Football is no magic and I am a different fan, if ever I am one. I watch football with my eyes and never with my heart. Arsenal’s football was finished the year Emmanuel Adebayour left the Emirates. Manchester United had their leave them through the same door with Carlos Tevez. These were not great players ever for these clubs, but the 2 teams needed them to set into championship material, in case of the Gunners and to support the erratic Wayne Rooney form in case of Man U.
The season is far from over, but as of today, Manchester United is a sorry sight. They cannot drop points at that rate and expect to mount a proper challenge. As much as Chelsea are not bullying their opponents with the regularity we had come to know, they are a solid lot worth the respect. I have no doubt that my great vision that Spurs will be the team of the season will face your resistance. That is a professional football opinion that does not need your ascertainment. It’s as factual as that you are alive. My worries are still to be realised, and I hope they are not; that they may not handle the pressure of Europe, FA Cup and league very well in their first season of glory. Meanwhile, let the good times roll.
Arsenal won an easy match in which Birmingham City did as little as they could to resist attack. In a pedestrian pace match that was only competitive for the first 45 minutes and in which young Jack Wilshire was red-carded at the dearth for a bad tackle Arsene Wenger would complain about, there would be good reason to believe the referee was as much confused as he let an initial penalty appeal by the Gunners fall to his deafness and then in a case of blind refereeing, gave a Chamakh dive for a penalty. Samir Nasri converted the spot kick like a veteran. Chamakh had to finish off in style, a fantastic move just after the break, to give Arsenal the 2-1 lead. The rest of the match was then a waste of spectators’ time.
Now, Manchester United has completely lost it, throwing away a 2-0 first half lead at home and to an ordinary team, and eventually drew with West Bromwich Albion. Veteran Dutch goalkeeper made a comical blunder synonymous with Arsenal’s Fabianski or Emmanuel Alumina, basically scooping a harmless ball onto the path of a marauding charging striker who obliged with a stab that severed through Sir Alex Ferguson’s heart, causing a profuse bleed. Sir Alex still has issues with Rooney, who implied his coach lied about him being injured. The sooner the in-house problems are fixed, the better for United.
Tottenham Hotspur was however superb away to Fulham at the Craven Cottage winning 2-1 but then, Ledley King hobbled off with a knee injury, causing a big concern for Harry Redknapp. After falling to an early goal from Kamara, that threat was cancelled within a minute when Palyvuchenko pounced on a rebound from the cross-bar after some fantastic touch and turning from Rafael van de Vaart. Going to Europe in the coming week, this was a boost for the novices who are quickly turning to pros. The injuries are a big concern at White Hart Lane.
Aston Villa had the upper hand against the champions at home in their 0-0 draw with Chelsea. The equation was later balanced as Chelsea stamped their authority in the match. The status quo became square as the clock wound down. Both teams competitively mirrored each other well in the second half, with Chelsea’s Flourent Malouda’s header striking the post before Villa took their turn at the other end, and Steven Ireland blowing away the rebound. It must be said the Petr Czech had to be at his best to keep a clean sheet, especially putting off Nigel Reo-Cocker with a few kicks of the match remaining. Bradley Friedel pulled off fine saves too.
Chelsea dropped a point but then 19 points from 8 matches is not a bad record. The result will entice Manchester City who will fancy their chances to close the gap on the log leaders. Bolton Wanderers beat Stoke City 2-1, while there were 2 draws of Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic which ended 2-2 as well the 1-1 Wolverhampton and West Ham United match.
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