The Premier League Thread!

[Lord Blackadder]

It's something he makes a habit of when visiting these shores, though. Wasn't he sent off four times in the 30-odd games he played for Everton?

Something like that. With a reputation like that you can only have yourself to blame for getting harsh treatment from the refs. The second shirt-pulling was clearly a foul but not a card IMHO.

I thought Gerrard's goal took a deflection but looking on youtube I see it was always on-target. An excellent shot that beats two defenders and the keeper.

bit of a Roma fan too...lol... what kit were they wearing?

Inter in blue/black stripes and Liverpool in red...of course.

I saw a really interesting stub on the BBC about the whole Rafa saga at the moment. A worthwhile read.

He makes an interesting point. I'm disappointed that we haven't taken the league yet but Rafa has brought us silverware. I still don't like the rotation system though.

 

[pknz]

I see us losing 1-0 today with a dour 1-1 draw on the return leg, with the Milan goal coming off a penalty

You got to have faith mate.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

You got to have faith mate.

I wasn't born and bred into this sport like all you hooligans across the pond.

Plus, I'm a Clevelander, a city which in US sports circles means heartbreak - no major sports titles since 1967, despite having a major league baseball, NFL and NBA team.

...I'll work on the faith thing.

 

[Markleshark]

Well me and a friend watched the Liverpool game, and that was the poorest referring I have ever seen.

I think both of Materazzi's cards we're harsh, but sending him off. I couldn't believe it. He did actually get sent off 4 times in 27 games for Everton, but that should have nothing to do with it, really.

I other news, I saw Super Joey Garner out in Carlisle last night, with right winger Jeff Smith. I got all excited.

 

[xUKHCx]

The ref had a very poor game, it was quite frustrating at times.

The first card I can see why it was given (ref position) but so early in the game an English ref would simply have noted it and perhaps given a warning.

Then the second card was too harsh, again an English ref would've given a warning but I think he was headed towards a second card before the half anyway.

Looking forward to tonights action

 

[Markleshark]

In todays disturbing news, Chelsea boss Avram Grant has been sent death threats. Sad day when this all comes from a game.

 

[Fuzzy14]

Wanted: One moron to spoil it for the rest of us.

Really shakes my belief in humanity when an utterly minor %age of the population get this much publicity because some people forget that they are part of the human race.

Think of how many laws apply to all of us because of them; i.e. drink at the theatre but not at the footie.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

It's sad but it only takes one idiot to ruin things for everyone. What a cowardly way to threaten someone.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

In todays disturbing news, Chelsea boss Avram Grant has been sent death threats. Sad day when this all comes from a game.

Stupid and indefensible behaviour, whatever the club or individual involved.

Plus, I'm a Clevelander, a city which in US sports circles means heartbreak - no major sports titles since 1967...

You should be supporting Newcastle, then.

Well me and a friend watched the Liverpool game, and that was the poorest referring I have ever seen.

It wasn't great that's for sure, but the poorest I've ever seen? Nah, nowhere near the depths Mr A Taylor (Greater Manchester) plumbed early last October...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Lyon were this close!

Too bad for Celtic, they got up for the game and have had a great season of European play - but now they have a serious mountain to climb.

 

[gauchogolfer]

Not very inspired play by Arsenal, it'll be interesting to see what they can muster at the San Siro.

 

[Markleshark]

Lyon were this close!

Too bad for Celtic, they got up for the game and have had a great season of European play - but now they have a serious mountain to climb.

Happy with a 1-1 draw, away goal is huge.

Interesting to know, Arsenal fans happy with 0-0?

 

[XIII]

Happy with a 1-1 draw, away goal is huge.

Interesting to know, Arsenal fans happy with 0-0?

I thought it was a very good performance, if you watched it. These are certainly no fools, and it was important to not concede the away goal. Just disappointing we didn't get the goal we deserved. I'm much happier its 0-0 than if it was 1-1.. but we definitely have a very very hard second leg coming up. To be honest it looks to me as though we have the hardest tie of this CL round.

Some nice words from Arsene and Willie Gallas in the match programme. Arsene said:

"There was only one good performance from Arsenal at Old Trafford - and that was the fans. The 9000 of you who travelled up were magnificent and I'm sorry we couldn't give you the performance your support merited."

Gallas said something about how much it meant to the team, and how we didn't stop singing all game - and how he knows how hard that must have been for us to accept what was happening. Just nice to read.

 

[Fuzzy14]

Laser Guidance?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7255975.stm

I think I know the culprit!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Rangers go through to the last 16 on away goals. Well done. We've seen some good performances by Scotland in Europe in the last year.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Despite enjoying their recent cup exploits, Barnsley have seriously gone down in my estimation today.

Next thing you know, they'll be playing music after goals at Oakwell and they'll be unable to sink any lower.

 

[pknz]

The ref had a very poor game, it was quite frustrating at times.

The first card I can see why it was given (ref position) but so early in the game an English ref would simply have noted it and perhaps given a warning.

Then the second card was too harsh, again an English ref would've given a warning but I think he was headed towards a second card before the half anyway.

Yeah I guess I agree. The first card, he wasn't attempting to play the ball, he was just looking to trip Torres. It just happened to early in the game.

The second was marginal, it was just a foul. Nothing more than that.

 

[Markleshark]

Interestingly this morning, Mark Lawrenson is tipping Birmingham to beat Arsenal at the weekend to add to this weeks woes. Saying:

I'm going to tip Birmingham to win this one.

The Blues are struggling a little bit for form but they had last week off, their players will be refreshed and they will be up for this game.

It has not been a great week for Arsenal with their 4-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester United. The Gunners looked like they did not want to be at Old Trafford and that is not a good sign.

Having said that, I thought their goalless draw with AC Milan was not a bad result as I expected the Italians to score an away goal.

Verdict: 2-1

I can't see it, but you never know.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I take it all back – Barnsley are in fact fine upstanding members of the footballing community. I don't know if Michael Parkinson is a MacRumormonger but if so and he's reading this, I apologise Sir Parky.

 

[BoyBach]

Interestingly this morning, Mark Lawrenson is tipping Birmingham to beat Arsenal at the weekend to add to this weeks woes. Saying:

For the record, I do believe Lawro is talking out of his arse!


EDIT: Some more proof for the jury to consider:

The later in the match you score, the less time the opposition has to reply.

 

[tefleming]

For the record, I do believe Lawro is talking out of his arse!

And in other news, ... I almost said the grass is green and the sky is blue - but then I remembered how many Englishmen post in this thread and realised that those are probably both false.

 

[pachyderm]

jacks beat the hatters...

 

[pachyderm]

wednesday v cardiff... come on you owls!

lol... wednesday dropped without even playing this week! pp v coventry on tuesday...

Sheff Wed v Cardiff
Competition Stats
Akpo Sodje 7 Paul Parry 7
Burton O'Brien 5 A Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 9

Akpo still hurt and may require surgery...

 

[scotthayes]

I thought it was a very good performance, if you watched it. These are certainly no fools, and it was important to not concede the away goal. Just disappointing we didn't get the goal we deserved. I'm much happier its 0-0 than if it was 1-1.. but we definitely have a very very hard second leg coming up. To be honest it looks to me as though we have the hardest tie of this CL round.

Some nice words from Arsene and Willie Gallas in the match programme. Arsene said:

"There was only one good performance from Arsenal at Old Trafford - and that was the fans. The 9000 of you who travelled up were magnificent and I'm sorry we couldn't give you the performance your support merited."

Gallas said something about how much it meant to the team, and how we didn't stop singing all game - and how he knows how hard that must have been for us to accept what was happening. Just nice to read.

You've got a much harder game today oh and can we please please please have Bendtner back on loan

 

[Markleshark]

I'd like to send my early thoughts out to Eduardo, this doesn't look good for him.

1256: Eduardo is given oxygen as he is stretchered from the pitch after eight minutes of treatment. Nicolas Bendtner replaces him. We have not been allowed to see a replay of the incident - which probably tells you horrific it was.

1254: Thankfully, you rarely witness scenes like these. The Arsenal team are looking around in absolute horror at the fate of Eduardo, who is being attended to by several medics.

1251: RED CARD Birmingham
Martin Taylor gets a straight red after a challenge on Eduardo. Cesc Fabregas urgently tells the physio to attend to Eduardo, with the rest of his team-mates looking shocked. The striker is badly injured - looks like it could be a broken leg.