Suarez Situation

As everyone knows Luis Suarez’s situation is pretty bad. If you don’t, basically he just bit Branislav Ivanovic on the arm and has made his future at Liverpool unclear. Luis Suarez has had a history of doing over the top actions, such as handballing on the line in the World Cup or biting PSV’s Otman Bakkal in Holland to earn himself an 8-match ban and also saying racist comments to Patrice Evra. Yesterday was another chapter of his saga; The Bite Part II. He of course did make today’s headlines and will be receiving some action from the FA and has also received a fine from Liverpool FC. I agree that he has made Liverpool into a joke. Yes, he has committed a massive mistake and deserves to be fined, plus get a match-ban. However many people are going over the top with this situation which is unfair. He has apologized, Ivanovic is okay and everything is fine. The media and the worldwide football fans are going on as if he shot someone, which he hasn’t! Everyone is forgetting his Footballing talent because of this ‘bite’ and don’t realize what he has done for Liverpool. All this could potentially move him out of the club and country just as he did when he was at Ajax. That is a horrible thought for Liverpool fans because it is him that has lead Liverpool to winning matches almost to what Ronaldo was to Man Utd. If he leaves I believe Liverpool will be in trouble and I like every Kopite wouldn’t want see that. Also where were these people who are saying that ‘he shouldn’t play football again’ or ‘He’s a dirty player’ when Agüero stamped on Luiz or when Defoe bit Mascherano? Just because of Luis Suarez’s reputation people are verbally attacking him and the club which is unfair. I think he should stay at the club and shouldn’t move out just because of the media; did Man Utd sell Cantona when he kung-fu kicked a fan? City with Tevez?  No, and these players were highly influential for the club. He should get the ban, the fine, no one should defend him and everyone should move on.

EDIT: Luis Suarez has been charged by the FA and will be banned for more than 3 matches, huge loss for Liverpool.  

 

 

 

 

Match Report: Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea

Liverpool Star-man Luis Suarez rescued a point for the Reds and has dented Chelsea’s European hopes, with some controversy.

Rafa Benitez returned home with a cheerful crowd showing him some respect while another player also returning Fernando Torres receiving jeers from the Anfield faithful. The match began with a slow start when both Chelsea and Liverpool were knocking the ball between their own players. Johnson came close after some pleasant football from Liverpool but he hit it well wide. Chelsea took the lead though when their corner was headed in by one of the shortest players on the pitch, Oscar. Pepe Reina had fingertips on it but couldn’t keep it out. It could’ve been two for Chelsea when David Luiz’s shot dipped right in front of Pepe Reina who made a hash of it and almost went in but his quick reactions didn’t allow it to happen. After a poor half from Liverpool they stepped up a gear in the second. Sturridge came on for a quiet Coutinho in the second half and instantly changed the game. A brilliant run ending with a great save from Cech from Gerrard’s shot almost saw the equalizer; minutes later he smashed the post which could’ve been one of the goals of the season.  Sturridge did however get what he deserved; a goal. A long ball was hit down by Jose Enrique and Downing’s lay-off set up Suarez whose beautiful cross found Sturridge who slotted home.  Liverpool’s joy didn’t last long as Chelsea was awarded a penalty. Suarez’s accidental handball was seen by referee Kevin Friend and Eden Hazard scored it sending Pepe Reina the other way. Suarez again was the villain because what he did next has sparked a lot of controversy. Suarez attempts to cut inside Ivanovic who dispossess him and Suarez then bit the Serbian. Ivanovic protested his views that he was bitten by Suarez but Kevin Friend waved play on. Liverpool were back to their best as the second half proceeded but couldn’t find the goal they needed. 90 minutes were played and a huge six minutes were added on for Liverpool to grab an equalizer. They did find the equalizer which was drenched in controversy; first the goal was scored 30 seconds over the time given and it was that man who was the taking all the headlines, Luis Suarez, who scored it. Daniel Sturridge this time the provider whose inch-perfect cross needed a touch from Suarez’s head to beat Petr Cech in the near post. That was the last kick (or head) of the game, which was highly controversial.

Liverpool (Sturridge 52’ Suarez 90’) 2-2 Chelsea (Oscar 26’ Hazard 57’ (pen))

Man of the Match: Daniel Sturridge: Just what Liverpool were slacking in the first half. He instantly changed the match for the Reds, almost setting up Gerrard for the equalizer and also hit the post. He was rewarded for a superb display with a goal and an assist.

Flop of the Match: Fernando Torres: You would expect the returning man pumped up for this fixture; instead it looked like he wanted to leave the pitch. Poor display from Torres even with his mask on.

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF-mEAubM1Y

Match Report: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City

Another important winner from Sergio Agüero sealed 3 points over title challengers Manchester United, is it enough though?
Last year Sergio Agüero sealed the league title for City with a fantastic winner; today he scored another brilliant goal this time to close the gap on United to 12 points. The match began with both teams sparring with each other, neither able to hit the knockout punch in the first half. James Milner came close with a shot from 20 yards saved by David De Gea. Moments before half-time Man United’s right back Rafael chipped shot beat Joe Hart but not the goal as it hit the woodwork. Like any old derby it was certainly heating up when Wayne Rooney’s challenge on Milner and further clashes between the players throughout.

Six minutes into the second half the most experienced player on the pitch, Ryan Giggs gifted Man City the ball with a poor attempted back heal which saw City capitalise through James Milner as his deflected shot beat De Gea. City well deserved the lead as they were dominant and all over United. However United woke up and seven minutes later they equalized. Robin Van Persie has been in a goal drought of late but he is still gaining the assists; his beautifully whipped in cross from a free kick found Phil Jones whose header was going wide deflected off the City captain, Vincent Kompany. Kompany, who scored the winner last year which was huge in the title race last year, may have knocked City out of it this year. Roberto Mancini had to win this one so he brought on the danger man Sergio Agüero. As usual he didn’t disappoint. 12 minutes from time, similar to the title winning goal last year versus QPR, he took on the whole defence before smashing it into the roof of the net, no keeper would’ve saved that never mind De Gea. Manchester United tried their best to get their equalizer but even with six additional minutes of ‘Fergie Time’ there was no time for a United goal.

City won on the night but it may be too late for them to have a chance at the title and Mancini did say that the title race is ‘finished’...or is it? Man Utd have Chelsea and Arsenal also Aston Villa and Stoke who are both looking to stay in the league, so there won’t be any easy games. Man City has to win every game to have a chance but I can’t see Man Utd losing 12 points so easily. It is City’s night but it’s United’s season.

Manchester United (Kompany OG 59’) 1-2 Manchester City (Milner 51’, Agüero 78’)

MAN OF THE MATCH: Gael Clichy: Agüero comes close to the award giving Man City the edge they needed but Clichy’s performance was brilliant. He helped City attack but also defended well too, keeping Rafael quiet.

Flop of the Match: Ryan Giggs: Simply shocking performance from a player so experienced. Nothing was going his way and the back heel which lead to City’s goal summed it all up for him.

Premier League set for a Relegation Grandstand Finish

As the Premier League season edges closer and closer towards the finishing line, the league title is pretty much wrapped up by Manchester United and the race for 3^rd and 4^th is proving to be a tough task for those who are competing, but the entertainment of the Premier League lies in the bottom of the table. The whole bottom half is not safe and each team can get relegated. For QPR and Reading who lie 19^th and 20^th with 23 points, seven off from safety look set to play Championship football next season. Reading who got promoted last season have games against Liverpool, Man City and a 6-pointer with QPR, it will be a tough task for the Royals to stay up. QPR can say goodbye to the Premier League as they have matches in which they are likely to lose from. They have Wigan this week who are also fighting relegation and Everton, who are looking for the Champions League spot. Furthermore the last month of the season sees them play Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool; all teams fighting for something this season, and it will be hard to earn points from them matches. Harry Redknapp has saved teams before but this year might not be his year.

Wigan Athletic, the team that goes through relegation battles annually and this year it looks as if they survive yet again. Every year they play poor throughout the season and in the last 2 months of the season they put the foot on the pedal and survive in style. Wigan have got tough teams to face but there showing last year beating Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool helping them survive and their recent class performances they can beat anyone on their day; if they believe. A trip to Wembley is also set for them which will give them a huge confidence boost if they reach their first FA Cup Final in the club’s history. My second favourite team after Liverpool is Aston Villa and sadly their Premier League status might come to an end. This season they have lost the experience and the leadership of the team, with Richard Dunne injured, Stiliyan Petrov recovering from Leukaemia and Darren Bent unknown, there’s no class or quality in the squad. They have got Christian Benteke to lead the team and his goals are helping them but he can’t do it all the time as he hasn’t got the quality to support him. They have got some quality such as Agbonlahor and Weimann but they can’t perform consistently also the defence is shocking and concedes too many from situations where they shouldn’t be conceded from.  In the last seven matches they play Man Utd and Chelsea and many teams like Villa eager to find precious points such as Wigan and Sunderland. To play in the Premier League you need to have the quality and Aston Villa doesn’t have that quality. Sunderland who have recently appointed Paulo Di Canio as their new manager, are in trouble too. Couple of months ago you wouldn’t imagine Sunderland in the relegation battle, but times have changed, teams such as Southampton and Wigan are escaping the ‘abyss’ whereas Sunderland are entering it at the wrong time too. The sacking of Martin O’Neil has made things worse for Sunderland as it has definitely lowered the morale in the team which will have an effect on the results they will receive. The teams they have for the next seven games are all looking for something at the end of the season. They face Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton who are all combating for a Champions League spot and they face Southampton, Stoke and Newcastle who aren’t safe yet. There’s no doubting the quality of Sunderland’s squad but the mentality of the squad just don’t know how to win games at the moment, that has to change if they want Premier League football next season.

No team in the bottom half is safe and the next seven games will confirm the three teams who will play in the Championship next season. The remaining games must be won as a draw or a loss is unacceptable. I can’t see Reading and QPR staying up unless ‘Harry Houdini’ pulls a rabbit out of the hat we shall see, but who will join them? I believe that Aston Villa will get relegated; unfortunately they don’t have the quality and belief to stay up. But knowing the Premier League who knows what will happen, we could even see Newcastle relegated after such a fabulous season they had last year. We will wait and see what the Premier League has in mind in the next couple of weeks.