Match Day 10: Team of the Week

This week, I took a slightly different approach to my team selection. Rather than listing out names as I have done in previous weeks, I have justified players selection with a few lines. Here we go -


Pepe Reina (Liverpool) - Goalkeeper
One of three Premier League keeper who managed a clean sheet this week. Pepe gets my vote because he showed great leadership, not only as captain of the team, but also in organizing his defenders (in the absence of Jamie Carragher). He never hesitates to give his defenders a piece of his mind when they miss a step. Ask Jose Enrique, who got a mouthful for not clearing a dangerous ball appropriately.


Micah Richards (Manchester City) - Right Full Back
If England's Manager (Fabio Capello) is listening, this guy is better than Glen Johnson (Liverpool), England's current Right Full Back. Not only does he provide the killer crosses (ask Dzeko, Balotelli and Aguero), he also defends like a monster.


Leighton Baines (Everton) - Left Full Back
After Ashley Cole's sloppy display against Arsenal, Mr. Capello may be watching Baines with keen interest. Baines and team may have lost against Man United, but he was a constant threat done the left side. He could have notched a goal to complete an excellent display but saw his exquisite free kick cannon off the crossbar.


Daniel Agger (Liverpool) - Center Half
The gentle Danish giant is quietly becoming a symbol of stability in the heart of Liverpool's defense. With Agger out nursing an injury, Liverpool's defense looked shaky (despite Jamie Carragher's commando defending). With Agger back on the side, Liverpool did not looked threatened by West Brom's attempts to score. Don't let the gentleness fool you, he can get down with the rough stuff too. Ask his ex-team mate Fernando Torres, who got a 'welcome reception' from Agger on his first game against his former club wearing a Chelsea shirt.


Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) - Center Half
Skrtel deserves credit also for securing Pepe Reina's third clean sheet of the season. He was consistent and solid in repelling every ball West Brom throw into the Liverpool box. He showed that he can partner well with Daniel Agger in Carragher's absence.


Scott Parker (Tottenham) - Central Defensive Midfielder
Parker's continued resurgence under Harry Redknapp means it's time Fabio Capello considered retiring Frank Lampard from the England setup. Parker was the heart and soul of Tottenham in their 3-1 victory against QPR. He is yet to lose a game since arriving at White Hart Lane after their loses to Man United and Man City.


David Silva (Manchester City) - Central Attacking Midfielder
Silva slightly edges Chelsea's Juan Mata for this week. While he didn't score a spectacular goal like Mata, he was the glue that made City's play stick. Granted, their performance wasn't at par with the Old Trafford display, but Silva kept City looking dangerous at all times.


Theo Walcott (Arsenal) - Right Wing Midfielder
It's about time we had an Arsenal player in the weekly top 11 who wasn't Robin Van Persie. Theo was explosive against Chelsea, especially in the second half. After struggling against Ashley Cole in the first half, Theo kicked into full gear in the second as he noticed Cole had ran out of gas. His cracking goal to put Arsenal up at 3-2 set the tone for the Gunners to go for all three points.


Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur) - Left Wing Midfielder
Bale is arguably the best left winger in Europe. His stock continues to go higher, and did so today with 2 cracking goals against QPR. He's been the unsung hero along with Rafa Van Der Vaart in Tottenham's continued rise in the premier league table


Nathan Dyer (Swansea) - Striker
Dyer's selecting might raise an eyebrow for those unfamiliar with the petite striker. He was the heart of Swansea's attacking play, causing problems for the Bolton back line with his pace and trickery. Got Gardner booked and sent off for pulling him back.


Robin Van Persie (Arsenal) - Striker
At present, RVP is the best striker money can buy in the Premiership. Forget the transfer fees for Aguero, Balotelli, Torres et al. If any club were to inquire about RVP today, they will not find a $60 million fee strange. What RVP did against Chelsea on Saturday is worth half that amount already. It may be another few years until we see another such display against a top 3 club at home.


Substitutions -
David De Gea - Manchester United
Javier Hernandez - Manchester United
Luis Suraez - Liverpool
Juan Mata - Chelsea
Aaron Ramsey - Arsenal
N. Vidic - Man United
Ledley King - Tottenham

Villa Boas post match conference disappointing

I had half expected a humble Andre Villa Boas to acknowledge his team's defensive disorganization and Arsenal's attacking superiority in his post match conference after the derby at Stamford Bridge.


Instead, all we got was a lecture in how luck can undermine an excellent team. Here's some of his comments-


"You have to take two goals out of the situation because one was caused by a slip from our player that left Robin van Persie through on goal, and the other came when we were chasing an equaliser so it's nothing to do with defensive organisation. We were punished by an unlucky situation. Luck didn't want anything with us today..."

Take two of the goals out? What about the other three? Was it down to luck that Gervinho found enough time one-on-one with Cech, to set up Van Persie for his first? Where was Bosingwa when Santos ran down the Chelsea right flank to score the second Arsenal goal? How did Walcott trip, get up and still manage to score in front of 4 Chelsea defenders?

Must be luck. 


Give me a break. It sounds like Mr. Villa Boas is making excuses rather than acknowledge how difficult getting a win against the Premiership top team can be.


His next chance to show fans and management that he's the right man for the job would be on November 20, when Liverpool comes to town.


Luckily for AVB, Liverpool is a light weight when compared to Manchester City and Manchester United. However, that's what pundits said about Arsenal.


The lesson is simple - Don't believe everything you read. Anything can happen in the English Premier League.


I love this league!

Torres: A Mere Mortal

When Torres broke into the EPL scene four years ago, the world halted to behold the making of a soccer demi-god.


I remember that opening day game against Chelsea at Anfield. A stunned Jose Mourinho watched as Torres reduced one of his summer signings, Tal Ben Haim, to a pile of rubbish as he weaved past him to effortlessly slot the ball beyond Cech.


The EPL world had just witness the magnificent coronation of a goal scoring King on opening day. Torres would go on to light up defenders, game after game, in a season he struck fear into the hearts of players and fans of opposing team.


Four years later, the once free-flowing majestic Greek god in royal Liverpool red, has been transformed to a mechanical Chelsea blue soldier waiting to be given the ball. Torres gave up the royalties and immortality of being a Liverpool legend to walk as a mere mortal at Chelsea.


Looking at him today, it was sad to see the likes of Daniel Sturridge not looking to release the ball to Torres on his runs. It was painful to see Frank Lampard looking to score rather than finding the 'chosen one'. Such would never have happened at Liverpool, where Torres was the immortal demi-god who commanded and received every pass on goal.


Surprisingly, his ex-subjects at the Kop are not feeling lost after he chose to 'fall' like an Angel to Stamford Bridge. They have a new demi-god.


His name is Luis Suarez.  

Gunners expose cracks at the Bridge: Chelsea 3 Arsenal 5

The game of the week for sure. From the start of the game, it looked like both teams were playing with only 3 defenders at the back. AVB made the mistake of playing Arsenal at their own game - attack for 90 minutes.


AVB chose to concentrate his midfielder in the center of the field and used his Full Backs as wingers. This greatly exposed Bosingwa's defensive lapses and allowed Van Persie and Santos to engineer their goals from his side of the pitch.


The young Chelsea Manager is also guilty of over-estimating his Captain's mental ability to keep his head in the game. Terry looked like he had his head in the game earlier on when he scored before the break. But once rattled at the start of the second half, Terry and Ivanovic collapsed under the weight of Robin Van Persie, Gervinho and Walcott's encroachments.

In Chelsea's previous defeats Villa Boas had been quick to point to poor officiating. Against Manchester United, he cried foul about the officiating rather than fault his team for not taking the numerous chances they created in front of goal. At QPR, his players lost control, but it was the Referee's fault as far as he was concerned.


After today, I hope he will find the courage to tell his players the following -

• You all defended like s**t!
• Release the ball when your team mate is in a scoring position (Sturridge)
• Bosingwa, you are a defender not a winger
• Mikel, make a difference for a change. What's the point of having a defensive midfielder and conceding 5 goals
• Lukaku, looking like Drogba is not enough
• Malouda, this is not the French national team. Your back pass looked like mutiny.
• Cech, remove the head piece so you can see better. It's been over 3 years since the injury
• Lampard, stop being selfish! Watch Juan Mata, he knows how to play

Mourinho and Ancelotti's teams would not have conceded 5 goals at the bridge today. Even Avram Grant would be disappointed!

Roman Abramovich must be having nightmares of fans singing 'You're getting fired in the morning'. Knowing how twisted he can be with Managers, he may just listen to the fans in his dreams.

Robin doing fine without Batman

Like Nostradamus did with famous predications, everyone predicted the immediate demise of Arsenal football club with the sale of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona FC.


Who wouldn't? Prior to the sale, Arsenal had lost Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri to Manchester City. With Fabregas's departure, the writing was surely on the wall for the London club. Then came back to back defeats, first at the hands of Liverpool at home, and then the devastating 8-2 loss to Manchester United on Match Day 3.


The club was thrown into turmoil and crisis. Without their talismanic 'Batman' (Cesc), there was no hope for the city of 'Gotham' (Arsenal). While the city 'burnt', one man went about a silent but very efficient crusade of cleaning the city and maintaining law and order.


Robin Van Persie took it upon himself to left Arsenal above the ashes on a steady ascendance back to the top half of the league table. In the course of this reverse trend, RVP has managed to notch seven goals in the premier league, nearly 50% of his club's 15 goals  this campaign


Ahead of the visit to Stamford Bridge tomorrow, I bet you Robin is feeling very confident against a shaky Chelsea back line that will feature a troubled John Terry and a mistake-prone David Luis.


'Batman' Fabregas may have gone to Barcelona, but Robin's holding down the Fort just fine. With a little help from 'Birdman' (Gervinho), Arsenal and Robin may just find themselves hanging close to the top four until January reinforcements arrive.


Arsene Wenger should not fail his gallant warrior come January transfer window.

Match Day 9: Team Of The Week

DEFENDERS

• John Ruddy (Norwich City) - Keeper
• V. Kompany (Manchester City) CB
• F. Coloccini (Newcastle) CB
• M. Richards (Manchester City) RB
• R. Taylor (Newcastle) LB

MIDFIELD

• R. Van Der Vaart (Tottenham) CM
• David Silva (Manchester City) RM
• Gervinho (Arsenal) LM
• S. Sessegnon (Sunderland) CM

FORWARDS

• Robin Van Persie (Arsenal) ST
• Mario Balotelli (Manchester City) ST

SUBSTITUTES

• E. Dzeko (Man City)
• L. Suarez (Liverpool)
• J. Milner (Man City)
• J. Cabaye (Newcastle United)
• R. Drenthe (Everton)
• K. Walker (Tottenham)

Please note that Monday games (where applicable) are not included in this pool.

The Passing of the Touch: Manchester United 1 Manchester City 6

Well, well, well. I thought I saw it all 3 seasons ago when Liverpool hammered Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford. The score was definitely generous to Liverpool since it was a fairly contested game. Man United went on to win the league that year and had the last laugh, tying Liverpool's 18 titles record.


Today against Manchester City was different. It was not a fairly contested game. Yes, you can argue that with the Johnny Evans sending off, it made it harder for Man U. I don't buy that. Before the sending off, United were on the back foot already a goal down. Besides, we are talking about Old Trafford here, a massive fortress.


It was a real trouncing to say the least, a humiliation of the highest order for Man U fans present and unborn. Sir Alex Ferguson should stand up and take responsibility for fielding Johnny Evans ahead of Phil Jones, and not starting Chicharito.


If I know SAF very well, you may not be seeing Evans in a red shirt for some time to come.


It looks like Man City has the league tied up in a red bow, and it's not even close to Christmas yet!  

Liverpool not retuning on John Henry's Investments

A year ago today, with the ownership of the club just rescued from the financially crippled fingers of Gillette and Hicks, Liverpool was battling relegation with a mediocre Manager in Roy Hodgson and dispirited squad.


Fast forward to today with a new owner in John Henry, a legend in Kenny Dalglish as Manager and $120 million spent in transfer fees for new players. You will think that all is well. It is, except for a little this called ROI in business circles.


To calculate ROI, the benefit (return) of an investment is divided by the cost of the investment; the result is expressed as a percentage or a ratio.


Make no mistakes about it, running a Football club is a business and Dalglish and his players need to remember that. Lets take a quick look at the John's investments so far -

1. Luis Suarez - $22 Million. Current RO1 Projection - Positive. Verdict: Good Investment
2. Andy Carroll - $35 Million. Current ROI Projection - Negative. If he continues at the current pace, it will take 5 years to return on this investment. At that point injury and age depreciation can reverse his value to under $10 Million. If he plays more and scores more, 2-3 years on positive returns. Verdict: Too risky.
3. Stewart Downing - $20 Million. Current ROI Projection - Negative. In fairness he has played well, but he was bought at that amount to play excellent, not to play well. Verdict: Moderate Investment; could go either way 
4. Jordan Henderson - $20 Million. Current ROI Projection - Negative. Has shown promise, especially in the Man United game. In the long term he should be a good buy, but Liverpool owners and supporters are living for now.
5. Charlie Adam - $7 Million. Current ROI Projection - Neutral. His 'returns' and his cost are about even
6. Jose Enrique - $6 Million. Current RO1 Projection - Positive. Dalgish's best signing outside Suarez.
7. Criag Bellamy - FREE. Current RO1 Projection - Positive. When you don't spend money, it's always an upside. It does hurt that he scored in his first start so far
8. Sebastian Coates - $7 Million. Current ROI Projection - Negative. Due to inactivity
9. Doni (Goalkeeper) - $3-4 Million (estimated). Current ROI Projection - Negative. Due to inactivity

Overall verdict: Not good enough.

Dalglish and co. need to step up and meet the challenge of securing a top 4 finish in the league. John Henry has not been shy about pulling out the check book. Daglish and Steve Clark shouldn't be shy about rotating non-performing players to the bench.

Let's go Reds!!!

Newcastle's French Connection should be taken serious

Newcastle United are riding high in the English Premier League and it's no fluke. At least, not at the moment.
Another victory today against Wigan, another clean sheet, another 3 points, no defeats after nine games. Amazing.


A year ago, when Mike Ashley decided to fire ex-Manager Chris Hutchinson rather than pay him the money he deserved, many (including my humble self) wrote off Newcastle as a team destined to go back down to the Championship. Fast forward to today, with Alan Pardew (a cheaper but more experienced Manager) at the helm, the Magpies are enjoying their most productive run in the Premiership since the days of Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer.


There's a reason for Alan Pardew's return to managerial prominence since going down in flames with Charlton Athletic a few years ago. It's all due largely to what I have coined as the 'Magpie French Connection'. Alan has done extremely well  in closing the personnel gaps created by Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Kevin Nolan (West Ham) and Joey Barton's (QPR) exits. He's brought in French internationals Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux, Mehdi Abeid to join Hatem Ben Arfa. In addition, he also brought in french speaking Demba Ba (Senegal) and Cheik Tiote (Cote D'Voire aka. Ivory Coast). 


With the exception of Mehdi, all the afore-mentioned players have had instant impact in the league this season, with Cabaye getting the winner this afternoon. This puts Newcastle in 4th place on the table, level on 19 points with Chelsea and just 3 points behind league leaders Man City (Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea play tomorrow). 


Remarkable!

Match Day 8 Game Summaries

Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1
Check blog postings for more on this game. We've beat this one to death.


Queen Park Rangers 1 Blackburn 1
QPR should have taken all three points from this encounter. This is a case of dropping two good points at home, in a league where the strongest survive.


Blackburn on the other hand will feel lucky to come away with a point away from home. That doesn't change anything though. While it's still early, I'm comfortable enough to predict Blackburn will be relegated at the end of the season. It has nothing to do with Steve Kean. They just don't have the player personnel to survive the premiership.


Norwich City 3 Swansea City 1
Another impressive outing by Paul Lambert's men. They were very unlucky at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, coming away with nothing after stretching the champions.


Swansea can't seem to pick up points away from home, losing all four away games this season. Not a good recipe if you want to stick around the premiership


Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 1
What was really annoying about this game was Aston Villa's lack of belief and creativity. There was a noticeable attitude of 'let's get it over with' coming from Villa players. Managers should be on the alert for Gabby Agbonlahor in January. I don't see him wanting to remain with this crew for very long.


A good old fashion "Walk in the Park" for Manchester City players. Balotelli scored an overhead kick goal that should be in consideration for Goal of the Season. Vincent Kompany played a captain's game and got himself on the scoresheet. James Milner took no pleasure in scoring a nice curler against his old team.


Adam Johnson was my Man of the Match.


Stoke 2 Fulham 0
Fear the Britannia Stadium, the Premier League Undertaker grounds. The 2-0 result is flattering as this encounter was a contested one. Fulham could have gone ahead with Jon Arne Riise's shot cannoning off the bar, but Walters struck first for Stoke and Delap finished them off.


Martin Jol has his job cut out for him at Fulham.


Wigan 1 Bolton Wanderers 3
At last Owen Coyle can smile again after painfully watching his team go on a six-game losing streak. Goals from Nigel Reo-Coker (shocking), David Ngog and Chris Eagles nullified Diame's lone strike for the home side.


Chris Eagles was the man for Bolton. The ex Man United man produced a good performance capped with a late goal. Victor Moses was the only Wigan player who looked like he knew why he was on the field.


Chelsea 3 Everton 1
Give credit to Everton for putting up a fight. With the financial crisis rocking the club, and the search for new ownership, I didn't expect much from the blue side of Liverpool.


Chelsea did what the do best - win games while looking ordinary. The club owner has dreamt of a Chelsea team that will equal the entertainment value of watching Barcalona play.


Dreaming is a good thing.


West Brom 2 Wolves 0
Wolves maintain their sliding momentum, and are currently 2 points above the relegation zone in 16th place. six weeks ago, after three rounds of games played, Wolves were 3rd on the table with 2 wins and a draw. Since then, they've last five straight games in a row. Remarkably poor!


West Brom are no angels themselves. Prior to today's game, they were in the relegation spot.


Arsenal 2 Sunderland 1
It is increasingly becoming obvious that Arsenal will have to make substantial investments in bringing big players to the club. Why is this any different from what everybody is saying, you may ask? It is different because I'm asking Wenger not to buy for the sake of buying, but to buy to KEEP Van Persie at Arsenal.


Make no mistake, top Premiership clubs and other top teams outside the premier league are monitoring RVP closely. After watching his two goals against Sunderland today, I can't say I blame them


Newcastle 2 Tottenham 2 (Match of the week)
By far the best encounter this weekend. Lots of words to describe this game - Fast paced, sharp passing, committed tackles, determination and great goals. If you think  Jermaine Defoe's goal to put Tottenham ahead in the 68th minute was a show stopper, think again. Long time Geordie, Shola Ameobi had something to say about it with his clinical finish in the 85th minute, to pull Newcastle level.


This game epitomized why we all love the English Premier league. Entertaining!

Match Day 8: Team of the Week

DEFENDERS

• David De Gea (Manchester United) - Keeper
• V. Kompany (Manchester City) CB
• J. Terry (Chelsea) CB
• Jose Enrique (Liverpool) RB
• J. Bosingwa (Chelsea) LB

MIDFIELD

• Cheik Tiote (Newcastle United) CM
• Adam Johnson (Manchester City) RM
• Juan Mata (Chelsea) LM
• Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) CM

FORWARDS

• Robin Van Persie (Arsenal) ST
• Mario Balotelli (Manchester City) ST

SUBSTITUTES

• Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)
• L. Suarez (Liverpool)
• Seb Larrson (Sunderland)
• Steve Morrison (Norwich City)
• Chris Eagles (Bolton)
• Luka Modric (Tottenham)

Please note that Monday games are not included in this pool.

Liverpool fail to exploit Man Utd negativity (Phil McNulty Blog)

Checkout Phil McNulty's blog on BBC Sports online. 


He is spot on with his take on the Liverpool vs Manchester United weekend fixture. Like me, he pretty much believes Sir Alex settled for a point, with Champion's League and more especially, Man City in mind. Begin reading below -

Sir Alex Ferguson raised expectations by elevating Manchester United's meeting with Liverpool to a level above Spain's "el Clasico" between Barcelona and Real Madrid - then dropped them to the floor with the arrival of his teamsheet.

Ferguson's selection did not reflect this lofty status and looked shaped to secure a point and end a run of three Premier League defeats at Anfield, not put on a show for the likes of visiting basketball superstar and Liverpool shareholder LeBron James.

The absence of United's own special talent Wayne Rooney was the result, Ferguson explained, of the striker being "devastated" by his three-game Euro 2012 suspension after a red card for England in Montenegro.

So Rooney joined United's finest attacking weaponry, including Nani and Javier Hernandez, in spending the first hour either sitting down or trotting along Anfield's touchline to various levels of abuse.

Ferguson's starting line-up provided much of the backdrop to a game Liverpool should have won after Steven Gerrard celebrated his first start since March by putting them ahead - and one United were grateful to draw after the predatory Hernandez headed a late equaliser.

In the search for explanations for this approach, several plausible theories can be put forward. Ferguson and his elephant's memory will have recalled those three losses, characterised by Liverpool ensuring they outfought United comprehensively before letting the quality of players like Fernando Torres and, latterly, Luis Suarez take effect.

So Ferguson relegated his best attacking trio to the bench, sent Phil Jones into midfield as a mark of exaggerated respect to Charlie Adam and played trusty workhorses Darren Fletcher and Park Ji-sung in midfield.

There is also an important Champions League game against SC Otelul Galati in Romania on Tuesday and next weekend's Manchester derby to consider. There was, however, actually an air of negativity and a flattering measure of respect to Liverpool in the cautious approach of a manager not usually known for taking a backward step.

If it was designed to ensure United, above all, did not lose their unbeaten Premier League record this season at the home of their arch-rivals it worked - but it was a mighty close thing because Ferguson got away with one here.

Liverpool had enough opportunities, including three in injury time, to extend that sequence of victories in the face of an unconvincing team choice and unconvincing performance from the 19-times champions.

United only actually joined the battle once Gerrard's 68th-minute free-kick, aided and abetted by Ryan Giggs inexplicably jumping out of the wall, put Liverpool ahead. It was only then that the fixture actually resembled anything like the game Ferguson assured us it was.

For Liverpool there was a sense of missed opportunity against this unfamiliar, ill-at-ease United, and for the visitors a sense of relief as their supporters tucked away in a corner of Anfield Road celebrated a draw at the final whistle.

If Ferguson, in time-honoured managerial style, was searching for positives he could take them from the result and a performance from goalkeeper David de Gea that went a significant way towards answering many questions posed about the youngster since his summer arrival from Atletico Madrid.

It was in games such as this, in front of a Kop intent on probing his temperament and ability, that it was said De Gea would face his most searching examinations. He passed this particular test with plenty to spare.

De Gea was outstanding, not only showing real presence in his area but by producing three crucial saves. The Spaniard blocked Suarez at point-blank range in the first half, then saved brilliantly from Dirk Kuyt and Jordan Henderson as Liverpool reacted admirably to Hernandez's equaliser.

And watching from the sidelines for much of the afternoon was Rooney, as Ferguson once again showed Merseyside brings out his protective side. He left Rooney out of the meeting with former club Everton at Goodison Park last season following allegations about his private life and here again he was removed from the starting action by his manager.

If Rooney was indeed devastated following his England ban, it is hard to imagine the boyhood Evertonian's mood actually being improved by his exclusion against Liverpool. Could it be Ferguson does not trust his temperament in front of a Merseyside audience?

When the striker did come on it was in a deeper midfield role and to a predictably raucous Anfield welcome. He survived in comfort - the chants of "who's the Scouser in the wig?" from the Kop in honour of his mightily impressive new head of hair was as harrowing as it got.

Manager Kenny Dalglish understandably claimed Liverpool's disappointment at their failure to beat United was an obvious indicator of their improvement, but there will also be frustration that they were unable to take advantage of Ferguson's surprisingly unambitious line-up.

Liverpool will take delight in the return of Gerrard after groin surgery with a goal that indicated his importance, while Dalglish himself admitted he was "running out of vocabulary" to describe the darting, dangerous Suarez.

If he is struggling, Ferguson and United's players may be able to help him out with a few words because the Uruguayan is a mixture of pure class and a confrontational, provocative approach that will make him an icon at Anfield and an irritant just about everywhere else.

United's manager restricted himself to: "The boy Suarez dives all over the place." And there can be no dispute he is an expert at winning and drawing fouls.

Suarez is also a class act and was a constant threat to the returning Rio Ferdinand, who had a full-time job keeping him in check.

So the endgame was anti-climax. And on this evidence, and with those noisy neighboursManchester City now banging the drum at the top of the Premier League, Ferguson may be forced to revise his opinion and consider whether next week's derby at Old Trafford might just be an even bigger game.

Match Day 8: Lucky United

Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1
I'm sure Manchester United fans can relate to the headlines. 


Yes, they were lucky indeed - lucky that Sir Alex's decision to rest key players on the bench with Champions' League and Man City in mind for the next two fixtures paid off; lucky that Rio Ferdinand  was not sent off; lucky David De Gea was inspired for the Derby.

Nothing wrong with that, you ride your luck in the Premiership. Liverpool will be massively disappointed for not picking up all three points after having eight shots on target vs. United's three on target.

While Steven Gerrard stole the headlines with a goal in his return to the starting lineup, it was the Uruguayan fireball Suarez who caused havoc for United's defenders. 

Goalkeeper David De Gea was without doubt the overall man of the match in this exciting fixture. Although I have to admit, Sir Alex ruined the first 65 minutes of the game by having Rooney, Chicharito and Nani all on the bench. Imagine the atmosphere if all three had started? 

One thing for sure, Liverpool would have still been up for the challenge. Manchester City are the real winner of this fixture. They go top with their 4-1 victory over a hapless Aston Villa.

Match Day 8: Liverpool vs. Manchester United

The much anticipated encounter between Liverpool and Manchester United is finally here.


I have to admit, unlike most Match Day encounters, I cannot keep my neutral hat on. Liverpool blood runs in my veins, and right now, it is red hot! I'm not sure if the elevated blood temperature levels can be fully attributed to excitement and anticipation of a Liverpool victory over their greatest rivals. I believe it is partially due to fear.


Yes. Fear. That simple four letter word will be top most in my mind till the final whistle of the game goes tomorrow. Why? Manchester United is as formidable a foe as it gets. It doesn't make it any easier that they are the defending champions and are currently joint leaders on the Premier table.


In Rooney and Chicharito, they have two of the deadliest strikers that walked the Premier League. Between both strikers, any ball that falls into an opponent's 18 yards box has a 50:50 chance of going into the net. To make matters worse for Liverpool, they also have two of the sharpest wingers in the trade - Nani and Ashley Young.


Notwithstanding, Liverpool will not be outdone in the scare tactics department. Luis Suarez is defenders worst Halloween dream. Throw in Steven Gerrard, Stewart Downing, Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy and you have a bunch of  Woodpeckers waiting to peck a hole in Man United's back line.


Tomorrow morning's encounter promises to deliver another classic.


Set your alarms!

Match Day 7 - Team of the Week

DEFENDERS

• Tim Krul (Newcastle United) - Keeper
• S. Taylor (Newcastle United)
• J. Carragher (Liverpool)
• Jose Enrique (Liverpool)
• Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

MIDFIELD

• Rafa Van Der Vaart (Tottenham)
• David Silva (Man City)
• Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
• Scott Parker (Tottenham)

FORWARDS

• Andy Johnson (Fulham)
• Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)

SUBSTITUTES

• Gabriel Abgonlahor (Aston Villa)
• L. Suarez (Liverpool)
• Stephane Sessegnon (Sunderland)
• Mario Balotelli (Man City)
• Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
• Tim Howard (Everton)

Please note that Monday games are not included in this pool.