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Tag: English Premier League

  • Manchester United FC: Time To Face The Music

    Burnley FC hosted Manchester United FC early Saturday morning. Two seasons ago, a match like this would have held but one predictable outcome for onlookers.

    Burnley, a side freshly promoted to the Barclay’s Premier League, would surely have been schooled at home by the formidable Red Devils.

    Instead, Manchester United’s match ended in a humiliating 0-0 draw.

    The result isn’t merely a humiliation due to the unexpected outcome.

    It’s also disgraceful because it comes on the back of a shocking 4-0 loss to MK Dons, a third tier football team. That result sent Man United crashing out of the Capital One cup.

    This result means that the United team have earned only two points from their first nine of the season.

    They have yet to win a game, and both points were earned through the result of two lackluster performances.

    There is no reason to put off stating the obvious beyond this point:

    Manchester United are in trouble.

    On paper, Manchester United was expected to breeze through their first several games, not really seeing a challenge until they met Everton FC at Old Trafford in October.

    The result has been the complete opposite of all expectations.

    Relegation fodder and third tier teams come at Man United with no fear and no respect, thrashing them at home and embarrassing them away.

    The former champions have been exposed, and new manager Louis Van Gaal has done nothing to pull back the curtain.

    With his stubborn refusal to move on from his darling 3-5-2 formation, he would rather blame the team for a poor result than his own rigid and predictable methods.

    Blame is something to be spread around. Manchester United’s players lack heart and conviction and some shouldn’t even be allowed on the bench.

    And LVG needs to realize that he’s at risk of making a mediocre David Moyes look like a comparative genius.

    Others have pointed out that Van Gaal has never been one to take troubled clubs to the top. One famous is example is that he nearly got FC Barcelona, one of the best football clubs in the world, bounced from Spain’s La Liga!

    His ego is immense, and perhaps Man United’s board mistakenly thought an ego and an iron will would together be enough to fix their many problems.

    Yes, Sir Alex Ferguson had a massive ego and an iron will.

    But he also was a brilliant coach who knew how to get the best from his players while emotionally scarring the rest of the league.

    It was he that constructed Manchester United’s “unbeatable” mythology. And the wall he painstakingly built over two decades has all but crumbled in about two years time.

    If Manchester United doesn’t see the warning signs now and all concerned parties move to address the issue, this season just might be even WORSE for the Red Devils than the shocking result of 2013-2014!

  • Manchester United F.C. Suffers Unfortunate Setback

    There’s no point in denying that Manchester United FC came off of a brilliant pre-season.

    The surge of positive energy and results could largely be attributed to the presence of new manager Louis Van Gaal. The United team also seemed determined to prove to the world that last season was a fluke, a minor setback.

    The United team certain has an easy run of games to start off their 2014-15 Premier League season. Easy, at least, when looked at on paper.

    The first opponent that most football fans expected to give the Manchester side a real worry was Everton FC, a rival they won’t play against until October.

    That optimistic outlook was shattered on Saturday with a loss at Old Trafford to Swansea City AFC.

    It’s true that a 2-1 loss to Swansea City is hardly a crushing defeat.

    However, there is the uncomfortable fact that this loss marked the first season opener that ended in defeat for Manchester United since 1972.

    That’s definitely not a record that Van Gaal wanted broken on his watch, especially with all the terrible records set during David Moyes’s time as manager.

    No doubt the loss is a disappointment for the Manchester United team and their fans. It was hoped after the lackluster showing of last season that this team would hit the ground running.

    There’s still time for Manchester to gather steam before October, but if they fail to do so…this team could be in trouble.

    Fall is filled with rival teams that will be scrambling to get a hold of or maintain a top four position in the Premier League.

    If Manchester United’s early run reveals the team to be lacking in form and confidence, then they will experience the same level of indifference expressed by seemingly weaker sides last season.

    Without the intimidation factor, a shaken and deflated Man United dropped points to unlikely opponents. When all was said and done, the team fell from first to seventh in the league and completely out of European contention for this season.

    One defeat is hardly a sensible reason to write off the Red Devils, and no one in their right mind would do so.

    Manchester United must take away all possible lessons to be learned from this game (especially defensive lessons) and recover as soon as possible. Otherwise it will be yet another season of life in mid-table purgatory.

    Image via YouTube

  • Manchester United Unveils New Home Team Uniforms

    Manchester United, one of the most well-known soccer teams throughout the world, this week revealed their new home side uniforms.

    Like previous home side Manchester United uniforms, the new look is mostly red. The jerseys also feature a ribbed crew neck collar with a hidden button. The uniform is manufactured by Nike, which claims to have used 3D body scans of soccer players to create an easy-to-wear uniform.

    The team’s goalkeepers will be wearing a green long-sleeved version of the uniform.

    “It is very comfortable and is a very nice shirt,” said David De Gea, Manchester United’s Spanish goalkeeper. “Simply wearing the United shirt with this crest on the chest means a great deal to me. I feel very proud in every match and I am looking forward to wearing it in a match for the first time.”

    The largest change to the uniforms is the quite obvious change in sponsorship logo. The new uniforms feature the Chevrolet logo, an honor for which GM is reported to be paying $559 million over the next seven years. Oddly enough, the sponsorship comes just months after GM announced plans to stop selling Chevrolet cars in Europe. Chevrolet will no longer be delivering cars to Europe by the end of 2015.

    Post by Manchester United.

    Post by Manchester United.

    The game debut of the new uniforms will take place on July 23 when Manchester United is scheduled to play the LA Galaxy of the MLS.

    The new uniform is, of course, already available for fans to pre-order through the Nike website or through the Manchester United web store. The uniforms will be officially released on July 16.

    Image via Facebook/Manchester United

  • Luis Suárez: Will Liverpool FC Dump Their Star Player?

    Liverpool FC is a club that is no stranger to controversy.

    The Liverpool club has fought for decades to have the truth of the painful Hillsborough disaster brought to light.

    Meanwhile the Heysel Stadium disaster, which saw 39 people killed thanks in large part to Liverpool hooligans, is a shameful mark on the club’s history that is rarely discussed.

    In recent years the controversy found at Liverpool FC is thanks in large part to one player: Luis Suárez.

    Suárez was by all accounts a troublemaker before he actually arrived at Liverpool.

    When the club bought him from Ajax, he was serving a ban…for biting.

    If football fans weren’t aware of that scandal, they likely were aware of the Uruguayan’s blatant handball during the Uruguay vs. Ghana match at the 2010 World Cup.

    Suárez lucked out in that situation.

    Ghana failed to score the penalty. The Ghanaians then lost to the Uruguayans during the subsequent penalty shoot out.

    Still, Ghanaians and those supporting that team continue to blame Suárez to this day for their failure to advance.

    Suárez’s first full season at Liverpool was marred by a racial abuse incident, which saw him once more fined and banned from playing.

    Towards the end of the 2012-13 season Suárez was once again banned, and once more it was for biting an opponent. During the summer break that followed, the controversial athlete began to make his dissatisfaction known in the press as well as his openness towards moving away from the club that had supported him in the past.

    Words were exchanged behind closed doors and Suárez was humbled. What followed was a remarkable season for Liverpool FC and by all accounts Suárez seemed to have turned himself around at long last.

    Then came the 2014 World Cup and yet another Suárez-related controversy that will impact Liverpool’s upcoming season. The four month football ban ruling by FIFA means that Suarez will not be available to LFC until November.

    Moreover, the global controversy and the negative attention it brings to Liverpool FC is no doubt wearing on the club’s patience. It could finally be the last straw that gets the star player booted from England.

    Rumor has it that the Liverpool club are considering a sale to Spain’s FC Barcelona. It may quite possibly involve a direct exchange for Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez.

    It can’t be said that Liverpool FC hasn’t stood by Suarez, even at the erosion of the club’s reputation. So if he is sold despite his outstanding performances in seasons past, it will be entirely his own doing.

    Liverpool FC isn’t afraid of controversies.

    It has survived them and will continue to do so. However, sometimes one man’s demons can be too much, even for a club as old and storied as Liverpool FC.

    Suárez’s luck might have finally run out.

    Image via YouTube

  • Luis Suarez Football Ban: Why It Will Solve Nothing

    We all knew that a lengthy ban was coming for Uruguayan football player Luis Suarez.

    One doesn’t take a chunk out of three different players and walk away without a serious punishment.

    Already there is a great deal of controversy over FIFA’s decision.

    Firstly, this is a ban from all football activities over a period of four months. Suarez will be out of the World Cup, that’s a given.

    Depending on how many more matches Uruguay survives, he may ultimately only be banned from the national team for a handful of games.

    Despite this action occurring with his international team, his current club Liverpool FC will be the ones bearing the brunt of the misfortune following the ruling.

    FIFA’s punishment means that Suarez will miss nine league games, three Champions League games, and one domestic cup competition.

    As Luis Suarez is far and away the best striker for LFC, the club will no doubt be feeling like the ones hit hardest by a ban over an incident that did not occur during the English Premier League football season.

    Perhaps worst of all….this ban will change nothing with regard to Suarez’s bizarre and problematic behavior.

    The reason is that it’s clear that there’s something else going on in the mind of the controversial football player.

    How does one bite three different players?

    How does one commit offensive and unsportsmanlike acts against others and then behave as if he is the victim?

    And most puzzling of all…why are so many people willing to defend and excuse those behaviors?

    It’s clear that bans and shaming aren’t helping Suarez. It’s also clear that so long as his club (during the racism scandal) and country (during his most recent scandal) enable and excuse the behavior, it will only continue…if not grow worse.

    What Luis Suarez needs is comprehensive behavioral therapy.

    Only by dealing with the root cause of his behaviors (and taking him out of an element filled with enablers) can any long-term changes truly be anticipated.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Manchester United: Will Club Let An Outsider Lead?

    We’ve heard the fanfare before.

    This time last season it was David Moyes being praised as the man to lead Manchester United into a new era.

    Branded Sir Alex Ferguson’s “Chosen One”, The Manchester United club expected that all that needed to be done was to hand the reins over to the former Everton manager. It was arrogantly assumed that success would continue as it had for many years so long as Moyes somehow did things “like Fergie”.

    What followed as a humiliating slide from 1st to 7th place in a disappointingly lackluster season.

    Before the last game was played Moyes was sent packing.

    To many observers, he was never going to be a good fit for the Red Devils.

    Even the manner in which he was chosen suggested that he was merely a man following orders and struggling to keep up.

    Louis Van Gaal is not a “deer in headlights” type, something for which Moyes was roundly mocked. Van Gaal is a very capable, confident, and willful manager.

    The 62-year-old will be the first man in the Manchester club’s 136 years to take up a management position while hailing from some place other than Britain or Ireland.

    If given the opportunity to truly take control, Van Gaal could represent a new and brilliant chapter for United. But in order to do that, the past under Ferguson must be fondly remembered but also let go.

    Van Gaal is not Ferguson and he likely will not have the patience to suffer criticism of failing to make the same decisions and have the same influence as the departed Manchester United icon.

    In addition to the inevitable comparisons, Van Gaal will also be dealing with replacing aging members of a squad that is long overdue for refreshing.

    He’s going to need a great deal of financial backing, especially as many of the world’s best players are reluctant to move to clubs that are transitioning and lacking in champion’s league football.

    Fortunately for Manchester United, they are early in their rough patch. What happens with Van Gaal will ultimately depend on an ability to see him as his own man, to appreciate what he brings as a talented coach, and above all…the ability to not resent him as an outsider.

    As things soured, Moyes was given the “outsider” treatment.

    Will the same happen to Van Gaal if he fails to deliver CL football immediately?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Premier League Ends With Manchester City On Top

    Manchester City won the Premier League on the final day of the season. For some it was sealed when Chelsea FC upset Liverpool FC at home 2-0.

    However, the fact that it was never a sure thing until the very last day is a testament to how open and competitive this season truly was.

    Their local rivals Manchester United tumbled from 1st to 7th within the same window of time.

    The Red Devils would love to blame the entire debacle on the departed David Moyes.

    One thing that should be appreciated is that the absence of Sir Alex Ferguson has created one heck of a vacuum in English football.

    Not even Jose Mourinho and his notorious press commentary could fill it; his return to Chelsea brought no silverware to the London team.

    Though many have said much about Liverpool FC “blowing it” in the last few games of the season, it’s bizarre that nothing has been said of 4th placed Arsenal.

    This is a team that lead the league for 128 days, more than any team this season and that includes Liverpool.

    The fact that no one is asking what happened is amazing. Perhaps it is a sad representation of how no one, not even Arsenal fans, take the Gunners’ title hopes seriously.

    Arsenal may not end the season empty-handed despite league disappointments.

    The Gunners face off against Hull City on May 17th. Should they win, they will earn their first trophy in a very long time.

    They will head to the Champions League playoffs, so the Europa League spot they turn down will go to London rivals Tottenham Hotspurs.

    If Hull were to win, it could shut the Spurs out of Europe. This would be an amazing turn of events after spending so much money thanks to their sale of former club talisman Gareth Bale.

    Overall, it’s been a great season of football for English Premier League fans. Hopefully the 2014-15 will be just as good.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Liverpool Title Hopes Take A Beating

    Liverpool Title Hopes Take A Beating

    As a Liverpool fan, I can admit….the Crystal Palace match was painful to watch. Not because it may or may not have cost the Reds the league. It was actually frustrating for a different reason.

    The Reds put on a strong offensive display. At the 70th minute, the team was winning 3-0.

    It seemed certain the Liverpool football club team would be rolling towards a final game with confidence.

    Then the Liverpool defense collapsed in spectacular fashion. Somehow, in a period of about ten minutes, it was a 3-3 game.

    The last time I witnessed that kind of lapse was in the away game to QPR which ended in much the same way.

    That day ended in a shocking 3-2 loss following the failure to hold a 2-0 lead. It also suggests that a certain defensive problem remains.

    Tony Pulis, who to his credit has lifted Crystal Palace’s game and spirit since signing on as manager, made a poignant observation in his post game interview.

    Liverpool is a team that has been winning in the last portion of the season largely through the strength of its offense. It is not a team that out-defends, but rather out-scores.

    What happens when a team cannot score and cannot defend? Odds are it is not a team that wins.

    Can Liverpool still win the title? It’s not impossible, but it’s highly improbable. Manchester City has two games left to play, an extra 3 points on the table that Liverpool do not have. The only chance that Liverpool has is if Man City were to somehow lose. That’s it.

    And given both games are home games to teams with nothing to play for and who are no visible threat….the momentum is with City.

    However, stranger things have happened. Crystal Palace has nothing to play for either. This didn’t stop them from playing for the point and for pride.

    I won’t make any predictions. I will say that it’s been a strange season, but a good season overall for Liverpool. They will have Champions League football again and should they fix that defense, they will be a terrifying team next season.

    Image via YouTube

  • English Premier League: How Will The Season End?

    Manchester City FC won their away game over Everton FC and stormed to the top of the Premier League table. They are now level on games and points with former league leaders Liverpool FC. However, Manchester City boast a goal difference of nine goals. This means that should both teams win their next two games, it will be Man City crowned the league winners.

    Neither team can afford to blink as the English Premier League is set for a dramatic close.

    It’s not just a matter of drama at the top of the league; we will soon be finding out which third team is being relegated from the league altogether.

    Following Saturday’s games, we now know for certain that both Fulham FC and Cardiff FC are going down. Fulham only earned a total of 31 points out of 37 games and Cardiff 31 points.

    Because there is only one game left for both teams to play, the maximum points they will earn will not be enough to stay up in the Premier League.

    The matter of who will be joining them has not been decided yet. That could come Sunday when Norwich City FC travels to Chelsea FC and Sunderland AFC hosts West Bromwich Albion FC. Both Norwich and Sunderland are relegation threatened with the former occupying a space in the bottom three.

    Should Norwich lose Sunday to Chelsea, there is a strong chance they are going down, especially if Sunderland wins. However a Sunderland loss will set the stage for a dramatic final day of football.

    If Liverpool beats Crystal Palace FC while Manchester City drops points to Aston Villa FC, it could also make for a hugely dramatic final day.

    No doubt English Premier League fans are salivating at the potential for a dramatic close to what has been a remarkable season of football.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Liverpool FC Secure Champions League Football Spot

    “Do not let this fucking slip, lads,” an emotional Captain Steven Gerrard warned his Liverpool team just minutes after the final whistle blew.

    He told them that the game with Manchester City FC was now over and done. It was to be forgotten and they were to all focus all their energy into preparing for the next game.

    Referencing the upcoming Norwich City FC fixture Gerrard shouted, “We go again! Exactly the same!”

    It seems Gerrard’s teammates took their skipper quite literally.

    As with the game against the Sky Blues, the Reds hit the ground running against the Canaries. This game saw yet another early Raheem Sterling goal. A second goal followed minutes later courtesy of Luis Suarez.

    And as with the City game, Liverpool started brilliantly only to fade in the second half. Norwich, a team staring relegation in the face, was not about to go quietly.

    In the 52nd minute, Norwich’s Gary Cooper secured his first goal of the season and it was suddenly a 1-2 game.

    Luckily for the Reds, Raheem Sterling was able to move things back into their favor in the 59th minute with a brace. The 1-3 scoreline flattered the Liverpool side, who to all observers were already running on fumes.

    Then at the 76th minute, Robert Snodgrass made it a 2-3 game and once again Liverpool was feeling the pressure.

    It was at about this time during the Man City game that the Reds pulled ahead with a crucial goal, making that game 3-2.

    It was as if Gerrard’s words were ringing in the ears of his fellow Liverpool players.

    “This doesn’t slip…we go again…”

    Against all odds, Liverpool held on for dear life for the remaining twenty minutes of the game. They went, almost exactly the same, and left with an identical scoreline to last week’s nail-biter of an effort.

    The squad kept its promise to Gerrard for another week.

    The win over Norwich City also meant this Liverpool team will once again feature in Champions League football. They are mathematically guaranteed to finish no lower than third place, which means they will avoid the already hectic Champions League playoffs that assures advancement.

    What’s bizarre is that even though this was the ultimate dream at the beginning of the season, many fans are virtually numb to the massive improvement.

    Many now have their eyes on title rival Chelsea FC who is set to arrive at Anfield in a week.

    Norwich City is over and this result cannot slip. Next week, Liverpool go again.

    Image via YouTube

  • Chelsea Football Club: 77 Home Game Unbeaten Streak Over

    Chelsea FC’s Jose Mourinho watched his players make history. Unfortunately for the Portuguese manager, it wasn’t the sort of history he wanted.

    Their 1-2 home defeat to the relegation-battling Sunderland FC marked the first time that the London club had suffered a home defeat under Mourinho in 77 games.

    It’s hard to fathom that a 77 home game unbeaten streak was ended by the last placed team in the league.

    Perhaps the Blues had one eye on their upcoming match against Atlético Madrid. Champions League football is still very important to Mourinho and his team.

    As the only English side left at this crucial stage, it makes sense to rest key players ahead of their important CL game.

    However, it’s important to remember that a team that is fighting for its life will not necessarily arrive to an away fixture a bundle of nerves.

    In the case of Sunderland, it was clear from early in the first half that the team intended to take the fight to Chelsea.

    Following a 12th minute goal by Samuel Eto’o off of a Willian corner kick, the home team likely believed they were cruising to an easy win.

    That dream was dashed just six minutes later by Sunderland’s Connor Wickham. From then on, it was as if the wind had been taken out of the sails of Chelsea’s players and home fans.

    The match was level until late into the second half. It was as if the Blues were willing to accept the draw so long as they could conserve their energies for their Madrid opponents. They no doubt were hoping to make up points next week at Anfield.

    Then came disaster.

    César Azpilicueta brought down Jozy Altidore in front of the Chelsea goal and referee Mike Dean simply pointed to the spot.

    Chelsea surrendered a penalty. At the 82nd minute, Fabio Borini made the game 1-2.

    Chelsea dropped three crucial points in a defeat that no one saw coming. Should Liverpool FC defeat Norwich City FC tomorrow, they will go five points clear.

    If the faltering Blues fail to stop the Rising Reds when the two teams clash next week, it could be the game that decides the league title.

    Image via Champions League, Twitter

  • Liverpool FC Remembers Hillsborough 25 Years Later

    For Liverpool FC fans, today is significant for reasons that have nothing to do with Manchester City FC and a potential league-deciding bout.

    The Liverpool club paid tribute to the lives lost 25 years ago this weekend in the tragic Hillsborough disaster.

    On April 15th, 1989, fans had been eagerly waiting to get into the Hillsborough stadium to watch the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. When the gates opened, hundreds of fans flooded into the arena. There was simply not enough room for all of those enthusiastic bodies and hundreds were crushed in the ensuing frenzy.

    As fans poured onto the field to avoid being trampled, it was clear something had gone terribly wrong. At 3:06 pm, the referee announced that the game would be abandoned.

    When it was all settled, authorities learned that 96 Liverpool fans had been killed and 766 persons had been injured. The number “96” has since held a somber and significant meaning for the Reds.

    Tribute was paid to the loss in the form of 7 minute match delays across the Premier League this weekend. At the FA Cup semi-finals, 96 empty seats were draped with Liverpool scarves. At Anfield 96 empty seats were decorated with a single red rose.

    A minute’s silence ahead of the LFC v City clash honored those who never returned home from an away trip to support their team.

    This weekend brings with it a mixture of emotions. While it’s possible that this game could signal the possibility of a league title for the Reds, it’s also a time to remember that there are more important things than football games and trophies.

    The Hillsborough disaster forever changed the face of modern football, ensuring that English stadiums would be redesigned to seat fans in a manner that is as safe as possible. There are no standing spaces allowed in the upper levels of English football at present.

    Some feel that the adjustments that eliminated all standing were the result of a gross overreaction. In recent years, there has been a push for “safe standing” in Premier League football.

    Regardless of how Barclay’s Premier League fans feel about the issue of standing during games, it must be said that the world of British football is safer to enjoy largely because of the horrific events that occurred all those years ago.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Arsenal F.C. Must Fight To Regain Spot In Top Four

    Some of us saw this coming when Arsenal FC was devastated by a rampant Everton FC nearly a week ago.

    On a weekend that saw Arsenal advance towards winning their first trophy in a decade, the London side was also bumped out of the top four after Everton managed a 0-1 victory over Sunderland on Saturday.

    Everton has won their game in hand, bringing their tally to 66 points. This victory moves the Blues ahead of the Gunners by two points.

    Because the two teams now each have five games left of their respective football seasons, Arsenal is quickly running out of games through which the club can climb back above Everton.

    Many fans are already calling for manager Arsene Wenger to depart the club should the team go out of the top four at the end of the Barclay’s Premier League season.

    It is possible Everton may drop points in one of the team’s final fixtures. Arsenal must then be prepared to capitalize on the provided opportunity.

    Should Arsenal draw or lose any of its remaining games, it’s highly likely the team will subsequently fail to qualify for the Champions League.

    This would be devastating to the Gunners and their fans as it would be the first time in over fourteen football seasons that Arsenal did not participate in CL football.

    Meanwhile, making the playoff round of the Champion’s League would be a first for the Blues. Under the guidance of new manager Roberto Martinez, the Liverpool team has risen to the occasion.

    A huge part of the club’s success is credited to its ability to buy outstanding players on loan, including Chelsea FC forward Romelu Lukaku. While there are reports that Martinez is eager to make Lukaku a permanet player for Everton, it’s doubtful Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho will let go.

    The club already made the mistake of parting ways with Daniel Sturridge. Given the fact that he is a top goal scorer over at Liverpool FC, letting go of yet another promising forward is a mistake Chelsea may not want to repeat.

    Regardless of whether Lukaku is kept at Everton, a Champions League spot could strengthen the club’s chances of landing quality players during the summer.

    Arsenal’s fortunes may be relatively grim. In addition to Wenger leaving, it’s likely other promising players may be headed for the exit as well.

    The Gunners may win silverware in May, ending a decade long dry spell. Unfortunately, it would prove a hollow victory if they find themselves outside of Champions League contention.

    Image via Arsenal FC, Twitter

  • Chelsea FC: Will They Sacrifice The League?

    Chelsea FC seemed down and out following an away loss to Paris Saint-Germain F.C. where the game ended 3-1. Things also looked bleak for the Blues early on in the return leg.

    Eden Hazard, one of the best players for Chelsea, was taken out of the game due to a calf injury.

    Tough circumstances, however Chelsea is one team to never underestimate. What followed was a major comeback from the London team.

    Andre Schurrle, who was substituted for an injured Hazard, netted a crucial goal in the 14th minute, bringing the score 1-0 (2-3 on aggregate).

    Suddenly the Blues didn’t have such a high mountain to climb.

    Before Chelsea fans knew it, Demba Ba scored a second goal for their team, bringing the score to 2-0.

    When the final whistle blue, the score over both legs was 3-3. Remember that away goal? It helped Chelsea get through on aggregate:

    Against all odds, Chelsea managed to get through to the semi-finals. It may have been due to a technicality of sorts, but the victory was enough to keep the Blues’ Champions League hopes alive.

    Chelsea now finds itself in a special situation. They are currently challenging for the Barclay’s Premier League title along side Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC. Those two teams are scheduled to meet this weekend. Chelsea will travel to Anfield to face Liverpool two weeks later.

    Chelsea will likely play their extra Champions League games both before and after their away game at Liverpool.

    With the Reds in a dangerous position (should they beat both Chelsea and Manchester City, they have a good chance of winning the League), they will likely bring everything to the meeting with the Blues.

    Are the London club going to be able to give the same level of energy knowing it could mean inconvenient injuries and exhausted players? Such things could shatter their opportunity to make it to the Champions League final and win the entire tournament.

    It’s unknown what Mourinho will do, as he may decide to push his team to the limit, in an effort to get both trophies. As it is his first season back at Chelsea, the Portuguese manager certainly has a lot to prove.

    It’s just a matter or whether or not Chelsea will be able to find balance and make it happen.

    Image via YouTube

  • Liverpool FC: Can They Stay Top Of The League?

    Liverpool FC are now on a nine game winning streak. They have not outright lost a game since the end of 2013. At present, they are the only team undefeated in 2014.

    After a 1-2 victory over West Ham FC put them back at the top of the Barclay’s Premier League table, everyone’s left to wonder: Will Liverpool finish the season on top?

    There are two other teams expected to have a major say in where Liverpool finishes the season. The first in Manchester City FC, who are due to travel to Anfield this coming weekend.

    Man City have two games in hand, and if they were to win them both, that would give them a two point lead over Liverpool. However, if the Reds were to beat the Sky Blues anyway, it would put the fate of the Premier League back in the hands of the current league leaders.

    Not to be counted out is Chelsea FC. Anfield will host the London club just two weeks after this important match up. It could be that the home match against the Blues will decide the league once and for all.

    Much is riding on Liverpool FC’s final five games, two of which have been dubbed “league deciders”.

    Surprisingly, manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed time and again that there is no pressure on the Red men.

    “[City] will be looking to get a result next Sunday,” said the Liverpool boss. “For us, we are just going to enjoy it.”

    Liverpool FC are certainly enjoying their football.

    They have scored an amazing 90 goals in all Premier League competitions, the most of any Liverpool team in the English PL era. They are on course to shatter the all time record of 103 held by Chelsea FC since the 2009-10 season. They need 14 goals in 5 games. It’s not too big an ask given LFC’s current goal scoring pattern.

    As for the league title, it’s a bigger ask to expect the Liverpool club to take it home. To win it, Liverpool will likely have to go to the end of the season undefeated.

    Image via YouTube

  • Liverpool FC: Reds Go Top Of The Premier League

    And now you’re gonna believe us, we’re gonna win the league!

    The song rang out around Anfield during the game and long after. It was sung in pubs and living rooms. It was tweeted merrily and shared on various fan forums.

    Despite what the words suggest, it’s not so much about the opinion of non-Liverpool FC fans. Finally, for the first time in years, it is the Liverpool fanbase that believes the Reds have a chance. With six games left to play, this Liverpool team is no longer the dark horse who might have a chance.

    Going into the 2013-2014 season, it would have been enough for the Anfield faithful if the Reds somehow managed 4th place.

    No one was anticipating that Liverpool could very well have the title in their own hands at this point of the season.

    For the Spurs, it was an unwanted trip down memory lane.

    The London side hosted the Reds back in December and found themselves on the receiving end of a 0-5 thrashing. The embarrassing loss was considered the final straw that cost André Villas-Boas his managerial position. A 4-0 away loss to the same team is enough to suggests some things can’t be pinned on one man’s shoulders.

    Prior to the game current caretaker manager Tim Sherwood attempted to heap pressure on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, insisting that the home team racing for the title would cause nerves.

    The suggestion was coolly deflected by Rodgers who replied that the team is hardly nervous. For Liverpool, this season has been about marching towards qualification for Champion’s League football. The league? An unintended bonus.

    This confident behavior was reflected by Rodger’s side from the opening minutes. Meanwhile, a spooked Younes Kaboul set the tone for a disappointing Spurs showing. Almost every effort by the visitors went high over the crossbar. Except for a couple of on-target strikes, Liverpool goal keeper Simon Mignolet didn’t have much to worry about.

    Following the sound defeat of this latest opponent, fans and non-fans alike are starting to speak of Liverpool as likely champions.

    However, it’s important not to get too far ahead of one’s self; this title race isn’t over until it’s over.

    Man City has two games in hand, six crucial points that could see them on top in a few weeks. And no matter how hard José Mourinho sulks in the press, Chelsea is anything but out down and out.

    These two tough opponents still have to make trips to Anfield, and either (or both) games could decide just who is going to win the league.

    For now, Liverpool fans aren’t too bothered. They believe in their team, and as their song says, others are going to believe now as well: Liverpool FC just might win the league.

    Image via YouTube

  • Manchester United F.C Falls To Manchester City F.C.

    Some people are surprised that Manchester United FC lost in spectacularly abysmal fashion to local rivals Manchester City FC 0-3.

    Whoever those people are…I imagine they’re just now joining us at this stage of the Barclay’s Premier League season.

    For those of us who have been watching all season long, this latest defeat is pretty typical of the Red Devils under David Moyes.

    Manchester United found themselves down within a minute, following a successful early effort by Edin Dezko.

    From that moment on, it was almost as if United’s players resigned themselves to defeat. They were absolutely toothless offensively.

    Though the final goal of the night came by way of Yaya Toure in the last minute of regular time, the game was truly over long before then.

    And where were fans and players to look for direction, for inspiration, and any kind of hope? Certainly not to Moyes, who continues to reveal himself to be absolutely out of his depth.

    When a team is without direction or hope, defeat is inevitable.

    Manchester City is a team on a mission to win the premier league. To do so they will have to get past Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC. However, at least it’s clear they are a team with a direction and something to fight for.

    As for Manchester United there are seven games left for them to play and it’s safe to say there are no corners left to turn at this stage.

    As for making it into the quarterfinals of the Champions League, the outlook is particularly grim.

    They face a team that just won their league in record time.

    The dominant Bayern Munich are headed by none other than Pep Guardiola, a man more than familiar with being at the helm of a dominant and winning team.

    I think that anyone hoping Manchester United will find the will to do to Bayern Munich what they could not do to Manchester City FC or Liverpool FC is being optimistic to the point of naive.

    Manchester United’s football at present is without passion and can be painful to watch at times. The only way forward for the former champions is a serious adjustment in the off season.

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  • Arsenal F.C. Implosion: What Goes Wrong Each Year?

    For many Arsenal FC fans, the nightmare is beginning yet again. Despite having had a brilliant season, it typically gets to a certain stage where everything starts to go horribly wrong.

    Arsenal drops out of the Champions League (usually with a whimper more so than a bang). They fail to pick up any domestic trophies. Last and not at all least, Arsenal drops crucial Premier League points that threatens their chance at a top four finish.

    The team often find a way to hold on, but they accomplish little beyond that.

    For a club with Arsenal’s promising squad and reputation, this annual implosion is a bizarre problem to have.

    How can a club finish in the top 4 annually and yet manage to lack the success of clubs like Manchester City FC and London rivals Chelsea FC?

    It’s not enough to spend money on talent; that talent must be given a clear “end goal”. The end goal for truly ambitious teams is a top place finish and silverware. With none of that happening at Arsenal, there’s not much to play for. Pride can only go so far when there’s not much in the trophy cabinet to be proud of.

    In reality, how much money is or isn’t spent at the Emirates, is a big red herring: a lack of ambition and an end goal seems to be the nail in each season’s coffin.

    Despite leading the league all season long, despite having the talent to go all the way, there is no hunger or drive than to go as far as what is comfortable.

    Finish top four and have a walk-on role in the Champion’s League is now the established norm at Arsenal. How can fans expect to hope for anything better with this being enough?

    This is a pattern that is more mental than anything else, and the only way for Arsenal to overcome it would be to change its club mentality.

    Top four cannot be “good enough”. Arsenal must be about winning. They must fight to the end of the season for the league and for silverware.

    Arsenal implodes over poorly papered cracks, an inability to spend money to cover the right positions, and failure to repair the club’s mentality.

    And these things must change if the club is to move in a more successful direction.

    Image via YouTube

  • Arsenal F.C. Suffer Crushing Defeat To Chelsea F.C.

    It was supposed to be a glorious day for Arsene Wenger to remember. Not only did the London derby promise to be an exciting match up, it would also mark Wenger’s 1000th game in charge of Arsenal FC.

    Unfortunately for Wenger, the Gunners weren’t nearly up to the task of coping with a rampant Chelsea FC.

    Within five minutes, Chelsea was up thanks to a successful effort by Samuel Eto’o. A mere two minutes later, André Schürrle made it a 2-0 game.

    As the pace of the game favored Chelsea, Arsenal found it more and more difficult to keep up. This led to a desperate handball by defender Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

    Incredibly, referee Andre Marriner showed the red card not to Oxlade-Chamberlain, but to his teammate Kieran Gibbs. This despite the offending Arsenal player owning up to the fact that he was supposed to be carded.

    Despite the embarrassing mix-up, it’s not as though it mattered. After Eden Hazard sent home a penalty shot for the handball in the 17th minute, it was clear that Arsenal were in danger of a resounding away defeat.

    Wenger brought on defender Thomas Vermaelen a few minutes after the third goal in an affort to keep his side from hemorrhaging additional goals, but it proved to be a futile effort. Player Oscar closed out the half with another Chelsea goal, allowing the home side a comfortable 4-0 lead with at least 45 minutes still left play.

    It was hoped by Gooners that their team would somehow find the will to get four goals from somewhere, and bring things level. Instead, two second half goals by the home team would go unanswered.

    When the dust settled, Arsenal was left to limp back to the Emirates with yet another embarrassing away performance to add to their tally this season. This time the score stood six goals to zero.

    A day meant to cement Arsenal as the dominant London side following their away win over the Tottenham Hotspurs ended in bitter disappointment.

    It would be rivals Chelsea that would be moving three points closer to a potential league title.

    Image via YouTube

  • Manchester United F.C. Haven’t Got A Prayer

    It was a fantastic Champions League win, one that Manchester United FC needed off of the back of an embarrassing home defeat to league rivals Liverpool FC.

    It may even be the psychological boost they need ahead of hosting Manchester City.

    However, anyone dreaming that the victory over Olympiakos some how signals that United is going all the way need not get carried away.

    I won’t say “just yet”, because in a final eight that includes the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Chelsea among others…that would be cruel.

    Given the way most EPL sides struggled at this stage of the Champions League, it’s a miracle that both Chelsea (who drew in the first leg) and Manchester United (who bounced back from a two goal deficit) have made it into the quarter finals.

    For those that enjoy British football, it is a point of pride that there are sides that have advanced at all. Perhaps Chelsea’s going on to the next round is less surprising. They did manage to stun the world when they won the Champions League trophy in 2012. The London team has become even stronger since then and the return of manager Jose Mourihno is a big part of that.

    If I were to bet on which one of the two sides stood the best chance, I’d go with the current league leaders, Chelsea FC.

    Despite the fact that Manchester United are the Premier League’s defending champions, they have not been anywhere near as consistent or lethal this season, domestically or in European competitions.

    The fact that the Red Devils struggled against unarguably one of the weakest sides still in the Champion’s League until today does not bode well going forward.

    Manager David Moyes, who many fans were ready to skin-alive over the weekend, is now treated by some as a conquering hero. It’s important to remember he is the same man today that he was over the weekend and at every other stage of Manchester United’s abysmal season.

    He is a man who is increasingly looking to be out of his depth.

    Yet once again, we’re to believe Moyes has helped Manchester United “turn a corner” and the embattled team will somehow seize glory at the last possible minute. Exactly how many corners has Moyes helped Manchester United turn this season?

    It’s an important question because when you turn enough corners, it’s called “walking in circles”.

    Indeed, when rival fans are thrilled that you have progressed to the next stage because they hope it means your manager keeps his job, it’s a sign United may need to think carefully about where they’re really headed with Moyes at the helm.

    I’ll give you a hint, Manchester United fans: It’s not to the Champion’s League final.

    Image via YouTube

  • Why Liverpool F.C. Might Win The EPL League

    Liverpool FC closed out the 2012-2013 English Premier League season in seventh place. They earned 61 points. Rival Manchester United finished with 89 points and as league champions. The gulf between them was 28 points and a superior goal difference.

    Flash forward to March of 2014 and Liverpool sit on 62 points with nine games left to play. They have scored more goals than any other team in the EPL and only Manchester City has a better goal difference. Just three goals separate the two sides.

    Manchester City is the heir apparent to Manchester United’s newly abandoned throne and with three games in hand, they are still heavy favorites to take the league.

    No one is surprised by Man City’a present position, but LFC finds itself in a decidedly unexpected position: Genuine title challengers.

    Before the fan base gets too carried away, this simply means that they have a chance at this stage.

    A title is far from certain.

    Many are still banking on City to take it all, or perhaps Chelsea FC. Despite leading the league for much of the season and being level on points with the Reds, Arsenal FC seems to have somehow fallen out of the title race in the minds of many.

    One thing is for certain—it’s a close race and anything can happen between now and the final whistle on the last day of the season.

    What must Liverpool FC do to find themselves league winners on that last day?

    First, they must get as many points from their remaining games as possible. Considering Liverpool remains the only undefeated team since 2014 began, the odds are in their favor to extend this run late into the remainder of the season.

    Should Liverpool manage to win all of their remaining games, they would finish with 89 points. This was a number that was good enough for Manchester United to win the title last year, but this year it might not be the case.

    The rest of what the Reds need is frustratingly out of their hands: Other top 4 teams must drop points. Both Chelsea and Manchester City specifically.

    The good news is that both teams must come to Anfield in addition to other tough away fixtures. If results go Liverpool’s way, it could make the difference between winning the league and coming up just short.

    Given where Liverpool was just one year ago, to be in such a position is nothing short of miraculous.

    Image via Liverpool FC, Twitter