[Archived] Other Premier League Happenings

[RevidgeBlue]

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

My view of it was Chelsea had all the possession in dangerous situations and any chances that were going. They should have finished Barca off long before the end.

In answer to Kamy's point, they might just have had an off night, but I felt Barca showed that against a really top class defence they're fairly impotent, neither can they cope with a physically strong side that can produce quality play played at a high tempo.

Which is why I think ManUre will dismiss them easily.

[DE.]

Messi was anonymous tonight... not a good showing for him, he needs to perform in the final.

[gumboots]

My view of it was Chelsea had all the possession in dangerous situations and any chances that were going. They should have finished Barca off long before the end.

In answer to Kamy's point, they might just have had an off night, but I felt Barca showed that against a really top class defence they're fairly impotent, neither can they cope with a physically strong side that can produce quality play played at a high tempo.

Which is why I think ManUre will dismiss them easily.

Isn't one of the telling stats Messi, no goals in 10 against English opposition?

[Gav]

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?

"They created one clear chance and took it"

Proved the point for me Hasta

[Mc Love]

[neekoy]

At least he was passionate

[Hasta]

"They created one clear chance and took it"

Proved the point for me Hasta

Best side in Europe can only create one chance in 90 minutes. And that proves they're the best side in europe.

[thenodrog]

Harsh, perhaps, but it was the right decision. He got wiped out by Fletcher, who never had a chance of fairly winnign teh ball from where he started.

But thats just what he did! You need a new telly. Fletchers tackle was timed to perfection and I doubt that there has been abetter tackle all season in any competition! BUT the UEFA rules do not allow for any refereeing mistakes which is both pompous and ludicrous. However whilst I sympathise with Fletcher it's refreshing to see the other side of the coin and acknowledge that UEFA do not roll over for the old RFW and Man Utd like the FA and the premier league would surely have done.

[jim mk2]

Picked up a Daily Mail late last night (disinfected my hands afterwards) which contained an astonishing quote in his column by ex-league referee Graham Poll on Fletcher's dismissal.

Having seen the challenge from the camera behind the goal, all sorts of doubts raise themselves in my head. Fletcher clearly got the ball; however, his following motion was to take Fabregas, which is a foul.

What the deuce is that all about ? How can it be a a foul on a player in the follow-through after winning the ball ? Have these idiots ever played the game ?

[riverside returns]

jim, please explain the frenzy about Barton being sent off then because he clearly played the ball first!

[modes98]

Yes the Norweigan Ross Kemp look-a-like ref got a few decisions wrong. The main two being the clear Pique handball he missed and wrongly sending off Abidal.

Unfortunately for him he got every big decision wrong.

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

IMO you are wrong, there is only debate about the first of the 4 penalty claims and the only doubt is whether the initial foul is in the penalty box.

I am of the opinion that Abidal got his just desserts though, he was lucky to escape giving away a penalty and there was also the situation where he managed to spin Drogba completely around by pulling him. But at the end of the day Drogba isn't blameless normally.

Barcelona had 1 shot on target all game, so I fail to see how that is a "victory for football" as some people say. Yes they pass it around very nicely but they lack a bull doser who stands in the box and puts the ball in the goal.

Regardless of the penalty claims Chelsea had the chances to win the game by 3 or 4, Drogba missed 2 one on one situations.

With the suspensions and injuries affecting Barca I think Man U will beat them quite easily.

[den]

Barcelona had 1 shot on target all game, so I fail to see how that is a "victory for football" as some people say. Yes they pass it around very nicely but they lack a bull doser who stands in the box and puts the ball in the goal.

How many goals have they scored this season Modes - one hundred and forty something?

Of course they find it difficult to score against a very good Chelsea defence, especially when there's ten of 'em and they refuse to commit anyone forward for 3 hours. The best footballing side went through, no doubts about that.

Anyone recall rovers getting charged with failing to control their players after the game away at Newcastle? How did that compare with last night's showing by Chelsea?

[LeChuck]

Different organisations though Den. We were charged by the FA, Chelsea's behaviour last night is a UEFA matter.

[American]

How many goals have they scored this season Modes - one hundred and forty something?

Of course they find it difficult to score against a very good Chelsea defence, especially when there's ten of 'em and they refuse to commit anyone forward for 3 hours. The best footballing side went through, no doubts about that.

Anyone recall rovers getting charged with failing to control their players after the game away at Newcastle? How did that compare with last night's showing by Chelsea?

Best side? We had more shots on goal in 90 minutes against West Ham and Wigan had more shots on goal against us than Barcelona had in 180 minutes against Chelsea.

Chelsea played their tactic the best - not the pretty tactic, but perfectly executed. Going by your logic, Newcastle and Man City should have multiple Premier League titles.

[modes98]

How many goals have they scored this season Modes - one hundred and forty something?

The spanish is far more open. That's why they can beat there nearest rivals 6-2 but yet only manage 1 in twice as long against Chelsea. Against Rio, Vidic and Evra they will not get a sniff, they need Jason Roberts....

[thenodrog]

The spanish is far more open. That's why they can beat there nearest rivals 6-2 but yet only manage 1 in twice as long against Chelsea. Against Rio, Vidic and Evra they will not get a sniff, they need Jason Roberts....

You're avin a laff of course but Jason Roberts would have troubled Chelsea mor than Eto last night thats for sure.

[den]

Best side? We had more shots on goal in 90 minutes against West Ham and Wigan had more shots on goal against us than Barcelona had in 180 minutes against Chelsea.

I said the best "footballing side". Over the two ties they were the only footballing side.

[DE.]

Barca should have won the first leg by 2 or 3 goals, they were very unlucky. Had a blatent penalty turned down, also. When Chelsea sit back and counter it's a "brilliantly executed gameplan", when we do it it's "turgid defensive hoofball".

It's a proper European final. I can't believe anyone would have wanted to see Man Utd Vs Chelsea again.

[den]

The spanish is far more open.

I'm not sure that could ever be proved. I doubt we would score 140 goals in the Spanish league.

[only2garners]

Breaking News - London swine flu outbreak confirmed.

40,000 pig sick at Stamford Bridge.

[American]

I said the best "footballing side". Over the two ties they were the only footballing side.

But again, if you go by 'footballing side' you should be hoping that Newcastle stay up. They do play more attractive football than Stoke....

[Wild Irish Rover]

Where in the Laws of the game does it say it is ok to foul a player 'if you get the ball first'? Trust me - it doesn't The argument that a player got the ball has got to be the most fatuous waste of breath any player could ever use. It's almost as if players believe that if they touch the ball first, any other contact that they make with their opponent doesn't count - which is definitely NOT the case.

[LeChuck]

Of course it matters whether the ball was touched first or not, otherwise it becomes a none contact sport.

Obviously you can't do something like go for a header then follow through with a headbutt, but for something like a slide tackle it's fine to take the player down cleanly as long as you take the ball first. If it doesn't matter whether or not the ball was touched then every single slide tackle becomes a foul!

The football community is pretty much united in saying the decision was wrong, including even Wenger. Obviously you're the one that doesn't understand it all.

[roversmum]

Barca should have won the first leg by 2 or 3 goals, they were very unlucky. Had a blatent penalty turned down, also. When Chelsea sit back and counter it's a "brilliantly executed gameplan", when we do it it's "turgid defensive hoofball".

It's a proper European final. I can't believe anyone would have wanted to see Man Utd Vs Chelsea again.

I'd prefer not to see Chelsea again in any shape or form. Ugh.

[trueblue]

I'd prefer not to see Chelsea again in any shape or form. Ugh.

Better close your eyes a week on Sunday then mum !