McCoy's English Premier League Soccer Blog

Adebayor: Proving To Be Just Like His Mentor

2007-02-03T06:24:00.000-08:00

The tall Togolese international striker has scored some very important goals for Arsenal but he wasn’t always like this immediately he arrived. Some couldn’t see the potential the young man had, I myself included.

The first time he was brought on for Arsenal, I thought to myself "here comes the African version of Peter Crouch", and at the time Peter Crouch was struggling.

Just like his tall counterpart, Adebayor has blossomed at the hands of Arsene Wenger and turned into a goal machine that scores at the time when goals are needed the most.

His mentor, Thierry Henry, also has had an impact on the young man who in fact plays like him. If you really concentrate and look at the way he scores his goals, he does so in typical Henry style.

The two have even made a dance that they often perform if either of the two puts the ball in the back of the net. The first time the two performed the dance is during the time Tottenham Hotspurs first visited the Emirates.

At the time Henry was injured and when Adebayor opened the score sheet, he raced over to the sidelines, danced and celebrated with his mentor. Since then, it has always been the same style every time one of them scores.

In the beginning of season 2006/2007 when Arsenal visited archrivals Manchester United, Adebayor scored the only goal of the match in the 87th minute and helped Arsenal walk away with a very important win.

He has always stood up to the task when asked to by his manager. He has always stepped in when Henry wasn’t there and scored very important goals for the Gunners.

I applaud the young man for all his attempts and encourage him to continue so. He has made quite a good decision in choosing Henry as his mentor and surely something great will come out of the friendship between the two.

Adebayor is truly a rising African star.

John Terry & Peter Cech: The Gruesome Twosome Are Back, Will They Make A Difference For Defending Champions Chelsea?

2007-02-03T06:23:00.000-08:00

The name "the gruesome twosome" isn’t in any way meant to demean the two incredible players, it is meant to describe the situation which was brought about by the partnership between the two outstanding players which in all cases frustrated strikers from around the globe.

The two were rock solid when they were together. They defended Chelsea's net from all who wanted to score. They frustrated all well-known and talented goal poachers whether at home or away.

The partnership was however split because of injury and thus the Chelsea goal net was left undefended. One of the many problems that have put Chelsea in their current position is the injury of the pair.

Well they are back and free to wreak havoc in the striker's world. I believe that with the return of the two, Chelsea will start gaining points and will win the title race, that is if Manchester United slip up along the way.

Jose Mourinho is happy with their return, as is the whole team, for Chelsea has been rocked with problems and loopholes in their defense ever since the twosome couldn't play due to injury.

They even lost against Liverpool because of a few mistakes here and there by the make shift center back Micheal Essien who was filling in for the injured skipper, John Terry.

Now that he's back, Essien will go back to playing a role that he is most effective in, attacking. Even the substitute goalkeepers, however hard they tried, couldn’t fill Peter's gloves.

The two are very effective together and as they have proved before, they can thwart all strike plans thought up by any English, European and well, anyone.

They are an example of what can happen when two people, or rather when two highly gifted people work together hand in hand.

I expect changes, although it will take the two some time before they are fully able to function normally. Mostly Peter will need some time to get his bearings right since the knock really affected him.

But as soon as they are back on track, I foresee a lot of changes in the results that Chelsea will start producing. Well all I can see to all the strikers who come up against the two, good luck and may God be with you.

Peter Crouch: Proving The Critics Wrong

2007-02-03T06:22:00.000-08:00

The first time I saw Peter Crouch on the pitch, I didn’t think he was first-class for anything except set pieces whereby he would just stand and head the ball in without any endeavor whatsoever.

I thought he was too dawdling for a striker and did not display the class and other essentials that English football stresses from a striker like good dribbling skills and plenty of pace and power behind the ball.

Many critics used this as an opportunity to think of the harshest things you could say about a young football player in the making. We as critics tried to put him down but he just wouldn't stay down at all.

He showed good spirit and kept on playing until he perfected himself. Once I saw him score a goal that I didn’t think he would be able to. He scored utilizing the well-known scissors kick.

He scores more often than Craig Bellamy, who according to the grapevine has every quality needed to score hat tricks on a daily basis. The young man has displayed why he is in the England national team.

Peter has shown good moral fiber and I think he has done more than just silenced us critics. Crouch should be used as a role model for all those who thought that stature or anything else bodily or intellectual might be a barrier from them gratifying their dreams.

Unlike others, Peter didn’t waste his time by pawing at the critics. He concentrated on improving his game and though the critics appeared to win round one, he KO'd them in the second round.

Using his tactic, silent but deadly, Peter left the critics to their bickering and casually continued with pursuing his dream. If that isn’t great character and wisdom, then what is it?

Indeed Peter Crouch is in a class of his own and who knows, maybe he has more to show us than what he is currently illustrating.

Wayne Rooney: A Force To Be Reckoned With

2007-02-03T06:21:00.000-08:00

He gave the word temper a whole new meaning. If you can remember, during the World Cup in Germany, Wayne was substituted for another player so that he doesn’t end up aggravating his injury since he had just become fit recently.

Sven Gorran Errikson, former England national coach, did this so that Rooney would be fit enough to play in other more important games, but did Wayne want to know? No.

Immediately he got to the benches, he made it his job to make the World know he wasn’t happy. He threw everything he got his hands on in the air and was seen uttering something that any one can lip read.

In another story on the young striker, he was involved in a scuffle in a night club in England, after a man made some unkind remarks about his girlfriend and Wayne some how saw it fit to punch him in the face.

That used to be the World's view of Wayne Rooney. These days though, he has become a really mature and well-mannered player. I mean the more I watch him, the more I admire him. He has changed and now the goal net is the only thing complaining about him.

In a game Manchester United played against Portsmouth, Rooney managed to lift and curve the ball in such a way that even Portsmouth's goalkeeper, David James couldn’t see it coming. It was a classic goal, and I do mean classic.

In another encounter between Man U and Watford, Rooney did a one two with Henrik Larsson and finally passed it back to Larsson and he coolly finished it. He is not only a goal poacher but also a playmaker in my own terms.

He even lobbed Watford's goalkeeper from close range to score and we all know how hard it is to lob someone from close range and get it right on the mark. He is also known to have a very powerful right foot, which he often uses to get goalkeepers in check.

He is on the fast track to stardom and I say he is a legend in the making for England. I applaud the young man for quelling his anger and also by channeling it in the right way or in the back of the net if I do say so myself.

Arsenal Vs Bolton Wanderers: Reebok Stadium (FA Cup 4th round replay)

2007-02-03T06:20:00.000-08:00

Bolton Wanderers in my view are the kind of team that just like spoiling other team's chances of winning a cup but in the end, don’t get to win it themselves. The team, as is their stadium, is filled with an unusual spirit.

The team that in the end knocks them out of the competition, has a name that you couldn’t remember the next morning even if it was spelled to you in twenty different languages that you apparently understood.

If you assess most of the times Arsenal have visited the Reebok Stadium, it ends up in tears for the visiting Arsenal fans. More often than not, Bolton just pulls it off with a late winner.

When Bolton visited Arsenal, Arsene Wenger didn’t want to go through the hassle of a replay at all. He wanted to use the chance handed to him and win the game but as always he got unlucky against them. They drew 1-1.

Nicholas Anelka, a former Arsenal striker, has made quite an impact at Bolton and even scored twice against his old club when they visited Bolton in the Premier League encounter, which Bolton apparently won.

To say the truth, Arsenal doesn’t have a good record playing against Bolton at the Reebok and this, and the stadiums negative ambiance, points to the fact that Arsenal will most probably loose the replay. However, since it's football, anything might happen.

Maybe Arsenal will win just like they won against Liverpool at Anfield. Maybe, but on a lighter note, let me review the two teams.Bolton Wanderers, as I earlier said, have Nicholas Anelka on their side.

In their latest games since he arrived, he has made a quite a good impact on the team more so than his strike partner El Hadji Diouf who got sent off in one of their more recent games for his unkind remarks to the referee.

Arsenal on the other hand, have been flying high in all the games they have played. They have increased their attack mindedness and have beefed up their defense with younger and more vibrant defenders.

I would like to offer a few words of advice to Sam Allardyce (just let Arsenal win and they are more likely to put up a better fight than you chaps. Ok, sport?) But if you don’t, your boys will most probably go through a very embarrassing and demeaning cup exit.

Sam Allardyce, Bolton's manager, has often exhibited the kind of temper that his players quite frequently show on the pitch. Maybe if he quells his anger, then and only then will they start playing football like professionals.

I think their anger is also visible in the kind of football they play. They love contact and their contact is overly aggressive. That’s why Arsene Wenger complains about their more physical style of play.

My prediction is Arsenal will lose by a goal to Bolton but lets watch the game and see cause I am rooting for Arsenal.

If Mourinho Leaves Chelsea, The English Premiership Looses The Plot

2007-02-02T04:14:00.000-08:00

We know that just like in the biblical story about David and Goliath, every story needs a Goliath in order to become riveting and entertaining because as everyone looks for a David amidst themselves to depose Goliath from his throne, spectators would get Goosebumps watching all the drama unfold right.

Another advantage that has come of late with satellites is that if you are anywhere in the known world, you can watch anything live.

This means more money in the bank for the English Premiership because as demand for the English game grows around the world, they will sell more and more rights to TV stations who would want to televise the game live.

Well, in the case of the English Premiership, Chelsea or more practically Mourinho is their Goliath. Ever since Mourinho arrived at Stamford Bridge, he added a distinct flavor to the English Premiership.

He removed the same old Goliaths we were used to for a long time like Manchester United and Arsenal from their thrones and merely wasted them on the football field to prove that he indeed was the man or the team to be beat.

More and more people heard of this arrogant Portuguese manager who under the arm of Sir Bobby Robson, had learnt a lot and apparently had the best managers in the world beat whether away or at home.

A lot more people wanted to see whom between the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, or even the other unknown managers, would at the end of the day bring down this towering Goliath.

As the first season passed, no one had him beat so more and more and even more people were glued to their sets. The plot was there and the public loved it. They grabbed it hook, line and sinker.

In the second season, some of them put up a fight but no one seemed to quite bring down Goliath and so do the math. Even you who is reading can tell that the English game has become so popular off late and if you really think of it, since Mourinho arrived.

If he leaves, then another Goliath should come about. If he doesn't then he should get his reputation of being a Goliath back, (and we know he is more than capable of doing that) because we are all tired of the same two clubs calling the shots season in and season out.

Chelsea Fall At Liverpool's Mighty Studs

2007-02-02T04:13:00.001-08:00

Anfield was ablaze with sounds of triumph and jubilation after they scored twice in the opening twenty minutes of the match.

A goal from Dirk Kuyt and another spectacular shot from pennant deflated all of Chelsea's hopes that they would repeat what they did last season by beating Liverpool.

Chelsea did not play at all like the champions they are, oh sorry, the champions they were. The only thing that might have given hope to Chelsea's adoring fans was Peter Cech.

He made his first appearance in the first eleven after the knock he received last year when Chelsea visited Reading. Apparently he could not remember playing the game but could only remember shaking hands with the Reading players before the game.

I would however like to point out that although Micheal Essien is trying he cannot replace John Terry as a center back. If Terry would have played in the game, he might have stopped the first goal from Dirk Kuyt.

What Chelsea need urgently is a good and solid defense to stop them from conceding any more goals. This will in turn bring Essien back to his usual spot where he is most dangerous.

Without Essien, the Chelsea midfield does not look menacing at all. In fact they don’t provide the strikers with as much balls that are needed upfront in order to score as much goals that are needed.

Other top-flight clubs should also dread at the fact that Peter Cech is back. Even though it will take him some time to get his form back, when he does it will for sure spell problems for all opposing strikers.

Mourinho should also consider starting with two usual strikers at all games so that they can get used to playing together upfront. He can then consider making substitutions after that.

He has all the talent that he needs but he just has to figure out a way of utilizing it to its full potential. I have faith in the man. If Chelsea would have gone to Anfield with the above things in check, they would have annihilated Liverpool.

If at all a bunch of youngsters did it, then they should have at the least beaten Liverpool 10-2. Last but not least, team spirit should be at the top of their agenda.

If Mourinho works on these things, Chelsea would re-define the English Premiership as they did so last season and the season before that. I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt they would do exploits.

Julio Baptista: Top Goal Scorer In Carling Cup Campaign

2007-02-02T04:12:00.001-08:00

Julio came to Arsenal after Real Madrid and Arsenal agree on exchanging players for only one season. He and Jose Antonio Reyes were exchanged in July 2006. Reyes has made an impact in Spain but Julio has made an even bigger one in England.

The Brazilian international striker, who is apparently nicknamed the beast owing to his stout physique and distinct style, was bought from Spanish side Sevilla by Real Madrid for 13 million pounds.

He however didn’t make such an impact at the Barnabeu and was involved in the exchange deal owing to his form.

At first, he didn’t seem effective at Arsenal but he changed all that in the encounter between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in the Carling Cup quarterfinal.

He scored first in a spectacular free kick and finished off three other crosses from Jeremy Alliadere to score four goals in the 6-3 hammering of Liverpool. In the game, he oozed the confidence that he had lacked in his first few games for Arsenal.

In the other Carling Cup semi final between Arsenal and Tottenham, he deflected the ball in his own net and gave Tottenham a two-goal cushion over Arsenal. I didn’t think he would recover but he did and scored twice to bring Arsenal back on level terms with Tottenham.

The six goals he has scored in the Carling Cup campaign has made him the top goal scorer. This impressive array of goals seems to have put a smile on Arsene Wenger's face and has earned him a spot of in the starting eleven of a few of Arsenal's games.

I believe soon enough he will be a regular in the starting eleven and will play a vital role in all of Arsenal's League and Cup campaigns that is if Real Madrid agree to keep Reyes.

He has shown interest and love in the English game and wants to stay and if he does, he will be one of the players in Arsenal's impressive team to watch.

Drogba And A Host Of Other Players Set To Leave Chelsea If Mourinho Leaves

2007-02-02T04:10:00.000-08:00

Didier Drogba does not seem happy at all at the kind of bad press Mourinho has been getting from outside and even within the club.

He strongly says that if Mourinho leaves and calls on him to follow he would indeed because he owes a lot to the Portuguese manager who brought him into the limelight. Drogba, who has signed a new 100,000 pounds a week contract, seems passionate in the way he talks about Jose Mourinho.

The Ivorian also claims and confirms this writer's belief that all is not well inside Chelsea. Their team spirit has disappeared and even says that not every one in the club is pulling in the same direction.

Quoting the Ivory Coast international, "I know what I owe him and so do men like John Terry and Frank Lampard". This infact points out that if Mourinho left he would in deed leave with a few if not a lot of the players.

Roman Abromavich needs to play his cards right and give the manager, who apparently lifted his club from the ashes, a second chance. After all he showed that he is more than capable of beating even the mighty Barcelona.

If however, he brings in a new manager, he could lose a lot of players who played vital roles in their first two English Premier League trophies and who are apparently keeping the Chelsea team in the title race.

Drogba also stated that Sir Alex and Arsene Wenger are fine coaches but they will never be as "box Office" as Mourinho. I agree with Drogba that they are not as top notch as Mourinho but where I draw the line is "never be".

As in they will never be as good as Mourinho. This may be the best thing that could happen to Arsene and Sir Alex because Mourinho might bring out the best in both of them as the two teams are exhibiting in this current season.

We are never certain of the future, so maybe they have it in them or maybe they don’t. Drogba also says the Premiership owes Mourinho for bringing a new lease of life to the English Premiership. I agree with him 100%.

If it wasn’t for Mourinho, a lot of people would be bored of the Premiership but he came at the right time to save or give a new lease of life to the Premiership. I would advice Abromavich to sit down and over a martini, think about what Mourinho has done for him and the club.

Mourinho is indeed as Drogba put it, "box office".

Carling Cup Final: Arsenal Vs Chelsea, Cardiff Stadium

2007-02-02T04:09:00.000-08:00

This is the first Cup final in the English calendar. Both Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho need it badly.

Arsene Wenger hasn’t won any trophy since the 2004/2005 FA Cup, which he won on post match penalties against their archrivals Manchester United at the millennium Stadium. If he wins this one, it will mean a lot to the Frenchman.

Arsenal would relish this Cup and it would be really welcome in their new stadium, the Emirates. It would boost the team's confidence and would eventually work as a foundation to their team spirit.

Jose Mourinho is second in the League table towards the end of the campaign, a first since he arrived, and has also been receiving a lot of bad press owing to their position. He needs this trophy to stamp his authority in the English game.

Chelsea would use the win and the trophy as a stepping-stone to their former glory. It would perhaps shut the critic's mouths for some time and give the team a chance to jell. Abromavich might even change and not fire Mourinho if they win the trophy.

The favorites this time are Arsenal who apparently have improved their game and the talent they have wearing their jerseys. They have the highest goal scorer in the crusade and have demolished Liverpool 6-3 at Anfield.

Every time they play, they display class that is out of this world. They also have a lot of youngsters who have exhibited a lot of pace and ball control.

Chelsea on the other hand have been on a low this season and have received a lot of criticism that has tainted their managers name. They no longer play as effectively as they used to and don’t even score as much goals as they used to.

Both teams have a lot of team and individual talents. They both have exceptional Goalkeepers who have stood up to their tasks at various points. Arsenal's defense seems better than Chelsea's although John Terry is back and might change the game.

In midfield, Chelsea seems stronger with the likes of Frank Lampard, Micheal Essien and Micheal Ballack.

They are more experienced and would be thrilled at the chance of taking long shots at the goalkeeper but Arsenal's midfielders are young and so have pace and the Brazilian Gilberto on their side.

Upfront both teams have well-seasoned and new strikers who have immense talent in their side. Drogba and Shevchenko have shown signs that they indeed can jell while Henry and Adebayor seem like brothers.

Jeremy Alliadere and Julio Baptista have worked perfectly together in the Liverpool game and Julio has proved that he is a great marksman and also a great finisher just like Thierry Henry.

This game could go any way and so I will not make the mind-boggling mistake of guessing who would win but if I have to, I would say Arsenal will do to Chelsea what they did to Manchester United.

The game might even go to penalties but I still say Arsenal will win the Carling Cup.

Liverpool Vs Chelsea: Anfield

2007-01-19T04:21:00.000-08:00

Game Preview Saturday 20th Jan: Rafael Benitez didn't seem pleased at all after Arsenal emphatically beat Liverpool twice at Anfield. I mean how could he be? Being beaten 3-1 and then 6-3 isn't something that would put a smile on your face especially if you're being knocked out of cup competitions.

His rotation rule seems to be receiving a lot of criticism from football analysts (including yours truly) because all we have seen since he started it is him being beaten by a bunch of teenagers 6-3.

I have noticed that since the time Liverpool knocked out Chelsea in the Champions League, Mourinho and Rafael have started a small rivalry that in fact is very entertaining to watch but the last few times they have met, the matches have gone Chelsea's way.

I think this time, Rafael needs to beat one of the top four clubs or even beat Chelsea in order to get his pride back. He needs to show us the same magic he exhibited in Amsterdam against AC Milan in the final of the Champions League (what a memorable game that was.

As I said earlier, Rafael hasn't used Craig Bellamy to his full potential. I believe Craig has got more than it takes to score a hat trick against Chelsea. He's got the pace, power and pinpoint accuracy to score goals regularly.

Steven Gerrard has already shown us what he can do. He has shown good leadership skills and a deadly right foot. Peter Crouch has proved all his critics wrong. He is not only good in the air but he can use his long legs to his advantage.

I do hope that Sammy Hypia (one of Liverpool's Center halfs) has worked on his defense with Rafael because if they do what they did with Arsenal, Drogba and Shevchenko will have a field day scoring goals.

But to be honest, Drogba and Shevchenko haven't shown us much this season, in fact they have shown me nothing. If Shevchenko doesn't live up to his fame, then we believe that Drogba will step up to his place and work wonders as he always does.

Lampard should also try his level best and at least show us a little bit of the magic he had in earlier seasons. Ballack should shrug of that German pride of his and chase the ball more often in midfield. Let him live up to the salary that he's being paid.

Most probably, Chelsea will win 3-0 and humiliate Rafael again but if Gerrard is going to play in the game, then don't count him out yet. He has been known to exhibit some sort of supernatural leadership skills and score goals that defy the laws of leg muscles and gravity.

This game will either be the most boring game ever in recent times or it could turn out to be the best and become more entertaining than Arsenal vs Man U. It all depends…

Manchester United Vs Arsenal: Emirates Stadium

2007-01-19T04:08:00.000-08:00

Game Preview Sunday 21st Jan 2007: This promises to be a classic clash between two clubs that have been rivals for decades. This match has always been filled with controversies, misjudged penalties and well… bad blood. You're guaranteed to be at the edge of your seat during the whole game.

Last time round, Arsenal beat Man U 1-0 at Old Trafford (a first since I was born).
The last time Man U was at Highbury (Arsenal's old stadium) they drew 0-0.

This has been a trend that has shocked Sir. Alex Ferguson since not so long ago, he used to beat Arsenal every single time they met whether at Old Trafford or Highbury.

Is it that Fergie has grown old? I beg to differ, in fact Sir Alex has made a big improvement in his managerial duties as the position Man U occupies at the very top of the English Premier League suggests.

I think it is the fact that Arsene has grown smarter than Fergie and that all of Arsene's young players have grown in confidence and goal scoring form.

Going to the Emirates, Sir Alex has got an array of lethal players who have formed a habit of scoring frequently including their new short-term signing, striker, Henrik Larrson who scored against Aston Villa in his League debut.

Christiano Ronaldo has always been a problem for Kolo Toure and his merry defense, due to all his dribbling skills and blinding pace, but this time he is even deadlier. He is now more experienced and has gotten better at aiming at goal.

Carrick also seems to be doing well for the Red Devils and Park Ji Sun has also improved a bit though I have nothing much to say about the Chinese international since I have never really figured out why Sir Alex bought him from PSV Eindhoven.

Paul Scholes missed a penalty against Arsenal in the FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium three years ago, so I think he'll feel pretty good if he scores.

If by the time the game kicks off, Wayne Rooney won't have started anger management classes, as I had earlier said, Arsene doesn’t have a thing to worry about since Man U’s deadly striker is bound to get himself sent off.

Arsenal, on the other hand, has Thierry Henry back. In the wake of his terrific goal scoring against Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers, I think he won't mind beating Van De Sar (Man U's goalkeeper) a few times.

On the basis of their game against Liverpool, all the young Arsenal teenagers have grown in confidence, so in plain English they'll be on fire. Julio Baptista and Jeremy Alliadere seem good together upfront as they showed us openly in the Liverpool game.

If Arsene gives the duo a chance, Jeremy with his running and skill and Julio with his marksmanship, I am sure they'll give Man U a run for their money.

I don't know why I keep seeing a red card in my vision of the game (most probably for Wayne Rooney). I believe that there won't be a shortage of goals and maybe Arsenal will win only by a goal but as I have learned from experience, I never count out Man U until the final whistle to end the game.

I predict Arsenal will win 2-1.An emphatic win, which will prove how invincible they truly are at the moment.

Jose Mourinho Is Destroying Chelsea But He Just Doesn't Know It

2007-01-19T03:59:00.000-08:00

Jose Mourinho is considered to be the best manager in the world currently due to the success he has had with FC Porto and current twice English Premiership champions, Chelsea.

With Chelsea chasing Man United for first place and the type of form they have had this season, it seems Mourinho's luck may be finally running out or did Mourinho have a hand in this emerging dilemma?

In Jose's first season at Chelsea he did what few or no managers have been able to do since the start of the beautiful game, he won the English Premier League on the first try and he did it again the following season.

Chelsea became the team that everyone wanted to beat but just couldn't. What then is the problem this season? I mean he has so much talent and so many stars. Every club envies his substitute's bench.

Mourinho's pride is the problem. It blinds him from seeing that he has too many stars in the team. Players like Hernan Crespo, Damien Duff and Gudjhonsev have left because there are just too many of their kind in the team.

All the young players, who basically have more talent and are quicker, are sidelined for the already established superstars. Another problem which a visitor to this blog raised, is that all the big names have egos of their own.

Every star wants to be considered the best in the world and so in a situation whereby he is supposed to pass the ball to his fellow star he will probably go it alone to prove that he is better than the others. Team play becomes a real challenge.

Even the young players at Chelsea feel neglected and this will in turn create bad blood between everyone.

If I may take you back to the first season Mourinho was brought in from Porto, he found all the players in the team had already co-existed, everyone knew everyone. He just added a few unknowns to the team and the team became unbeatable.

No one was jealous of the other and everyone was given a chance to play. Stars were born out of that togetherness but when others have been replaced because of the new signings, the well-oiled machine that was Chelsea has started grinding to a halt.

This is the beginning of the end for Mourinho. If he doesn’t work out a plan that will see the team's spirited revival, as far as I am concerned, Chelsea is finished.

What Mourinho is trying to do is the equivalent to changing all the parts of a certain car, with parts from other different and more successful cars. At first the car will seem like its in perfect condition, but over time it will totally give out as it becomes clear that it is made up of good parts but misfits.

Chelsea vs Liverpool, Manchester United vs Arsenal

2007-01-18T02:40:00.000-08:00

This headline/title to this story is self-explanatory. For those of you who don’t understand, it means explosive, breathtaking and thrilling in every way you have ever imagined.

Sir Alex Ferguson is looking for retribution against Arsene Wenger after the humiliation he caused him when Arsenal defeated Man U 1-0 at Old Trafford but will he truly get it at the Emirates Stadium?

Rafael Benitez is a little cranky after being beaten twice at home by Arsenal but will Jose Mourinho give him the win on a silver platter at Stamford Bridge? Not on your life.

Get more updates and reviews on the games at this blog… The only place we can satisfy your insatiable need for nonstop hard-hitting FA Premier League stories. Catch all the games on Supersport on Saturday and Sunday respectively, but if you don’t, don’t worry I've got your back covered.

Get the results on this blog.

Arsene Wenger Makes Arsenal More And More Invincible By The Day

2007-01-18T02:39:00.000-08:00

Ten years down the road and Arsene Wenger is still at Arsenal. Not many coaches can boast that much time at a single club. Arsene has had his highs and his lows at Arsenal but since he arrived he has never finished below the top two, except for last season in the Premiership when he finished fourth just above one of their rival clubs in North London, Tottenham Hotspurs.

Arsenal's distinct style of play (when they are in form that is) has been known to mesmerize even opposing fans. Once when Arsenal visited Real Madrid, fans loyal to the Galactico's started chanting Henry's name after they were mesmerized by the style of play he displayed. Just another sign of what a genius Arsene is when it comes to the beautiful game.

In the 2004\2005 season, Arsenal went 49 league games unbeaten and were thus nicknamed the invincibles, they also repeated that run in last year's Champions League when they went through the whole campaign unbeaten before they lost to Barcelona in the final.

Thierry Henry can for sure say that Arsene is a true friend, for when everyone did not think very much of him (even Thierry did not like Henry) Arsene stuck with him and encouraged him. He nurtured him into the deadly striker that he is today and Liverpool were reminded of how dangerous he can be when he scored an outstanding goal against them at Anfield recently.

Apart from Liverpool, ten-man Arsenal defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-0 away and as always, Henry scored another breathtaking goal. All the young talent that Arsene dedicated his time and money to seems to be paying off. The likes of Robin Van Persie the Dutchman with a deadly left foot, Cesc Fabregas, Theo Wallcot and Jeremy Alliadere to name but a few.

It seems that this season Arsene is creating upsets everywhere he goes, a sure sign of his team's invincibility. In the beginning of the season, he visited his long time rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford and in a surprising change of history he managed to beat them 1-0, he also almost beat champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge were it not for a late goal.

With all the young talent that he has at his disposal, I believe this is just the beginning for the Gunners. All his young players are growing in stature, experience and confidence. This is an early warning sign for all clubs who stand in their way. BEWARE

Rafael Benitez's Rotation Style Reaps Shame For Liverpool At Home

2007-01-18T02:32:00.000-08:00

When Rafael Benitez came to Anfield Liverpool supporters were hopeful that he would bring back the glory that Liverpool once enjoyed. At the very least they hoped he would be able to raise the standards a notch upwards to the days when Micheal Owen, Robbie Fowler and Emile Heskey used to play upfront. In those days they were considered to be the most lethal strike force in England

Indeed Benitez has done a good job if you consider he won the champions league in a dramatic final in Amsterdam against AC Milan where Liverpool were three goals down at half time and by the end of the night had scored thrice to get back on level terms and surprisingly beat AC Milan in a penalty shootout. They also lifted the coveted FA Cup last season after beating West Ham in a penalty shootout in the final.

So, what seems to be the problem this year? Liverpool has already been knocked out of both the Carling Cup and the FA Cup by Arsenal at Anfield, what is considered to be a fortress. In the first game, the FA Cup 3rd round they were beaten 3-1 and in the second they were beaten 6-3 by an Arsenal team that was mainly composed of teenagers. Yet Rafael has so much talent at his fingertips. For instance there is the former Blackburn Rovers striker Craig Bellamy. The Welshman scored an impressive array of goals when he was at Blackburn. Another gifted footballer is Steven Gerrard who has scored memorable goals both for his country and his team. In both the FA Cup and the Champions League, Gerrard has played a key role in the lifting of both cups by utilizing both his ball and leadership skills.

Peter Crouch, another rising star has used his height to his advantage and scored goals that seemed impossible for a man his height to score. With all this talent and much more Rafael seems not to have used it to his and the club's advantage.

Many have blamed the rotation style that he uses whereby he never has a certain or more familiar starting lineup like most teams have. He always keeps changing players so that every one will get a chance to play. This complicates matters since players don’t get used to playing games with one person who they will click with over time, instead he keeps on changing his combinations.

I would advice him to get a consistent starting line up and stick with it and if one of the players is injured or out of form, bring in another player from the substitutes. Just the way everybody else does it. With time they would click and he would stop this bad spell that he is experiencing at the moment

Are Chelsea's New Signings Just A Burden On Abromavich's Pocket Book?

2007-01-16T08:05:00.000-08:00

William Gallas had a fallout with Mr .Mourinho and during the much publicized purchase of Ashley Cole, Gallas was offered in exchange as an icing on the cake.

Mourinho might have thought that Gallas did not do much but since he left, Cole has not yet quite filled his shoes. On the other hand Gallas is doing much more as a left back than Arsene Wenger might have ever dreamt of.

When rumors of Andriy Shevchenko's move to Chelsea reached the press, everyone including Chelsea's fans were thrilled at the thought of Andriy and Drogba teaming up. This dream just… well, just stayed a dream because we have seen nothing yet. Drogba and Shevchenko flow together the way water and fire would.

Even though this happened I myself thought the former European footballer of the year might just pull it off without Drogba but he has not adapted to the lightning quick pace of English football. We may just have to wait for a season or two before he finally clicks (I don’t think he is quite in a hurry to leave if you consider he is being paid 120,000 pounds per week).

Michael Ballack left his beloved homeland of Germany (also for the price of 120,000 pounds per week) for England to use his experience as a midfielder to help Frank Lampard in the Chelsea midfield. This seemed like another duo that would have greatly prospered together considering their talent and exposure but they just have not clicked yet. Just like Shevchenko, Ballack has also been slow to learn the English style of playing (is it something to do with their hefty wages?). For your information Ballack has already been sent off once.

The only people who seem to be consistent are the Africans who play for Chelsea. Didier Drogba has never fallen short of goals, Michael Essien is doing a good job filling in for John Terry, the young talents of Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel seem to be growing in stature day by day and not to forget the good job done by the Frenchman Claude Makelele.

PS: Have you noticed of late how Abromavich doesn't seem as happy as he seemed before when Chelsea were winning every game? There have even been disturbing rumors that this is Mourinho's last season at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United: The Empire Strikes Back

2007-01-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

This season Sir Alex Ferguson has shown the Glazer's (the owners of the club) that he is more than capable of beating Abromavich's army. Since the beginning of the season he has taken the lead of the English premier league and held on to that position. He is indeed the man who deserved the most to have been offered the manager's position for the England national team and he has clearly shown that experience (not money) counts in the beautiful game.

Christiano Ronaldo (English football's public enemy no.1) caused a stir after he ran half the pitch to complain to the referee about Wayne Rooney's challenge and thus caused him to be sent off in the World Cup knock out stages. Every one in England believes that if Rooney hadn't been sent off, they would have certainly won the World cup. Still I believe that the Portuguese footballer has improved his game dramatically and is proving to be a thorn in most defender's side with all his running and beautiful ball skills. He is one of the key people who have led Manchester United to the top of the English Premiership.

Wayne Rooney has not shown me anything yet to prove that he is indeed a mature football player at all. His sudden outbursts of rage are proving to be a serious problem for the young man who at Everton showed good ball control and good finishing skills. If he really wants to be the best in the world I would advice him to take anger management classes before he even thinks of playing football again. He has done nothing so far to contribute to Man U's current position.

Striker, Olegun Solkjser 'the baby faced assassin' has recovered from a long injury spell and in the Aston Villa game at Old Trafford showed the world why Fergie stuck with him this whole time. Man U were level with Aston Villa but in the 90th minute Olegun struck the ball with sheer power at the edge of the penalty box and the ball seemed too hot to handle for the opposing goalkeeper. He saved Sir Alex the blushes had he been beaten at home by Aston Villa.

Rio Ferdinand one of Man U's center half's seems to have his defense in check since they have not conceded a lot of goals since the 2006\2007 season started. I have got to commend Mr. Ferguson that he not only worked on his attack but he also beefed up his defense pretty well.

Out of all the Man United players I have to highly commend Paul Scholes for his bravery in fighting the disease that almost blinded him. Early signs of his seeing problems were visible when he missed an important penalty in the FA cup final against Arsenal at the Millennium stadium in the 2004\2005 season. His miss basically gave Arsenal the cup. After the game he was not seen for some time because he underwent some eye surgery. He is the most important player in the Man U line up considering his latest goal scoring form.

It seems that this time round Jose Mourinho will not be able to catch the Red devils. Alex will take the title that he so richly deserves.

Will The FA Cup Be The First Trophy To Enter Arsenal's Emirates Stadium This Season?

2007-01-16T08:02:00.000-08:00

The FA cup third round game proved to be the nail in the coffin for all the Liverpool fans that thought they would be able to beat Arsenal at home. This time around Wenger did not need Henry to prove that he can beat Liverpool, he actually did it blindfolded, if I do say so myself. Rafael Benitez was so assured of his win that he did not field Peter Crouch.

Julio 'the beast' Batista showed Arsene what he was made of when he scored once through a free kick and thrice through crosses from the young Frenchman Jeremy Alliadere. The two other goals came from Alexandre Song and Alliadere who really put a smile on Arsene's face what with all the running and chasing he did in the game. I believe he indeed was the man of the match and is a young man to watch in the premiership because he showed the plenty of class in this routing of Liverpool.

Liverpool scored thrice but the goal of the match came from Steven Gerrard with a well-struck volley from the edge of the penalty box which swiveled past Almunia. Gerrard showed good leadership skills when led the small come back but Arsenal indeed won astonishingly 6-3.

Can Arsenal Lift The Carling Cup?

2007-01-16T07:56:00.000-08:00

On two occasions Arsene Wenger has proven that even though Rafael Benitez has won the champions league and even managed to beat West Ham for the FA Cup, he is no match for the class that Arsenal fielded at Anfield.

In the Carling cup quarter final at Anfield, Rosicky, the Czech international who was signed after his dramatic show of skill at the world cup in Germany, managed to pull of two spectacular goals. The first came after Alexander Hleb crossed a well-struck shot with his left leg and Rosicky struck it sweetly to beat the subtitute goalkeeper Dudek. He scored yet again after Thierry Henry passed the ball to him and expecting a through pass Henry ran through the defense but Rosicky shocked everyone, including myself, when he took on the whole Liverpool defense by himself and scored with precision.

The goal raised some questions about Liverpool's defense because none of the defenders was willing to tackle or even push him of the ball. The defenders made it seem like they were just escorting Rosicky to the goal area. If it were not for Peter Crouch's towering physique, Liverpool would not have scored the late consolation goal from the corner kick Which Pennant took. Peter Crouch headed the ball to Dirk Kuyt with such ease, he made it look like Senderos was doing nothing (the young man jumped so high he probably thought he was flying) who in turn headed it over the substitute goalkeeper Almunia.

Thierry Henry then scored the last goal of the night through a spectacular show of skill. He crossed the ball to himself but defender Jamie Carragher got to the ball before him. This did not dampen the Frenchman's determination because he chased the ball, won it back and ran instinctively to the goal area were he ran rings round one defender and finally he put the ball in the back of the net.

Even though I was cheering for the man I consider to be the best striker in the world currently, I could not help but ask myself 'where the hell was the Liverpool defense?'. Or was it that Thierry's class was just too much for them?

The second goal from Rosicky and the third from Henry could all have been thwarted by the defense if only one of them was willing to get a yellow card or even a red by just doing their job, tackling. This in turn could have caused the two teams to draw and would have reduced the shame Rafael and his men got (at least for a few days) before they were outgunned, outmatched end basically outclassed by 'the beast' (Julio Baptista) and the Arsenal teenagers led by the young and flamboyant Cesc Fabregas.