Chelsea vs Liverpool (Champions League)

Woohoooo! Chelsea won! Playing the second leg at home certainly payed off for Chelsea. I have been so excited about this result that I couldn't get myself to sit still and type this! A super match. Chelsea played the first half like Champions. I suspect in the second half they sent in lookalikes wrongly assuming that Liverpool would continue to play the same lack lustre game and that the goal by Didier Drogba would be enough to secure their place in the final. Underestimating Liverpool in any competition is a mistake but underestimating them in the Champions League is dangerous and usually fatal. Torres made them pay by putting the ball past Cech and leveling the scores off a great pass by Yossi Benayoun. This is where it gets scary for a Chelsea supporter, knowing how Liverpool rarely ever lose after leveling in the Champions League. Let me rephrase that, Liverpool never lose to an English club in the Champions League. Luckily, we got through to the second half with the scores still level, though there were quite a few chances created by Liverpool who looked way more threatening than the distracted Chelsea squad. I think the best thing to happen for Chelsea was the full time whistle which woke them up from their stupor. Avram Grant substituted Anelka for Joe Cole and I hoped he knew what he was doing. He surely did, as Anelka proved later on in extra time. I think maybe, just maybe, Avram Grant is some sort of a genius, after all Chelsea still are in with a chance for a double. I am just not going to think of the Carling Cup final.
Anyway, extra time was the best part of this match with one pretty bizarre decision and FYI Liverpool fans, I am not talking about the penalty. I mean the disallowed Essien goal which I am guessing would have been a big talking point if Chelsea had lost the game. Ballack won us a penalty just seconds after the disallowed goal and Frank Lampard (what a real life hero he is!), stepped up to take the penalty.
Lampard playing in this match showed his commitment to his team and to step up to take the penalty showed character and bravery. But to allow Frank to take the crucial penalty showed his team's faith in him and just how close knit the Chelsea players are despite all the rumours about discord in the dressing room. Lampard didn't let his team down, he rarely does, and scored a fantastic penalty dedicating it to his mum and it brought tears to my eyes. For me Chelsea had won but the game was far from over.
In the 15th minute of extra time, Anelka beat the offside trap and escaped behind Riise. He made it to the dead-ball line before pulling the ball back to Drogba who scored another great goal (inspired substitution by Avram Grant?) . With the scoreline 3-1 at the end of the first half of extra time, I was pretty sure the game was over but then a little voice in my head said, "this is Liverpool in the Champions League, it's not over till it's over!" So, I did the only thing I could... I prayed.
I realised within two minutes into the second half of extra time that the lil voice was correct as Liverpool went all out and there was a claim for a penalty by Hyppia who was challenged by Drogba but the referee (who was close to the action), didn't think there was enough to it. Liverpool having been declined the penalty, made me wrongly assume again that this time the game was over and done with. Just then, Babel shoots from 30 yards and scores! Cech should have saved that! Anyway, I calm myself with the fact that Chelsea are still ahead 3-1 and 4-2 on aggregate and there are only 3 minutes to go. Shevechenko comes on in place of the fantastic Frank Lampard and Gerrard who never gives up, is blocked by Ashley Cole. The whistle blows and Chelsea are through to the Final of the Champions League in Moscow. Woohooooooooooooo!

Manchester United vs Barcelona

After the first leg, with Manchester United playing a professional but somewhat boring match from the point of view of a person looking forward to watching probably the best attacking clubs going head to head, I couldn't wait for tonight's match. I was finally going to see all the fireworks. With the first leg of the Champions League Semi-final ending in a goalless draw, Manchester United had to score goals playing at home. On the other hand, the Barcelona after having kept a clean sheet and not allowing Manchester United to score the all important away goal, now needed to score an away goal themselves. So, this match promised to be a cliffhanger.
Making the fixture even more intriguing were the facts that Manchester United and Barcelona were the only unbeaten clubs left in the Champions League and that Manchester United and Barcelona had both kept clean sheets in their last 4 matches.
Two giants of the footballing world playing to be in the final of the most prestigious club competition in Europe. PFA Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo and energy unleashed Carlos Tevez versus World Player of the Year runner up Lionel Messi and the superb Samuel Eto'o.

It was a must win game for the domestically out of form Barcelona, if they didn't want their season to end. It was a must win game for Manchester United having lost to AC Milan in the Semi-finals last season and especially for Cristiano Ronaldo as he had missed a crucial penalty in the first leg of the fixture. He surely didn't want this black mark on his otherwise marvelous season.
The buildup to the match began at 11:30 pm (my time in India) and somehow whenever that Champions League programming jingle plays, it makes you feel like you are at the right place at the right time. I surely was at the right place in front of the telly! Old Trafford was packed to maximum capacity and 'believe' was the Old Trafford faithfuls message to their team. The scenes of so many people urging their team on were simply breathtaking.

The team was lead out by Rio Ferdinand as Ryan Giggs was on the bench and Puyol who was suspended in the first leg of the fixture returned to lead Barcelona into this crucial match. The referee blew his whistle and the game got underway. In the opening seconds of the game, Manchester United conceded a free kick just outside the box but Lionel Messi was unable to make the most of it. The first 13 minutes of the game Barcelona looked really comfortable, dominated possession and Messi was as threatening as ever while Manchester United looked out of sorts. I immediately felt that we probably needed Rooney, who was not playing tonight as he hadn't recovered from the hip injury he picked up in the Chelsea game.

In the 14th minute, Gianluca Zambrotta one of the most experienced players in the Barcelona back line tackled Cristiano Ronaldo but ended up passing the ball to Paul Scholes who about 30 yards from goal unleashed a thunderous shot swerving high and wide of Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdez, giving United the lead. It's wonderful how things work out in football so it made perfect sense that the goal should come from the veteran midfielder who had been injured and had to miss the 1999 final at Nou Camp against the German club Bayern Munich. Earlier in the week, Sir Alex had said that if Manchester United were to play in the finals of the Champions League this season Paul Scholes would be the first name he'd put on the team sheet. Almost like he knew something!

Five minutes later Messi embarked on his trademark run from deep, going past Scholes and Brown and drawing Edwin Van Der Sar into a fine save from the edge of the area.

A confident Manchester United started to dictate the pace of the game and Ronaldo caused quite few problems along with Park Ji Sung for the Barcelona defence. A few more chances were created by Barcelona who looked comfortable coming forward through Deco and Eto'o but they failed to get the goal.

In the second half, play continued to fluctuate from end to end though Manchester United looked the more likely of the two to score. Portuguese winger Nani had a few great chances to put United 2 goals ahead of the Catalan Giants but failed to capitalise on it.

Barcelona substituted Andres Iniesta with former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry around the hour mark. Henry, Deco and Messi had a few shots on goal but failed to find the elusive goal which would take their team through to the finals.

Barcelona especially Argentine Winger Lionel Messi played some outstanding attacking football but were denied time and again by the brilliant defending from United back line. There were 5 minutes of injury time added on and the 1-0 scoreline ensured that I couldn't breathe!
Watch out Liverpool or Chelsea because every time Manchester United have reached the final of the Champions league, they have won and I am sure Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs would love to bring the trophy back to Old Trafford once again before they retire.

So finally, the referee blew his whistle and Manchester United created history by making sure that it would be the first all-English Champions League Final in Moscow. What a fantastic day for English football and English football fans the world over.

Cristiano Ronaldo is PFA player of the year; Cesc Fabregas gets PFA Young Player of the Year

I just knew it! But I guess so did everyone else who even remotely follows football. Cristiano Ronaldo has been named Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year for the second time in succession at a star studded ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Sunday night. Ronaldo was not present at the event to collect his award but was shown on screen accepting his trophy from Sir Alex at United Carrington training ground.

Ronaldo said "I feel very happy. When you work all season to play good, to do something for the team, to do your contribution for the team and then at the end of the season the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment, it is an honour, a pleasure."

"It is a great motivation to carry on like that, to work more and get better. I feel very good but it is not just my award, my team-mates have helped me a lot this season. They give me good passes to score goals - and I score - but it is a good moment for me.''

The talented Portuguese star said "I am sure I am better player than four or five years ago. Than last year? I have improved a little bit better still. This is my ambition to learn more and play better and I think I am in the right place. I want to carry on and this for me is a good moment to stay at the club and play at the best level."

United were preparing for the second leg of the Champions League Semi-final in which they play Spanish giants Barcelona at home after having drawn 0-0 at Nou Camp in the first leg.

Ronaldo added "I look forward to Tuesday against Barcelona, it is the biggest game of the season in my opinion. If you win you are in the final. It is a good motivation for me, for my colleagues, for my friends, everyone. I hope to win and the two league games are very important as well, if you win you are champions as well."

Ronaldo admitted that he had voted for Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor. He said: "I voted for Adebayor because I think he has had a great season as well. But you have many players who have had a good season - Torres, Fabregas, many players. But I think I deserve to win!"

Former England and Blackpool full-back Jimmy Armfield, 72, still involved in the game as a broadcaster, received the Merit award for his services to the game.
Cesc Fabregas was named the PFA Young Player of the Year. The other nominees were Ronaldo, Micah Richards, Torres, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young.

"I'm very proud. It's a very prestigious trophy.Football is a collective game and you prefer to win trophies with team-mates but it's always nice to have this type of award. I dedicate it to my team-mates because without them I would not have won." said Fabregas.

It was strange to see that none of the Chelsea players featured in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year :

David James (Portsmouth), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

The ceremony was attended by Fabio Cappello who speaking publicly in English possibly for the first time proposed a toast to PFA.


I am just so glad that two of my current favourite EPL players won. Next awards season, watch out for Fernando.

Chelsea vs Manchester United

Saturday saw Chelsea meet league leaders and title defenders Manchester United in the what was being called 'The Clash of the Titans’, ‘The Battle of Stamford Bridge’ ‘The Title Decider’ and 'The Match of the season'. Chelsea have not been beaten at Stamford Bridge since their 2-1 loss to Arsenal in February 2007. That makes it an amazing 100 unbeaten domestic games! Manchester United on the other hand are the highest scoring club in the EPL this season with a squad of which Sir Alex says 'this is the strongest squad I've ever had in 21 years.'

If Manchester had won this match, it would most certainly mean that the 2007-2008 title was all but theirs, but if Chelsea were to win, that would mean that they would be equal on points with the Red Devils (even though United still have a much superior goal difference) , and the title battle would go on till the end of the season with all remaining games becoming must win games for both the clubs. Every neutral, I guess would want the title race to go on till the end. But then who am I kidding? Neutrals in a Chelsea-Man U match, whoever heard of such a thing!?

It was 5:15 PM kick-off and I was all set in front of the telly, slightly jealous of John Dykes and Steve McMahon who had the best seats in Stamford Bridge. It all started in the tunnel, the United squad lead by Rio Ferdinand, stood in readiness but there was no Chelsea player to be seen. A small cynical voice in me said 'maybe Chelsea are scared' but then came confident captain John Terry and the game got under way.

Chelsea were the first to attack and in the 38 second of the game Edwin Van Der Sar was forced to make a save off Michael Essien's shot. In the first few minutes of the game, Vidic was caught by Didier Drogba's knee as he stooped to head the ball clear and had to be taken off. He was replaced by Owen Hargreaves and I shuddered remembering Hargreaves free kick against Arsenal. It was later reported that Vidic had broken his tooth which had gone through his tooth was taken to the hospital. Poor Vidic, he had just recovered from a stomach flu which he had caught in Barcelona and it wasn't sure till very late if he'd be fit for this match against Chelsea.

Chelsea dominated the first half and Michael Essien was simply superb with his runs forward. Manchester United who had wing wizard and PFA player of the year (am sure, he'll win tonight) Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez starting on the bench, looked out of sorts. Chelsea had a majority of the possession of the ball and looked the most likely team to score. I felt they just lacked the final ball quite a few times and while they did have a lot of the ball and quite a few chances being created. There weren't nearly as many shots on target.

When Joe Cole's shot on goal in the 20th minute bounced off the crossbar, and there was still no goal till the 44th minute I felt like Chelsea's terrible luck from last season was continuing. In case you haven't guessed it by now, I was hoping for a Chelsea win. But all that changed with a super header by Michael Ballack in the 45th min off Drogba's cross. It was glorious and the Chelsea squad dedicated the very important goal to Frank Lampard's mother, who had passed away during the week.
This is when I was wishing there was no half time break. I have seen it happen in the past when Manchester United start off a game badly and then I guess Sir Alex says something to them at half time and they come back transformed. I really think all managers should get to know those magical Sir Alex words! Also, there was the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carloz Tevez being brought on after half time. And I know Chelsea, well enough, once they go ahead, they try to just defend and keep that lead. Which was a fine and during Jose Mourinho's time they were great at keeping their lead but lately they haven't been as effective.( remember the Wigan game?)

There were no changes by Sir Alex after half time but he definitely had said those magic words of his to the team as Manchester definitely looked more threatening (dare I say awake) . They were keeping possession well and scarily enough Cristiano Ronaldo was warming up on the touchline! Just then Carvalho made a major mistake at the back and passed directly to Rooney who of course scored, a fine finish. I thought Carvalho had gifted Sir Alex and Manchester United the title and that United would now just sit back and kill the game. But, Sir Alex wanted to be doubly sure so he replaced Rooney (who was suffering from a muscle pull) with Ronaldo and O'Shea with Anderson. I braced myself for a massacre. Ronaldo was rather shocked by the harsh welcome from Michael Ballack. The game continued and Manchester United were looking more and more threatening. While Manchester United were piling on the pressure, Chelsea's Didier Drogba was fighting his own teammate (the goal scorer) Michael Ballack for a free kick. Drogda being more of a baby than Ballack won the sulking contest and took the kick which wasn't half bad. Only I wonder what Ballack could have done with it. Manchester further upped their tempo and Drogba still continued to argue with Ballack, who turned his back on the tantrums.

Thank God, for Michael Essien, John Terry and the others who were more focussed on wining the game. In the 86th minute Essien crossed the ball into the box and it hit Carrick's hand. A penalty for handball was awarded against the United midfielder and you didn't see Drogba arguing with Ballack over taking this one! Oh and this was the first penalty given against Manchester United all season! Brilliant Ballack kept his cool to score from the spot. Chelsea were once again in front and the crowd was ecstatic. There were 5 minutes added on and Manchester United were going all out. Ashely Cole cleared one off the line, as did Shevchenko in the dying minutes of added time. Ferdinand lost his cool and John Terry intervened and I think saved Ferdinand from a Red card. (Fabio was in the crowd). Later, there was tiff between the Chelsea grounds men and the United players who were cooling down after the game. The players claimed that the grounds men asked them to leave the grounds and wouldn't let them cool down properly. There were verbal and physical blows exchanged between the two groups.

Was it really a penalty? Did Sir Alex make a mistake with his team selection? Will the title be decided on goal difference this year? John Terry or Rio Ferdinand, who will lead the English team? Are United players bad losers? Is Drogba crazy to be fighting over a free kick?! There will always be questions but what matters is ... Chelsea 2 - 1 Manchester United. Chelsea level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table and the the title race is ON and promises to be a nail biter.