Champions: Man Utd

This post's title is not the easiest thing for me to write, but it's a fact that no one can deny. Man Utd secured their title last nite with a draw against Arsenal. From the game, again, I would say Arsenal is no longer a title challenger, and don't seem to be able to raise their game to threaten Man Utd. So if Arsenal don't seriously strenthened their squad for next season, they will again be a 4th place team.

So, congrats Man Utd and their fans. You guys had certainly did it again, and with style and ease. Liverpool... you lost your chance, and you better improved, and stop relying too much on Torres and Stevie G.. With the current team, and without the duo, you don't seem to be capable of assaulting for the BPL title next season.

And Chelsea...hmmm.. they actually have the mentality and the squad..now they need to have a tactical coach (Brazilian coaches rely more on individual performance of their players then tactics). But even if they do win some titles, they will not create a generation of greatness like Man Utd. Their players is at their peak, and there are not enough young players to mature through the rank and filled the gaps by the older players. So if they want to continue winning, they need to keep on buying new players, which will very much depends on whether their boss will want to continue forging out huge money..

But this moment, it's for Man Utd and their fans to celebrate.. " We are the champions, my friennnnd "..

Soccernet title: Blues flop Shevchenko moves back to Milan

Is this a track record of a flop? You rate it yourself! But to me, the record is respectable, considering the injuries and the sudden change of style of football. People maybe saying that for 30 millions, Chelsea deserve better reward, but as in any investment, there is always risk that things may not go as planned, and this is one of the case. I do admit that at times, when he was given the chance to prove himself, he did not take it as well as he is capable. His performance is slightly worse than Hernan Crespo (which is also considered a flop, but if anyone just look at his record, I believe he is such a superb striker!)

And I believe, no one will disagree that Sheva is a top professional, never complained to the media during this tough period in Chelsea. He works his socks up, and fight for a place in the Chelsea squad. In the Champions League semi final last season when he comes on as a substitute, he made a on the line clearance to ensure Chelsea made it to the final. That moment just showed how good a professional he is, and he is a roll model to the footballers around, who is getting arrogant and acted unprofessionally.

2006/2007: 13 goals in total
4 in the League, 3 in FA Cup, 3 in League Cup, 3 in Europe

Appearances:
30 in the league, 22 starts, 8 as sub
6 in FA Cup, 5 starts, 1 as sub
4 in League Cup, 4 starts
10 in Europe, 9 starts, 1 as sub

- Significant strike at White Hart Lane in an FA Cup replay.
- Hernia operation in the closing weeks of the 2006/07 season ruled him out of the FA Cup Final win at Wembley.
- Carling Cup winner, having played all Carling Cup matches except for the closing seconds of a 2-1 win over Arsenal in the final at Cardiff.

2007/2008: 8 goals, 5 in the league, 2 in League Cup, 1 in Europe

Appearances:
17 in the league, 8 starts, 9 as sub
1 in FA Cup, 0 starts, 1 as sub
2 in League Cup, 2 starts
5 in Europe, 2 starts, 3 as subs

- fitness problems keep him out of competitive action until mid-September 2007.
- in his second game back he scored the final goal of the José Mourinho era, in a home Champions League draw to Rosenborg.
- there followed by an outstanding strike in the Carling Cup against Leicester
- leading up to Christmas, he scored six important goals in ten appearances with Didier Drogba out injured
- back-related problems called a seven-week halt.
- never start a game in 2008
- made seven sub appearances and scored the final league goal of last season

Scolari turned Blues

Luis Felipe Scolari is the man to lead Chelsea next season! The current Portugal coach has been instrumental in turning Portugal into a force to be reckoned in world football, and now he is turning to club football for challenge.

With him being announced as Chelsea's new manager, there are speculations linking him to Kaka, with their Brazilian connection and Chelsea's seems-unlimited source of money. Milan's technical director, Leonardo, the man behind Kaka's arrival in Milan, has said Kaka will not change team, and will be in Milan until his career end. While Milan do have the attraction of keeping players, with most of his players being at the team for years, and decades, Chelsea's assault on Kaka cannot be taken lightly.

As for Scolari, he is one coach that have the winning touch and the tactical wits. Not many people know he is the coach that lead Brazil to the 2002 World Cup Winner title, as most people have take it for granted that with Brazil's pool of talents, whoever coach the team can win. But this myth has faded with Brazil early exit in quater-finals to the unfancied France. As for Portugal, Scolari has turn them into real force, storming to the semi-final before being ousted also by the French. In Euro 2004, he lead Portugal to the final, before being defeated by another unfancy team, Greece.

He is a real character and cunning in his tactical approach. With his inclusion to the Barclays Premier League next season, there will surely be more out of the world comments between the top coaches.

The Special One Landed in Milan

Jose Mourinho is back in management! The self-claimed Special One landed in Milan to take the Internazionale job after signing a three-year contract with Inter. Mourinho will replace Roberto Mancini, who may go the other way round to Chelsea to replace Avram Grant.

There has been talks for quite some time that Jose Mourinho will replace Mancini at Inter, who despite winning 3 straight Scudetto, failed to shine in European Champions League, and when city rival AC Milan won the Champions League last season, it has become bitter to swallow for the Inter chairman and board.

Mourinho's pedigree in Champions League has been impressive, despite his only win came when he is at Porto. In his time with Chelsea, they have reach the latter stages of the competition. Mourinho's arrival may also spurred the transfer market, and attract more stars to the Serie A.


On the other hand, if Roberto Mancini is appointed as Chelsea's coach, Italy should be proud that their coaches have been in well demand. Chelsea is also reported to be chasing Milan's Carlo Ancelotti. This is a sign that the World's Best Football League is recognising the ability of the Italian coaches, who they once deemed to boring!

All English Final: Man U is the lucky one!

There has been so many coverage on "The Special One" tag ever since Jose Mourinho made it famous! So when Avram Grant said he would like the tag if he won the Champions League, something that not even "The Special One" can do, I think he fully deserved it.

And I thought he was within minutes of getting the tag when Cristiano Ronaldo missed his penalty, while every other Chelsea players converted their penalty kick.

But lady luck is just not Chelsea's side when skipper John Terry slipped and missed his penalty. It was the turning moment, and when Nicolas Anelka stepped up to take his, his expression certainly does not looked good, and it reminds me of the expression of Geremi when he missed his penalty during the shoot-out with Liverpool in last season's Champions League semi-final.

Though Chelsea failed to win anything this season, and this certainly wouldn't pleased their Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, overall, I have to say it has been a good season for Chelsea, but unfortunately luck is not on their side.

But I believe Champions League is a very fair competition. When there are surprised defeat happened, the loser will eventually win the cup in the later edition, for example Bayern's 2001 win after the shock defeat to Man U in 1999, or AC Milan's 2007 win after the ghost of Istanbul in 2005!

What Chelsea need now is to keep Peter Cech and the core of the team, and with a few addition, they are certainly capable of upstaging Man U next time around. But for now, let us hail the new European Champions - Man Utd!

All English Champions League: Who will face Man Utd in the final?

It was a moment of greatness! Paul Scholes goal came at a time when Barca was firing all cylinder attacking the Man Utd defence, and suddenly the goal came. Congrats to Man Utd fans. They are in the final again after 10 years, and 10 years ago it was a hell of a final when they score 2 in the final minutes and win the cup. That was also a the turning point of English football. Before that English football are deemed "low class" after a ban on English teams playing in European Competition.

10 years on, they are on top of Europe, with an all English final. Today's game in Stamford Bridge is really an even game. Though Chelsea is at home, they should know Liverpool has the ability to score against them. Liverpool has the match winners in Stevie G and Torres. Liverpool has luck (based on previous Champions League performance), and Liverpool has support all around the world. They have been unlucky to draw at Anfield, and if they really want to prove a point that "they are Champions League team" to Chelsea, they gotto do it tonight at Stamford Bridge. By the way, they really have nothing more to look forward to, while Chelsea can still think of winning the league.

But facing Chelsea today is the worst timing of all. Chelsea now is brimming with confidence after beating Man Utd (though not full strength), and they will certainly want to "repay" Liverpool for knocking them out last season and in 2005. A goal for Liverpool against Chelsea may well lead to Avram Grant setting his troops all gun blazing like on Saturday. That would be an interesting spectacle to watch!.

A determined Chelsea wins the night!

Chelsea's game against Man Utd on 26th April 2008, is one of the most exciting matches seen in recent time. The final scoreline, Chelsea beat Man Utd 2-1, and are now behind Man Utd only on goal difference. The prospective outcome of the Barclays Premier League really look tantalizing, but when I say exciting match, I only mean this game, which itself is fascinating enough.

1st of all, Lampard will not be playing as his mother passed away from pneumonia on Thursday. Chelsea, is determined to win this game for Lampard and his family.

Then comes the starting line-up. I wouldn't say Man Utd had field a weak team (because they have no weak team, and also they almost hold Chelsea for a draw), but a weakened team (a team without Cristiano Ronaldo, Patrice Evra, Carlos Tevez). I believe any title contender will feel offended by a weakened Man Utd team, and will be determined to beat them outright.

So Chelsea came out attacking, with Joe Cole leading the assault. On the 20th minute, he got clear of the United defence, but after initially losing the ball, he lashed the ball against the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.

Chelsea continued to press for an opening goal and were unlucky when Joe Cole dribbled his way into the penalty area, only for Van der Sar to grab the ball at his feet. The United keeper required treatment for a minor knock as a result of the collision.

The 1st half belongs to Chelsea, as Rooney , who operate as a lone striker is clearly not effective and do not have enough support from his team mates. Terry & Co had a comfortable 1st half. Just when Fergie thought his team can go in to the dressing room nil-nil, Chelsea took the lead in the 45th minute when Drogba's cross was headed home at the far post by the unmarked Ballack.

The goal sparked emotional scenes as all the Chelsea players held up Frank Lampard's number eight shirt with the message 'Pat Lampard - R.I.P'. Ballack who had taken his shirt off, was then booked by Wiley.


United started the 2nd half stronger (perhaps as a result of receiving hair-dryer treatment from Fergie), but were still struggling to create anything to threatened Terry & Co. But Man Utd got themselves back into the game thanks to a mistake by Chelsea defender Carvalho.

The Portuguese defender passed the ball straight to Rooney, who accepted the gift by firing beyond Cech into the net. He looked to had injured himself from the goal, and he was replaced by Ronaldo on the 63th minute.


The beginning of Chelsea's attacking foray
These days, manager often play a cautious game, so it become rare that the manager will throw in all their strikers into the game even when the team is losing. But that's exactly what Avram Grant did.

On the 65th minute, Anderson was substituted for John O'Shea and Chelsea, sensing that Man Utd might want to slow down the pace and play safe, replaced Paolo Ferreira with Nicolas Anelka.

But when Anelka also don't seem to threatened Man Utd's goalmouth, Grant throw in his final striker: Andriy Shevchenko for Kalou on the 81st minute. With so many attacking player in Chelsea's side now, Man Utd drop back and defend in numbers.

Then the defining moment. Referee Alan Wiley awarded the spot-kick after Michael Carrick handled a cross from Michael Essien. Carrick got his arm in the way of Essien's cross and Ballack kept his cool to score from the spot and keep the title race on the boil.

But what is unexpected of Shevchenko's contribution is defending. In the dying minutes United were twice thwarted by goalline clearances - Ronaldo's left-foot drive being hacked away by Ashley Cole, before substitute Andriy Shevchenko nodded clear Darren Fletcher's diving header following a goalmouth scramble. After the clear Shevchenko received a appreciative smile from Cole, and Shevchenko replied with a smile of a goalscorer (back in those days when he is in Milan).

As the whistle blows, Chelsea finish the game as winner, and perhaps, Vidic's injury may had impacted the result. Nemanja Vidic was carried off on a stretcher with a facial injury after being caught by Didier Drogba's knee as he stooped to head the ball clear. Let's hope he is fine.

Unfair advantage?

So here we go again. This is the time of the year again when manager complain about fixture arrangement. And this time, Man Utd manager said "it's unfair".

'The fixture is not fair in terms of the timing between the two games,' Ferguson told reporters.

The situation now is, Man Utd will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a lunchtime kickoff on Saturday. With a United win,the title will head to Old Trafford for the second year running.

But if Chelsea win, they will keep their title hopes alive.

'The Liverpool fixture with Chelsea was Tuesday followed by Wednesday, so there is four days either way to get themselves ready which is a big advantage, there is no question about that.

'Unfortunately, we have 60 hours to prepare for this game. All we can do is rest them.'

The fixture is suppose to be fixed before the start of the season, so why the complain of unfair now? If Man Utd don't progress to the latter stages of the Champions League, will Fergie complain?

So the solution for Man Utd is, do not progress further to the latter stages of the Champions League if you want advantage in the BPL. By then you will have one week to prepare for the game, while Chelsea will only have 3-4 days. ;)

Nothing spectacular really..maybe except the goals

The performance by the England's midfield duo are anything but spectacular, particularly Lampard, who was totally out of sort, but luckily with the Riise goal, we can expect a really exciting and entertaining 2nd leg in Stamford Bridge.

While Lampard was pathetic, Steven Gerrard played a decent game, but should had involve more in the attack in the 2nd half. Whenever he involved, he did strike some fear on the Chelsea defense.

Overall it was a game Liverpool deserved to win. At lease they had a go at Chelsea, played some nice passing, and generated some great moves. Chelsea, on the other hand, can't even string a few passes together. They hardly in control of the ball, and when they had possession of the ball, gave it away without creating any decent moves. Disappointing performance after so long didn't see them play.

Why Man Utd deserve to be Champions in 2007/2008 season

After last Sunday's win over Arsenal, and Chelsea's inability to beat Wigan on Monday, it is clear that Man Utd will be crown champion of 2007/2008, barring any unforeseen situation that may happened over the course of the last 4 league games. Mathematically, both Chelsea and Arsenal are still in the race (very very unlikely for Arsenal though), but everyone is pretty sure Man Utd will be the champions, looking at the performance of the team over the course of the season, the exploit of Cristiano Ronaldo and Owen Hargreaves magnificent free kick, one can just feel they are the champions-elect.

Ok, so now we leave the feeling away and evaluate why they deserve to win this season. Simple said, there are 2 reasons. Yes, certainly there can be more if you would like, but fundamentally, just two.

1) Strong squad
They have a strong squad that is second to none in the league, with each position well covered just in-case of any serious injury. The only area where there might be a concern is the striking department, where they only have 3 strikers in Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez. Injuries and suspensions can really racked their season, but for this season, with Ronaldo scoring 28 goals [equals to the combined total of goals scored by Rooney (11), Tevez(12) and Saha(5)] in the league, problem in the striking area is simply non-existence. But surely, Fergie will need to look at strengthen the striking department next season.

2) Inability of the COntenders
While Man Utd may not be leading the league comfortably, but if not for the failure of the contenders to sustain or keep up the challenge, Man Utd will not be top the league now. Some of the culprits are:

Liverpool
The most disappointing contender of the three. Started the season in renowned hope and confidence with Fernando Torres, they lost their way, indulge in boardroom fighting, and now no where near the top of the league (actually can be disqualified as contender). Their failure is self-inflicting, and this is disappointment to their fans. Besides, Rafael Benitez should start reviewing his tactics.

Chelsea
A bad start to the season and a change of manager lead many to write them off as contenders, but with 4 league games remaining, here we are, they are the closest to the champions-elect. Avram Grant had certainly work his way up quietly, but failed at vital moments when they failed to beat Wigan on Monday to stop Man Utd opening a bigger gap. But everything is not lost, and if they keep up their work, they may still have the last laugh.

Arsenal
Exciting, interesting young team who eventually fall after a great first half of the season, they can only look forward to the future after being knocked out of the Champion's League by Liverpool. But they can really look forward to the next season optimistically, as if the current squad is maintained with a few more addition, they will certainly be feared across Europe in the coming season.