Cristiano, Real Madrid defeat Barcelona, all but lock up La Liga title

In a huge Clasico, Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid defeated Barcelona at the Nou Camp 2-1 to all but lock up the La Liga title. The was Madrid’s first at the Nou Camp since 2007, and manager Jose Mourinho’s first career win in 10 visits to the legendary stadium. The scoring opened when Sami Khedira scored a goal off a corner in the 17th minute. The Catalans would pull one back when Alexis Sanchez would tally one in the 70th but a mere three minutes later, Cristiano ran onto a beautiful Mesut Ozil pass and smacked it passed Victor Valdes at an angle from the right.

With the win, it increased Madrid’s lead in the table to seven points with four games remaining. If everything stands pat, it would end Barcelona’s three year run as La Liga champions. It’s been a great run of form from Madrid this season, and with Cristiano breaking his own record for scoring, seemingly everything has gone right in the league this year for Madrid.

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.

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.

Cristiano needs stitches; Real wins 1-0

Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory but their star winger Cristiano Ronaldo required stitches in his ankle following the match with Dinamo Zangreb. Cristiano called the referee’s performance “shameful” and when asked why other players seem to go after him much he said, “I think it’s because I’m rich, handsome and a great player. They envy me – there’s no other explanation.” Real’s left back Marcelo was sent off during the game and assistant Aitor Karanka said, “It’s worrying to see Marcelo was sent off when Cristiano Ronaldo is receiving stitches in the dressing room. All players should be equally protected.” I agree with Karanka and it is obvious when some refs are biased against a team or player. FIFA needs to start punishing these refs and/or get some new ones in because a player should not be receiving stitches after a game, whether its Cristiano or a youth player.

Cristiano Ronaldo ties La Liga record

After tallying another brace yesterday vs Villareal, Cristiano Ronaldo tied La Liga’s all time season scoring record of 38 goals held by Athletic Bilbao’s Telmo Zarra in 1950-51 and Real Madrid’s own Hugo Sanchez back in 1989-90. It has been amazing season for Cristiano, and now that he has locked up the Pichichi award, (Given to the top goal scorer in league play), CR7 will be looking to tally one more in Madrid’s final game next week against Almeria to hold the record alone. Arguably the best player in the world, the isn’t much on the pitch Ronaldo can’t do and after this magnificent seaosn, Ronaldo will have La Liga title and Champions League titles on his agenda for 2011-12. Congrats Cristiano Ronaldo you are an amazing footballer and I wish you luck next week against Almeria.

Darren

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

Ocho Cinco to play in reserve team game for Kansas City

With the NFL lockout going on, Chad Ocho Cinco has revisited a sport he said he preferred over the one he plays. Ocho Cinco has gone on record and said that he preferred Euro football, or soccer as we know it in America, over American football and has gone to Sporting Kansas City to tryout. On Wednesday he started out on a four day trial and today was asked to play Monday against the Kansas City Brass, a minor league soccer team. “There a lot of people who question how serious I am about it. But for those who know me, who know my background, this is where it all started,” he said. Ocho Cinco has drawn criticism from coach Marvin Lewis which resulted in Chad snapping back on Twitter, and Packers Tight End Jermichael Finley called him a “clown.” In my opinion Chad is going about things the right way and should be applauded for staying active and not sitting back hoping for the NFL lockout to disappear.I’d personally love to see Chad play well with Kansas City and once the NFL lockout ends, whenever that may be, he’ll be more than ready to go.

Darren

Ronaldo has officially retired from football

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6120565/lack-fitness-led-retirement-18-seasons

Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima has officially retired from professional football after a tremendous that lasted 18 years. Ronaldo started his senior career with Cruzeiro in 1993 and would play for PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan and would finish his career in his native Brasil, playing for Corinthians. Ronaldo did everything in his career any player would dream about. Winning two FIFA World Cups with Brasil, three FIFA Player of the Year awards, numerous league titles, scoring titles and countless individual awards, Ronaldo is on everyones list of all-time greats and is arguably the greatest striker to play the game. Ronaldo not only did wonderful things for his club teams, (352 goals in 515 appearances), but he also was a masterful with Brasil. Along with his two World Cup titles, Ronaldo has the record for most all-time World Cup goals with 15 to his tally and has scored 62 goals in 97 caps for the squad.

Ultimately Ronaldo will be remembered for multiple reasons. Not only will he be rememebered for all the great goals he scored, the water like fluidness of his “silks”, but also he’ll be rememebered with the “What if?” factor. Hard to believe with a guy with so much on his resume. Ronaldo suffered three severe knee injuries during the course of his career and still came back every time and competed at a high level. Ronaldo’s mental toughness along with his physically was seemingly unmatched by anyone before, during, or after his prime. Ronaldo was always one of the biggest and fastest players in the world which resulted in countless mismatches. Teams would often send multiple defenders after him and many times he either shook em off and kept going, or he found a teammate in open space to get another goal for his team. It will be strange not seeing El Fenomeno no longer on the pitch, but the memories he’s left us are amazing.

To Ronaldo, Thank you for everything you’ve done for the sport, and personally I thank you for being a great person to look up to. I’m glad I have a hero like you who played the game with passion, respect, honor and integrity.

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