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Drogba offside? The EPL weekend in review
Published by Ian John on November 9, 2009
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Well, the big game of the weekend saw Chelsea defeat Manchester United at Stamford Bridge thanks to John Terry’s shoulder, Nicolas Anelka’s bum and Didier Drogba’s wiggly leg.
The game kind of went as I expected, but in reverse. It was United who controlled the game and had by far the better chances, but it was Chelsea who stole the points, which must be a bitter blow for United who deserved at least a point from the game, if not more. Incidentally, Sky Sports News fans who had Alan Mullery giving his pearls of ‘wisdom’ on the game, please realise that this chap defies any form of logic. The fact he viewed the first half as “Chelsea being the better side” just goes to show why he is sitting with headphones on commentating on games, rather than managing teams. Personally I feel a gag and a straight-jacket would be more fitting.
Was it offside? I think it was borderline, Drogba certainly moved into an offside position, but I am not sure if it was before or after the ball had been touched by Terry. I can only assume the referee felt he wasn’t offside as he was certainly interfering with play. However the Academy Award for best Actor is surely in the bag for the Ivory Coast man for his portrayal of a football in the film “striker having a seizure” after Jonny Evans rather crude tackle. What was all that leg twitching for? It made me laugh as he was apparently taken to the side of the pitch in indescribable agony, only to be booked and then storm back on to remonstrate with the referee, before remembering he was supposed to be injured and wincing in pain again. Absolutely pathetic. He is an embarassment of epic proportions. Which is a pity, as he is also a damn good player.
Arsenal looked very strong against Wolves who bossed the game for the opening 25 minutes but still found themselves 3-0 down by half time. That’s kind of what Arsenal do to you really. Lull you into thinking you have a chance of beating them then hit you on the counter and have the game won in the space of 15 minutes or less. Ask Spurs all you saddened Wolves fans.
Manchester City’s woes continued with a 3-3 draw at Eastlands with Burnley. Not only was this Burnley’s first point away from home, it was also two more points dropped by City and their hopes of a title run probably died with it. Even Liverpool beat Burnley 4-0 at home this season, so the fact that City were 2-0 down and then 3-2 up and still failed to win must be a concern.
Everton won at West Ham thanks to the ornithologists favourite footballer Dan Gosling. I wonder if he tweeted about it to his friends afterwards? This was not a good result for West Ham and there must be real concern at Upton Park as to their long term future in the Premier League. Especially given that Hull City managed to record a much needed victory at home to Stoke, albeit thanks to some horrendous goalkeeping from Thomas Sorensen.
Blackburn beat Portsmouth 3-1 for a much needed win. Honestly, I think Sam Allardyce is managing in a style akin to Ferguson, Wenger and co, but in reverse. What I mean by that is for his games against the bigger teams, he may as well play the youth team because, lets face it, Blackburn put up about as much stern resistance as the French did during the second world war. However in their ‘easier’ games he plays his full squad with orders to shoot on sight and take no prisoners. It’s a clever ploy I suppose as it’s kept all of Big Sam’s sides in the top flight for a good while now.
Tonight see’s Liverpool take on Birmingham in a game that the Reds simply must win, as they must do next Saturday at home to Manchester City. But here’s the thing that’s interesting… If Liverpool can win both these home games, despite their absolutely awful start to the season, their mind-numbingly crap league showings at times, they will still be just 1 point behind Man Utd come Saturday 3pm. Strange world eh?
Image Courtesy of ***shylock_JT*** at Flickr.com
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Nabyl Charania on Mon, 9th Nov 2009 11:10 am
Drogba’s seizure after being flying kicked in the chest by Evans was unbearable, but like you say, the man can play. Man City are useless even with all their millions, not beating Burnley is unacceptable. Arsenal looked fluid. Liverpool tonight against Birmingham is going to be interesting, I picked up Beanyoun on my fantasy squad, he better have a hat trick!
Diego Zidane on Mon, 9th Nov 2009 11:13 am
You have to admit though that it was a flying kick, and Evans should have been sent off?