The Hype Factory
Such, it would appear, is the level of antipathy between Manchester United and Chelsea at the moment that the Manchester United players are now incapable of warming down on the pitch after a match at Stamford Bridge without some sort of fight breaking out. The arguments over who did what to whom and who threw the first punch aren't particularly edifying, and took the gloss off what was otherwise a Good Day At The Office for Chelsea, who are continuing to chip away at Manchester United's lead at the top of the Premier League Table. On the pitch, it was all surprisingly entertaining stuff (although the BBC's Jonathan Pearce did himself and the journalistic reputation of the corporation no harm by claiming that a global audience of a billion people were watching - a claim that seems far fetched to say the least), with Chelsea deserving to win the match in spite of not playing terribly well. It was a bad day for United, and in particular for their reputation for being terrible, terrible losers. Alex Ferguson's claim that the absolute stonewall penalty that won the match shouldn't have been awarded (it's hardly as if United concede a penalty every week now, is it?) and Rio Ferdinand apparently accidentally kicking a female steward in the tunnel after the match were, if nothing else, symbolic of the way that the modern game is played.
The Football League is beginning to reach its conclusion, but the weekend's results did little to confirm who will be making up the numbers in the Premier League next season. Stoke City won 1-0 at Colchester United in the last ever league match to be played at Layer Road, whilst Hull City beat Crystal Palace (their likely play-off opponents) 2-1 to ensure that it will all go down to the last day of the season. Bristol City are now finally out of the race after they lost 2-1 at Sheffield United, which is all good news for West Bromwich Albion, whose inevitable promotion will be confirmed if they beat Southampton at The Hawthorns. It was a bad weekend for The Saints, who dropped into the bottom three after Sheffield Wednesday beat Leicester City 3-1 in the big match at the bottom of the table. Southampton follow up their trip to The Hawthorns with a home match against Sheffield United (who can still squeeze into the last play-off place if they win next Sunday and the teams above them lose) next Sunday.
The bottom two divisions have a greater deal of finality about the look of them. Swansea City are already up, and one of Doncaster Rovers, Nottingham Forest and Carlisle United (who have imploded since I talked them up on here) will be joining them, with just a point between them. At the bottom of the table, the greatest escape story of all time is still on. AFC Bournemouth were dead and buried a couple of months ago, but six wins on the trot - the latest being 1-0 against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday have left them knowing that a seventh next Saturday might just secure their safety. In League Two, there was only one more promotion place left to play for, and that was sewn up by Hereford United, who won 3-0 at Brentford. At the bottom of the table, football traditionalists will have heaved a sigh of relief after Notts County won to secure their place in the League next season, whilst Dagenham secured a second season of League football with a 3-2 win at Darlington. It's now a straight fight at the bottom to avoid the drop between Chester City and Mansfield Town, though Chester (who need a single point from their last two matches) will be the hot favourites to stay up. The pressure's on, though.
4 comments:
I have every sympathy for Rio Ferdinand - how can it be his fault if some idiot girl gets in the way while indulging in a harmless bit of wallkicking? People need to be a little more open minded - which is exctly what I said to the judge who ridiculed my claim that I was trying to change a lighbulb when I accidentally punched a police officer.
So the Ballack manhandling of Ronaldo was NOT a penalty? If you watch the last few games for United, it appears that the opposing teams have taken to fouling the crap out of our skill players - with no consequences. The ABU community can celebrate all they want, we'll still win the league...
I appreciate your general ability to look beyond what is usually reported in the press, but it slightly worries me that you've also fallen for the current refrain in the press. While Fergie has been whining for a while, I think the man handling of Ronaldo by Ballack -- where he brings him down WWE style in the box -- is safely ignored by almost everyone.
About Rio, well, from what I've read and quotes from the lady herself who was hit, she said that it was unintentional and there is no bad blood.
I understand your apathy towards pretty much anything Premier League and the big four especially. But a little fact checking wouldn't hurt. It's the general high standards that you keep your blog to, that's forced me to comment here. Hope you do take it the right way.
And yes, it's not my Man Utd bias talking here. Arsenal have had more bad luck than us to be honest.
Meh.
United will still win the league. They are bad losers, but then again so are Chelsea, and lets not even get started on Arsenal and Arsene Whinger!
Two easy home games left for Man U, and the first one is going to be made even easier by Curbs promising to help them:
"Perhaps some players have only seen Old Trafford on the TV might get a chance. It will be another learning curve for one or two of them and I have been happy with young Tomkins."
At least it went close this year. If Heskey hadn't scored in the last minute it would have been tChesleas year!
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