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.

Manchester United locks up 19th EPL title

After drawing 1-1 at Blackburn, Manchester United clinched their record 19th English Premier League title. After being down 1-0, (Following an early goal by Brett Emerton) Wayne Rooney knocked home a penalty kick and tied it up where it would finish and give the Red Devils the point they needed for the title. Midfielder Ryan Giggs, who has played on Manchester United since 1991, won his 12th title with the club and said “Twenty years ago we were nowhere near Liverpool, it’s great credit to the club, the manager and the players and it’s a good feeling to be ahead of our greatest rivals.” It has been a great season for Manchester United and with the EPL locked up, they will turn theyr focus towards Barcelona and the UEFA Champions League final.

Darren

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

Carlos Tevez wants out of Manchester City?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=852780&sec=transfers&cc=5901

Manchester City star Carlos Tevez wants out after a little over a year with the club. Up to date, Tevez has scored 33 goals in 50 games with the club, including 10 in 15 games this season. Tevez is one of the world’s best strikers, but controversy is nothing foreign to the Argentinian. First was his bitter ending with Corinthians when he refused to play and forced a transfer (Tevez ended up with West Ham). Then there was a transfer issure when leaving West Ham to Manchester United as FIFA was needed to be brought in to make a ruling. Now Tevez has handed the club a hand written transfer request, citing family reasons and a breakdown in “relationship with certain executives and individuals at the club.” Some speculation is Tevez is eyeing Real Madrid, Barcelona and a couple top teams from Serie A in Italy.

Barcelona and Real Madrid would both be good fits for Tevez. Real Madrid is in need of another striker as Gonzalo Higuain is out with a back injury, Karim Benzema has been very inconsistent, and Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo were once teammates at Manchester United. Barcelona would be a good fit as they have fellow Argentinians Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Milito for Tevez to play with. Whoever lands Tevez (If anyone), will receive a heck of a player, who can burn defenses and reign terror on opposing goalkeepers. I think Tevez gets transferred, but in my opinion it will only be between maybe 5 or 6 teams as he will carry a hefty price tag that many squads won’t be willing to pay.

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

Landon Donovan rips David Beckham?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=658604&sec=mls&cc=5739&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_4301727

This is a joke. Landon Donovan ripping David Beckham? PLEASE!!! Since when has Landon Donovan even been able to hold a candle to Becks w/ his skillset? If I remember correctly Beckham has been a superstar for years while playing for European powerhouses (Man. U & Mardid), while Donovan couldnt even get off the bench. Sure he’s had success in the MLS, but the MLS is the biggest joke of a league. You wanna know the reason for Becks lack of enthusiasm for playing in LA? He’s BORED! I said it before he ever came here. When you go from playing with/against guys like Roberto Carlos,Ronaldo,Rooney,Henry, & Campbell to playing with guys like Donovan,Gonzalez,Kovalenko, and Patterson? I’d be bored too.

A guy like Beckham needs to be pushed and challenged. The MLS does not have the talent pool to do either for Becks and it shows by his play on the pitch. If someone relevant criticised Beckham then maybe I would listen. But Landon Donovan is pretty irrelevant outside the U.S. to where Beckham carries weight all over the world. Those who dont follow soccer would say things like “Landons scored more goals in international play and in league.” Ok, your point is? Landon is a striker and Beckham is a midfielder. He SHOULD have more goals than Beckham. Plus Beckham is a better all around player and he sets hit guys up to score and usually takes his team deeper in tourneys than Donovan. Has Landon ever won a La Liga title? A FA Cup? A Premier league title? A UEFA Champions league title? I DONT THINK SO!!!

In closing I must say that Landon does have guts to go out and call out a superstar like Beckham but in reality nobody of relevance is paying attention. In my opinion I thinks its jealousy, bitterness, and inmaturity on Donovans part. Someone that hasnt done anything worth mentioning in the sport should definately call out one of the best players of all-time. Lets hope Beckham goes back to AC Milan and plays the way we all know he can.

Darren