Football (Soccer to those across the pond)

[Snowdog]

I can't say I noticed the offsides that AVB was referring to, though I didn't watch any of the punditry afterwards.

As for the penalties, the first was and the second wasn't. Referees in general seem to have adopted the view that a player is required to get out of the way of another player. They're not. So many free kicks are given when one player runs into another that just aren't fouls. There has to be a deliberate attempt to block an opponent, just standing your ground is perfectly legal. In the case of the penalty given against Ivanovich, he had planted his feet and was stationary. Welbeck then tripped over his leg (accidentally or deliberately), but there was no movement from Ivanovich so it shouldn't have been a penalty.

I'm afraid that despite that wrong decision, Chelsea blew it from 3-0. Poor defending, poor tracking back and generally sloppy play in the middle, especially after Utd had got it back to 3-1.

[No One]

Thanks for the clarification.

And yep, that doesn't surprise me in the least. The players have probably forgotten what it's like to be a few goals ahead!

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by No One

Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United

Not that I expected much from this given Chelsea's inconsistency this season, but with any luck Ferguson will stop his annoying complaining about decisions at Stamford Bridge after two penalties for his side (one of which was supposed to be very soft) and possibly two offside goals (at least according to AVB - I'll have to see for myself later). Even so, it's the height of hypocrisy to have to listen to Ferguson going on about referee calls when Old Trafford is so infamous for favourable officiating. It's pathetic.

Disappointed to let a three goal lead slip, but then it's difficult when the referees seem to want to prove a point. Didn't help Man U to a first victory at the bridge since 2002 though, so suck on that Fergie.

With regards to the Terry captaincy, yes he is a good leader on the pitch but I'm inclined to agree with Snowdog - a captain of the national side should be a decent human being first and as much as I appreciate Terry's contribution to Chelsea over the years, he aint that. To be honest I don't much care about this trial business, Chelsea have bigger problems to address.

AVB Chelsea team is soft, so inconsistent that i knew Man U had big chance to come back from 0-3. Chelsea few years ago would never let 3-0 lead slip away. Mata, Sturridge is the only dangerous,modern,quick players. Of course they scored, was behind the first goal/own goal. You need more of those quality type players and less of Torres,Malouda and other over the hill players.

[alchemist]

Originally Posted by No One

Even so, it's the height of hypocrisy to have to listen to Ferguson going on about referee calls when Old Trafford is so infamous for favourable officiating. It's pathetic.

Just because a notion is infamous, it doesn't mean it's true.

FWIW, I didn't think the second one was a penalty either, but there were decent claims for Utd penalties in the first half (haven't seen them -- my recorded Match Of The Day will entertain me while Madonna sings at half-time in the Superbowl).

[svalbard]

Eli(BLOODY) Manning. No winning drive at the end(well it was), but that guy who took the touchdown was right. Scores on the board win the game!

Still it was a great reply from Brady. Two brilliant quaterbacks fighting out a Superbowl. Great drama.

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by svalbard

Eli(BLOODY) Manning. No winning drive at the end(well it was), but that guy who took the touchdown was right. Scores on the board win the game!

Still it was a great reply from Brady. Two brilliant quaterbacks fighting out a Superbowl. Great drama.

Hey this is the topic for real Football and not the thing the yanks play

[Tillane]

Tottenham 5 - 0 Newcastle

Ouch.

That is all.

[Ursa major]

So that scoreline has taxed your vocabulary, has it?



(Perhaps you should be more... er... dogged in your support for your team....)

[svalbard]

Originally Posted by Connavar

Hey this is the topic for real Football and not the thing the yanks play

Ooops! Just saw this. There you go for having a load of beers before posting

[chopper]

like i need any more reasons to detest that bunch of tesco-bag-suited morons....?

[The Ace]

Huh ! Our first game in weeks and Livingston destroy us 3-1.

Who'd be a Jag ?

[pyan]

At least the news coming out of Ibrox should cheer you up a wee bit, mate!

[alchemist]

Originally Posted by chopper

like i need any more reasons to detest that bunch of tesco-bag-suited morons....?

It's taken this long for me to realise who you're talking about.

Do you have any favourites for the Wolves hotseat? It seems to be all serial relegation flirters so far.

[chopper]

based on that shortlist....? no. Lee Clark, maybe - he hasn't lost many games.....

[pyan]

Three in 55, I believe. I think that Huddersfield’s chairman, Dean Hoyle, has delusions of Abramovichism...