Euro 2008 (Official LOL Vidic Thread)

[Dave de Sylvia]

City are well safe at this stage.

[Surtr]

I watched the Man. City/Liv'Pool game today, and my god..

I felt as if nothing happened the entire game..lol

[Dave de Sylvia]

Yeah, seriously, Liverpool only created one solid chance the whole match and it was as the result of a bad defensive mistake. What channel did they show it on over there?

[RandyfromPennywise]

Seriously, Frankie's composure and finishing is up there with the very best in the game at the moment. As soon as Ballack put him through I knew he'd score. He is unbelievable. Stoked to see Joe Cole back in the starting side as well. Interesting to see Essien starting at RB even though Diarra, Geremi, Ferreira and Boulahrouz are all fit. Personally I think it's more of a loss not having him in midfield. Anyway, the defence in this game is looking so loose so far, hopefully there's some goals but I'd say we are through already...

EDIT: OH JOE COLE so close to a great goal, great move to set it up. Drogba is on fire, and Ballack is at the races too. Drogba's hold-up play - simply awesome.

[RandyfromPennywise]

True, I am probably being biased. But then again you're probably being biased towards Chelsea. I've personally enjoyed watching Liverpool throughout the competition more than I have Chelsea.

Haha, yeah, my bias means that I'd prefer to watch Chelsea ahead of Scouse about 99 times out of 100. The one being when Chelsea play PSG in a 0-0 draw and the Reds play Newcastle in a 4-3 classic.

[Dead Star]

Shevchenko lol what a miss

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

Chelsea always leave it very late don't they...I wouldn't say Drogba was on fire, he had 2 attempts I believe.

It was a close game, Chelsea won the first half, Blackburn won the 2nd, 90 mins it was a draw (I wish it was the premiership haha), Extra time Blackburn just didn't have the legs to carry them, Chelsea won by sheer perserverence.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Chelsea didn't want extra time. That'll do them no favours during the week :-D

Also, seriously, what was with Essien writhing around in agony at the start of extra time? I understand it's sometimes fun to have a roll around and get a breather, but is there any need for the charade with the magic spray and the pretend difficulty with walking? I can only imagine it's for the cameras, but anyone who'd seen the reply would know there wasn't anything approaching contact.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I wouldn't say Drogba was on fire, he had 2 attempts I believe.

I was hoping someone would pick up on that. Hardly anyone recognises his work in all areas of the game. He had but a few attempts on goal today but his hold-up play and creativity for others was amazing today. His strength set up our first goal. How often does he win defensive headers? He and Terry win basically all of them for us, and Carvalho the rest. A game like today, no one would talk about Drogba as playing well, but really he played brilliantly for the team. I fully understand why Mourniho has backed him so unrelentlessly over the past three years. Without Drogba our entire system would change and our midfielders and other attacking players would have less to feed off from long balls and balls in to Drog's feet which he lays off. He is certainly one of our most valuable players and one of the best forwards in the world at the moment.

So United, what've ye got? Essien's gonna av ya for breakfast init.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Or maybe he'll just limp around some more!

[RandyfromPennywise]

Limp around smashing the bar from 30 yards, running around like THE BISON that he is for 90 minutes destroying anything that dares come in his path.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Except fresh air which apparently causes him much pain and wincing!

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

It'll be a fun final, if it goes to extra time United can score plenty when random Chelsea players get severe injuries that cure in seconds, like Drogba today, limped off really badly, ran about 50 yards when coming back on as if nothing happened.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Of all our players THE BISON is one of the last I'd expect to fake an injury or dive. I've never seen him dive at all, like I have seen John Terry dive, and Joe Cole dive, and Drogba dive (every match, eight times). Can't say I remember the incident, I do remember him getting treatment when the spray was out there, maybe he ate some hot chili before the match and it was giving him stomach pains.

Anyway, back to THE BISON detroying United players. Scholes is going to equal Hamman. And Ronaldo is going to equal Ben Haim.

Saviola 89th minute winner for Barcelona, just poked home against Mallorca. They got outta gaol on that one.

[Dave de Sylvia]

He and McCarthy went in for a ball and McCarthy foot was high and studs were showing, but he was miles off making contact, which the referee seemed to acknowledge by taking no further action. I dunno, I've never seen him dive either but it was just irritating to watch.

[RandyfromPennywise]

There were several incidents that were irritating to watch, like David Dunn having a go at Lampard for nothing, and having a go at Ashley Cole for studding him when it looked completely accidental and not painful. And it is irritating to watch Ashley Cole full stop. And Drogba rolled around like a girl a few times. And Joe Cole always falls dramatically. Maka had a Zidane-moment of skill down in our left-back position, not sure if anyone saw it, he did the Zidane Turn right on the touchline, changed direction a couple of times and found a gap and layed it off to Lamps or someone. Was awesome. And Carvalho is just an awesome defender. Everyone must acknowldge this. Acknowledge.

[rik]

I was hoping someone would pick up on that. Hardly anyone recognises his work in all areas of the game. He had but a few attempts on goal today but his hold-up play and creativity for others was amazing today. His strength set up our first goal. How often does he win defensive headers? He and Terry win basically all of them for us, and Carvalho the rest. A game like today, no one would talk about Drogba as playing well, but really he played brilliantly for the team. I fully understand why Mourniho has backed him so unrelentlessly over the past three years. Without Drogba our entire system would change and our midfielders and other attacking players would have less to feed off from long balls and balls in to Drog's feet which he lays off. He is certainly one of our most valuable players and one of the best forwards in the world at the moment.
I really believe if you didn't have Drogba this season that your season would be pretty much over. The amount of times he's knicked a goal to secure 3 points in games which look like they're gonna be draws is incredible.

[Dead Star]

I can see Utd winning the Cup, Chelsea just switched off in the second half. They cannot afford to do that against a better opposition than Blackburn (fair play to them though)

[DingyPT]

heh.. F.C.Porto is gonna win the portuguese league!!

we rock!!


PORTO!!

and manutd is gonna win the league, but chelsea is gonna win the championsleague


btw, anyone here plays Football Manager 2007??

[RandyfromPennywise]

I really believe if you didn't have Drogba this season that your season would be pretty much over. The amount of times he's knicked a goal to secure 3 points in games which look like they're gonna be draws is incredible.

Yep. That period when JT was out and we were awful, Drog was still going strong. The winner against Everton stands out as the most important. That win was massive. And a great, great game too. All of our goals were crackers.

I can see the Cup and the League going to different clubs. Not sure which ones yet. I said way back, 18 months ago, that we would win the Cup this year. [I said in 2001 that we would win the title in 2005. That is no bullshit. I said that to all of my mates who follow soccer. When it happened they were like "Do you remember when you said they would win in 2005?".]

EDIT: To the guy above - welcome. No unfortunately I don't have FM 2007 but I have 2006 which is good. And you might be right with your predictions there.

[2muchket!]

Alot of us do. I've played Champ/Football manager since CM4

[Surtr]

United have both leagues.

Premiership and Champions.

Chelsea can't touch us!!!!

[RandyfromPennywise]

Hubris my friend, hubris.

[Dead Star]

Alot of us do. I've played Champ/Football manager since CM4

CM3 here :cool:

[munky_magik]

How can Robinson still be England's first choice keeper?

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

How can Robinson still be England's first choice keeper?

I think Foster should be picked ahead of him, he's had an all around better season

[munky_magik]

Foster has had a great season but is still, maybe, a little inexperienced. David James has played outstandingly this season, I think, so he should be picked ahead of Robinson.

[Dave de Sylvia]

The only reason I can see is that McLaren doesn't want a keeper like James who's close to retirement, he wants to build a side for the future. So either Carson or Foster needs to be picked ahead of Robinson.

[metal-militia]

Carson has been playing better than Foster in my opinion, and I'd love to see him start for England.

[munky_magik]

Actually...England. Maybe Robinson should stay in goal <_<

[Dave de Sylvia]

>_>

[TakeWarning]

<_<

Page 666. Maybe I should post pictures of Satan?

In other news, Spurs have now conceded 3 goals from corners in the last 2 games.

[angry armadillo]

btw, anyone here plays Football Manager 2007??http://musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201801&page=328

[RandyfromPennywise]

Cup Final's going to be huge. What are peeps doing for it? My club will have a night at the club for sure, could watch it there but I've got a couple of good mates who are United fans so might watch it with them. It's going to be a big Saturday night.

[angry armadillo]

go t'pub, watch t'match like.

our pub will be full of man u'res so i might just invite friends over/go to their house or something.

[Timm]

Page 666. Maybe I should post pictures of Satan?


http://www.russiablog.org/roman-abramovich.jpg

there we go :D


just kidding, the guy himself is actually pretty cool

[RandyfromPennywise]

How dare you! Roman is a legend. You'd do the same if you had loads of dosh!

Some appropriate pics for page 666:

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/07/ronaldowink030706_228x173.jpg

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/11/02/frankfarina_wideweb__430x309.jpg

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1680000/images/_1680627_uruguay300.jpg

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/arash_markazi/04/14/hot.read/p1_arsenal.jpg

[RandyfromPennywise]

Oh yeah almost forgot the right cunt himself.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wear/sport/2004/10/16/images/muscat_270x165.jpg

[Timm]

actually I would buy a huge villa with a even bigger indoor footie pitch in the basement :)

and what's wrong with lehmann =/

btw you forgot lucifer himself
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/newsmakers/gfx/materazzi-gestures-250.jpg

[RandyfromPennywise]

Lehmann is the biggest dickhead at Arsenal. Possibly the biggest dickhead goalkeeper. Er ist ein schizenkopf. He gets fired up about everything. And often there is actually nothing to get fired up about and he gets all mental. Absolute tosser.

His only redeming quality is that he played for Dortmund. But still, he's a wanker. He squares up with anyone at any opportunity he gets.

http://i.eurosport.com/2006/12/12/325946-1622972-458-238.jpg

[angry armadillo]

i think lehmann is funny to watch.

although thinking of amusing keepers, did anyone see the Portsmouth - Man U game where the Portsmouth striker gave VDS a pat on the back and he fell over \:D/

[rik]

Lehmann is the biggest dickhead at Arsenal. Possibly the biggest dickhead goalkeeper. Er ist ein schizenkopf. He gets fired up about everything. And often there is actually nothing to get fired up about and he gets all mental. Absolute tosser.
His only redeming quality is that he played for Dortmund. But still, he's a wanker. He squares up with anyone at any opportunity he gets.
Haha, so true. I think i've seen him argue with his own defenders more than players from the opposite team. The amount times i've seen players like Toure and Fabregas telling him to shut up is jokes. But I enjoy watching him, angry German people can be funny.

[Minus The Flair]

3 United players in the running for footballer of the year this year. Ronaldo, Scholes and Giggs. Also, Ronaldo and Rooney for young player of the year. All very much deserving I think, but I think Giggsy is mainly in for his 700th game milestone. The other 3 players in being Gerrard, Fabregas, and Drogba.

I'm sure Ronaldo will sweep both awards.

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

I think he deserves them to be fair, 21 goals in a season (that's not even over) from a right sided midfielder, plus everything else he brings to the game.

[RandyfromPennywise]

And no one mentions the fact that Lampard's scored 21 from central-midfield - the second season in a row in which he's surpassed 20 goals. He's scored 75 goals in the last four seasons, with matches still to play this season.

Honestly the fact that Essien's been overlooked is pretty bad. He's been better than Giggs this season. He's been better than The Fab as well.

[Minus The Flair]

Oh yeah, I forgot Essien. I'm surprised he's not in there. He's been better than Giggs, Fabregas, and Gerrard.

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

The thing about that sort of player is, they go unnoticed because they don't do extremely noticable things.

Without that sort of player a team would fall apart, but they get no notice, it's the Ronaldos and the Drogbas etc who do fancy stuff and score goals.

[Ganondorf]

Gerrard hasn't done amazingly this season to be honest.....

[2muchket!]

true. Lamps has got the goals but he hasn't be IN the game for some of the season. Last season and the season before he was simply immense. But defo not the best player of this season. It has to go to Ronaldo.

[angry armadillo]

id grudgingly vote ronaldo, he has been the best at both playing... and falling over... even managing to outclass robben at it, infact

[Dave de Sylvia]

Gerrard hasn't done amazingly this season to be honest.....
Yeah but he's nominated every year whether he plays well or not.

I'd give it to Drogba, or maybe Scholes. The young player nominees are much better in form terms.

[TakeWarning]

id grudgingly vote ronaldo, he has been the best at both playing... and falling over... even managing to outclass robben at it, infact

I'd say Robben is more theatrical than Ronaldo when it comes to diving. Ronaldo's toned it down a little this season.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah but he's nominated every year whether he plays well or not.



Couldn't agree with you more.

I didn't see Gerrard's name there before, must've missed it. THAT IS A DISGRACE. There is no way known that Our Stevie Gee has been anywhere near as good as Essien this season. I'd say that Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, Obafemi Martins and Dimitar Berbatov have all had better seasons than Our Stevie Gee, the saviour, the best player who ever lived, the player practically every commentator wants to bum up the arse. The Gerrard bias is a joke.

EDIT: TakeWarning, Robben's a twat, no questions asked. This is coming from a Chelsea supporter. He is a disgrace. Drogba's not far behind.

[Cecillianne]

no defenders on the list? carragher deserves a nomination more than gerrard tbh.

[angry armadillo]

no defenders on the list? carragher deserves a nomination more than gerrard tbh.
it even surprised liverpool themselves http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N155626070417-0928.htm

[metal-militia]

no defenders on the list? carragher deserves a nomination more than gerrard tbh.

Definately. He's been fantastic this season.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Or Carvalho, if we didn't have him when JT was injured Man United would be champions right now. No word of a lie, it's true. But yeah I agree that Carragher should be on there, or at the very least ahead of Gayrard. What about Berbatov though, he's been one of the best strikers easily.

My 6 would've been:

Essien
Ronaldo
Drogba
Fabregas
Carragher
Scholes (mmm, yeah I guess)

I guess that's what I'd've done.

[metal-militia]

Berbatov is a good shout. I didn't think too much of him at first but now I think he's quality.

[TakeWarning]

I'd say Carvalho deserves to be amongst the top 6, he's been the most consistent defender in the premiership this season.

And yeah, Berbatov is great.

[Dead Star]

The scottish player of the year award is a joke.

[ChodaBoy]

Well it has to match Scottish football.....

/ducks for cover

I'm suprised that Fabregas is there, admittedly I havent seen much Arsenal football this season, but he has barely been mentioned through the season.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Nah he has been, he's pretty much run Arsenal's midfield this year. He's been very good this year.

[Dead Star]

Well it has to match Scottish football.....

I'll cut you so bad.

Scottish Football isnt that bad is it?

[RandyfromPennywise]

Not really. It's ok. It's better than it was three years ago.

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

They were saying in the paper, Drogba, Ronaldo, Scholes and Giggs are unarguable against in their nominations this season, but Gerard has been picked on reputation not form, and Fabregas is as much responsible for Arsenals lack of flair as any other member of the team.

I think this is a good point and Berbatov, James, Foster or Taylor etc should of been nominated.

Only the top teams are getting nominations.

[rik]

I'm suprised that Fabregas is there, admittedly I havent seen much Arsenal football this season, but he has barely been mentioned through the season.
I agree, I don't think hes been nearly as influencial on the Arsenal side this season compared with last season.

I'm gobsmacked Essien isn't in the nominations, Carragher is another one I thought we be nominated.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Seriously, I've watched enough Arse to know that this has been The Fab's best season. Seriously, he has been way more consistent and involved this season. He has found his role this year - as a Gilberto-type player: not overly attacking, not overly defensive, just hard-working, holding midfield player who can set up things when needed.

[rik]

I felt he found his role last season to be honest. Either way, I feel there are other players that should be nominated above him.

[TakeWarning]

Even though I hate Fabregas, he's a good midfielder, but I wouldn't put him in the top 6 players of the season.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Man, this new FIFA ranking scheme is wild. Two wins and we jump 20 places, Northern Ireland 13.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Australia down 3. What a load of shyte. Australia are in the top 20 countries in the world, and our ranking should be at least in the top 30.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Well you've had a couple of bad results recently, it seems. Losing 2-0 against Kuwait probably raped you pretty bad, but you definitely should be higher. I'm sure it'll even itself out once you get a couple of wins against top quality opposition.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Well we lost badly to Denmark, but the China victory was a good result. Meh, when we win the Asian Cup in July we'll move up.

[Dave de Sylvia]

That's the spirit! That's probably the reason, when you're stuck playing mostly mid-level teams, even wins won't push you up that much.

[Dead Star]

Scotland are 19th.

Take that world.

[RandyfromPennywise]

That's the spirit! That's probably the reason, when you're stuck playing mostly mid-level teams, even wins won't push you up that much.

Aye! And you think Asian opposition won't raise our ranking that much? We used to be in Oceania!!!

Great first half of Football, really open. Some dodgy defending (mistakes from Terry and Čech - what the ****?!) but some very good attacking. Shauny Wright-Wright-Wright's goal was Joga Bonito. Fat Frank (ha!) might score I reckon, depending on what happens, and I'm looking forward to Joey Cole coming on for his first match at Upton Park since moving.

EDIT: I mean SWP's first goal. His second was awesome too, great cross from Bridgey (also known as the best left back in the world).

[RandyfromPennywise]

Great win. Much needed. West Ham kind of gave up there at the end. Some of their fans were great, a lot of others left. And the reception they gave Joe Cole was brilliant, fair play.

Parma beat Fiorentina 2-0, two goals from Rossi, that's a huge victory.

[Dave de Sylvia]

The West Ham defence is so pitifully bad. I didn't actually see the match, but just in general. Green has made them look an awful lot less incredibly awful than they are.

[RandyfromPennywise]

An awful lot less incredibly awful. Hahaha. Yeah, I have to say that Lucas Neill is a really, really good player. He's matured and developed so much in the last two years. But his club have a really bad defence. I don't think he's to blame really. But they could do with Upson in there instead of that Collins bloke. But if you look at it a defence of Konchesky-Upson-Ferdinand-Neill is quite good on paper. And then they've got Davenport, Gabbidon and Spector as well. Meh, stuff having anything to do with West Ham right now!

[rik]

Both SWP's goals were superb, I think the scoreline flatters Chelsea a bit. Nonetheless they easily deserved the three points.

[Cecillianne]

Tevez is class. so's Mascherano last night, weird how he didn't get games with WH.

once again liverpool needed captain Gerrard to save the day for them. 2 - 0, good goal from Gerrard and what looked like a soft penalty.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Liverpool awarded a soft penalty? Never.

[angry armadillo]

well considering it was peter crouch and the last defender on the end of a cross at the far post, it was karma that liverpool get a free kick for someone having their hands on peter crouchs shoulders really.

Gerrards goal was magic.

So was Tevez's, didnt see anything else out of the WHvCFC game though.

[rik]

Gerrards goal was magic.

So was Tevez's, didnt see anything else out of the WHvCFC game though.

Tevez's goal was a great strike from the Argentine, though when you look at replays you realise it was a (rare) mistake from Cech, he should've saved it.

[Dave de Sylvia]

well considering it was peter crouch and the last defender on the end of a cross at the far post, it was karma that liverpool get a free kick for someone having their hands on peter crouchs shoulders really.
That's not even possible. Nobody can reach Peter Crouch's shoulders.

[sweboy]

That's not even possible. Nobody can reach Peter Crouch's shoulders.

Lawl!

[2muchket!]

Davies was penalised for something moronic.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Tevez's strike was brilliant, but it should have won a corner, nothing more. Perfect Petr made his one mistake for the month then. Actually he made a couple of mistakes, but yeah, on another day he would've turned it round the post. It was one of those shots that had he saved it, it probably would be up there with saves of the month. But such is the cut-throat nature of top-flight Football, not making such a save is considered a mistake. And yeah, it was, but, ah you know what I mean.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Oh by the way Messi scored one of the best goals of the last five years last night. Check it. http://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportiva/nota.asp?nota_id=901521&pid=2402578&toi=5236

[Dave de Sylvia]

He's no George Weah :no:

[RandyfromPennywise]

Explainage please... :confused:

[Dave de Sylvia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQak_d2UX_o

[RandyfromPennywise]

Explained.

Never seen that goal before, which I find quite amazing. That is absolutely brilliant. The run was literally 80 metres.

Still, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S_F-cOiXcs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3vAb4IAWes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A59aSNwHZKY&mode=related&search=

And this is my single most absolute unquestionably favourite free kick EVER.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91_kxVWcLY4

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

Oh by the way Messi scored one of the best goals of the last five years last night. Check it. http://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportiva/nota.asp?nota_id=901521&pid=2402578&toi=5236

Wow that goal was amazing :|

[angry armadillo]

That's not even possible. Nobody can reach Peter Crouch's shoulders.lol ok


that messi video is immense he probably had his head up for 95% of that run, wow.

[RandyfromPennywise]

The other videos I posted are better :mad:

[DonMancini]

My Japanese friend posted that Messi goal all over my facebook profile yesterday night =P WHAT A GOAL. It looks exactly like the famous Maradona vs. England goal in 1986.

And those vids you posted were sweet Randy. That Zola freekick was total madness.

Here's one of my all-time favorite goals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSjoK-4G6p4

[RandyfromPennywise]

That goal is like one of the main reasons he was so highly thought of.

And Schillaci, one of my favourite non-Chelsea Italian players. Gun.

[2muchket!]

Shame he spooned a pena in the final of '94 World Cup

[TakeWarning]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y55SCu6gSc

Probably my favourite of all time.

[rik]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNdhqFUEclw

One of my favourite volleys of all time, not a great quality video, but i'm sure most of you have seen it before anyway.

[Minus The Flair]

One of my favourite volleys, I remember just turning on the tv and this came up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOek5b4vy50

Sorry about the commentators.

[Cecillianne]

Tottenham's defense is dodgy, Arsenal's squandering chances. one nil at the moment, can't see Tottenham winning tbh.

hah, almost an own goal by Dawson.

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

2-1 to Arsenal now


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxVFv8m-CrU

My favourite volley.

[RandyfromPennywise]

2-1 to Arsenal now


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxVFv8m-CrU

My favourite volley.

Have you seen Scholes' volley v Bradford? That was easily one of the best pieces of technique and timing I've ever seen.

Is Hleb on a bonus for every good shooting opportunity he refuses to take? Most frustrating player, just fuking shoot you twat.

Today, the match I played in featured the single worst refereeing performance ever seen, heard about, talked about or thought about. The most disgraceful refereeing ever, it was absolutely obscene.

[RandyfromPennywise]

FUKEN YES Sucked in Arsenal HAHAHA

[Cecillianne]

ahahah thx u Jermaine Jenas <3 it's fantastic seeing all the fans go nuts like that.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I absolutely love it when the fans jump the fence and celebrate with the players. If that happened here in Australia some big fat angry security guard would tackle you to the ground, smash his knee in to your back and then carry you out of the stadium. Then you'd be fined a couple of thousand dollars. Stupid over-regulated country.

[Dave de Sylvia]

OK, here's something I don't get, honestly.

Right before Spurseseses first goal, Eboue, Berbatov and Lehmann are tussling in the box before Lehmann puts his arm through Berbatov's head. The referee calls them over and books all three, even though 0 would have sufficed. I'm seeing this more and more recently, where the referee books everybody involved, even the people who haven't done anything wrong. It's absolutely mind-blowing.

And man did Spurs throw that match away. Absolutely appalling from set-pieces, one of the worst I've seen.

[RandyfromPennywise]

OK, here's something I don't get, honestly.

Right before Spurseseses first goal, Eboue, Berbatov and Lehmann are tussling in the box before Lehmann puts his arm through Berbatov's head. The referee calls them over and books all three, even though 0 would have sufficed. I'm seeing this more and more recently, where the referee books everybody involved, even the people who haven't done anything wrong. It's absolutely mind-blowing.

And man did Spurs throw that match away. Absolutely appalling from set-pieces, one of the worst I've seen.

Yep Spurs certainly could have scored 3 goals, but then again so could've the Arse. And much better avatar these days son. :thumb:

[rik]

It was a pretty good match in all, I was actually embarressed for Julio Baptista, he played a shocker.

[Cecillianne]

Liv 2 - 0 Wigan. decent game, got dull in 2nd half and started picking up again towards the end. fantastic 2nd goal by Kuyt. quick turn and shot, one of his better finishes. pity he didn't get his hat trick.

did anyone watch the bolton reading game. how tf did it get 1 - 3

[RandyfromPennywise]

AUSSIE POWER YEEEESSS! C'MON THE BORO!

Downing'sa one-trick-pony. I was going to say how average he has been this season compared to how good he could be. But his cross for the goal was perfect. And big Dukes was there to sink the United ship, C'MON V-BOMBER.

[Dave de Sylvia]

God, Middlesbrough are a horrible side. It's gonna be hard work to break them down though. Great goal by Viduka and Downing.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I reckon Man Utd are having more to do with Boro looking horrible than Boro are. But yes I don't like the way Southy has them set up. Giggo on and Flethcer going to Right Back apparently. Interesting...C'Mon the Boro, Schwarz and V-Bomber combination for the WIN!

[RandyfromPennywise]

OH SH*T THAT WAS AWESOME VIDUUUUUUKKKAAAAAAAHHHHHH, such a pity, woulda been one of the goals of the month.

[Minus The Flair]

What just happened? I'm havin to use the skysports score centre website thing becuase my skysports has been cut :( Did they score?

[RandyfromPennywise]

Viduka made a great chance and should have scored to put Boro 1-2 ahead. Manure have had chances too, they are getting desperate now! C'mon Boro hold on lads.

EDIT= Why is that not a goal from Ole? Seriously I don't care about the rules, that is a goal every time. (He nicked the ball from Schwarzer as he was kicking it.)

[RandyfromPennywise]

More disgraceful cheating and bias towards United. 100% Penalty. Disgraceful decision.

EDIT: **** all you cheating refs there's nothing you can do BORO UP THE MIGHTY BORO. Brilliant.

Quadruple is ON.

[2muchket!]

God, Middlesbrough are a horrible side. It's gonna be hard work to break them down though. Great goal by Viduka and Downing.

Were a good side mate just not consistent. I'm hoping boateng woulda carried out his threat and crppled Ronaldo the cu'nt. Obv boro aren't gonna get a pena randy don't be daft only man utd get the decisions.

But yeh lovely cross from downing for our equaliser.

[Minus The Flair]

Oh ****.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah it's fking bullsh!t how much bias there is at Old Trafford. Cheating red pricks, not gonna win a single trophy this year.

[Dave de Sylvia]

More disgraceful cheating and bias towards United. 100% Penalty. Disgraceful decision.
The ball changed direction. From the referee's position it looked like he won the ball.

Quadruple is ON.
lol no

Were a good side mate just not consistent.
You have some smashing players but you never perform as a team. Southgate doesn't have a clue.

Obv boro aren't gonna get a pena randy don't be daft only man utd get the decisions
Solksjaer.

[RandyfromPennywise]

The ball changed direction. From the referee's position it looked like he won the ball.
Dude don't even try to defend that decision. I made a tackle exactly the same as that two weeks ago. I got straight up and walked to the edge of the 18 yard box ready to follow up the spot-kick. There is no doubt whatsoever that is should have been awarded as a penalty.

lol no
Lol FKEN YES.

You have some smashing players but you never perform as a team. Southgate doesn't have a clue.
Agree

[Dave de Sylvia]

I'm not defending the decision, it should have been a penalty, but he didn't have a full view of the ball which obscured his judgement. Regardless, mistiming a tackle doesn't count as cheating.

[2muchket!]

Southgate has done well considering the fact he's come straight from playing and wasn't given that much money in the summer. It'd be a major coup if we get to keep Woody and re-sign Vid. Need a good winger and our midfield would be amazing.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Well I'm sure I could do a great job at Middlesbrough too considering I've never managed a team before. With the players Boro have got they should be performing a lot better than they are.

[2muchket!]

Look McClaren damaged that club (he nearly got us relegated last season) it'll take time. Next season if he doesn't peform he needs to be on his way.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I'm not defending the decision, it should have been a penalty, but he didn't have a full view of the ball which obscured his judgement. Regardless, mistiming a tackle doesn't count as cheating.

Haha yes you're right a bad tackle isn't cheating. But paying the refs off to make sure said tackle is not properly punished is. LoL yeah I get a bit fired up about Manure getting decisions going their way. You know how footie gets you all wound up like. Yeah it's more the refs' fault. Actually, everything is the refs' fault. :)

[Dave de Sylvia]

It's actually Ronaldo's fault. Ask Gareth Southgate, Middlesbrough would be top of the league were it not for that pesky diver. Well, perhaps second to Sheffield United.

[RandyfromPennywise]

It's actually Ronaldo's fault. Ask Gareth Southgate, Middlesbrough would be top of the league were it not for that pesky diver. Well, perhaps second to Sheffield United.

No I was referring to everything. Not just football. Everything is the fault of referees.

And N. Warnock just likes to whinge. And you have to admit Ronaldo dives all the time. He's up there with the worst of them.

[2muchket!]

He's cheated to win 2 games against boro. Southgate hasn't even complained. Warnock, Moyes and Hughes are the biggest culprits for whinging about ref's.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I don't know about that, he's rather good at it in fact. He's clever about it usually, he'll stay on his feet if it's of greater benefit. There's plenty of players who'll thrown themselves on the ground when they're in a decent goalscoring position and get nothing.

edit: not to say he isn't a diver

He's cheated to win 2 games against boro.
They were both fouls.
Southgate hasn't even complained.
Yes he has, incessantly.

[2muchket!]

They were both fouls.
Blatant dives . So good they were drogba's been studying them.

Yes he has, incessantly

Saw an interview yesterday he was aksed about ronaldo he said he was a great player and played great aginst boro this easona and we'd need to watch him. Southy didn't complain about the pen mid-week either.

[talk show host]

hahaha 3 goals in the last ten minutes. Take that Bolton you chumps

[RandyfromPennywise]

I don't know about that, he's rather good at it in fact. He's clever about it usually, he'll stay on his feet if it's of greater benefit. There's plenty of players who'll thrown themselves on the ground when they're in a decent goalscoring position and get nothing.

edit: not to say he isn't a diver



Yeah he's not the Robben-type player who goes down quicker than a $2 hooker, but he doesn't embody Fair Play.

And Frankie, haha torp krawrliteh, Drogba's been studying, well in.

[2muchket!]

Yeah he's not the Robben-type player who goes down quicker than a $2 hooker, but he doesn't embody Fair Play.

LOL

But yeah Watford have been relegated then. West Ham won to put themselves within a shout of surviving. I have a sneaking suspicion Fulham might get relegated.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Hammers beat Everton, that's a big win. Hornets are down, have been since about August :p

EDIT: A Pauleta double helped PSG to a 4-0 win over Nantes. I'd say they'll stay up now after this decent run.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Blatant dives . So good they were drogba's been studying them.
Actually I must have been thinking of a different one, because the first one is a blatent dive. The Woodgate one was a clear foul though, I'm not sure how it could be seen as otherwise. He stepped right across him while he was running at pace, it's the prototypical foul.


Saw an interview yesterday he was aksed about ronaldo he said he was a great player and played great aginst boro this easona and we'd need to watch him. Southy didn't complain about the pen mid-week either.
Yeah but he's used the "you tend to get those decisions against you against the bigger sides" line about 5 times.

[2muchket!]

Atleast the tried. Unlike Sunderland. Mind you with management from Keane and a good chairman they might stand a chance next season in the prem.

EDIT: Anyone else heard about this money given to the clubs who get relagated this season. There getting something like £50 million for the positions. It's also estimated the team which wins the play off's will recieve around £40 million for going up. Rough figures btw. but the basic gist is it's more profitable finishing 20th in the premiership than 1st in the championship.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Who is this lady in you avatar? It's much better to look at than Justin Timberlake carrying an acoustic.

Gers got a win today, 2-1 over Hearts... Good result these days.

EDIT: Frankie - yeah Watford, fair play to them, they were better than the last time they were up. And Sunderland, they were such a disgrace, what 19 points was it? We'd be disgraced if our team got that, and our league only has 18 matches!

[RandyfromPennywise]

Atleast the tried. Unlike Sunderland. Mind you with management from Keane and a good chairman they might stand a chance next season in the prem.

EDIT: Anyone else heard about this money given to the clubs who get relagated this season. There getting something like £50 million for the positions. It's also estimated the team which wins the play off's will recieve around £40 million for going up. Rough figures btw. but the basic gist is it's more profitable finishing 20th in the premiership than 1st in the championship.

Well of course you get more money for being in the Prem than being in the Championship. And I don't think those figures are correct. There are no definite figures but they are too high. Prize money I know in the 03-04 season was 10 million squip for the winners and then half a mil less for each position lower, so that 10th got 5.5 mil and 20th got 500,000 squid. This is PRIZE money, separate from TV money which is massively higher.

You with your point about more money for the Prem club, well the Championship club will get that the next season regardless if the come up, know what I mean?

[2muchket!]

No but I think the money is increasing alot more for premiership relegated club. Plus new deals with premiership games are increasing. Clubs are getting such more money some are cutting prices for tickets.

[talk show host]

The argument's basically that the relegated clubs will have so much more money that they'll just come straight back up isn't it? Don't know if it'll really work like that though.

Hmm, just saw Ferdinand's out injured again. United are gonna **** this all up aren't they?

[Dave de Sylvia]

Atleast the tried. Unlike Sunderland. Mind you with management from Keane and a good chairman they might stand a chance next season in the prem.
I think they'll do a lot better than that. Like Reading last season, they're playing like a Premiership side already.

Who is this lady in you avatar? It's much better to look at than Justin Timberlake carrying an acoustic.
Claudine something, Robbie Keane's girlfriend.

[ChodaBoy]

IIRC, the champs of the premiership get £10.1 million, and 20th get £486,000.

I'm disappointed in Fergie. United's last game Ferdinand was injured, and they didnt bother to do anything, they knew he was a vunerability for this game and still played him. It cost them 2 points and now Chelsea could very easily take the title despite United leading for so long

[Surtr]

It's becoming closer and closer.

It's getting quite scary.

:( WE CAN'T LET 'EM WIN IT AGAIN THIS YEAR..:( COME ON UNITEDDD!

[RandyfromPennywise]

IIRC, the champs of the premiership get £10.1 million, and 20th get £486,000.

I'm disappointed in Fergie. United's last game Ferdinand was injured, and they didnt bother to do anything, they knew he was a vunerability for this game and still played him. It cost them 2 points and now Chelsea could very easily take the title despite United leading for so long

Yeah so the prize money is relatively similar to a few years ago. I remember when we palyed Leeds in the last game in the Prem, they were playing for a million pounds. But, we won and they didn't get the dosh. Goodbye dirty, dirty Leeds!

Yeah you can say "despite United leading for so long" but I've always been one to say that the final league standings are all that count, because that is the only fair table - everyone's played the same games, each team home and away. Anything before that there are other factors that influence the standings, like say if one of the lower clubs has already played the top 4 sides and another lower team hasn't. So after 38 games, they are the true standings.

I think the best thing to come out of that draw is (assuming Chelsea beat NUFC tonight) how big it is going to make the league match between the two. Before last night it was going to be big, now it is absolutely huge, like a league final. It could very well all come down to that match. United fans don't think it's slipping because if you win that game, you probably win the Prem. And Chelsea fans, it's all in our hands now. C'mon the Chels.

EDIT: And Robbie Keane you old dog you!

[RedMorningLight]

Why has Darren Bent got worse since he grew facial hair? This question arose last night at the pub and it got me thinking, is the 5 o'clock shadow just a sign that a striker has started hitting the bottle and going down hill?

[RandyfromPennywise]

Mmm, none of the best players in the world have facial hair. 'Dinho, Kaka, Lampard, Gerrard, Ronaldo, Rooney, Henry, Terry, Pirlo, Drogba. Best players with facial hair -- Gattuso, mmm who else? Mellberg?? Can't think of any. Maybe Gillette has a deal with all the best players in the world.

[Cecillianne]

Zidane was hairless on his last appearance, if that counts.

MU is starting to lose their luck when it counts :sadisticglee: how bad is ferdinand's injury?

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

2 Weeks out.

I feel bad now, I always said how Chelsea lost one defender and they fell apart and conceded loads which was true.

But then United go and lose 5 defenders.

Still think they can do it though.

[Cecillianne]

looks like trouble tbh. Wes Brown ain't exactly one of the better centre backs.

[RedMorningLight]

Mmm, none of the best players in the world have facial hair. 'Dinho, Kaka, Lampard, Gerrard, Ronaldo, Rooney, Henry, Terry, Pirlo, Drogba. Best players with facial hair -- Gattuso, mmm who else? Mellberg?? Can't think of any. Maybe Gillette has a deal with all the best players in the world.

I like to think that they just become alcaholics, James Beattie is another one. Another good pub football topic is your favourite random players from the Premiership. My brother remembered a classic, Branko Strupar or as he was fondly named, 'Bucking Branko' ha. Who's everyone's favorite forgotten players? Another one, just so you can see the standard :thumb:, is Temuri Ketsbaia for Newcastle...absolute legend.

[metal-militia]

Temuri Ketsbaia for Newcastle...absolute legend.

:lol: Wasn't he that bloke that went nuts when he scored?

[RandyfromPennywise]

My Prem knowledge only runs from '97 to now, but I'll try. I remember Horacio Carbonari and Francesco Baiano from Derby. Obviously I can list some Chelsea names many of you will have forgotten, such as Slavisa Jokanovic (possibly the worst Chelsea players ever), Enrique De Lucas (possibly the second worst Chelsea player ever), Bjarne Goldbaek - does anyone remember the goal he scored against Spurs in 98/99 I think it was? One of the best long-range strikes I've seen from Chelsea. Scott Minto, the old left-back, and Eddie Newton - FA Cup final scorer! Alen Bokšić, the guy who sent Boro broke, and Ziege as well.

[Dead Star]

Faustino Asprilla

legend

[RandyfromPennywise]

Jes Høgh, Pierluigi Casiraghi, Jordi Cruijff, Jesper Blomqvist, Gilles Grimandi, Philippe Albert, Dan Petrescu, Craig Hignett.

Boring first half, Newcastle had more chances truth be told. I reckon Ballack's done the old metertasal in his foot, and that's probably his season. Anyone see Lampard's dive when Dyer 'challenged' him? Really blatant. And we probably should've had a penalty from that hand ball off Carr.

You know I thought it was Given playing in goal for NUFC, not Harper. Looking at Harper in the tunnel before the game I had no idea it was not Given, they look so similar it is ridiculous.

[2muchket!]

Shaun Goater. Feed the goat and he will score.
Leg-end

[Dead Star]

Fabrizio Ravanelli, Dennis Irwin, Michael Duberry, Gus Poyet

*nostalgia*

[RandyfromPennywise]

Shaun Goater. Feed the goat and he will score.
Leg-end

One of the ugliest footballers ever.

Phil Babb. Anyone remember when he broke his coccyk bone against Chelsea? The post went right between his legs. Looked one of the most painful injuries imaginable. I remember they were putting ice down his pants. Poor lad, it was ugly.

[metal-militia]

Birmingham came from behind to beat Wolves 3-2 today. That's great news for Saint's but we have to win our last 2 games now.

I remember seeing Petrescu play for Saints ages ago and he was awful.

[2muchket!]

Juninho Paulista. Local hero.

Love him.

[Dead Star]

One of the ugliest footballers ever.

Phil Babb. Anyone remember when he broke his coccyk bone against Chelsea? The post went right between his legs. Looked one of the most painful injuries imaginable. I remember they were putting ice down his pants. Poor lad, it was ugly.

i just looked it up on youtube

Dear god that must have hurt.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah it was a shocker. My brother and I still joke about it to this day. And we grimace whenever it's mentioned.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dONtFBuCztM

[RandyfromPennywise]

**** off.

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

Chelsea couldn't take advantage of Man U's slip up, oh well, United still hold the advantage.

As far as bad injuries, anyone remember Buust for Coventry I think it was? Two Man U players from different angles, slide tackles, his bone tore through his skin, they were cleaning blood off the pitch for ages.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Woooooo!

[munky_magik]

Celtic are drawing with Kilmarnock :)

I still love the images that the BBC site picks:
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42832000/jpg/_42832455_martine416.jpg

EDIT: Curse you, Nakamura.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Quite a strange week at the top. Man Utd were terrible, only creating one shot on target, Chelsea never really looked like troubling Harper, and Arsenal's fluid football deserted them and forced them to get their two goals by lumping the ball into the box.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Busst, oh my God, unbelievable. I have seen the photo before, but had forgotten it and I didn't know what teams is was or anything.

http://www.360soccer.com/images/bussteds.jpg

I fear this kind of injury almost more than anything when I'm playing. Not that I think about it on the field but you know what I mean.

[rik]

I think we deserved the point, Chelsea were awful to be honest.

Mourinho was making me laugh so much in his interview afterwards, talking about the 'new football rules' in which refs aren't allowed to give penalties against Man Utd and aren't allowed to give penalties in Chelseas favour.

It would've been very harsh to give a penalty for that handball by Carr.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Actually this angle is way worse. Sorry if you're squeamish.

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~choh/busst.jpg

[Dave de Sylvia]

haha "New Football Rules"

[2muchket!]

SHUNSUKE NAKAMURA :D:D

Master of free kicks :D

Gerrin there.

One north east team nealry ruins man utd winning the title, the other saves it.

[Dave de Sylvia]

In your ****in' face, Ali!

[munky_magik]

:upset:

[Dave de Sylvia]

:-D

[rik]

Has Mikel played a match for Chelsea this season and not been booked?

[RedMorningLight]

okay, this guy was hilarious...

http://www.ave-it.net/taibi.jpg

[RandyfromPennywise]

http://www.goleiros.com.br/Fotos/degoey3.jpg

[RedMorningLight]

http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/73/a9/0,,10304~174451,00.jpg

[Dave de Sylvia]

Kevin Pressman plays for Portadown now. He was part of the side that heroically went down 7-0 at home to Cork City in the Setanta Cup last month!

[RedMorningLight]

He once conceded a goal against Preston from the opposition 'keeper's kick out his hands. He was dangerously obese back then which made his poor attempt to back peddle after it bounced over his head even more funny. On the subject of Leicester goalkeepers, I once saw Ian Walker fight a pitch invader to the ground. That free ticket provided some entertainment in the end.

[Dead Star]

damn Celtic

I thought Killie were going to hold on too.

[Minus The Flair]

Ronaldo sweeps both awards as expected, only second player ever to do it. The other one being Andy Gray, lol.

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=462586&CPID=8&clid=1&lid=4161&title=Ronaldo+takes+PFA+double

Oh, and Drogba 2nd, Scholes 3rd.

Young player - Fabregas 2nd, Lennon 3rd.

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

Sorry scratch that, BBC messed with my head and showed me an article for 2006

[Minus The Flair]

Woah look at team of the year, 8 United players. Essiens not getting enough credit.

[talk show host]

And Gerrard's getting too much.

[rik]

Anyone hear the woman doing the commentating for the Fulham - Blackburn game? Didn't really sound.....right.

And lol at the little kid who looked like Adrian Chiles (if anyone watched MOTD2)

[Minus The Flair]

Anyone hear the woman doing the commentating for the Fulham - Blackburn game? Didn't really sound.....right.

And lol at the little kid who looked like Adrian Chiles (if anyone watched MOTD2)Haha yer, during the whole of that match my face had a weird squint. It just sounded weird. Sexism ftw.

[munky_magik]

PFA Premier League Team of the Year:
Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra (all Man Utd); Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo (all Man Utd) and Steven Gerrard (Liverpool); Didier Drogba (Chelsea) and Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)

Van der Sar ahead of Cech? Gerrard? No Essien?

[Dave de Sylvia]

Cech's spent half the season in hospital!

[munky_magik]

And still been better than Van der Sar.

[Dave de Sylvia]

No.

[munky_magik]

Yes?

[Dave de Sylvia]

Ali you support all the wrong football teams, how could ever think you'd be right about this?

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

United aren't top for nothing. I think team of the year was pretty fair, except for Gerrard :S Surely Essien or someone else deserves it

[2muchket!]

David James and Ben Foster have been better keeper's this year. Man Utd as a whole have been good, but 8 players in the PFA team of the year ?

I'd like to see who the rest of you lot would include in yours.

[angry armadillo]

im a liverpool fan and can say gerrard hasnt done anything particularly special this season

[TakeWarning]

I can't say I entirely agree with that back four either.

[Surtr]

Aha. Utd. sorta' walked away on that one didn't they?

8 players? Lmao.

[Cecillianne]

back 4 cracks me up. where are the likes of Carvalho, Finnan, Carragher?

Gary Neville ^___________^ come on. at best he's had a decent season.

[Dinosawesome]

Nissy! MSN!

[Cecillianne]

give me 10 mins k :)

[Dinosawesome]

You got it.


Now... back to football talk...

[talk show host]

Nicky Shorey should've been at left back :o

[Minus The Flair]

Woah, Sunderland were 23rd in the Championship when Keane replaced Quinn and now they could be promoted as soon as this Saturday! That is seriously incredible, and considering he's never had any managing experience before. I've never seen anything like that. Twenty ****ing third for Christ's sake. I didn't realize they were that low.

[metal-militia]

Woah, Sunderland were 23rd in the Championship when Keane replaced Quinn and now they could be promoted as soon as this Saturday! That is seriously incredible, and considering he's never had any managing experience before. I've never seen anything like that. Twenty ****ing third for Christ's sake. I didn't realize they were that low.

Yeah and I think they'd just lost to Bury as well in the League Cup when he took over. :lol:

Gareth Bale in the Championship team of the year :cool:

[Dave de Sylvia]

Nice to see Berbatov in the Premiership team, but 8 United players is massive overkill. Reina should have won the goalkeeper spot easily, Finnan's had a great season, Lescott's been outstanding for Evertone and Dunne & Distin have done incredibly well at Man City considering they get no help from the rest of the team. Neville and Gerrard are in the team on reputation alone, and I'm assuming Evra's inclusion is only in the absence of an outstanding left-back.

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

EDIT: The PFA apparently

Anywho, United had 10 outfield players able to train today, it's not looking good for the match tomorrow

[RandyfromPennywise]

Nice to see Berbatov in the Premiership team, but 8 United players is massive overkill. Reina should have won the goalkeeper spot easily, Finnan's had a great season, Lescott's been outstanding for Evertone and Dunne & Distin have done incredibly well at Man City considering they get no help from the rest of the team. Neville and Gerrard are in the team on reputation alone, and I'm assuming Evra's inclusion is only in the absence of an outstanding left-back.

Reina? He's no good. Shaky. Overrated.

Here's wha' I would've done.

James
Finnan Carvalho Carragher Taylor
Ronaldo Scholes Fabregas Essien
Drogba Berbatov

Bench: Terry, Arteta, Martins, Barry, Giggs, Lescott, Dunne, Čech, Rooney, Lampard, Jääskeläinen.

Terry only missed 10 Prem games, and Petr The Great 17. Both have still been close to the best in their positions.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Reina can't deal with crosses, but neither can David James and he's been incredible this season too. As a shot-stopper, Reina's probably the best around.

Carragher? :/ Put Lescott in there, the prematurely balding magician.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah Lescott's been good. His head is rather odd though, init.

Best shot stopper, old José Manuel? Old Čechy and Cudicini 'ave 'im covered, old Givo too.

[Minus The Flair]

Ronaldo takes fan's player of the year too.

So what's the predictions for tonight. The whole of our first choice back four is injured, and Silvestre. So apparently it'll be Heinze, O'Shea, Brown and Fletcher. Not the toughest test Milan could face but hey, at least we should be forced to play a more attacking approach. United win 3-1 I think.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I don't think it's the disaster some people are making out. O'Shea has really improved this season even though he's still not up to the standard a Man Utd centre-half should maintain. OK, I think the same thing about Rio so obviously my opinion counts for nothing, but you know. Milan were very conservative when they went away to Celtic Park; I think they'll take the same approach tonight, and once we don't concede anything on the counter, we should be looking to go to Milan with a 1 or 2 goal lead.

[rik]

I'll predict 2-1 to Man Utd tonight.

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

Man U 1-2 AC Milan at half time.

Ronaldo and Kaka, the two best players in the world, scored all goals.

That Kaka is brilliant how he casually took the 2nd goal around one defender, headed through two other defenders dodging their challenges and slotted it past VDS....

[Dave de Sylvia]

wtf how was that given as a Dida own goal? It's not as if he kicked it into his own net.

And holy god what a terrible defence. Evra could even have prevented the shot if he'd managed not to jump knee-first into Heinze for no reason. Awful defensive display.

[ChodaBoy]

That second goal was abysmal, Evra should have been somewhere around the goal - not trying to break Heinze's cheekbone with his knee

[2muchket!]

Kaka. What a player tho ey ?

[ChodaBoy]

He's already doing great tonight, but I think if they put someone up front with him it would be all over for Utd

[munky_magik]

What a pass from Scholes.

[RCVA]

Roooneyyy Brilliant Goal

**** The Caps Edit In Here

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

Man U 3-2 AC Milan FT

What a player Rooney is...shame he can't score goals isn't it :P That's like 23 this season so far?

Atleast we take a lead to Milan

[2muchket!]

you now have a chance. Cos at 2-2 or 2-1 milan would'vve gone to the sna siro and no doubt about it the scoreline woulda been 0-0. Now they have to score next week. Which'll mean theyy won't just defend.

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

The 2nd half was an amazing performance by Man U...I wonder what Fergie said at half time.

Of course Milan played extremely well in the first half, and I thought it was a really entertaining semi final.

Any sort of draw in Italy will put us through.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Oh man, what a finish. All the important players stepped up: Scholes, Rooney, Giggs and, surprising even me, Fletcher was magnificent.

Guess who I haven't mentioned!

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

Mr.Ronaldo :P

Though you're right....Fletcher played amazingly well, I think he could be coming into his stride at OT now. He's played well in the last few games and was outstanding in the 7-1 romping of Roma

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah only got to see about 15 minutes of the match, as today is a big public holiday in Australia to commerate those we have lost in wars so I went to a dawn service in the city at 6am and missed the match. I've got it on iQ (like a digital recorder thing) so I'll watch it later today. Kaká, seriously like he is up there with the very, very best in the world, it's a shame a lot of Brits don't give proper credit to dem coninenals, dem divin foreners.

[sgrevs]

Fantastic game last night, one of the best i've watched in a long time. Ronaldo and Kaka stole the show of course, Seedorf and Rooney were good too. Hopefully tonights game will be of the same standard, but with a bigger scoreline difference (to liverpool).

1-1 is my prediction though, and I'll be waking up at 4.45 before school tomorrow morning to watch the game.

[talk show host]

Ronaldo didn't do anything really except run into defenders and score a weak goal.

It was a fun match though, United were awesome in the second half.

[Cecillianne]

just :mad: at the way the match ended. i'm starting to get sick of last minute goals. not saying MU didn't deserve it, they looked fantastic and Milan switched off in the 2nd half.

nerves are getting frazzled for tonight's match.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Why are there no other Chelsea fans on here? I'm the only one keeping the Blue Flag flying high... From Stamford Bridge to Wem-Ber-Ley, We'll keep the Blue Flag flying high. Flying high up in the sky, we'll keep the blue flag flying high, From Stamford Bridge to Wem-Ber-Ley, We'll Keep the Blue Flag flying high.

We are the Chelsea and we are the best,
We are the Chelsea so **** all the rest,
**** 'em all, **** 'em all,
West Ham, Man U and LIVERPOOL,
'Cause we are the Chelsea and we are the best,
We are the Chelsea so **** all the rest!

C'mon get pumped c'mon boys do the job, let's smash these Scouser bastards.

[Wigga Stole My Bike]

Though I don't really care who goes through out of Chelsea and Liverpool (as I think United are capable of beating both on current form, if they get through themselves of course).

I think i'll go for a Chelsea win, because as above stated, there seems to be no support for them :P

[Dave de Sylvia]

Ronaldo didn't do anything really except run into defenders and score a weak goal.
I honestly can't believe that nobody else noticed this. I've heard his performance last night heralded as "excellent" and "magnificent." He wasn't just invisible, he actually played really badly. And I'm a fan of his.

Why are there no other Chelsea fans on here?
Chelsea are the devil. That's why.

I probably won't watch tonight's match. Might stick it on in the background but I've got essays due. I doubt I'll miss much- 0-0, 1-0 perhaps. I fear for Liverpool from set pieces, but I think it'll be a conservative performance from both sides.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Poor show Plath, poor show.

Surprised Ferreira's in at RB. Could be found out.

Haha see this Gerrard v Lampard split-screen their doing? Everytime they've built up that contest both have been anonymous.

[RandyfromPennywise]

He's here, He's there, He's every-****ing-where, JOEY COLE, JOEY COLE!

[Dave de Sylvia]

This is interesting. I found myself shouting "yes!" when Chelsea scored. This is definitely new.

[RandyfromPennywise]

You've seen the light lad!!

[Cecillianne]

liverpool look so outclassed it's not funny.

[RandyfromPennywise]

^ call of the night. Lampard's playing well. Recognise this people.

Great save just then by Cech.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I wouldn't say that. Both midfields seem to be cancelling each other out so neither really has much going forward. The main difference is that Chelsea are defending well when required, while Carragher and Agger look all over the place.

[Cecillianne]

and the Oscar for best on field actor is

[RandyfromPennywise]

Well I think that Lamps and Maka are doing brilliantly considering it's 3v2 all the time. Ha whata clown Kalou, wearing Wright-Phillips' shirt, idiot!

God Drogba pisses me off with these bullshit injuries.

[Cecillianne]

Jesus. Liverpool defense is so unsettled.

edit: Pennant should've been on much, much earlier imo.

[Dave de Sylvia]

More importantly, why was Zenden left on the field? Even more importantly, why was Zenden even allowed on the field to begin with? I can't say I understand anything Benitez does, he's a complete enigma.
I wouldn't say that. Both midfields seem to be cancelling each other out so neither really has much going forward. The main difference is that Chelsea are defending well when required, while Carragher and Agger look all over the place.
I stand very much corrected.

[RandyfromPennywise]

In terms of what or you stand very much corrected?

Mmm Zenden was a strange one. At a club like Scouse he's a bench player at most. Maybe it was something to do with him playing against his old club or something Benitez thought... who knows.

Wright-Phillips and Kalou are both almost great players, but neither is. Kalou's insistence on taking on the first man regardless of the situation costs us opportunities every match. Joe Cole is absolutely brilliant, and I stand by my call of last year that he is one of the best players in the Prem, at least in the top 20.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Liverpool didn't match Chelsea anywhere in the second half. Zenden is just a bad player, full stop. He was a good player eight years ago, tonight he was absolutely terrible.

[rik]

Zenden was awful, I was surprised to see him starting, even more surprised to see him play the full 90 minutes.