Monday, February 9, 2009

The sack

The dole(unemployment) line got a little longer in England, after Chelsea sacked Big Phil Scolari. The news was a big shock, with Scolari having been in charge for only seven months. Fergie expressed his shock, and said that "there is absolutely no patience in the world right
 now." He's right.

Scolari's reign at Chelsea had a strange start, when his appointment was announced while he was still coaching Portugal at EuroCup. A dramatic transfer window ensued, with a number of players linked with a Jose Mourinho reunion at Inter Milan. Those moves never materialized, and the only players who came in were Bosingwa and Deco. Scolari singled out Chelsea's inability to sign Robinho as a big failure, and his attempt to rejuvenate the squad. Chelsea's squad was built for a 4-5-1, and Scolari's 4-3-3 had square pegs fitting into round holes. Essien, Lampard, Ballack and Deco are all more comfortable in the center of the pitch, while Drogba plays best with his back to goal. He was also unlucky with injuries, losing Terry, Carvalho, Essien, Drogba, Cole and Malouda for extended periods. This led to their position in fourth place, after finishing in the top two for the past five season, the end of their streak at Stamford Bridge, and Scolari's dismissal.

It appears the decision came from Abramovich, and he must have been rather confident to pay Scolari £12  to go away. With their Champions League tie against Juventus coming up, and an FA Cup match against Watford, Abramovich decided a new coach was needed for the Cup runs. Who will be the coach is a hot question, with Hiddink and Mancini already linked, while Grant could make a surprise return. Abramovich had wanted "beautiful football(soccer)", but now is
 the time for results. Chelsea need a coach that can work with their current roster, and after three coaches in 18 months, they need stability.

In other, much less surprising news(excepting the man himself), Tony Adams was sacked by Portsmouth. Pompey have taken a nosedive since the departure of 'Ansome 'Arry 'Oudini. They are only a point above the drop, and have won only two of their last sixteen matches. Much of their problems are financial, and they've sold off Muntari, Diarra and Defoe. There is still enough quality that they shouldn't be dragged into a relegation battle with the likes of Stoke, West Brom and Middlesbrough. Saturday's 3-2 loss to Liverpool was a bitter pill to swallow, after they blew two leads, and choked hard in the last ten minutes. Given their place in the table, and financial constraints, it will be interesting who they can get in.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Recap


I think the Premiership is divided into those who like Manchester United and those who don't. They've put together an incredible run in football(soccer), as the other teams just can't seem to score (like my friends without alcohol). 

Manchester United defeated West Ham 1-0, when Ryan Giggs found the net with his right(weaker) foot. It was their 13th consecutive clean sheet in the Prem, and Van Der Sar hasn't conceded for 1,212 minutes. The Dutchman has the record, and United are now top by two, with a game in hand. West Ham played valiantly at home, but it wasn't enough.

Liverpool staged two comebacks, and Torres headed them to second place in a 3-2 victory over Portsmouth. The first hour was quiet, but then Nugent and Crouch linked up well for the opener. Aurelio put away an indirect free kick in the bottom corner, before Belhadj's free kick beat the credit crunch to find Hreidarsson's head. Kuyt then drilled David James' cookie jar, before Torres against snuck in at the front post, and his header did as well. Rafa's rotation is in full effect, as Kuyt, Torres and Xabi Alonso all came in off the bench. Gerrard's absence through injury was obvious, but Torres saved Rafa from answering some awkward questions over Keane.

Aston Villa defeated Blackburn 2-0 to move into third place. It was Villa's league leading tenth win on the road, and Allardyce's first loss at Blackburn. Milner opened the scoring in the 27th minute, when he played his way into the box on a short corner and showed off his (weaker) left foot. Friedel didn't have a shot to stop, but it took until the 90th minute for Villa to grab their second, thanks to Agbonlahor. Carew came off the bench, and Villa are almost fully fit, and a dangerous proposition.

Chelsea sputtered to a 0-0 with Hull, and Scolari does not seem at home in London. Hilario had one save to make, while Chelsea couldn't make anything of their possession and chances. Chelsea are 7 points bag, and the Champs still have a game in hand. It might be time to start focusing on other silverware, as they have a hard time coalescing and the pressure is mounting. Hull needed the point and fought for it.

Emmanuel Eboue got himself sent off in the first half, and this North London derby ended 0-0. Eboue got two yellows for petulance, and each team wasted a couple of good chances. Keane wore
 the captain's armband for Spurs, while Arshavin never got off the bench for the Gunners. Wenger seemed satisfied after the game, but they sit in fifth place, and are five points back of a Champions League qualifying position. There are already suggestions of a mass exodus if they don't finish in the top four, and they need some more class if they're going to move up the table.

Everton defeated Bolton 3-0, as they continue their creep up the table. Jo sparkled in his debut for the club, and was involved in all three goals. He was brought down in the box, which Arteta converted, then scored with some Brazilian flair, and grabbed his second on a penalty. Megson was displeased, but Everton just showed that they are an echelon above the Wanderers.

Wigan and Fulham had a defensive stalemate, as they drew 0-0. Fulham squandered a couple chances, but this was a likely outcome from two of the better defensive sides.

Manchester City defeated Middlesbrough 1-0, to squeak into the top half of the table. Mark Hughes was made to look smart for once, when Craig Bellamy netted the winner in the 51st minute. Shay Given is already looking like a good buy, while Boro can't seem to buy a goal and sit joint bottom. 

Sunderland defeated Stoke 2-0, in the candy cane derby. Etherington got himself sent off, and Jones put Sunderland ahead(er) in the 78th minute. David Healy opened his account in the 90th, and Stoke are stuck in the drop zone. It's hard to see what they can do to survive, other than hope some other teams suck it up.

Joe Kinnear had to go to the hospital before Newcastle's match, but the Geordies responded with a 3-2 win over West Brom. Duff scored in the second minute, until Fortune leveled in the fourth minute. New signing Lovenkrands gave Newcastle the lead five minutes later, while Taylor converted a free header just before half-time. Fortune grabbed his second in the 73rd minute, but that was it for the Baggies.