The dream police, they live inside of my head.
The dream police, they come to me in my bed.
The dream police, they're coming to arrest me, oh no. -- Cheap Trick.
Change the word dream to stream, and you've got a pretty good indication of my Wednesday afternoon. Read betwixt the lines, if you must.
And what an afternoon it was in the surreal season.
Let's just take a look at in bullet form since the knuckle on my right index finger feels like it has a walnut squeezed into. But where to start? Okay, it's fairly obvious.
* Landon Donovan put his stamp on the title chase today. Yes, it happened. I know, I know. It's hard to fathom.
Donovan won a corner off Ashley Cole to set up a corner from the right flag. He ensuing corner was struck brilliantly, low and with pace to the front post, allowing Louis Saha to get a head to it in stride to level the match at 1-1.
Shortly afterward, Donovan drew a penalty, which Saha took but it was saved by Petr Cech. Not sure how far up or down in the pecking order El Landito is on the penalty list, but I'm not surprised he didn't take it, nor would I clamor for him to do it in the future. Saha has a proven track record in England. Everyone misses every now and again.
Doesn't matter much, since the orange-haired Frenchman atoned for his miss with a cracking goal in the 75th minute to make it 2-1.
Donovan later picked up a yellow card, but his performance today surely adds more fuel to the fire for Everton extending the loan from the Galaxy. Frankly, I don't see how Moyes allows him to come back to MLS, unless Bruce Arena throws a major hissy fit.
Not that it'll matter too much come June 12, but Donovan did look comfortable in front of the defense of Ashley Cole and John Terry. Feel free to insert your own punchline there.
Better yet, he avoided a leg-breaking horror-tackle from John Obi Mikel, which is a win in my book.
Everton dug in deep and held on for the win. The win was huge because...
* Arsenal might have another life in the title chase. Emphasis might.
The Gunners didn't play well, but did just enough for a 1-0 win over Liverpool. Nothing special here, except Liverpool's absentee zonal marking allowed Abou Diaby to sneak forward into the box unmarked and head home a cross from Tomas Rosicky. Phillip Degen, well, at least now you've actually contributed something for Liverpool, albeit going in the opposite direction of Diaby. Better than nothing for the Swiss-man.
Now the Gunners are "only" six points behind Chelsea.
Liverpool might have a bone to pick since late on in stoppage time, Steven Gerrard ripped a freekick, which Cesc Fabregas stuck his hand up rather blatantly to deflect away. It was outside the penalty area, but clear as day. (It was about the only impact on the match from Fabregas, who seems to have one eye clearly on Barcelona.)
Of course aside from David Ngog getting behind the defense and then run down withe perfect slide tackle from William Gallas, Liverpool didn't do much.
Liverpool is Liverpool for a reason.
* In our other important match, Manchester United fought to a game 1-1 draw at Villa Park, playing the final hour or so down to 10 man when Nani got sent off.
Not much happening here, and frankly I was tuned into the other matches more.
Carlos Cuellar broke the deadlock early with a header that looped over Edwin Van der Sar. Quickly after that, Ryan Giggs ripped a ball into the box that deflected off James Collins for an own goal.
And that was pretty much that. Aston Villa's defense could probably suck the life out of a 1970s backstage party at a Led Zeppelin concert.
United are now only a point behind Chelsea, which in light of how the match began at Villa Park is fairly tremendous result for Sir Alex.
* Around the league. ... Another horrible result for Tottenham to a team in mustard colored jerseys, this time falling at Molineux to Wolves 1-0. Younes Kaboul was back in the Spurs' lineup. 'Nuff said. ... Nothing from Jozy Altidore except a yellow card, as Hull lost at Blackburn 1-0. Rovers quietly moving away from the relegation pack. ... West Ham with a much-needed 2-0 win over Birmingham. Surprised the Irons could keep a clean sheet. ... The results today and yesterday really boned over Bolton, which is now 19th.
* Something to file away, Stilian Petrov, Jamie Carragher, Samir Nasri and Ashley Cole all left games today with injuries. [Update -- Ryan Giggs and Ardrey Arshavin also hurt Wednesday.]
* Crazy day. Trying to watching three or more matches at once, and track two more is testing, even with full-on "Computer Brain." Why the four matches yesterday were all in the "meh-zone" leaving all the big teams to play today is a bad job by the scheduling department.
* Too bad nothing in the league this weekend. Stoke City/Manchester City next Tuesday, Wigan/Bolton on Wednesday. Oh right, and the return of the Champions Leagu, too. ... Feb. 20 is Everton hosting Manchester United and Feb. 21 its Manchester City v. Liverpool.
The dream police, they come to me in my bed.
The dream police, they're coming to arrest me, oh no. -- Cheap Trick.
Change the word dream to stream, and you've got a pretty good indication of my Wednesday afternoon. Read betwixt the lines, if you must.
And what an afternoon it was in the surreal season.
Let's just take a look at in bullet form since the knuckle on my right index finger feels like it has a walnut squeezed into. But where to start? Okay, it's fairly obvious.
* Landon Donovan put his stamp on the title chase today. Yes, it happened. I know, I know. It's hard to fathom.
Donovan won a corner off Ashley Cole to set up a corner from the right flag. He ensuing corner was struck brilliantly, low and with pace to the front post, allowing Louis Saha to get a head to it in stride to level the match at 1-1.
Shortly afterward, Donovan drew a penalty, which Saha took but it was saved by Petr Cech. Not sure how far up or down in the pecking order El Landito is on the penalty list, but I'm not surprised he didn't take it, nor would I clamor for him to do it in the future. Saha has a proven track record in England. Everyone misses every now and again.
Doesn't matter much, since the orange-haired Frenchman atoned for his miss with a cracking goal in the 75th minute to make it 2-1.
Donovan later picked up a yellow card, but his performance today surely adds more fuel to the fire for Everton extending the loan from the Galaxy. Frankly, I don't see how Moyes allows him to come back to MLS, unless Bruce Arena throws a major hissy fit.
Not that it'll matter too much come June 12, but Donovan did look comfortable in front of the defense of Ashley Cole and John Terry. Feel free to insert your own punchline there.
Better yet, he avoided a leg-breaking horror-tackle from John Obi Mikel, which is a win in my book.
Everton dug in deep and held on for the win. The win was huge because...
* Arsenal might have another life in the title chase. Emphasis might.
The Gunners didn't play well, but did just enough for a 1-0 win over Liverpool. Nothing special here, except Liverpool's absentee zonal marking allowed Abou Diaby to sneak forward into the box unmarked and head home a cross from Tomas Rosicky. Phillip Degen, well, at least now you've actually contributed something for Liverpool, albeit going in the opposite direction of Diaby. Better than nothing for the Swiss-man.
Now the Gunners are "only" six points behind Chelsea.
Liverpool might have a bone to pick since late on in stoppage time, Steven Gerrard ripped a freekick, which Cesc Fabregas stuck his hand up rather blatantly to deflect away. It was outside the penalty area, but clear as day. (It was about the only impact on the match from Fabregas, who seems to have one eye clearly on Barcelona.)
Of course aside from David Ngog getting behind the defense and then run down withe perfect slide tackle from William Gallas, Liverpool didn't do much.
Liverpool is Liverpool for a reason.
* In our other important match, Manchester United fought to a game 1-1 draw at Villa Park, playing the final hour or so down to 10 man when Nani got sent off.
Not much happening here, and frankly I was tuned into the other matches more.
Carlos Cuellar broke the deadlock early with a header that looped over Edwin Van der Sar. Quickly after that, Ryan Giggs ripped a ball into the box that deflected off James Collins for an own goal.
And that was pretty much that. Aston Villa's defense could probably suck the life out of a 1970s backstage party at a Led Zeppelin concert.
United are now only a point behind Chelsea, which in light of how the match began at Villa Park is fairly tremendous result for Sir Alex.
* Around the league. ... Another horrible result for Tottenham to a team in mustard colored jerseys, this time falling at Molineux to Wolves 1-0. Younes Kaboul was back in the Spurs' lineup. 'Nuff said. ... Nothing from Jozy Altidore except a yellow card, as Hull lost at Blackburn 1-0. Rovers quietly moving away from the relegation pack. ... West Ham with a much-needed 2-0 win over Birmingham. Surprised the Irons could keep a clean sheet. ... The results today and yesterday really boned over Bolton, which is now 19th.
* Something to file away, Stilian Petrov, Jamie Carragher, Samir Nasri and Ashley Cole all left games today with injuries. [Update -- Ryan Giggs and Ardrey Arshavin also hurt Wednesday.]
* Crazy day. Trying to watching three or more matches at once, and track two more is testing, even with full-on "Computer Brain." Why the four matches yesterday were all in the "meh-zone" leaving all the big teams to play today is a bad job by the scheduling department.
* Too bad nothing in the league this weekend. Stoke City/Manchester City next Tuesday, Wigan/Bolton on Wednesday. Oh right, and the return of the Champions Leagu, too. ... Feb. 20 is Everton hosting Manchester United and Feb. 21 its Manchester City v. Liverpool.
Labels: Arsenal, Chelsea, English Premier League, Landon Donovan, Liverpool, manchester United, Premier League, Soccer
i was checking out the illegal stream action for he Everton/Chelsea game and Lando DID look quite threatening. It was his 'tackle' that put AshCole out of the game. Think that won't come up again if Cole misses a few more games or even that June game in South Africa?
I am not usually one to be a typo-nazi, (but I am today) and I assume Cesc put up his 'hand' on that last minute Gerrard free kick. If he put up his 'head', it probably wouldn't be controversial.
Aston Villa are very stout at the back. Dickie Dunne was great two seasons ago at Man City but then last year Dunne always seemed a step or two slow and I assumed he had lost it to age. This year has proved me wrong. On the Chapper's podcast some ex-City player who still comments on the team noted that last season, the whole City defense was thrown out of whack because Robinho never, ever defended so the defenders were scrambling out of position and that often ended with Dunne being the guy running over late and looking like it was his mistake when the opposition inevitably scored on City. Perhaps that is too much blame to put on one, tiny Brazilian - but this season, with an organized defense around him - Dunne sure looks top notch again.
Good eyes. that was a bad mistake by me on Cesc's hand. Thanks.
Putting some actual talent around Donovan game in and game out, plus a touch of maturity, and look what we have, an actual soccer player! Now lets hope this loan ends at 3 months, he comes back here, and rests until the WC. Those legs are putting lots of miles on right now. After this summer, he can be over there all he wants.
No comments on the WAGS in SI's swimsuit edition? Including one Ms. Dempsey? Who knew the guy was married? I always figured him to be some player running around over there game in and game out. Never one mention in all the articles I have ever seen about him. Also, there was a segement on him on one of those Premiership review/preview weekly shows where they showed him in living in a great look bachelor pad. That one caught me by surprise.
You're right, it WAS a surprise to me that Deuce was married. His wife is super hot, so {insert John Terry joke here}.
re: Ashley Cole injury. It makes Wayne Bridge more awkwardly needed alongside JT and even though Cole is expected to be healthy (which kind of 'fit' is that again?) by the World Cup, Cole isn't likely to be dialed in without playing many games (one of the other kinds of 'fit'). I imagine the British media will bring this up a time or two.
The espn article on the injury has a scary photo of the tackle between Lando and Cole that created the injury. Cole is obviously valuable to England, but imagine how we would be feeling if the snap had been on the other ankle. Watch out for those tackles against Sporting Lisbon, Lando!
Lets say some hooligan was interested in watching illegal soccer. Where might they direct a google search that won't land them in malware hell?
This is purely for academic reasons of course.
Cashley out for three months. F your face, Lando.
kevin n - I haven't had much luck with online feeds recently, but you can go to justin.tv or ustream.com. Also, you can download Sopcast, which generally will show matches on Setanta or FSC.
Kevin ... This site is tits.
http://atdhe.net/