Chelsea 2 - Arsenal 1

Quite a game.

One of the best I've seen - apart from the last 5-10 minutes of normal time.

I didn't blog my opinion of this game - but I'd already given Chelsea the win.

Arsenal started really well, Walcott scored a classy goal - reminds me of Thierry Henry's kind of finish - there's definitely more coming from this kid.

Drogba's first goal was marginally offside - he got flagged later on from a similar position. However in soccer, one day you get those, the next day you don't so there's no point dwelling too much on such - even if they have the tendency to alter a game.

Arsenal really should have put the game beyond Chelsea in the first half but for outstanding stops by Peter Cech and defending by Carvalho.

Second half, Chelsea saw more of the ball (I don't agree with Mourinho's assessment that they dominated the second half) - it was more of a 50-50 with Chelsea's experience and strength showing towards the end.

I was really worried about John Terry's accidental kick on the head by Diaby. Hope it's not too serious. Diaby apparently got injured in the same incident - though I think he felt it more emotionally than physically.

Arsenal's attacking and threat was reduced with Diaby and Traore's substitution. And with no Clichy or Rosicky on the bench, the right side pair of Hleb and Hoyte didn't provide much attacking threat when played on the left.

Mourinho's introduction of Robben in the interval was a masterclass - as Makelele was ineffective in stopping the maurading youngsters. Robben ensured that they had much to think about by keeping them busy attacking. He also provided the pass that led to Drogba's second. I feel Chelsea need to keep Drogba fit if they are to catch ManU this season.

My assessment.
Chelsea won the cup, barely though. Arsenal's youngsters however have made their point. An outfield team of less than 21 years average age started the game. The entire squad cost less than Schevchenko I believe. History however will show that Chelsea won the Carling Cup. History will also show (I believe soon) the emergence of a young classy Arsenal side.

The other small thing (not so small though) - Toure really shouldn't have lost it at the end. He was the captain. I think Adebayor wasn't the culprit - Eboue was. There'll be quite a number of suspensions coming soon. I wonder what would have happened if John Terry and Lehmann were on the pitch :D

My Men of the Match:

Arsenal:
this is tricky - Walcott - he scored his first goal for arsenal

Chelsea:
Didier Drogba - really should win Player of the year this time round

Review: FA Cup - Bolton vs Arsenal

One of the most intriguing and entertaining games that I have watched in a long time.

Arsenal really should have closed the contest within 90 minutes, while Bolton hit the post twice, but really looked vulnerable at times with Arsenal failing to score from a host of chances, including a penalty and Adebayor clear on goal, in addition to possibly Baptista's worst first half of a game in Arsenal colours.

Nothing really controversial about the result though, on the balance of play and the chances created, Arsenal probably deserved it more than Bolton.

Bolton though are a very good side, and can play good soccer. They missed Kevin Davies up front alot though.

Arsenal will now need to recover from 120 minutes of soccer as they play in FA Cup 5th Round against Blackburn, who lost 2-3 away to Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA cup yesterday, on Saturday at 1230 GMT.

Focus: Arsenal's perceived inconsistency

Fatigue and injuries are playing a large part in Arsenal's consistency.

The last two times they had at least 6 days rest:

Dec 16 - 23 - 6.5 days rest - next game at home to Blackburn. Result Arsenal win 6-2
Key Players MissingTH, Gallas, Eboue

Jan 14-21 - 7.5 days rest - next game at home to ManU. Result Arsenal win 2-1
Key Players MissingGilberto, Gallas

Seems to me that Hleb and RVP play an integral part in Arsenal Winning games. Also important is player freshness.

Preview: Bolton vs Arsenal

Kevin Davies and Abdoulaye Faye are out of this tie with injuries while Abdoulaye Meite calf problem and could miss the game

Hleb and Ljunberg back in squad are back in the Arsenal squad, but Lehman and Thierry Henry will be rested. Djourou will start despite suffering a nasty nose injury against Wigan. Gallas and Eboue are still nursing injuries, with Robin van Persie out long term and Senderos suspended.

I think resting Henry is a good idea, considering his contributions overall, over the last few games. I expect Cesc also to at least start on the bench as he has looked rather tired over the last few games. Rosicky also might be rested for the first half of the game.

Bolton could struggle without Kevin Davies, who is a critical part of the team, Faye's presence in the centre of the park would have been a major boost for them.

Arsenal will need to have a winning mentality to beat Bolton who have been their bogey team. Bolton's forward line is as good as any, with Anelka and possibly Diouf leading the line.

This is a tricky one to call, but I think Arsenal will shade this one.

Weekend Review

Manchester and Chelsea registered comfortable wins.

Liverpool dropped off the pace, losing away to Newcastle

Bolton and Arsenal both won 2-1 at home to Fulham and Wigan respectively, with Arsenal leaving it late (yet again).

Wigan: On the strength of their performance against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium, I do not expect Wigan to go down this season. They displayed alot of character, skill and resilience.

Weekend Preview: English Premiership

This weekend sees Chelsea, Arsenal and ManU host Middleborough, Wigan and Charlton respectively with Liverpool visiting Newcastle.

My predictions for these four games: the top 4 all win.

Saturday, 10 February 2007

Chelsea v Middlesbrough, 1800
Everton v Blackburn, 1800
Man Utd v Charlton, 1800
Newcastle v Liverpool, 1800
Portsmouth v Man City, 2015
Reading v Aston Villa, 1545
Sheff Utd v Tottenham, 1800
West Ham v Watford, 1800

Sunday, 11 February 2007

Arsenal v Wigan, 1900
Bolton v Fulham, 1630

Richest Clubs in the World

Despite Real Madrid's lack of silverware they top the list of the world's richest clubs

List of World's richest clubs
1 Real Madrid - £192.7million
2 Barcelona - £171million
3 Juventus - £165.8million
4 Manchester United - £160million
5 Milan - £157.5million
6 Chelsea - £145.8million
7 Internazionale - £136.3million
8 Bayern Munich - £135million
9 Arsenal - £126.9million
10 Liverpool - £116.1million
11 Lyon - £84.2million
12 Roma - £83.8million
13 Newcastle United - £82million
14 Schalke - £81.1million
15 Tottenham Hotspur - £70.7million
16 Hamburg - £67.1million
17 Manchester City - £59million
18 Rangers - £58.4million
19 West Ham United - £57.3million
20 Benfica - £56.1million

WORLD RICHEST CLUBS

Real Madrid is still holding strong as the world's richest club despite being Trophy less for the last 3 years.Premiership still has the largest number of the top 20 richest clubs.With Italy's Serie A having 4 in the list(note that Juve is in the rank of serie A since they are temporarily in Serie B and next season they will be in Serie A but will not play in UEFA champions League. Bundesliga has 3 in the list.Very high desparity is evident in La Liga with the top 2 and unfortunately no other in the list upto 20. France,Portugal and Scotland have 1 a piece.

The below list shows the wealth ranking.
1 Real Madrid - £192.7million
2 Barcelona - £171million
3 Juventus - £165.8million
4 Manchester United - £160million
5 Milan - £157.5million
6 Chelsea - £145.8million
7 Internazionale - £136.3million
8 Bayern Munich - £135million
9 Arsenal - £126.9million
10 Liverpool - £116.1million
11 Lyon - £84.2million
12 Roma - £83.8million
13 Newcastle United - £82million
14 Schalke - £81.1million
15 Tottenham Hotspur - £70.7million
16 Hamburg - £67.1million
17 Manchester City - £59million
18 Rangers - £58.4million
19 West Ham United - £57.3million
20 Benfica - £56.1million

Review: England Weekend Games

Lots of Penalty Controversy:

Was Middlesborough's penalty justifed? Wenger chose to play it down. I thought Middlesborough played well. As usual, their problem is consistency: they play well one day, and go to sleep the next.

Ronaldo seemed to have dived against Tottenham. But Manchester United thoroughly deserved that win.

Chelsea while not at their best won at Charlton.

It looks like Manchester United are not about to take their foot off the pedal. Rooney however suffered an injury, the extent of which remains to be seen.

For me it looks like positions 1 and 2 are decided more or less, with 3/4 being between Liverpool and Arsenal.

Weekend Preview: English Premiership

The Merseyside derby gets the weekend games to a fly start.
Liverpool will want to continue their good run of form and put pressure on Chelsea.
Chelsea should have an easy time against Charlton and will be boosted as they welcome John Terry back from injury.
Arsenal will be boosted by their midweek victory over bitter rivals Tottenham and should beat Middlesborough away.
Sunday's game features injury depleted Tottenham meeting a Manchester side in sizzling form.
Should be a ManU win.

Saturday 3rd Feb 2007
Aston Villa v West Ham, 18:00
Blackburn v Sheff Utd, 18:00
Charlton v Chelsea, 18:00
Fulham v Newcastle, 18:00
Liverpool v Everton, 15:45
Man City v Reading, 18:00
Middlesbrough v Arsenal,20:15
Watford v Bolton, 18:00
Wigan v Portsmouth, 18:00

Sunday 4th Feb 2007
Tottenham v Man Utd, 19:00

Ronaldo off to Real Madrid

Ronaldo's exit from Real Madrid is a bad idea according to former Real coach Vincente del Bosque.
I also think it's a bad idea. Despite being regarded as 'fat' by some people, there's a reason why he was thrice named World Player of the year.

del Bosque is one of the best coaches Real Madrid ever had, and his sacking coincided with the downward slump that Real Madrid has experienced since he was sacked in 2003. - they've not won anything major since then.

Sourced from ESPN Soccernet