Last Week in La Liga Ingles
With the rest of Europe quiet, Our Bloke Oliver checks in with videos from England’s top flight. Jake (currently suffering from exhaustion) will return next week with many basketball-related posts.
This week in the English Premier League
by OBO
As the winter break for La Liga deprives us of some quality football, at least we can thank our lucky stars for the English Premier Leagues gluttony of games over the xmas period. Lots of action this week from the busiest period in British football and lots of good highlights for you as well.
After two rounds of games over the holiday period Manchester Utd extend their lead at the top to four points, after Chelsea’s disappointing ‘Boxing Day’ draw with Reading. Meanwhile Arsenal picked up six points and move to third, thanks to Liverpool’s 1-0 loss to Blackburn
Lets check out the big four and their round of results
Man Utd
Aston Villa 0-3 Man Utd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHCFQbwKjLQ&eurl=
Man Utd 3-1 Wigan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHCFQbwKjLQ&eurl=
Great ‘weekend’ for Man Utd as they extend their lead at the top to four points. Two good performances against solid, workmanlike opposition from the Red Devils, with ‘winker’ Ronaldo the star of the show in both. The Portuguese winger was once again at his fleet footed best, scoring four goals in two games and really making the difference, after his introduction at half time against Wigan, as he struck twice within five minutes to top off a 3-1 win. This weekend was once again proof of the incredible growth, this season of the player on and off the field. It seemed unlikely to anyone who watched, with dismay, his theatrics last season that Ronaldo would mature into the player he has become. It’s a testament to his inner strength that he has managed to deal with the turmoil, (death threats and continued hatred from fans across the country) related to his part in England’s loss at the World Cup, yet managed to come back, not only a better player, but more mature. As you can see from the videos there is no doubt that has been United’s best player this year and may well be the reason why the Red’s sit atop the Premier League this Christmas instead of Chelsea.
Chelsea
Wigan 2-3 Chelsea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH7cuR2At-M&eurl=
Chelsea 2-2 Reading http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8-JLc0_kXQ&eurl
Are the wheels coming off the Russian funded juggernaut? Chelsea left it until the 92nd minute for Dutch international, Arjen Robben to score the winner at Wigan and then dropped points at home to over achieving Reading. Without John Terry at the back, Chelsea has looked flimsy of late and with his return unlikely until the end of the month Chelsea may need to spend when the transfer window opens in January. Chelsea has been linked with a $40 million swoop for teenage sensation, Micah Richards to plug-up the backline and Valencia’s prolific hitman, (check Jake’s past column’s for the proof) David Villa has been targeted to replace Andriy Shevchenko, who is severely lacking in confidence, and may well be loaned back to Milan next month. Finding help for Didier Drogba seems to be a goal for Jose Mourinho as the powerful forward from the Ivory Coast has shouldered a broad weight this term, sitting atop the goal scoring chart and needs some help. Summer signing, Salomon Kalou could be the long term solution. However he is young and inexperienced and it appears Mourinho is willing to spend now, in a bid to gain his third successive Premier League Title. Whatever happens, something needs to change at Stamford Bridge and with the ‘special one’ in charge you can guarantee this will be the case.
Arsenal
Arsenal 6-2 Blackburn http://youtube.com/watch?v=Fz2pNn0eTHA
Watford 1-2 Arsenal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GYDMGyMins&eurl=
Two good performances from Arsenal as the youngsters showed their unlimited potential, drubbing Blackburn, and then knuckled down to beat a spirited Watford team, away from home. Are the Gunners finally starting to show the consistency to challenge Chelski and Manchester United at the top? The performances of youngsters Fabregas, Van Persie and Adebayor and the experienced captaincy of Gilberto Silva, were inspiring over the holidays and things are starting to look up for the Thierry Henry’less Gunners. In fact the man himself is due back in the New Year and I expect both him and the club to be revitalized and ready to put together a good run of results.
Liverpool
Liverpool 2-0 Watford
Blackburn 1-0 Liverpool http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl0gbvlx-RY&eurl=
Mixed weekend for the red half of Liverpool, they played efficiently against Watford and won, then battered Blackburn but somehow lost. Liverpool were dominant against Rovers and could have had four or five, but their high scoring antics of recent weeks came to an end thanks to Benni McCarthy’s tenth goal of the season and a series of brilliant saves from American, keeper Brad Friedel. The scouse drop to sixth after their loss and with a tough schedule ahead, including Tottenham and fourth place Bolton, fans at Anfield will be hoping things don’t get any worse.
Other Results –
Here’s the round up of all of the rest of the games played over this Christmas period- with all the highlights I could find
Dec 22nd
Fulham 0-0 West Ham
Man City 0-2 Bolton
Middlesbrough 2-0 Charlton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn1ku45V68k&eurl=
Newcastle 3-1 Tottenham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vylvsGCoVFY&eurl=
Portsmouth 3-1 Sheffield United
Reading 0-2 Everton
Dec 26th
Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20IA8nndcSk&eurl=
West Ham 1-2 Portsmouth- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FST6SSFnzeM&eurl=
Bolton 2-1 Newcastle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3fnJBCLDRg&eurl=
Everton 0-0 Middlesbrough
Sheffield United 0-1 Manchester City
Dec 27th
Charlton 2-2 Fulham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkfmqBUq39M&eurl=
Goal of the Week- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ukquCzx64
Paul Scholes scorcher against Villa, perfect example of how to strike a football
Performance of the Week-
Christiano Ronaldo was sublime with two goals in each of Manchester’s games this week he takes the award
Team of the Season (so far)
With the season half way through let’s have a look at my premiership select so far, the players that have excelled and helped their clubs with their contributions
FIRST XI
Goalkeeper
Jussi Jaaskelainen- Bolton
Defence
Matty Taylor- Portsmouth
John Terry- Chelsea
Sol Campbell- Portsmouth
Jamie Carragher- Liverpool
Midfield
Joey Barton- Manchester City
Gilberto Silva- Arsenal
Mikel Arteta- Everton
Christiano Ronaldo- Manchester United
Attack
Didier Drogba- Chelsea
Nwankwo Kanu
Plenty of talking points there- Bolton are right at the top of the table and much of that is due to the excellence of their goalkeeper. The defence is all English, with two Portsmouth stars, England captain Terry and consistently, consistent scouser, Jamie Carragher. In midfield I have gone for solidity with tough tackling twosome Joey Barton and Arsenal’s lynchpin Gilberto Silva winged by the flash of Ronaldo and Mikel Arteta. Up front, the results speak for themselves. Chelsea’s Drogba and Portsmouth’s Kanu sit atop the goal scorers chart closely followed by Man Utd’s Louis Saha, who didn’t make the team due to his inconsistency.
POI
This week I want to concentrate on the best forward in the premiership in the last decade, Thierry Henry…….. Somehow Henry didn’t win the world footballer of the year award this year, despite taking Arsenal to the Champion’s League final and France to the World Cup final. His speed, grace and skill are a joy to watch and despite a slow start and some injuries this year, I fully expect Henry to be back to his dazzling best when he returns sometime in January. So let’s see what Arsenal, the English league and world football are missing at the moment. As far as I’m concerned it doesn’t get any better, the world’s best player in action right here.
Thierry Henry videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U63U9M9VXgQ&eurl= (shorter one)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAWiV_CrfkU&mode=related&search= (for the connoisseur)
27 Responses to “Last Week in La Liga Ingles”
Dec.30 at 9:55 am
BETCATS says:
Thierry Henry got ripped off
Dec.30 at 9:55 am
BETCATS says:
oh and FIRST ha ha ha haters
Dec.30 at 11:15 am
Oliver says:
damn right henry got ripped off-
cannavaro has been poor for Madrid and his team last year got relegated (altho not his or any other players fault)
Henry has been brilliant for years and deserved it but once again got screwed over
makes me sick
oh and here’s last weeks Everton game against Reading (2-0 to Everton)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gB6P0PVPk0
Dec.30 at 1:24 pm
Waters says:
Henry is amazing, ut what can he do without Zidane in the midfield at the international level - for that matter what can France do without Zidane? Henry has scored goals for France, but very rarely played a truly dazzling game.
Dec.31 at 12:20 pm
Waters says:
Also, anyone know where one can download full games? I hate going to a sports bar and asking for soccer on the TV.
Jan.1 at 12:42 pm
Oliver says:
waters
look up a thing called sopcast
download it and then go to www.football4less.com and look up the ’schedules’ you can see wat channel and wat games (english, Spanish, german, Italian)
are on ‘tv’ (internet tv from china) for you to watch - there are at least one or two every day
tomorrow for instance is Arsenal against charlton
Jan.1 at 12:46 pm
Oliver says:
Also a good point about thierry henry
BUT France often pay him alone up front and a different style to Arsenal- to play as well as Henry does for France is fairly impressive seeing as they do pretty much nothing to accomodate his talents and instead build around a classic attacking middie (Zidane and now most likely Ribery)
He used to be quite poor for France but thats not the case anymore- the last few years i think he has put to bed any doubts about his ability to play well for his country- now i just want him playin well for Arsenal again
Jan.1 at 2:41 pm
Waters says:
I think France either has to accomodate to the talents of Henry or become a good team, but not a World Cup winning caliber team. You build around your best player, and with Zidane gone, that is now Henry. Face it, Ribery is a good player, but far far FAR from Zidane. I am looking forward to Euro 2008 to see what does happen with France.
Jan.1 at 2:44 pm
Waters says:
Also, in his prime who would you take…henry or bergkamp?
Jan.1 at 4:41 pm
Oliver says:
Im an Arsenal fan so have grown up watching both but i would have to say Henry no doubt- Dennis was great. But he could never do what Henry does- for me Henry is the best forward in the world and although Bergie was good i dont think he was ever (at least in my mind) the best- hows that link worked out for you>?
Jan.1 at 5:50 pm
Waters says:
I will definetely use that link, I am more looking for places to downlaod games(I much rather enjoy putting them on dvd and watching on a TV). On a side note, yesterday GolTV had the last 2 or 3 years of real Madrid vs. barelona on last night. Watching those games reminds me just how damn good Ronaldhino really is, and how far Roberto Carlos has fallen. It was awesome, until around 11:15 when they shut the April (October?) 2006 damn game off to switch to the Jack Van Imp hour (bible basher). Growing up stateside it has always been hard for me to get soccer games on TV, but I grew up cheering for Arsenal too (mostly because of Bergkamp), but I don’t think you could go wrong with any player. is it true that Bergkamp was afraid of flying and never took a team plane? I have heard rumors that he would take a train or drive to games instead of flying, is that true?
Jan.1 at 9:11 pm
Oliver says:
Yeah Ronaldinho is awesome - wish i had goltv………..
And its true about bergkamp- he was on a plane as a young player when there was some heavy turbulance and due to this he point blank refused to go on a plane again- Arsenal could have done with him in the late 90’s and early 00’s as he couldn’t get to some of the away games as they were to far away- was a nightmare for us at times
As for the download thing- no idea- if anyone has any ideas let us know-
but the sopcast thing is the stuff- in English and has all of the top teams playin every week (i cant afford satelite here so its how i watch a lot of the games if im not at the pub)
Jan.1 at 9:16 pm
Waters says:
Yeah, try going to a sports bar in Virginia and getting soccer on. It is almost like I asked some girl if she is happy with the size of her ass. I will look at sopcast, just hope I can make it home in time for some games. I know some people use Bit Torrent, but I am not sure exactly how well that works.
Jan.2 at 12:00 pm
Oliver says:
comiserations on that- I had Bittorrent for a while to download american football games- (my problem is i cant watch my favourite US sports) downloaded last yr’s Rose bowl and haven’t used it again since because it took so damn long the first time
Jan.2 at 3:42 pm
Waters says:
You might have just gotten someone on a slow connection. I was trying to use mIRC to download games, but I can not find any soccer channels (or at least none where I can download). I might try using Bit Torrent just to see what happens. Chances are you just got someone on a slow connection. Do you cheer for the England National team? If so, best of luck.
Jan.3 at 9:53 am
oliver says:
Sort of
Im half English/half welsh
Ill cheer wales over england but ill cheer england over anybody else- as Wales r awful im basicaly stuck supporting England in major tournaments
mind u - england aren’t much better
Jan.3 at 7:14 pm
Waters says:
On the bright side if wales and England went to penalty kicks you know Wales would win. I am from America, but I cheer for them to LOSE. One good World Cup and suddenly everyone loves socer, until the US shows what asses they are. MLS needs to stop being in existence, players want to play in MLS as opposed to going overseas and actually having to work hard to play.
Jan.4 at 12:05 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I’ll ask this question here because it’s probably the only place I can ask it — whose reputation with officials is more costly to their effectiveness: Andrew Johnson’s or Rasheed Wallace? I’m going with AJ, but obviously, I’m biaed…
Jan.4 at 12:40 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I meant “biased.” The S on my new keyboard is barely functional.
Jan.4 at 8:41 pm
Waters says:
You realize probably only Oliver and I are reading this, but Sheedy gets no love.
Jan.4 at 11:14 pm
Ryan Jones says:
We have a majority of two, then.
Jan.5 at 8:41 am
Oliver says:
AJ gets no love- but for me its deffo justified- he’s a tumbler
its a tie for me tho as neither does sheed
Jan.5 at 10:04 am
Ryan Jones says:
Oliver, please stop refereeing Everton matches. You and The Special C*nt are costing my team points.
Jan.7 at 1:21 am
Waters says:
Oliver, I did try using Bit Torrent, and while it is a bit slow, it may be the best option for both futbol and football games. Slam Online needs to figure out a system to get full games online for all.
Jan.7 at 11:39 am
Waters says:
I just downloaded the Zaragoza - Seville game and finished watching it. First off, does it ever look like Pablo Aimar really cares when he is on the ball, it is like his heart rate slows when the ball is at his feet. Second, damn Diogo got a right hook, but that flailing at the end - you stay classy La Liga!
Jan.7 at 11:42 am
Waters says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toLdss5Fh34
Apr.8 at 7:41 pm
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