This weekend marks the English FA Cup’s fourth round games. Two of the 16 ties are local derbies, Chelsea '03 travel to Queens Park Rangers and Manchester United travel to Anfield to face Liverpool. While both games are interesting in their own right, there is the added factor of two highly charged sub plots. John Terry faces Anton Ferdinand and United and Patrice Evra face Liverpool, the first time Chelsea '03 and Liverpool have faced the same opponents since charges of racism were leveled at Terry and Luis Suarez. Liverpool, luckily for now, are spared the in-depth coverage of Suarez coming up against Evra, his eight game suspension putting the meeting on hold. However, there will be no such hiding place for Terry and all eyes will be on him when he walks through the line to shake hands with the QPR players. The two games will make for compelling viewing.
QPR’s Joey Barton, who nowadays seems to be known more for receiving red cards and his Twitter posts than his playing ability, did not hold back in tweeting his criticism of his former manager Neil Warnock. Barton is one of those rare footballers, he is educated and articulate, but his comments about Warnock lacked class. Love him or hate him, Warnock is a dedicated football man, who has put in his time and despite his propensity to make some outlandish comments, he is a respected manager. Barton has earned no such respect.
QPR’s Joey Barton, who nowadays seems to be known more for receiving red cards and his Twitter posts than his playing ability, did not hold back in tweeting his criticism of his former manager Neil Warnock. Barton is one of those rare footballers, he is educated and articulate, but his comments about Warnock lacked class. Love him or hate him, Warnock is a dedicated football man, who has put in his time and despite his propensity to make some outlandish comments, he is a respected manager. Barton has earned no such respect.
Neil Lennon was on the verge of losing his job in October as Celtic trailed Kilmarnock by three goals at Rugby Park. His team fell 15 points behind bitter rivals Rangers in the title race all be it with two games in hand. Celtic came back to draw 3-3 with Killie and then went on to win 13 and draw one of their next 14 games. A hard fought win at St. Mirren last weekend coupled with Rangers home draw against Aberdeen saw Lennon and Celtic extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to four points. That is an incredible 19 point turn around, and if Celtic go on to win the league it will be one of the most stunning comebacks in football history.
Aberdeen drew at Ibrox 1-1 to take two points off the defending champions Rangers. Gers’ fans have complained that Aberdeen only try against their club. Nonsense. Aberdeen have not won at Rangers in 21 years, a run of 40 games without a victory, but why let the facts get in the way of the story. That is a motto that also seems to apply to the Scottish media which has abdicated its responsibility in its lack of coverage of Rangers’ financial collapse. It as if they are in denial about the biggest story in Scottish sports history.
Aberdeen drew at Ibrox 1-1 to take two points off the defending champions Rangers. Gers’ fans have complained that Aberdeen only try against their club. Nonsense. Aberdeen have not won at Rangers in 21 years, a run of 40 games without a victory, but why let the facts get in the way of the story. That is a motto that also seems to apply to the Scottish media which has abdicated its responsibility in its lack of coverage of Rangers’ financial collapse. It as if they are in denial about the biggest story in Scottish sports history.
Liverpool turned in yet another poor performance against Bolton at the Reebok. The 1-3 loss was deserved and heaped more media pressure on manager Kenny Dalglish. The Scot’s reign was fast descending into the Roy Hodgson era part II until Liverpool’s victory over Man City ’08 in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg. The majority of Liverpool fans will not turn on their all-time hero, and if Liverpool beat Cardiff City in next month’s final at Wembley he will only enhance his hero status. But, will the club’s American owners be satisfied with a League Cup victory to show for their huge investment?
The African Cup of Nations is well under way in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. It was not long ago that the tournament was considered an event that would help to identify the sport’s next great talent. That is no longer the case. For some reason the Cup of Nations has lost its luster. There are still some big name players representing their countries, but the likes of Didier Drogba are no longer considered the fresh faced talent of the African continent. And without three time defending champion Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa, the tournament lacks some of its historically top teams. It will still throw up some entertaining football, but maybe the time has come to make the cup a quadrennial event like the European Championships.
The African Cup of Nations is well under way in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. It was not long ago that the tournament was considered an event that would help to identify the sport’s next great talent. That is no longer the case. For some reason the Cup of Nations has lost its luster. There are still some big name players representing their countries, but the likes of Didier Drogba are no longer considered the fresh faced talent of the African continent. And without three time defending champion Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa, the tournament lacks some of its historically top teams. It will still throw up some entertaining football, but maybe the time has come to make the cup a quadrennial event like the European Championships.
It was a good week for the credibility of US Soccer and MLS in the Premier League. Robbie Keane scored twice for Aston Villa against Wolves to prove he has lost none of his ability to score against poor teams in his time in L.A. Tim Ream agreed terms with Bolton Wanderers. Landon Donovan turned in another decent performance for Everton although he could only help his team to a 1-1 draw against Blackburn. Clint Dempsey scored a hat-trick against Newcastle United to remind some of the top clubs that he may be one of the most underrated players in the league. Dempsey has finally earned the respect of the average football fan in England and he would not be out of place in the home dressing room at White Hart Lane, Anfield or even Old Trafford.
Howard Webb is supposedly one of, if not the best, referee in England, Europe and the World. Who says so? The FA, UEFA and FIFA who all have given him high profile games such as the Champions League and World Cup Finals. Spurs fans don’t agree with that assessment, a sentiment that may be shared with many fans of other clubs, especially those who have played against his ‘favorite’ team Man United when Webb was the match official. Yes, Jermaine Defoe could have got Webb off the hook had he stuck away his great chance in time added on against Man City ’08 on Sunday. He didn’t and so Webb’s decision not to send of Mario Balotelli for his kick out at Scott Parker allowed the Italian to remain on the field, earn and then score the winning penalty. Even with a win at the City of Manchester Stadium Spurs were never likely to win the title, but Webb’s poor decision may have helped City secure it. Webb does not have a great track record where Spurs are concerned – a disallowed a goal at Liverpool ruled offside on a back pass, a penalty awarded to Man United at Old Trafford despite a great save by Hurelio Gomes and goals against United and Chelsea both disallowed when no infringements were evident even in replays. The FA would do well to avoid having Webb do a Spurs game for the next few weeks.
Howard Webb is supposedly one of, if not the best, referee in England, Europe and the World. Who says so? The FA, UEFA and FIFA who all have given him high profile games such as the Champions League and World Cup Finals. Spurs fans don’t agree with that assessment, a sentiment that may be shared with many fans of other clubs, especially those who have played against his ‘favorite’ team Man United when Webb was the match official. Yes, Jermaine Defoe could have got Webb off the hook had he stuck away his great chance in time added on against Man City ’08 on Sunday. He didn’t and so Webb’s decision not to send of Mario Balotelli for his kick out at Scott Parker allowed the Italian to remain on the field, earn and then score the winning penalty. Even with a win at the City of Manchester Stadium Spurs were never likely to win the title, but Webb’s poor decision may have helped City secure it. Webb does not have a great track record where Spurs are concerned – a disallowed a goal at Liverpool ruled offside on a back pass, a penalty awarded to Man United at Old Trafford despite a great save by Hurelio Gomes and goals against United and Chelsea both disallowed when no infringements were evident even in replays. The FA would do well to avoid having Webb do a Spurs game for the next few weeks.
Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho trailed Barcelona 2-0 at half time in the second leg of their Copa Del Rey quarter-final second leg at the Camp Nou. A spirited second half comeback saw Madrid earn a creditable 2-2 draw in a performance that should have earned them a win. There was still a hint of cynical play from Madrid who had Sergio Ramos sent off, but their overall play augurs well for the title run in and any possible Champions League match up. Technically and tactically Real have closed the gap on Barca, but psychologically the edge still goes to the Catalan side.
On the day that their former manager, Harry Redknapp, and their former owner, Milan Mandaric, were giving testimony to Southwark Crown Court in their tax case Portsmouth Football Club were being issued with a winding up order by Her Majesty’s Government. If I was a betting man I would put a tenner on the two cases being related.
On the day that their former manager, Harry Redknapp, and their former owner, Milan Mandaric, were giving testimony to Southwark Crown Court in their tax case Portsmouth Football Club were being issued with a winding up order by Her Majesty’s Government. If I was a betting man I would put a tenner on the two cases being related.
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