That's On Point: The Web Site

"Hey now, heeeeeey now ... don't dream it's over." -- Crowded House

Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak.

The Arsenal "Invincibles."

Undertaker's undefeated run at Wrestlemania.

There are iconic streaks in the world of sport. Numbers and figures that hold a certain place in the sports stratosphere, with a special aura unto themselves.

Only time will tell if Fernando Torres' 732-minute goalless drought to open his Chelsea career will ever achieve such legendary status. Realistically, if it extended into the 2011-12 season there might have been a chance. Either way, watching the Spanish striker fail to score was a fun, weekly or bi-weekly occurrence over the last three months.

All good things, must end, as Torres finally found the net, scoring late in Chelsea's 3-0 win over West Ham Saturday, which kept the Blues pursuit of first place Manchester United alive.

It sure was fun, though, while it lasted.

Suppose, too, Torres got the final laugh, falling over and the squirting a ball by West Ham's Robert Green on a water-logged turf, only to then by pig-piled on by his overjoyed teammates. The sight of John Obi Mikel essentially pulling a Rashard Mendhall and humping Torres afterward was something that could have ruined a weekend. If you subscribed to the idea purported by literary icon, Jose Cancesco, everyone needs a "slumpbuster" and that goal by Torres certainly qualified.

It's hard to comprehend exactly why it was so much watching Torres fluff first touches, squib on open nets or have goals whistled off for being offside. There was a simple, basic human joy in watching a man who Chelsea paid Liverpool over $80 million for on the last day of January continually fail. Is that an indictment on where we are as a society in 2011, that we collectively relish in the pain and misery of others? Or at least the "suffering" of a well-paid, world champion, soccer diva who pouted their way out of a club at the first sign of trouble?

Isn't it human nature to revel in the shortcomings of someone else who seemingly has everything while the rest of us struggle through 9-to-5 jobs, trying to carve out something relevant in our daily lives? Isn't it fun to see these aloof athletes knocked down a peg?

What is it that makes watching athletes -- or anyone famous -- flop so delightful?

Are we bad people for this?

Then again, you realize that even when Torres went from January 31 to April 23 without tallying in the Chelsea blue shirt, he was still making more money for that one game than the rest of will see in our lives, he still drives home in his luxury sports car to his loving wife and newborn son. He's still a World Cup and European champion, playing for one of the most elite, well-funded clubs in the world.

Even in failure, Torres was still winning at life.

So you know what, here's to hoping he goes another 732 minutes without a goal.

The karmic effects of Schadenfreude be damned.

Mexican Misgivings:

For a couple years, during his pomp with Manchester United, it was almost impossible not to enjoy the work of Cristiano Ronaldo on the soccer field. Forget about the diving, the winking, the stupid haircuts and general all-around asshole aura exuded by the Portuguese whiz.

The dude was playing on another level. If you couldn't respect what he was doing, then you probably hated sports.

Ronaldo isn't alone in this category in the world of sports. There are a lot of jerks that you don't necessarily have to like, but you do have to begrudgingly respect.

What then of Manchester United's Javier Hernandez -- Chicharito?

This is a specific case, which probably only applies to fans of the U.S. National Team. Can you live with yourself in a world where you don't outright blindly hate Chicharito?

Think of all the villains from El Tri through the years. Luis Garcia, Luis Hernandez, Rafa Marquez, Oswaldo Sanchez, Blanco, Jared Borgetti ...

And now, here's a delightful player who simply finds ways to score goals -- the latest a late headed winner vs. Everton on Saturday to keep Manchester United atop the Premier League by six points. That gives him 12, as well as displacing the Premier League's top overall scorer -- Dimitar Berbatov -- in the Old Trafford pecking order.

As easy as it is to loathe everything Torres represents at Chelsea, its equally as difficult to despise Chicharito at Manchester United.

So conflicted.

Taps:

Herein lies the remains of the 2010-11 Arsenal Football Club season.

Dreamed of quadruple.

Finished with nothing.

That's my way of being kind to Gooners around the globe. At this point they've heard, read and seen it all. I conveyed this message to my pal Hirshey(*) on Friday, but he told me it was too late to try to be sympathetic, which is probably true.

(*) FYI, Joe Cole scored this weekend. There's still time for my worst-ever prediction to ring true, yet. Eat that, Dave!

At least this weekend, after Tamir Cohen's stoppage time goal for Bolton put the final death knell on the season for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger finally had some moments of self reflection admitting that maybe despite the occasional dazzling performance, the Gunners just aren't mentally strong enough to win. Cold comfort at this point, however.

Wenger, at least, has seen the light and realized the emperor has no clothes.

This might be even more frustrating for Arsenal fans since what do you do going forward? Buying a commandeering central defender or a new keeper isn't going to be a cure-all panacea from the footballing gods. The team obviously has a lot of very good, talented players, too.

In theory you'd think a team featuring the likes of Robin van Persie, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri(*) should be able to contend for some kind of trophy. Ninety nine times out of 100, Arsenal probably does win the Carling Cup against Birmingham City. Instead for whatever the reason -- maybe it's in their DNA -- the team gags it up and loses on another self-inflicted wound.

(*) Writing these names, maybe we give Arsenal too much credit for its perceived greatness since there are a lot of ordinary players among its ranks too.

Is it time to admit the simple fact that winners find a way to win, while Arsenal finds a way to lose ... well, more specifically draw League games.

And as a grown, 30-year-old adult who went out to a bar on Friday night without his wallet -- accidentally -- believe me when I say it, I know a thing or two about how to lose.

Showing some guts:

Massive round of applause for Jordan Henderson and Sunderland showing some major backbone on Saturday at the Stadium of Light, ending an 11-match winless streak with a 4-2 win over Wigan Athletic.

What was impressive was that Sunderland went 1-0 early into the second half on a quality goal from Mohammed Diame. At this point they could have rolled over, instead they quickly equalized, but almost didn't.

After winning a freekick on the edge of the area, Sunderland tried to lay the ensuing kick to an on-running player in front of goal. Instead, he fluffed the chance and it bounced backward finally to Steed Malbranque, who crossed it to Asamoah Gyan. The Ghanian rose up and nodded it in.

And naturally, within minutes of the goal Gyan was stretchered off with a hamstring injury. Danny Welbeck got hurt, too, leaving the club without a striker for the final four games.

Still, Sunderland didn't roll over as Henderson scored his first of two goals.

It's not going to be a Top-seven finish, but Sunderland showed some fight for once, which should be lauded.

Around the League:

There's "having a laugh" and then there's what Liverpool did to Birmingham City, romping to a 5-0 win behind a hat trick from Maxi Rodriguez, of all players. Never really been that impressed by the Argentine during his time at Anfield, still, he's another of a growing set of options for Kenny Dalglish moving forward. ... Stoke City and Aston Villa played to a 1-1 draw, with the goals coming a) from a Rory Delap throw b) Darren Bent. In other words, it was the most predictable (dull) game of the weekend. ... Tottenham probably pissed away its chance to return to the Champions League by letting semi-unknown Simon Cox curl in a pretty sick goal with 10 minutes left for West Ham to draw 2-2. Spurs did get goals from Roman Pavyluchenko and Jermain Defoe -- both quality strikes -- but it's probably too little, too late from the misfiring pair. Tottenham, pending Monday's later result, will probably need Manchester City to drop points either at Everton or at Bolton to have any chance of edging them out for fourth place. ... Wolves were 10 minutes away from a vital win, then Fulham leveled through Andrew Johnson. Lots of a very unhappy fans and grim faces. ... What is Chelsea going to do or demand for Daniel Sturridge? He'll be in demand. You wonder, though, if he a player worth spending a double-digit million transfer fee? His value seems to rely, for Bolton, in the fact he's on loan and didn't cost much.

Fantasy Team O' the Week:

Yaseen Ahmed's Goal!!! put up 76 points behind Kuyt, Frank Lampard, Sturridge and van Persie.

One Other Thing:

Strange thought watching the first half of Bolton/Arsenal. ... The top advertiser at the Reebok Stadium appeared to be Bolton Kia. A local car dealership? For a league that's what by millions of eyeballs around the globe? Seems like the club needs to hire a few new people in the marketing department. Even if only for a game against a marquee team like Arsenal, Bolton should have tried to sell some more ads.

Labels: EPL, fernando torres, Soccer