I had the pleasure of watching a Saturday afternoon of Premier League football for the first time in weeks today, but its left me a little disappointed.
Just not enough heart!
Manchester United was absolutely magnificent and brushed aside their "bogey team," West Ham United, inside 25 minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo (2) and Carlos Tevez made a mockery of any statement claiming the English Premier League to be the most competitive in the world by firing United into an unassailable lead.
A moment of "lack of concentration" did cost United a goal. Rio Ferdinand pushed aside as Dean Ashton finished acrobatically. West Ham had nothing else to offer and a 10 man, United, coasted to victory.
Michael Carrick finished off the scoring in the second half with substitute Darren Fletcher, unlucky not to further compound the Londoners misery with a shot that struck Robert Green's upright.
West Ham's lack of "anything" really was not the main talking point from this game, however.
Young Portuguese midfielder Nani was sent off shortly before half time for a clear headbutt on Lucas Neill. What was he thinking in such an important game?
Nani himself dropped with Neill to the ground, covering his face, feigning injury. The more I thought about it though, the more I realized that he was surely holding his face in embarrassment.
Had I dropped to the ground after headbutting another man, I would myself be pretty reluctant to get up, and this proved the case.
Nani was eventually pulled to his feet by numerous West Ham players just in time to see the flash of red that signalled his game was over.
No complaints from the youngster, but had this game turned on its head, I doubt he would ever have been forgiven by the Old Trafford faithful.
I'd been looking forward to Fulham vs Birmingham City all week, but I don't know how I sat through that 90 minutes. In fact, I lie. I got up when Erik Nevland all but relegated Birmingham late on.
The 2-0 result was no more than Fulham deserved, and they must be given huge credit for the turnaround they've achieved over the last few weeks.
My bones, though, are with Birmingham City, who last week challenged Liverpool to a hell of a game at St Andrews.
This week, like nearly every game against the teams around them, they proved unable to scrap when it mattered.
The Blues have been immense against many top half sides this season. If you can't get basic results, you don't deserve to be in the EPL. They just don't look like they want to stay up!
Fulham proved they have the heart for a place in the top flight and are showing albeit a bit late. The form that may well keep them there.
So the English Premier League title will be decided on the last game of the season, along with the prospect of two decent sides losing their top flight status.
Therefore, next weekend should be the most exciting final day in EPL history, and I for one expect it to deliver!
Comments (16) Add a comment »
from 13 days ago
Nani was provoked but no need for his response. i was right in my prediction but i didnt expect this amount of goals.
from 13 days ago
I dont think he was provoked enough to react in such a way but he did and he made my headline :) Thanks for the pick Michael.
from 13 days ago
hear we go again how can you slate nani andrew daniel cousin ring any bells??????
from 13 days ago
You have a serious problem....Why can't I slate Nani? I never spoke out in support of Cousin. Just because I'm a Rangers fan doesn't mean I can't function in society. Grow up.
Are you going to attack all my article because I'm a Rangers fan?
from 13 days ago
Oh and Cousin 100% deserved to get sent off. He was an idiot.
from 7 days ago
i dont think there's anything wrong in slating nani for what he did. I'm a United fan big time and think he did deserve the red card. It was such an important match and definitely not the time to lose one's temper. I got worried after his red card bc west ham could've gotten back into the game... and i was thinking, if nani cost us the title 'cause of his red card I would NEVER earn respect for him ever again, regardless of what great player he becomes. And I'd never forgive him. So for Andrew to talk about him the way he did, I dont see anything wrong.
the one thing I dont agree with in this article is the 'mockery' part.
p.s. Andrew is fine looking ;)
from 13 days ago
Nice to see you accept the fact he deserved to get sent off so you should agree week in and week out he should walk in the spl because thats what he gets away with by biased refs!!!
from 13 days ago
For doing what exactly?
from 12 days ago
ANDREW! A mockery? Kinda harsh. Real Madrid win tomorrow-done. France-next weekend. Bayern Munich will handle Wolfsburg tomorrow and be crowned. Milan derby tomorrow; if Inter don't win it will just postpone the inevitable. Celtic have 4 in hand over your beloved club-thats no where near decided. Ok, EPL may not be the MOST competitive; but United HAVE to win next weekend and Chelsea is the hottest team in England right now. As an American fan of the EPL I completely disagree with you about having a problem sitting through Fulham and City. I was on the edge of my couch. I mean, how could you say you weren't into it-they were playing their asses off-you lose- you are one step closer to going down. Incredible match. McBride, Dempsey, Keller...UP THE COTTAGERS!!! And Nani is an immature punk and I hope the vets on United 'deal' with him.
from 12 days ago
I gave Fulham all the credit they deserved. I wasn't talking about the title either but about the lack of fight in West Ham United.
from 12 days ago
I think the sending off was fair,but neill should ny have been let off so easily.......he started the thing....
from 12 days ago
Football is football Kiran and the rules state that retaliation is the biggest offense. Neill may have deserved a yellow yes, but it wouldn't have changed much.
from 12 days ago
cousins game consists of elbowing other players as hard as he can,mccoist and smith applaud the ones he gets away with like the one against stephen mcmanus which lead to mcmanus being brought to hospital mccoist was clearly seen telling him thats good.
from 12 days ago
The title might not actually go to the wire, it requires Chelsea to avoid defeat at Newcastle, which they should, but its not a done deal yet. United's vast goal difference means a Chelsea defeat makes it virtually impossible on the final day, so no fireworks.
The relegation scrap definitely will be a thriller though.
from 12 days ago
The title might not actually go to the wire, it requires Chelsea to avoid defeat at Newcastle, which they should, but its not a done deal yet. United's vast goal difference means a Chelsea defeat makes it virtually impossible on the final day, so no fireworks.
The relegation scrap definitely will be a thriller though.
from 12 days ago
The title might not actually go to the wire, it requires Chelsea to avoid defeat at Newcastle, which they should, but its not a done deal yet. United's vast goal difference means a Chelsea defeat makes it virtually impossible on the final day, so no fireworks.
The relegation scrap definitely will be a thriller though.
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