Chelsea gets stung in extra time, must watch another final from home

One of the things that makes tournament soccer so great is the how quickly you can have a reversal of fortune. The Blues had their date set with their perpetual foes from the EPL in the finals of the Champions League but saw everything slip away almost 3 minutes into EXTRA time. FC Barcelona snatched a remarkable UEFA Champions League semi-final win through Andrés Iniesta's goal three minutes into added time to earn a showdown with Manchester United FC in Rome on May 27. Chelsea FC thought they had done enough to earn a repeat of last season's final as they defended Michael Essien's breathtaking ninth-minute strike with great resilience only for Essien to then err in failing to clear his lines in the dying moments. Lionel Messi squared to Iniesta and he cut his shot skilfully away from Petr Čech to give the 2006 champions – playing with ten men after Eric Abidal's second-half dismissal – victory on away goals and the chance to reclaim their crown, although they will have to do it without the suspended Abidal and Daniel Alves. Since “the special one left, Chelsea has not been able to close the deal and their frustration is beginning to show in their mannerisms off the pitch. Arguing the refs, looking for calls when the issue would have been a moot point if they “manned up” and played some D for four minutes of extra time after holding them scoreless for over 180 minutes of game time. The truth is that the Blues are quickly becoming the best second place finisher in Europe, but without the intestinal fortitude to finish. Does Chelsea need to make a fundamental change in order to return to their old glory? Let us know here and in the World Soccer Chat rooms.



Premier League Table - May 11 2009
Team............P.......W.......D.......L.......GD......Pts
Man United......35......26......5.......4.......42......83
Liverpool.......36......23......11......2.......46......80
Chelsea.........36......23......8.......5.......41......77
Arsenal.........36......19......11......6.......28......68
Aston Villa.....36......16......10......10......5.......58

Liverpool finishes the year without any hardware
End the end it wasn't the amount of losses on the pitch for Liverpool as they had half as many as the side that will hoist the trophy Manchester United, but when the Reds look back on the EPL 09 campaign surely it will the points that they let slip away in the course of totaling 11 draws. Two of those converted to victories would have made the difference between adding some hardware to the storied cupboard and dusting an empty space for six months. Most of all, adding some distance between themselves and the afore mentioned Man U at the top of the all time table 19-17, rather that sharing the honor with the Red Devils at 18. Man U now need just four points from their remaining three fixtures to claim their 11th Premier League crown, and third in succession, to match the achievements of their bitter Anfield foes, whose own wait for top-flight glory is now almost certain to extend into a 20th year. Perhaps too content with sitting on leads throughout the season or adding some much needed defenders could bridge that gap next season. What changes do you think Liverpool needs to make to stem the tide? Let us know here and in the World Soccer chat rooms.

Gunners look strong as they move into semis

Arsenal produced an impressive performance to overcome Villarreal 3-0 at Emirates Stadium and win their UEFA Champions League quarter-final 4-1 on aggregate. Theo Walcott gave the Gunners a perfect start when he coolly chipped the ball past Diego Lopez after 10 minutes, although Emmanuel Adebayor missed a good chance to make it 2-0 before the break. Villarreal improved after half-time and enjoyed a brief spell of pressure, but Adebayor's fine finish on the hour-mark eased Arsenal's nerves.
Any chance of a Villarreal fightback then disappeared nine minutes later when Walcott won a penalty after being brought down by Diego Godin, and Sebastian Eguren was sent off for protesting too much. Robin van Persie stepped up to smash the spot-kick home and Arsenal coasted through the closing stages to set up a meeting with defending champions Manchester United in the last four.

EPL top squads trying to focus as there are multiple task at hand

In an unprecedented display of consistency and excellence, the top four EPL sides are simultaneously battle with each other to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League while being separated by only one point at the top and 10 points between fourth place in the EPL table. Rarely has there ever been so much resting on each game as there will be over the next two weeks. Although their focal point was off his game Chelsea still sent an impressive message in their quarter final let one victory over Liverpool and returns to friendly confines of ‘The Bridge’ where they should close the Reds out. Also returning home will be Arsenal need just to hold serve to move on to the semis. The current EPL leaders will have to get some road work done if they are to keep hopes alive as a trip to Porto will not be easy with two away goals presenting a high hurdle. No doubt the two home sides have a great opportunity to advance but what about what about the other two? Who do you think will advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League? Let us know here and in the World Soccer Chat Rooms.

Barcelona 4 - 0 Bayern Munich
Liverpool 1 - 3 Chelsea
Man Utd 2 - 2 FC Porto
Villarreal 1-1 Arsenal

EPL comes down the home stretch with much to be decided

At the top, defending champions Manchester United are wobbling. It has been suggested the jelly feeling has been due, too many scrapes indicating a collapse was on the horizon. And so it has proved. Sir Alex Ferguson, though, has a habit of turning the tide, of avoiding the self-destruct button. The talent is there, and one would prefer not to be Sunderland come 3pm.

Liverpool will no doubt have the taunt of a midweek Chelsea defeat fresh in their smarting minds. It will be intriguing viewing to see how the Reds respond in their quest for the title against a rough and ready Blackburn Rovers still grappling for survival.

Meanwhile Chelsea in their UEFA Champions League showing against Liverpool reminded all of their horsepower, and they'll need all they can muster if they're going to overtake the leaders. Gary Megson's bullish Bolton Wanderers have fared well at Stamford Bridge in the past, but be warned of Michael Essien and co. That Merseyside injection was no short-term fix.
The return of Newcastle United hero Alan Shearer on Tyneside last Saturday proved an anticipated anticlimax, but perhaps the occasion got the better of the 'Messiah' - a pseudonym which ultimately defines as saviour, and screams much expectation for a former television pundit to bear. Do you think Man U can hold off the other three Champions League participants to raise the cup? Let us know here and in the World Soccer Chatrooms. Here are the EPL standings going into the final weeks.

Premier League Table - April 5 2009
Team.............P.......W......D.......L.......GD.....Pts
Man U ....... 30......21..... 5...... 4..... 32......68
Liverpool ......31......19......10......2.......34......67
Chelsea.........31......19......7.......5.......34......64
Arsenal.........31......16......10......5.......23......58
Aston Villa.....31......15......7.......9........6......52

EPL teams continue to dominate Champions League

The self proclaimed ‘best league in the world’ made a major statement this week as all four EPL sides continued to advance in the Champions League tournament with Liverpool looking the most dominant in their disposal of Real Madrid. Chelsea eliminated the defending Italian Champions on aggregate, while Man U won the other British/Italian matchup with a 2-0 shutout of Inter at Old Trafford. The match of the day, and tournament thus far was Arsenal’s 7-6 pk win over Roma, completing the English sweep over Italy. Meanwhile, lost in the shuffle was Barcelona who continued to live up to their billing as the side most likely to sample success in Rome on 27th May as they brushed aside Lyon 5-2 to wrap up a 6-3 aggregate win. Thierry Henry set Pep Guardiola's side on their way in the Camp Nou in the 25th minute as he collected Rafael Marquez's pass to stride into acres of space and slot past Hugo Lloris. Another formidable opponent, Porto advanced after a goalless stalemate they with Atletico Madrid in Portugal, allowing the home side to progress on away goals following a 2-2 draw in the first leg. A tense night at the Estadio Dragao saw a game of few chances. Fernando had an effort for Porto in the first half, while Sergio Aguero turned down the opportunity to pass as Atletico's best attack went to waste. The Spanish side introduced Diego Forlan in the second half after the striker had surprisingly been left on the bench, but it was Porto who almost snatched the win on the night as Lisandro hit a post in the dying minutes. So don’t start engraving the trophy just yet as there is plenty of football left to play and some other countries still might have something to say about the British ‘dominance’ before it’s all said and done. Who is your pick to win the Champions League? Let us know here and in the world soccer chat rooms.

UEFA Champions League Results
Wednesday 11th March
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FC Porto 0 - 0 Atletico Madrid
Roma 1 - 0 Arsenal
Man Utd 2 - 0 Inter Milan
Barcelona 5 - 2 Lyon

Tuesday 10th March
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Juventus 2 - 2 Chelsea
Liverpool 4 - 0 Real Madrid
Bayern Munich 7 - 1 Sporting
Panathinaikos 1 - 2 Villarreal