous goal from a wonderful player, some say the best in the world, and it is easy to see where they are coming from.
United played as a team with discipline and flair, and could easily have gone further ahead after 18 minutes when Wayne Rooney forced a smart save from Almunia. Unfortunately, for them Arsenal were being outclassed and the longer the game went on the more it showed.
The second half started, pretty much the same as the first half finished, with United continuing to dominate. They were rewarded for their persistency after 61 minutes, when they delighted their fans with a move involving Park, Rooney, and the redoubtable Ronaldo. It was exquisite football, starting deep in their own half as the United trio sprinted towards the Arsenal goal. In the last seconds the unselfish Rooney delivered the ball to the Portuguese supremo, who simply couldn't miss from that range.
There was no way back for Arsenal, although they did score a goal from a dubious penalty decision, when Fabregas went down to a tackle from Fletcher, who was harshly red carded. It was questionable whether it was even a foul, never mind a sending off decision, but it will keep the luckless Fletcher out of the final in Rome. It was the one blot for United, who are on their way to another milestone, after a glorious display of football.
Tags:
Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United
soccer and football
Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United
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