[Archived] Other Premier League Happenings

[Oklahoma]

It's so funny that Chelsea went to Barcelona and played for a draw and they were now eliminated with a draw

[Gav]

Lets have it right here, only the Piquet handball was a certain penalty wasn't it? Or am I that biased?

The others could have been given, but the team conceding would have had reason to be disappointed.

Ballack should have been sent off for his reaction to the ref, and Drogba finally pays for his constant cheating week in week out, although him throwing coins at burnley fans still gives him legendary status in our house

[Plastic Head]

"Dear Sky

Surely with all his money he can afford a better hairdresser.

Yours

Dismayed from Blackburn"

What about Malouda's barnet.

Disgrace that they would allow a club representative to appear in public with such a coiffure.

[ABBEY]

d Drogba finally pays for his constant cheating week in week out, although him throwing coins at burnley fans still gives him legendary status in our house

should of thrown a pointed corner flag at them

[Hasta]

You probably are that biased Gav.

The first penalty appeal when he gave the free kick was obviously in the box. The referee has given the decision of a foul so it must be a penalty. You can't play advantage and then take it back to take the advantage away.

The second one on Drogba he pulls his shirt then clips his legs. That's a penalty.

The third one on Anelka was a clean tackle and no penalty. However he was pulling Anelka back outside the box hence the reason Anelka never got away from him.

The Pique handball is blatant.

The final handball is one of them that you sometimes get and sometimes don't. However why is Eto jumping with his arms up and out if it isn't to make his body a bigger target.

For me 4 of the 5 should have been given and 3 were definite.

The reactions at the end were over the top. However I do believe that either the ref was either too afraid to give the decisions or didn't want Chelsea to get through. I favour the later.

As for all this talk about Barcelona being the better side, over 180 minutes Chelsea created far more clear cut chances. It doesn't matter how pretty your approach work is, it's about creating chances and scoring goals. Barcelona stroked and retained the ball excellently but couldn't break down Chelsea. All this talk of them being far superior is rubbish.

[DE.]

How does a player not get reprimanded for that? If it'd been one of our players the media would have gone into meltdown over "DIRTY ROVERS ABUSE REF" ... let's see how many of the redtops pick it up tomorrow.

[ABBEY]

if he didnt want chelsea to go thru why issue a dodgy red?

[Gav]

should of thrown a pointed corner flag at them

Or a grenade

[ABBEY]

How does a player not get reprimanded for that? If it'd been one of our players the media would have gone into meltdown over "DIRTY ROVERS ABUSE REF" ... let's see how many of the redtops pick it up tomorrow.

VE HAVE VAYS OF MAKING YOU TALK IM GONNA MAKE ZE LOVE TO YOU NOW...COME HERE

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SPOSE A SHAGS OUT THEN BALDY

[American]

You probably are that biased Gav.

The first penalty appeal when he gave the free kick was obviously in the box. The referee has given the decision of a foul so it must be a penalty. You can't play advantage and then take it back to take the advantage away.

The second one on Drogba he pulls his shirt then clips his legs. That's a penalty.

The third one on Anelka was a clean tackle and no penalty. However he was pulling Anelka back outside the box hence the reason Anelka never got away from him.

The Pique handball is blatant.

The final handball is one of them that you sometimes get and sometimes don't. However why is Eto jumping with his arms up and out if it isn't to make his body a bigger target.

For me 4 of the 5 should have been given and 3 were definite.

The reactions at the end were over the top. However I do believe that either the ref was either too afraid to give the decisions or didn't want Chelsea to get through. I favour the later.

As for all this talk about Barcelona being the better side, over 180 minutes Chelsea created far more clear cut chances. It doesn't matter how pretty your approach work is, it's about creating chances and scoring goals. Barcelona stroked and retained the ball excellently but couldn't break down Chelsea. All this talk of them being far superior is rubbish.

Nail. Head. On.

Say what you want about the prettiness of counter-attacking football, but today was a clinic by Chelsea. Barcelona's goal was on their FIRST shot on target. Not the sign of a better team.

[Hasta]

if he didnt want chelsea to go thru why issue a dodgy red?

I have no idea Abs. That is the only thing that puts doubt in my mind. Maybe he just is that poor a ref.

However a lot of our fans cry conspiracy when there's a cup draw on TV or if we are playing a top 4 club in a semi final. If that had happened to us we would be in complete meltdown now.

It is funny because it's Chelsea etc.. but that doesn't stop it being an absolute shambles of a refereeing display. That ref knows that some of them were penalties. Why has he not given them?

[American]

A worse officiating display than Graeme Poll in the World Cup.

[grizfoot]

I like how they were loving up the Chelsea long-ball approach on Sky calling it 'playing to their strengthens' and it 'doesn't matter how you win' comments when if we play in a similiar fashion we get absolutely slaughtered in the media for it.

[Guest Kamy100]

Platani got his wish of not having a all British Final, for nuturals it the perfect final. Chelsea should have got 2 penalties but then Barca should have had one in the first leg. The referee was poor, he also got the sending of decision wrong.

Chelsea's reaction after the game was OTT and UEFA/FA have to take action, no matter how hard done by you feel there is no place for that kinda of reaction.

My overriding feeling is that Barca deserved to win simply because over the 2 games they have tried to play football whereas Chelsea have been content to try and soak up the pressure and ultimately paid the price.

The final should be a cracker.

[LeChuck]

I have no idea Abs. That is the only thing that puts doubt in my mind. Maybe he just is that poor a ref.

However a lot of our fans cry conspiracy when there's a cup draw on TV or if we are playing a top 4 club in a semi final. If that had happened to us we would be in complete meltdown now.

It is funny because it's Chelsea etc.. but that doesn't stop it being an absolute shambles of a refereeing display. That ref knows that some of them were penalties. Why has he not given them?

Why send a Barcelona player off when he could have easily kept him on the pitch? He's obviously just had a shocker of a night. No doubt when he watches the tape back he'll realise it.

[DE.]

To be fair, the ref tonight was shocking.... but to hear Jamie Redknapp go on about how it was because he is Norweigen is ridiculous. It's the same for You're On Sky Sports, they're acting like he was selected from a small village in the backwaters of Norway and had never heard of football until tonight. Deary me.

[RevidgeBlue]

Tonight was a victory for football. Barcelona were the better team over the two legs.

I disagree entirely. I thought Chelsea dominated the game from start to finish until the 92nd minute strike.

I fear ManUre will absolutely wipe the floor with Barca if they can't do any better than that.

I'm not too bothered that Chelsea didn't go through but judging by radio phone ins there does seem a feeling amongst English fans generally that there was a bit of a UEFA conspiracy and they didn't want a.n. other Chelsea/Man Ure final.

Not sure how the fact the ref sent off the Barca player for absolutely nothing squares with that.

[Gav]

Barcelona's goal was on their FIRST shot on target. Not the sign of a better team.

Having watched Barcelona all season, I'm convinced they're the best team in Europe. Chelseas tactics were spot on over the two games, but justice was done and Barca went through regardless of shots on target etc etc.

Lets hope now that the best footballing team in Europe claims the crown they deserve and beats Utd in the final.

Come on Barca.

[LeChuck]

Not sure how the fact the ref sent off the Barca player for absolutely nothing squares with that.

It doesn't square anything Rev, but if he's out there trying to stop Chelsea going through then he doesn't send off a Barca player when he could have easily not done so. Simple.

The conspiracy thing is the most idiotic side of football fans that really gets to me because EVERY team does it every time decisions go against them. It's completely nonsensical.

[RevidgeBlue]

The final should be a cracker.

If you're a Red Scum fan.

3 or 4-0 to them I reckon on tonight's evidence.

[Hasta]

Having watched Barcelona all season, I'm convinced they're the best team in Europe.

They may be the best footballing side but tonight they were lucky. They created one clear chance and took it.

Swansea are a far better footballing outfit than Stoke. Doesn't make them a better team though does it?

[Ozz]

It was funny just to see Chelsea fans crying. What goes around comes around, and by that I mean I hate Chelsea.

[Guest Kamy100]

If you're a Red Scum fan.

3 or 4-0 to them I reckon on tonight's evidence.

Barca are weak at the back but will get chances as United will play a more attacking style. We could have a final where both teams score goals, Henry will be back which also adds to Barca's attacking threat.

[grizfoot]

I disagree entirely. I thought Chelsea dominated the game from start to finish until the 92nd minute strike.

I fear ManUre will absolutely wipe the floor with Barca if they can't do any better than that.

I'm not too bothered that Chelsea didn't go through but judging by radio phone ins there does seem a feeling amongst English fans generally that there was a bit of a UEFA conspiracy and they didn't want a.n. other Chelsea/Man Ure final.

Not sure how the fact the ref sent off the Barca player for absolutely nothing squares with that.

How can a team with such little possession dominate a game?

Chelsea defended with everyone behind the ball very well and relied on the counter-attack, their goal was a wonder strike and came from a long-ball from Cech. Chelsea did have a couple of chances in the second half but that was only because Barca were chasing the game and commiting men forward. Even with ten men Barca looked the far superior side in my opinion, some nice passing moves but the sheer number of Chelsea bodies behind the ball prevented them from creating any chances. Like I said Chelsea's negative attitude in the first leg proved to be their on-doing if they were that confident in their ability surely they wouldn't have parked the bus infront of the goal at the Camp Nou.

Think the Red Scum will beat Barca in the final, they've got defensive problems with their two starting fullbacks suspended for the final. Expect United to play in a similair fashion to Chelsea and concerntrate of stiffling the Barca attack and catching them on the break which seemed to be working for Chelsea until the wondeful winner from Iniesta.

[Hughesy]

Barca were poor tonight although they did well with 10 men. They will provide a much bigger and better oposition to United in the final than what Chelsea would of. Should be a good game.