Liverpool deliver blow to Chelsea and Torres

Carlo Ancelotti went balls out with a front 3 of Anelka, Drogba and Torres with Anelka playing the trequartista role. We quickly found out this formation was not working out. Chelsea had trouble creating anything and they were severely lacking any sort of width. Ancelotti opted for a midfield of Lampard, Obi Mikel and Essien. None of those players have the pace or creativity to produce any kind of sideline to sideline play and deliver crosses into the box. Guys like Malouda and Kalou fit that role perfectly and their presence was clearly missing.

The game started like a typical Chelsea vs Liverpool encounter. Boring. 30 minutes in we finally saw some action – a dangerous cross into the box got past about 4 Chelsea defenders plus goalkeeper Petr Cech and fell right to Maxi Rodriguez who simply had to tap it into an empty net but he put a little too much air in it and the ball graciously hit the crossbar. Torres had a chance to bag a goal against his former team but Jaime Callagher arrived in the nick of time to deflect a strike that would have tested Reina.

In the 66th minute – a shock substitute occured – Fernando Torres was called to the bench and Solomon Kalou entered the fray. I understand the introduction of Kalou, however, Torres was not the correct person to make way. It should have been Anelka. Three minutes later, the defense broke down and allowed Raul Meireles to nonchalantly knock the ball into the back of the net. Now you are down 1-0 and you just subbed out your 50 million pound goal scorer who you just bought from the very team that just scored. In need of more attacking options, Ancelotti brings in Malouda and takes out Obi Mikel. Immediately Malouda darted through the Liverpool defense and provided a strike on goal that required cat-like reflexes from Reina to keep it out. Despite Chelsea’s efforts they were unable to equalize – however – Liverpool got away with a clear Lucas handball in the penalty box that should have been a yellow card + penalty shot. Even Lucas knew he was guilty but referee Andre Marriner went temporarily blind during that incident.

Day one of the Torres Experiment was a failure. There needs to be more pace, width and creativity in the lineup with Drogba and Torres. Anelka may need to come off the bench for a couple of games while Ancelotti plays with a lineup including Drogba, Torres and Malouda. Perhaps include Kalou in the same lineup and watch the sparks fly. The options are endless with the talent we now have at our disposal. It is just a matter of finding the perfect mix. However, offensive flow is not the only aspect Chelsea need to work on. The defense has been atrocious and is in serious need of attention. They look dazed and confused and completely lacking any confidence. Ancelotti needs to start figuring things out so he can attempt to salvage the season in the Champions League.

Newcastle Complete Greatest Comeback in Soccer History

Newcastle, having just sold their best player and leading goal scorer – Andy Carroll – saw themselves trailing to Arsenal 4-0 at halftime. Fans were leaving the stadium 10 minutes into the match. I’m not sure if anyone can blame them for that, it only took Arsenal 2 minutes into the match to score 2 goals. Within 47 seconds of kick-off Walcott made it 1-0, and about 1 minute later Djourou headed in the 2nd. Just 7 minutes later Robin Van Persie put home the 3rd.

The 2nd half was a completely different story. Five minutes in Abou Diaby gets himself sent off for reacting to a Joey Barton tackle by grabbing Barton by the neck and shoving his head towards the ground. As soon as Diaby got sent off, the crowd got back into the game and the Newcastle players looked reenergized. Joey Barton converted a penalty kick in the 69th minute, and the crowd went berserk and the Newcastle players had belief. Six minutes later Leon Best put home Newcastle’s 2nd and now the crowd was really roaring and everyone watching started to believe something special was unfolding before their very eyes. Newcastle continued to create chance after chance leaving fans and spectators alike on the edge of their seat.

In the 83rd minute Newcastle won their second penalty of the half and Joey Barton stepped up to the plate once again and bravely brought his club within 1 goal of completing one of the most epic comebacks in sports history. Merely five minutes later, in the 88th minute, Cheikh Tiote struck a one-time volley from just outside the penalty box, and the sweetest goal you will ever see completed the sweetest comeback you will ever see. Words could not explain the scene after that strike hit the back of the net.

Another one bites the dust..

You can add Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia to the list of injured players this season. Valencia will likely miss the rest of the season after suffering a horrible ankle injury during United’s goalless draw in their Champions League opening match against Rangers. Reports indicate that Valencia suffered a double fracture in the tibia and fibula in his left ankle and will require surgery immediately.

Jermaine Defoe injured

It seems like these Euro 2012 qualifying matches are proving to be detrimental to players and their respective club teams. Jermaine Defoe also suffered an ankle injury during England’s 3-1 victory over Switzerland and will be sidelined for at least six weeks. This comes as a huge blow to Harry Redknapp and the Spurs as Defoe seemed like he was getting in a groove after netting a hat trick against Bulgaria. With the Champions League creeping ever closer, the Spurs will need Roman Pavlyuchenko and Peter Crouch to step up and do the majority of the goal scoring.

Update: Defoe will be sidelined for three months after having an operation on his ankle. This will likely rule him out of the entire Champion’s League group stages.

Theo Walcott injured

Arsenal have been dealt yet another blow with the news of Theo Walcott’s ankle injury sustained during England’s 3-1 victory over Switzerland. Walcott will be sidelined for at least four to six weeks, and with Van Persie out until the end of October and Bendtner still sidelined, Arsenal are left thin at the attacking position. Arshavin, Fabregas and newcomer Marouane Chamakh will have to carry the load and keep Arsenal in contention while their star attackers are sidelined.

Roundup: Villa’s new boss, Balotelli injured and more..

Gerard Houllier back in the Premier League

Former Liverpool boss, Gerard Houllier has agreed to become Aston Villa’s new manager. Houllier stepped down from his position as technical director of the French Football Federation in order to take the position. Not a very difficult move, I would imagine. Keep going with a crumbling federation whose national team is a disgrace or join Aston Villa in the Premier fucking League? I’m sure it took Houllier all of 3 seconds to make up his mind.

Mario Balotelli to have knee surgery

It’s a good thing Mario Balotelli scored a goal in the only 33 minutes he has played for Manchester City. He will not see the pitch for at least another six weeks. During those 33 minutes where Balotelli scored a goal, he also managed to damage his lateral meniscus. Quite the debut the young striker had. I guess it’s a good thing the striker position is one Manchester City is not lacking in depth.

Kuyt out at least one month

Liverpool are dealt yet another blow with the news of Dirk Kuyt’s shoulder injury. Kuyt injured his shoulder while attempting a bicycle kick during training with the Netherlands. Liverpool will need the likes of Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to really step up and put this team on their shoulders. With last season’s horrible season still fresh in the minds of fans, Mascherano’s departure and now Kuyt’s injury, fans need to see victories or else fear walking alone forever.

Robinho is a special little guy

Robinho has unveiled his reflections on his time with Manchester City and why it just didn’t work out. First of all, he would like you to know that Manchester is an awful place to live.

Manchester is a sensational venue for football but an awful place to live … the winter, the cold and the dark nights. It’s very hard for a young Brazilian.

Poor guy. All those cold nights, alone, coddling with his teddy bear next to the fireplace. He also feels that neither Mark Hughes or Roberto Mancini understood him. I always knew Robinho was a misunderstood lost soul. Or perhaps Robinho simply didn’t understand how to adapt to a different culture and different style of play.

There was a lack of contact between the players and the club. It was much like an office – to training and goodbye, to a match and goodbye. I am Brazilian and I can’t offer my best performance if I’m not happy in every aspect of life. That was my problem. I am a special footballer and I need to be happy when I’m playing. That was the case at Real Madrid but never at City. Perhaps I should never have left Real Madrid.

I think it’s safe to say Robinho is 8 years old.

My destination was Chelsea with Luiz Felipe Scolari but, at the last moment, City appeared and I accepted. I did not decide the transfer. Correspondence is always between clubs and I am not responsible for what anyone will pay, but Mark Hughes called me and insisted I joined the club. He was decisive in my move.

I’m not sure how much happier Robinho would have been at Chelsea, but perhaps Scolari would have “understood” him and kept him happy. He will probably be a happy camper in Milan. Milan has the glitz and glamor and nice weather that understands Robinho.