Rooney, Man U come back to draw with Chelsea

Chelsea and Manchester United played the match of the year Sunday at Stamford Bridge. After an Evans own goal gave Chelsea the lead going into the break, Chelsea came out on fire in the second half. Just 27 seconds in, Fernando Torres sent in a cross from the right wing and found Juan Mata for a beauty of a volley into the back of the net. A mere four minutes later, Mata sent a free kick in from the right side, finding the Brasilian David Luiz, who headed the ball off Rio Ferdinand’s shoulder into the back of the net for a 3-0 lead.

Looking like it was a sure loss, Manchester United fought back. After Daniel Sturridge’s foul on Patrice Evra in the box, referee Howard Webb pointed to the spot and awarded a penalty kick. Wayne Rooney calmly stepped up and buried it top left past Petr Cech and the comeback was on. Nine minutes later, striker Danny Welbeck was fouled by Ivanovic in the box, leading to another chance at the spot being awarded to United. This time Rooney would place it to the right, once again getting Cech going the wrong way, and all of a sudden it was 3-2 Chelsea.

After constant pressure on the Chelsea back line, United would get the ball in the box, and Rooney would drive a shot that would be parried away by Cech, only to find the left foot of the ageless Ryan Giggs who would calmly set up and chip the ball into the middle to find the head of an open Chicharito. Leaping high and smashing the header, Chicharito would score the equalizer with six minutes of regular time remaining. Chelsea fans were stunned and United fans were elated. But the drama wouldn’t end there…

After a United foul, Mata would once again be set up with a set piece on the right wing again, a perfect spot for a lefty. Mata would bend it in brilliantly toward the upper right, only for the highly criticized keeper David de Gea to make a world class save at the last second to keep the draw intact. It was for me, match of the year as both squads played well in a back and forth match. In my opinion, the Man of the Match award goes to Rooney for converting both attempts from the penalty spot and being an instrumental part of the United attack all match long. Juan Mata also deserves much praise for his game as well.

Papiss Cisse scores game winner in debut

Newcastle took on Aston Villa in a Premier League showdown today and it was a very good match to the end. Battling for that 4th place in the table, Newcastle was in need of three points and they got them by a player making his club debut. Coming on in the 14th minute after an injury to Leon Best, Papiss Cisse, making his club debut, watched his fellow Senaglese National teammate Demba Ba score the opening goal in the match in the 30th. After Robbie Keane would equalize just before the break, Newcastle put pressure on The Villa until the 71st minute when Papiss Cisse caught a left footed volley outside the box and drilled it in the upper left corner past Shay Given. The goal was not only the first of hopefully many for Cisse, but also the match winner, giving the Magpies the three points they needed in the table. This goal will surely be in the highlights all week long, and it’s a candidate for goal of the week.

Thierry Henry returning to Arsenal

Three weeks ago Thierry Henry was honored with a bronze statue outside Arsenal’s stadium. Fast forward three weeks and the greatest player in club history will be returning on a two month loan. From 1999-2007, Henry scored a club record 226 goals, a number he’s sure to add to. Manager Arsene Wenger is ready for Henry’s experience to come in and be a factor for the club, especially with Gervinho and Chamakh leaving for the African Nations cup in the near future. ”To cover for two months is ideal,” Wenger said. “He has the experience and the quality. He knows the club and can help the players on and off the pitch.”

Henry returning could be a boost to Dutchman Robin van Persie, who has been on a tear for the Gunners. At 34, Henry isn’t what he used to be, but is still feared by many defenders and keepers as he can still score inside and outside the box and with both feet. If Henry comes in and helps the Gunners in their Champions League matches, many people will be ecstatic.

One other thing that comes to mind with Henry’s return is jersey number. Current wingman Theo Walcott wears the 14 shirt that Henry once donned. Will Henry take back the number during this two month stint or will he wear another jersey? The number twelve could be an option as the Frenchman wore that during his illustrious International career. We will see most likely on Jan 9th as that will probably be Henry’s return match as Arsenal played Leeds United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.

Jermaine Pennant’s Aston Martin

Stoke City midfielder Jermaine Pennant decided to make sure he’s seen when riding around by getting his $200,000 Aston Martin DBS chrome painted. Not one to shy away from a camera or tabloids, (See past girlfriend issues and cars), Pennant has played in 24 matches for Stoke this year, with having four assists, three coming in Europa League play. Pennant has played all over over his career (Which started in 1998 with Notts County) and has been a solid, albeit troubled midfielder. The car looks fly but it’s time to turn his attention to his form and tear up the pitch for Stoke in the Premiership.

Rooney, Man United beat City in the derby

The Manchester derby between United and City is always a war and todays was no different. With the scoreline at 1-1, Nani controlled the ball on the right wing and sent a cross and Wayne Rooney leaped up and performed a well timed bicyle kick and nailed the ball past City keeper Joe Hart into the top corner to give United the 2-1 lead. United would end up winning by that same score. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson toasted to the game winner, scored by longtime Red Devil Wayne Rooney, and stated it was the greatest goal ever in Old Trafford.  The goal will definately go down as one the greatest in team history, as well as Premiership and soccer history. A simply amazing goal by Wayne Rooney, and a tough loss for Manchester City.

Darren

Torres ineffective, Chelsea falls to Liverpool

In his first outing as a Chelsea player, Fernando Torres faced off with his old club Liverpool and it didn’t go according to plan. The man many, including myself, thought was transferred for a ridiculous fee didn’t make much of an impact on the game. Only taking two shots, Torres was subbed off in the 65th minute and was forced to watch as Liverpool’s Raul Meireles scored a goal minutes later to give the Reds the victory.

I know it’s only the first game but when you are transferred for $80 million, you need to make an impact immediatly. Is Torres fully fit? Did Liverpool intentionally transfer him to a Premiership foe? Questions like these will be asked until Torres displays the skills that have made him one of the world’s best strikers. Chelsea will either hit the jackpot with Torres or go bankrupt and aren’t off to a great start.

Darren

Red Devil trouble?

When the words Manchester and United come together, your’e talking about one the greatest clubs in football (soccer) history. One that has seen the likes of Cantona, Beckham, Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs do some unbelievable things on the pitch. Another player, striker Wayne Rooney, has done some amazing things but yet has had alot of “baggage” along with him. Once a top flight striker for Everton, Rooney came over to Man U in 2004 for a heavy fee. Rooney has scored 92 goals in 193 appearances and has helped his team win three Premiership titles, two League Cups, two FA Community Shields and a UEFA Champions League title.

Of late however, there have been many rumors and speculation in regards to the 25 yr old. Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Man U, came out and confirmed reports that Rooney wants out of Manchester United and will not sign a new contract with the club. The rumored landing spots for Ronney have been Real Madrid (Alongside former Red Devil teammate Cristiano Ronaldo), Chelsea and Manchester City, Ronney’s preferred next club. This whole episode seems eerily similar to when Rooney left Everton for Manchester United so many years ago. So what’s the problem? Is it Rooney? Is it Ferguson? Or is it both? In my opinion, even as both a fan of Rooney and Man U, I believe it’s mostly Ronney’s. Playing poorly, or in some cases not at all, Rooney has seen his level of play drop and hasn’t been that same lethal striker we’ve grown accustomed to over the past eight years. Rooney needs to find his form before he asks for more money or a transfer as well as keeping himself out of the newspapers. Manchester United has two options in this case: One is to sell off Rooney now and allow Chicharito and Berbatov start alongside each other, or to keep Rooney and hope the Liverpool native returns to form and helps them win the Premiership. I think Rooney will be held onto, despite Real Madrid,Barcelonaand Chelsea having deep pockets.

Darren

FIFA to censor replays?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5335440/ce/us/fifa-censor-stadium-replays?cc=5901&ver=us

After many poor calls in the 2010 World Cup so far, FIFA is going to start censoring replays shon inside the stadium after replays fueled an argument during the Argentina/Mexico showdown on Sunday. Carlos Tevez of Argentina scored a goal off of a header and appeared to be offsides. No call was made and Argentina took the lead and never looked back. Mexican players protested with the referee but to no avail. After replays were shown, the fans showed their disgust in the non call which only made things worse. It wasn’t the first bad call of the tournament nor will it be it’s last. Being a referee in any sport is difficult as a simple human error or disagreement could cost a team to lose and be eliminated from the tournament. Offsides in soccer is one the most toughest calls in all of sports to make and it has shown so far in the tournament with more than a couple missed calls, some resulting in goals. I think censoring the replays only help the referee and the sport to a certain degree. The ref will still be under heavy media scrutiny if a bad call is made, especially with as much television coverage there is worldwide. The paying fans in the stadium also deserve a full replay because not only are they paying money for their tickets, but also because they should be able to have a second look as to what happened or should have happened. I think this is a no win situation for FIFA and some will be happy with it while others wont be. Lets hope we can get a little more consistency with the calls for the rest of the tournament.

Darren

David Beckham likely to miss World Cup

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/4995401/ce/us/david-beckham-heads-finland-surgery-torn-achilles-tendon-likely-miss-world-cup&cc=5901?ver=us

World Class midfielder David Beckham is likely to miss the World Cup after a torn achillies tendon. England’s longtime captain, Beckham is headed to Finland to get operated on and hopes to have a quick recovery. In 3 World Cups for his country, Beckham has 13 caps and 3 goals, one in each World Cup he’s appeared in. This injury is a big blow to England as they face off with the United States to open up the Cup. Hopefully “Becks” can heal quickly but I highly doubt we will see him bend any soccer balls in the 2010 World Cup.

Darren