Premier League (Official Thread)

[Buckeye513]

The Manchester Derby was this morning at 7:30. I don't have FSC and wasn't able to watch. I've heard reports of a miraculous Rooney overhead strike to win it late. Unfortunately, EPL footage is kept under tighter locks than UFO footage and it may be a few hours to a day or two before I get to see it. Either way, sounds like it was a great game. If anyone has any leads please let me know!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gGXhhDm6i8"]YouTube - Wayne Rooney SICK 2-1 goal Manchester United - Manchester City[/ame]

 

[morbitzerker]

It was an absolutely incredible strike by Wayne Rooney, who was in dreadful form. Everytime you think united are in trouble, something like this just happens, it's amazing.

101greatgoals.com for the video.

My goodness, that WAS incredible! It's almost unbelievable that they still only have one loss and Rooney hasn't been in form much of this season. He's finally come around in the last few weeks. A great way to respond to their only loss, especially to a team like Wolves. Then come back and beat your rival in dramatic fashion.

 

[tmporter]

If this goal doesn't make one of the top goals of the season, I will be so very surprised. That strike was just crazy. Just the timing of the flip was amazing. And Wayne rounding into form at just the right time makes me very happy.

 

[CHU]

What's incredible is Alex Ferguson said it was the best goal he's seen at Old Trafford.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_6748275,00.html

Asked if he had seen a better goal at the ground, Ferguson replied: "No. Rooney hit a volley against Newcastle some years ago and it was that ferocity.

"We've had some fantastic goals here but in terms of execution.... you'll never see that."

He's seen a lot of great goals at Old Trafford too.

It seems like what would put a cherry on the weekend for some ManU supporters is if the Glazers sold the club to the Qatar Holdings group. But those rumors have been around since the Fall.

 

[CHU]

That was quick.

Maybe 30-35 seconds in and Chicharito Hernandez scores for Manchester United from Ji-Sung Park against Chelsea.

Pretty much the de-facto title game today (depending on the result).

 

[Bucklion]

Nice to see Wolves get the win today...I am rooting for them to stay up.

 

[tmporter]

Nice to see Wolves get the win today...I am rooting for them to stay up.

Right now it is pretty much a toss up as to who will join West Ham in the drop down this year. Blackburn, Birmingham, Wolves, Wigan & Blackpool all have very hard games in the last 2 weeks. That is 5 teams for 2 spots. You would have to figure that both Blackburn and Blackpool will each have another loss in there, as both teams have to play United. Blackpool's other game is against Bolton, which is no easy task. Blackburn's other game is against Wolves. That game is in effect a win and you survive for Wolves and win or draw and Blackburn survive another year. Wigan have games against West Ham and Stoke. If they can beat West Ham, they have a chance to survive with a draw against Stoke. Lose either game and the drop is nearly certain. Birmingham finish the season against Fulham and Totenham. If they lose both, they will be in grave peril. The need 2 points to ensure survival. One win and they are in the Prem next year. It looks like 42 points will do it this year. It should be a crazy run in for these teams.

My predictions are:

17)Birmingham - 39pts stays up based on goal difference
18) Blackpool - 39pts dropped on goal difference
19) Wigan - 39pts dropped on goal difference
20) West Ham - 33pts Back to playing Millwall twice a year. I bet the London police are happy about that.

 

[jlb1705]

That was quick.

Maybe 30-35 seconds in and Chicharito Hernandez scores for Manchester United from Ji-Sung Park against Chelsea.

Pretty much the de-facto title game today (depending on the result).

I recorded the match, avoided checking Twitter or SI.com or any place that might have the result until I had a chance to watch it. I was hoping Chelsea could steal 3 points or at least earn a draw to make the last couple weeks interesting at the top of the table. Then that shit happened. That start for Chelsea was very... American.

 

[HINYG8]

I recorded the match, avoided checking Twitter or SI.com or any place that might have the result until I had a chance to watch it. I was hoping Chelsea could steal 3 points or at least earn a draw to make the last couple weeks interesting at the top of the table. Then that [Mark May] happened. That start for Chelsea was very... American.

I am a huge Chelsea supporter...and I had convinced myself the Blues were going to win that match.

I had barely made it to the couch and BOOM..1-0.

Frickin' Park set the tone for the first 20 minutes of the match and really gave the devils a boost. He was so active it stunned the Chelsea side.

What a shame...but it was absurd that Chelsea even got back in the hunt after the way they played in November.

 

[OH10]

Birmingham finish the season against Fulham and Totenham. If they lose both, they will be in grave peril.

Please let those blue noses drop...

 

[Bucklion]

Rooting for Wolves to stay, and it was another maddening finish for my boys at Fulham...high enough to be well clear, but annoyingly close but out of reach of the top 7. They did a hell of a job in Europa when they made it, but they don't seem good enough to make it again. They would have done really well in Serie A this year, because they basically played for a draw against everyone. Not good enough when you need to beat the bottom 7 once each, and probably twice, to get to Europe.

 

[Buckeye513]

I'd like Wolves to stay up, but I'm mostly rooting for Blackpool. The PL needs Ian Holloway.

 

[tmporter]

I am a huge Chelsea supporter...and I had convinced myself the Blues were going to win that match.

I had barely made it to the couch and BOOM..1-0.

Frickin' Park set the tone for the first 20 minutes of the match and really gave the devils a boost. He was so active it stunned the Chelsea side.

What a shame...but it was absurd that Chelsea even got back in the hunt after the way they played in November.

Chelsea had an awful run to really leave them with a mountain to climb. To their credit, they made a very good run at climbing it. Park is one of those under rated players whose contribution rarely show up on the stat sheet. I really hope Fergie hands him a starting spot in the Champions league final. Now, who will Chelsea hire once Roman ends Carlo's tenure.

Rooting for Wolves to stay, and it was another maddening finish for my boys at Fulham...high enough to be well clear, but annoyingly close but out of reach of the top 7. They did a hell of a job in Europa when they made it, but they don't seem good enough to make it again. They would have done really well in Serie A this year, because they basically played for a draw against everyone. Not good enough when you need to beat the bottom 7 once each, and probably twice, to get to Europe.

Fulham suffered what many mid table English teams suffer when the hit the European scene. Lack of depth. Teams like Fulham, Bolton, Tottenham & Everton simply do not have deep enough squads to chase European glory in the Europa Cup, a Premership top 7 finish, FA Cup and Carling Cup. It is just too many games. Deep runs in either the FA Cup or Carling Cup can add 7 games to an already busy schedule. Then if you make it past the opening round of the Europa Cup, that can add 12 games or more. So that means in a season, not counting International duty, you have to play nearly 60 games. That will really stretch a roster. Teams like United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have the 25 man roster to handle that. Other teams can't go that deep and maybe only have 18 to 20 players to really choose from.

Wolves have a solid chance to get the points to stay up. If they do, that probably spells the end for Blackpool.

I'd like Wolves to stay up, but I'm mostly rooting for Blackpool. The PL needs Ian Holloway.

Blackpool have only themselves to blame if they don't make it. They had a bad dip in form and lost some really crucial games. I do hope they can stay up as they are a team that has been playing far above their collective talent level.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

I am a huge Chelsea supporter...and I had convinced myself the Blues were going to win that match.

I had barely made it to the couch and BOOM..1-0.

Frickin' Park set the tone for the first 20 minutes of the match and really gave the devils a boost. He was so active it stunned the Chelsea side.

What a shame...but it was absurd that Chelsea even got back in the hunt after the way they played in November.

Not to mention Valencia was just abusing Cole and the other backs... MU could have easily made it bout 5-1 by the end of it... I was stunned at the way Park and Valencia just had their way with Chelsea

 

[CHU]

I'd like Wolves to stay up, but I'm mostly rooting for Blackpool. The PL needs Ian Holloway.

I love his passion and press conferences (Ollie's). They're going to lose Charlie Adam regardless.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6PacW2fJV0"]YouTube - Funniest Interview Of Ian Holloway On The FIFA Winter World Cup, Platini and Blatter and Turkey![/ame]

If fortunate enough to stay up, Holloway needs to shore up the defense (most goals conceded in the league at 71).

It's going to be interesting to see where Rob Green, Scott Parker and others go off of West Ham. You'd hope that Harry and Spurs would think about another goalie, even though Harry already said Gomes would be No. 1 next season.