Bleacher Report - Articles by Nigel Assam

Sir Alex 11-Rafa 0: Manchester United Kings of England

Nigel Assam — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:41:58 -0400

With the 0-0 draw against Arsenal at home, Sir Alex Ferguson has now achieved his 11th Premier League title, and 18 leagues titles in all, shutting out challengers Liverpool, who can only settle for second, with whom the Red Devils are now levelled in the trophy collection race.

For Ferguson, this achievement is his paying back the United fans and the club for their faith in him, when it seemed as if he would have been shown the door early on in his United career.

Rafa Benitez claimed that if Gerrard and Torres had been fit all season, Liverpool would have undoubtedly been the position to claim the title, or push United to the very end of the season.

Although it was only a point gained, Manchester United was happy to celebrate their victory at home, something they have done only once in the history of the league. And the point was hard to gain.

The Arsenal team they outclassed away at the Emirates to knock them out of the Champions League semifinals came to Old Trafford to play for pride, as well as delaying the celebrations.

From the outset, it looked as if United would have had the upper hand, when Ronaldo, in the first few seconds of the match passed on an opportunity to shoot for goal, a decision which probably influenced the course of his game.

United would control the match in the early stages, but Arsenal took control of the game and completed most of their passes, getting shots on goal.

Arshavin caused some problems for United's back line; and Cesc Fabregas' shot on goal certainly sent United nerves into panic, but they were calmed when the Spaniard's shot his the post.

Even nineteen year-old Kieran Gibbs, whose slip to the ground in the Champions League match gave way for United's first goal, seemed to have gotten over his bad display in that game as he played with confidence this afternoon, even attempting to put his name on the scoreboard.

With the substitution of Park for Tevez, whose leaving the field was greeted with cheers by supporters, United was able to put one away into the net, when Ronaldo passed the ball to him to finish it, but Park was ruled offside.

In the 80th minute, Ronaldo's free kick whiskered just wide of Fabianski's goal.

The defending champions had to continue defending into extra time when van Persie won a corner, but it was cleared. And with little time left, there was nothing either team could do to find the back of their opponents' nets.

At the 93rd minute, the whistle was blown and with just one point gained, Ferguson was made a happy man, while Benitez had to settle for second; and Arsene Wenger could return to London knowing that his team fought hard.

And the sign of summer we've seen for the past three seasons, Ferguson holding the cup.

United's final game against Hull next week, although meaningless, will not be one that Ferguson thinks irrelevant, for he will want to win it outright; yet he can rest his first squad for the Champions League in Rome.

Hull might take consolation in that fact, but the other team struggling with relegation will not, for they would have wished otherwise. However, it remains to be seen if a first team Hull can defeat a second team United which has shown themselves to be quite strong.

Manchester United Come Back To Rout Harry Redknapp's Spurs, Retain EPL Control

Nigel Assam — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:49:34 -0400

In a match that was reminiscent of Manchester United's comeback led by Steve Bruce against Sheffield Wednesday in the early days of the Premier League, Manchester United came back from behind to rout Tottenham Hotspur, 5-2.

Harry Redknapp no doubt arrived at Old Trafford to avenge his defeat at the hands, and feet, of Manchester United in the Carling Cup final; and by half time, being up 2-nil, must have thought that he was to have his victory.

Tottenham have not won at Old Trafford since 1989 when Terry Venables managed the London club and it was Gary Lineker who scored the winning goal.

Today's match-up begin differently for Sir Alex's men, having lost the toss, they did not shoot towards the Stretford for the first half, as is the custom.

Thirty seconds into the match United threatened Spurs' Gomes; and in the fourth minute, Rooney passed to Ronaldo who then passed to Nani, but Gomes blocked. Four minutes later, it was Spurs' Darren Bent who almost opened the score sheet with his header to the near post that was blocked by van der Sar.

Just before the halfway mark in the first half, Ronaldo's free kick troubled Gomes who struggled to hold on to the ball; and his header four minutes later went just wide.

Spurs' Darren Bent opened up the score sheet in the 29th minute as he placed himself in between United's Vidic and Ferdinand to successfully head down a cross from the right from Corluka and right-foot the shot into van der Sar's net.

Only three minutes later Spur's Luka Modric would cause injury by receiving a cross from Aaron Lennon from the right and with a left-footed shot take the score to 0-2 in favour of Redknapp's Spurs.

But United would not give up and continued to attack.

In the second half the beloved Carlos Tevez came on for Nani. Rooney threatened in the 52nd minute from Tevez's pass, but the shot went past the goal mouth. Two minutes later, Tevez's shot in front of goal forced Gomes to close his legs and block the ball.

However, two minutes later, United began its return when awarded a penalty for Gomes' bringing down of Michael Carrick, Ronaldo converted the chance into a goal, shooting right into the center of the net.

Ten minutes later, Rooney would finally find the back of the net as Berbatov passed to Rafael da Silva continued the play to Rooney who leveled the score 2-2.

Then, only one minute later, Ronaldo found his name again on the score sheet when Rooney, constantly causing trouble down the left, crossed the ball in to Ronaldo whose header went down and past Gomes to put United on top.

By this time, 'appy 'arry could only be less than.

Rooney was not to be outdone by Ronaldo and in the 71st minute it was Ronaldo who set up the Englishman in a reverse of the third goal's set-up, and his shot crossed the line, despite being pushed back out by Spurs' Woodgate, bringing the score to 4-2, a celebration that brought even van der Sar to participate in.

But United were not finished and it was Berbatov's scruffy goal that sealed it when he received a cross from Rooney and headed it, and despite it being blocked, he received a rebound to nick it past Gomes for a 5-2 scoreline.

In the 86th minute, Redknapp tried a change, but all too late, by bringing on Huddlestone for Robbie Keane, who seemed absent throughout the match, and Gareth Bale for Luka Modric.

With this win, Sir Alex and his men are back in front of Benitez and his men who enjoyed, for a brief glimmer, a lead after their victory over Hull earlier in the day, and were doubtless attentive to United's match.

United now have an extra boost to face Arsenal during the week in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal tie. With a game in hand against Wigan, they can further open up the distance between them and Liverpool for the Premier League title.

Squeaky Bum Time: Manchester United Fragile at the Top

Nigel Assam — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:21:52 -0400

Manchester United squeezed past Liverpool to retain their lead in the Premier League with their 2-1 victory over Sunderland. But it was a victory that almost was not to be after a fragile performance by United, were it not for a 76th minute goal by Federico Macheda, last week's savior.

Ferguson's gamble paid off in the 76th minute when, after replacing Dimitar Berbatov with Macheda in the 75th minute, Michael Carrick's shot on goal was tipped in by the young Italian.

United began the match with a 14-second threat on goal by Wayne Rooney, whose right-footed shot went just wide.

Fighting against relegation, Sunderland were not to be checked, as in the seventh minute they almost scored, but Ben Foster showed why he is the future No. 1, scrambling to secure the ball just before the goal line after fumbling and letting it go.

In the ninth minute, Scholes' shot went wide, and in the 17th minute Vidic, back after suspension, almost put United up with a header from a corner that was deflected and then an overhead kick that sent the ball just wide.

Two minutes later, Scholes redeemed himself from his red card against Fulham by putting United ahead, winning the ball in the air off a Rooney cross, and scoring his third goal of the season.

However, at least a few times in the match, United's defense looked brittle, and in the 26th minute, Vidic's back pass to Ben Foster caused panic among United's supporters, what with a Black Cat lurking close by.

Another threat by Kenwyn Jones almost put Sunderland level in the 33rd minute. Foster again showed his quality by denying Cisse a chance for glory as he tipped the Frenchman's shot over the crossbar.

In the second half, the constant threat of Jones paid off in the 55th minute after Foster failed to clear a cross and the Trinidadian slipped the ball into the net with the outside of his right foot.

In the 69th minute, Ferguson decided to gamble and brought on Cristiano Ronaldo for Ji-Sung Park, whose attempts at goal were admirable, especially his shot just before the half-time whistle. Six minutes later Macheda came on and scored only a minute after, making it his second goal in his second first-team appearance.

Despite being back in the lead, United's display today was nothing like the recent form prior to their losses to Liverpool and Fulham. The seats at Old Trafford are being worn away under anxiety, and with seven matches left for the season, they will continue to be worn down.

Europe or Bust: A Super League?

Nigel Assam — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:07:27 -0400

In recent days, there has been talk again of establishing a European Super League to replace the Champions League and UEFA Cup to be comprised of three divisions and 20 or 22 teams in each division. Promotion and relegation would occur in these divisions only in this closed league.

But would this work? And more importantly, what effect would it have on the individual domestic leagues?

If this were to go ahead, it is reported that in order for the teams to be able to compete, there would have to be a reduction in the number of matches each team plays in their domestic leagues, thus, Premier League teams currently playing 38 games each could play as little as 30.

With this reduction in matches, will the season be shorter? Or will there just be longer breaks between fixtures?

Since teams will have to focus on simultaneous leagues, managers may decide, because of the prestige of the possible Super League, like that of the Champions League, to field two teams—a reserve for the domestic league and a first team for the Super League.

How will this sit with fans? Supporters pay to watch top players compete in domestic leagues, but will no doubt feel somewhat cheated if they believe they will be seeing only second team players.

For reserve players in each league, this might be understandably welcomed, in that they will have more opportunities to play, demonstrate and improve their skills and do what they have been wanting to do, play as much as they can.

In the Super League, teams that finish at the bottom of the third division would not be relegated out of the league; as well, would teams that finish in respectable places in their domestic leagues qualify for the Super League?

How then would voting go as to which clubs will be able to play in the Super League besides the expected top clubs? Will they stop at those that are able to qualify for the UEFA Cup?

When and if this league commences, then clubs that finish well in the previous season would qualify, but other teams that previously would have qualified but who were unlucky in the season, might not ever be able to enter the closed league.

With a closed league, this will only create more distance between leagues and the wealthier clubs from those with less money and which are stuck in the domestic leagues.

Also, there is the possibility that the top teams in each domestic may not even play in their domestic leagues; imagine the Premier League without Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, etc., or La Liga without Barcelona, Real Madrid, and company.

Domestic fans will not have the opportunity to see the clubs they support on a regular basis, since fixtures will be all across continental Europe. Only a small percentage of fans will make, if they can afford to, the away fixtures.

There are too many reasons for wanting this Super League to never happen, the first is for the sake of the survival of domestic footbal, followed by the reaction of supporters.

EPL: The Fickle Faithful

Nigel Assam — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:30:27 -0400

Football is tribal, as the saying goes, and by the behaviour of many of the fans, a spectator unfamiliar with the culture of the game is bound to find this true. We won't deny it.

The loyalty to a team, be it Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, etc., espoused by supporters is deep, sometimes generational, and can even border on the irrational or ridiculous and foolish—consider coin throwing at players.

Taunting the opposition is natural in any sport, and even the players themselves indulge in honest dislike for the opposing team, as in the recent example of Wayne Rooney's admission that he hates Liverpool. This is natural, since he grew up an Evertonian and played for the Toffees prior to his transition to a Red Devil.

Yet, for all his loathing, when it comes to playing alongside Steven Gerrard, or other England nationals from opposing Premier League clubs, such emotion tends to give way to an understanding and camaraderie that can produce wonderful displays as those seen on Saturday.

As a fan, it is interesting to also observe our fickleness when the Three Lions are not playing and the individuals return to their clubs. There is no way a Manchester United fan can ever give anything but a half-nod (if that much, and only when United is winning) to Liverpool and their supporters.

Thankfully, the days of hooliganism are behind us, though there is always the possibility of some fanatic wanting to prove himself and his devotion to his club. But those incidents are rare these days.

But when Gerrard, Rooney, Lampard, and company from the best are adorned in the all-white of the home uniform or the red and white of the away colours, as fans, we quickly forgive each player their sins against our specific team.

A Red Devil fan will sing his heart out for Steven Gerrard, or you'll hear a Liverpudlian singing "Wayne Rooney, Wayne Rooney" (to the tune of "Let It Be"), and Stamford Bridge fans will applaud a Spur, as they all, fans and team, focus their collective dislike against the visiting national side.

However, come club rivalry games, the generosity that was poured forth from the stands in midweek is replaced by insults and contempt for the very players that we loved on Wednesday.

The recent Manchester United-Liverpool tie and the invectives hurled at players illustrate this, as many of these same fans would soon sing for all England players at Wembley, no matter their club.

This is natural on our part, for we have committed more than just our Saturdays and Sundays, our money, time with other friends who do not care for football and can't understand why between May and August a sense of drabness pervades our days.

We've committed ourselves to a team and a community of supporters, no, a family.

In pre-WWII Manchester, it was typical for a Mancunian to support both United and City; following WWII, loyalties developed without explanation.

The players themselves, however, because of the time spent with each other in battle against a common visitor, tend to show good sportsmanship when contesting against each other.

Whatever dispute might have developed in league matches is forgiven (or it appears so) as the players comprehend why they are together. It is encouraging to witness the sportsmanship displayed in the league matches and good relations among players due to them having spent time playing together for England.

This sentiment among players as well as fans is an example of the splendour and mystery of the game.

Manchester United: A Little Fatigued

Nigel Assam — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:58:16 -0400

Everybody knows that not every game will go well for any team—a fact brought to the fore in yesterday's 2-0 defeat of Manchester United at the hands of Fulham.

With the talk for the past few months of the quintuple, the pressure has been mounting on the Red Devils, who so far, have claimed two trophys and, despite two losses in row, are still favourites to win the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson has said all along—as well as in a recent interview in the New Statesman—that getting the quintuple is impossible.

This is not a sound of defeat; rather, it is the understanding of a veteran manager who has experienced everything there is in football and knows that, along with skill and talent, it takes luck to win.

Against all of that, there is the threat of mental fatigue.

Physically, the players would have returned from last week's defeat at home against Liverpool ready to do battle against Fulham, but is it possible that mentally, the expectations placed upon them by their supporters, the media, the betters, and everyone else, they are a little exhausted?

No doubt Sir Alex Ferguson is keeping everything in perspective behind the scenes. It is expected that he would like to win the quintuple and he knows that his players would like this also, yet he is realistic and is keeping them grounded.

Keeping players grounded is one of the skills and talents of a successful manager.

In the first half against Fulham, one wondered if they were watching Manchester United or their inconsistent crosstown rivals. However, in the second half, with United attacking and controlling the match, there was the presence of the United all watchers of football would expect.

The inconsistent passing, the easy loss of balls to Fulham, the outclassing of them by the Cottagers, and the lack of confidence in the first half intimated that they were not mentally present at Craven Cottage.

But the frustration was getting the better of the team, shown in a petulant, even lazy Cristiano Ronaldo, an unhappy Wayne Rooney, and an unusually weak Rio Ferdinand, among others.

Patrice Evra was getting the run-around; going forward, he is a talented supporter, but when defending against strong attackers, sometimes they seem to get the better of him.

With Rooney now missing two games, Carlos Tevez will certainly have more playing time and will be able to show Sir Alex why he should pay out for the Argentinian, especially because the suspicion that Ronaldo will leave at some time for Real Madrid.

Both Tevez and Rooney are two of the most hardworking players in the league today and the Argentinian's attitude is almost always positive; there is never any slagging from either player, which is why they are both loved.

But these are professionals and like the professionals they are, with the guidance of the greatest manager in the English game, United will recover and can expect to continue to be favourites to win the Premier League and score the impossible quintuple.

Sir Alex 0: Rafa 2

Nigel Assam — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:09:17 -0400

Rafael Benitez can now claim sweet revenge against his rival Sir Alex Ferguson as his Liverpool side defeated Manchester United at home 4-1 today, making this his second triumph of the current Premier League season over the Scot.

In September, United traveled to Liverpool for the first leg of the derby and despite taking an early lead, were eventually defeated 2-1, which was their last defeat of the current campaign until today, their first since then.

Both teams came into today's match filled confidence from their midweek victories in the Champions League, qualifying them for the quarterfinals.

Manchester United began pressuring Liverpool early on in the game, winning a corner only 44 seconds into the match. In the third minute, United almost scored when Cristiano Ronaldo crossed the ball in from the right to Ji-Park, who failed to finish. In the 22nd minute, Park was fouled in the box by Pepe Reina and it was Ronaldo who converted the penalty into a goal in the 23rd minute.

But Liverpool were not to be denied, when only six minutes later, because of a terrible error by Nemanja Vidic, Fernando Torres was able to steal the long pass from Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel and run past him to face down Edwin van der Sar alone and slot the ball home to level the match.

Liverpool were to win a penalty of their own when Patrice Evra brought down Steven Gerrard, who then converted his chance into a goal to take the lead in the 44th minute.

In the second half, despite United's dominance, they were unable to finish their opportunities. In the 57th minute, Carlos Tevez just missed knicking the ball into the net off of a corner, and in the 61st minute Rooney's shot on goal was deflected for a corner.

Two minutes later, Ronaldo crossed from the right into Rooney, who flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot across the face of the goal and Tevez just missed connecting to level the match. Tevez's bad luck continued in the 71st minute when he missed from just in front of the goal.

Ferguson brought on his reliables, Paul Scholes for Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov for Park, and Ryan Giggs for Michael Carrick, to try and salvage a victory, but it was not enough to stop Liverpool. Another misfortune for Sir Alex's men came when Vidic, already booked earlier in the game, was booked again and sent off for pulling down Steven Gerrard by his jersey in the 76th minute.

The free kick that resulted from this foul was converted into a goal by Fabio Aurelio, a shot that left van der Sar standing still on his line and looking at the ball as it flew past him into his net.

In the 88th minute, Berbatov's low shot hit the left post. In the final minute of the match, Andrea Dossena scored for Liverpool, granting Rafa Benitez revenge again Sir Alex Ferguson for overtaking his men at the turn of the year. However, Manchester United still sit at the top of the table and four points ahead of Benitez's squad, and with a game in hand against Portsmouth, may be able to clear the field behind them again.

The rivalry between these two men and their clubs may continue into the Champions League quarterfinals, as they will both find out who they are drawn against this Friday.