Official 2011/12 Barclays Premier League Thread

[Alex.]

We weren't good enough today, but this is the close call offside which I feel we were unlucky to have. I realise it's extremely close here and the linesman has a difficult job though.

 

[Hatcha]

Does Ba not play it to Cabaye which then gives Cisse more time to get level, making it much more close than the photo suggests?

 

[Alex.]

The touch was from Ba to Cisse without touching any players.

 

[Hatcha]

It wasn't like, it was definitely played to Cabaye or Ben Arfa before reaching Cisse.

 

[Touring Mars]

The touch was from Ba to Cisse without touching any players.

Nope, it was flicked on to Cisse by Ben Arfa. All I can surmise is that Cisse was judged to be not interfering with play as the ball was played by Ba, and that he was on-side (or atleast not so blatantly offside) when Ben Arfa flicked it on.

By the way, Ba didn't get credited with the assist either on the BBC Sport live feed or in the Barclays Premier League Fantasy Football...

 

[Ross]

I have watched many replays of this and can conclude that it was offside as the defender just missed it, bad call by the lino IMO.

 

[HighSeasHoMastr]

What a tremendous game tonight. Blackburn played extremely well across the match, and I feel that 2 goals should leave them feeling a bit hard done by. As a United fan though, I'll gladly take a 5 point lead with 7 to play!

The goals were both fantastic as well. Valencia's maybe should have been saved, but it was a fabulous strike nonetheless. And Young's goal was absolute class; swerving it inside the post like that, those don't get saved. Valencia continues to impress, which is fantastic considering all the doubts surrounding him after his lengthy injury and subsequent problems. Also, I was quite impressed by Phil Jones in the midfield; tough now to say just where he's best, centerback? Wide defender? Holding mid? Nice to have that versatility, especially with our current central players getting older.

Should be a cracking finish to the season this year, at the top and bottom of the table!

 

[Liquid]

I didn't want them to, but I really though City could do it.

Advantage: Ferguson.

 

[Ross]

Being a United supporter, I was getting slightly worried at around 70 mins but we finally scored and gave ourselves a 5 point lead which could be very crucial at the end of April when we play City.

 

[Touring Mars]

A good result for United, although a frustratingly lacklustre display by Man Utd if you ask me... strange set up to begin with, and Rafael, Carrick and Scholes were a waste of space all night - Rooney also looked out of sorts, not to mention out of position! Welbeck also didn't cover himself in glory either.

Blackburn were unlucky that De Gea chose tonight to start playing like a world class keeper, and could have been 2 or 3 up by half time, although Hernandez was unlucky not to score in the first half.

Valencia was undoubtedly the man of the match, although De Gea deserved alot of the credit for the win too. Leaving Scholes on for so long and keeping Young on the bench for 80 mins was very strange, but once again Ferguson made the right moves in order to clinch a vital win.

United must be hot favourites for the title now. City could still do it, but they may have a long wait waiting on United slipping up. The derby is going to be a cracker of a game next month.

 

[TyrrellRacing]

A good result for United, although a frustratingly lacklustre display by Man Utd

Like 80% of their games then.

 

[Liquid]

Like 80% of their games then.

Yet it works.

There is one golden rule in football:

The league table never lies

It's reflective of the teams' performance average over the season. I'd know. My team finished 92nd out of 92 league teams back in 2008. Heartbreaking.

 

[Ross]

I guess your team is Wrexham then?

My Grandad's team, Lincoln had that happen to them last year.

 

[Liquid]

I guess your team is Wrexham then?

My Grandad's team, Lincoln had that happen to them last year.

Non-league. Along with York, Cambridge, Luton, Grimsby, Stockport and Mansfield. All teams with extensive periods in the football league.

The only unfair casualty there is Luton. They recently sacked their manager after dropping from 3rd to 6th, which is out of the play-offs.

But hey, we were bottom of the system for a good reason. It's hard work that will get us back into the league, but there's a big problem at the lower end of the spectrum. The bottom third of League 2 and the top third of the Conference are pretty much of the same standard, but there are only two places on offer each year, which creates a nasty funnel underneath.

Also known as Three Stooges syndrome.

You shouldn't need English to get the reference.

 

[Emptyone]

Interesting day in the league. Chelsea making a decent last minute push for 4th, but both their goals were offside, shocking work from the Linesman. Liverpool are just going downhill, slipping towards the lower middle of the table. Newcastle still strong and Cisse is a brilliant addition to the squad. Make or break day for Man City tomorrow. If they lose to Arsenal, and United win, it's 8pts gap and all but over.

 

[TyrrellRacing]

Terrible, terrible decisions at Stamford Bridge, although you can hardly say Chelsea have had the majority of wrong decisions swinging in their favour this season.

 

[Emptyone]

Terrible, terrible decisions at Stamford Bridge, although you can hardly say Chelsea have had the majority of wrong decisions swinging in their favour this season.

It's not that they were just offside, the first one was yards offside, it beggars belief how the linesman missed it. Tottenham need to turn things around otherwise Chelsea are going to jump them.

 

[marchi]

Pathetic dive from Young, but then again, you can't blame him for the complete and utter ineptness to first: call of the offside, secondly book Young for the dive and thirdly actually think about handing out redcards before doing it willy nilly. Shocking weekend for officiating.

 

[Ross]

Balotelli got lucky to survive until that late in the game. He should have been sent off early in the first half. Anyway, good day for us United fans.

 

[Emptyone]

Arteta seals the deal for United and the title race. Balotelli just couldn't keep his head. 8pts gap at the top, should be all over now. 20 league titles for Man United, and another for SAF. How much more will Mancini spend in the summer after a trophyless season is the question now.

 

[MagpieRacer]

I doubt Mancini will see it to the next game.

 

[Emptyone]

I doubt Mancini will see it to the next game.

Well, Hughes didn't get away without winning for long. Whether Mansour turns into an Abramhovichesque chairman needing return on his investment is a whole another story if City keep not winning. Think he'll stay to the end of the season at lest though.

 

[Lucas]

"Manchester City wins derbies. Manchester United wins Premier Leagues."



That's what Fergie must be thinking. But the Premier League is not over until it's over.

 

[Mike Rotch]

It's not over yet, but Arsenal have come a long way since "8-2"; they deserve a pat on the back for that.

 

[cuco33]

Balotelli is a clown. Straight up clown. His 1st yellow was only the 3rd cleats up challenge that he did. At HT not a single Man City player came to see if he was OK which speaks the world to be honest. And I was surprised to still see him on the pitch playing after the half.

Congrats to Arsenal on the win. Arteta's goal was definitely a nice one.

It's not over yet but Man United has this in the bag. Crazy to think that I was sure Man City had it by 1/2 way point through the season and did not expect the crash n tumble of Man City. Who knows what happens with Mancini... he had to deal with Tevez AND Balotelli's antics and they are 2nd in EPL at the moment. Obviously crashed out of all tourneys but there's clearly issues in the locker room. If he gets canned, he can go back to Inter Milan who are desperately struggling.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Norwich leading at Tottenham which is a great result for Newcastle, as long as we can get something against Bolton!

EDIT: Ben Arfa has just scored a stunner! GET IN SON! Rides 3 challenges, runs 70 yards and stick it in! BEAUTY!

 

[MagpieRacer]

So, we are now level with Spurs, 3 clear of Chelsea with Chelsea playing Fulham tonight. Come on Fulham

 

[cuco33]

I'd love to see Fulham beat Chelsea, 1-0, with Dempsey scoring of course

I don't know why I have so much hate for Chelsea.. maybe cuz they sacked AVB who never had a chance, maybe cuz the old guard pisses me off.. maybe cuz they still hang on to hopes with Torres.. maybe cuz my boy Raul Meireles (and Bosingwa) are there and I wished they weren't... who knows! lol

 

[MagpieRacer]

People go on about this "old guard" nonsense, Lampard, Terry, Ivanovic, Drogba, all among Chelseas top scorers.

 

[HighSeasHoMastr]

Oh Spurs.