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[JohnnyLocke]

Ferguson didn't have a lot of choice in Pique's decision though, Barca is his hometown club and he wanted to go home, plus United had Evans waiting in the wings. Forlan would qualify as a terrible buy for Fergie, he just didn't fit in with the club, but selling him was the right move. [/Fergie Defense].

Does anyone think that the unstable ownership is hurting Benitez' ability to sign players though? I know that Hicks' other teams haven't made any big signings (and this was the guy who signed A-Rod for $252 Million) recently, and I'm not sure if the money troubles have also hampered Rafa the past few years.

I don't think Benitez's tactics are awful, but it seems to me his team is built moreso to play well against the top squads and in Europe, whereas they have trouble beating the lower table teams, which is what a club has to do in order to win the EPL. They have too many 0-0 or 1-1 draws against teams that finish below 13th.

[RonanP]

Also I know Aquilani's been injured but even so spending 20 million on a player you know is injured isn't a good idea. They needed someone to take Alonso's place immediately, and they won't get the best of Aquilani until next season.

Someone told him that he'd be back in 3-4 weeks, it's been 3 months.

[waitforit]

When you look at the number of successful players he's bought, I think overall he's done alright. 

Rafa Benitez's £229m spending spree. The 76 players signed during the Liverpool manager's reign - since 2004

After looking at the list do you feel the same?

The problem with Benitez is that he is cup specialist and I fear last year was the closest he is ever going to get in winning the PL. Good coach or not he hasn't delivered on the home front where it really matters

[codespyder]

City draw their fifth game in a row against fucking Burnley at home. We either can't score, or can't defend. This is getting stupid. Now Spurs and Villa have caught up and bumped us down to sixth.

Speaking of which, Villa are looking monstrous in midfield right now. Possibly the league's third best organized midfield after Arsenal and Chelsea.

[Igotantsinmypants]

It's good to see that football can bring out the best in people sometimes. Aspects of kindness, sportsmanship and team work.

Of course sometimes it also brings out PURE MURDEROUS HATRED. Seriously, 0:09 is just terrible.

I just want to know why Roy Keane decided to put on a wig and play women's college soccer. She never even got red carded.

[crazylegs]

Damn, I'm gutted with that result. Really thought we could have gotten a draw at least.

I was furious with Fletcher, for giving away that free kick. Valencia had the ball on the right, surrounded by Chelsea players, and no one moved to give him an option to pass to.  He had nowhere to turn and when Chelsea inevitably got the ball back, Fletcher slides in with an awful challenge, then bitches when he concedes the free. And of course, that's the free Chelsea score from.

[Tim]

And before that Man Utd were the only team not to have conceded from a set-piece this season. I don't think this game really means anything other than 3 points. Chelsea fans will be disappointed they couldn't dominate a weak United team at home, United fans will be disappointed they didn't get a result despite playing better. Neutrals like me were disappointed the game was mostly boring.

This year I'm starting to think Arsenal win the league; they've just got that extra spark that no other team has: Fabregas.

I hope Liverpool-Birmingham is more interesting. This is something of a 'must win' game for Liverpool. This and the next thirty odd (more if they get a miracle in Europe).

[crazylegs]

Bah. Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool. Who cares about them? Because its nearly time for Internationals again!

Duff's got a question mark over his fitness and Folan is out, but apart from that, we've got a full team to pick from for next Saturday. On the other side, no Ribery, Diaby, Viera or Clichy (and maybe Henry, ...maybe.)

So I'm confident we can compete with the French. We've got to push for a goal at Croke Park, stop conceding stupid goals because of elementary defensive errors*, and not let them boss us around the midfield

*-That is, playing Kilbane at left back.

[SteelFan714]

This year I'm starting to think Arsenal win the league; they've just got that extra spark that no other team has: Fabregas.

I've been wondering why there has been almost no talk of them for the title. As recently as two weekends ago, while on ESPN's live chat they run every Saturday, somebody asked if Villa could be the team to usurp 'Pool and the ESPN guy came back with "I'm surprised to hear Liverpool not Arsenal." This while Arsenal was in the midst of some, at that point, 10 or so games unbeaten in all competition, and Liverpool had lost four times in nine league games. It's like they came into the year as the big four side in jeopardy, and damned if the talking heads are going to let results change that.

As it stands, I look at them even with a game in hand versus United and only two points behind Chelsea for most points possible in the League, and yet all any of the things I've read mention is them trying to hold off the likes of Villa and City. I eventually just conceded I simply don't understand the demands of a full campaign, with this being the first I've followed end-to-end, and that I must be wrong to be so optimistic.

Also, it's looking to me increasingly like United, Chelsea and Arsenal are quite a bit better than the rest of the league, but that the fight for the final CL bid and the three Europa spots should end up being really tight, with a lot of teams, and quite fun to watch.

[Swaimfan]

Fletcher slides in with an awful challenge, then bitches when he concedes the free. And of course, that's the free Chelsea score from.

That was certainly not a free.

I'm feeling quite proud of United, but pretty hard done by too.  Rooney's offside, Valencia's penalty, that free kick that led to the goal which should have been disallowed because Drogba was offside and interfering with play.

On the other hand, if Jonny Evans meant to kick Drogba he should get a lengthy ban.

[JohnnyLocke]

Totally agree with the above. I thought the referee was just poor today, a lot of bad decisions, and unfortunately those decisions decided the match.

I was really impressed with Evans and Brown in the center of defense, they really did a good job on Drogba and Anelka especially. I almost wonder if United would be better off if Rio wasn't an automatic start, or if he took a few weeks off to make sure he's 100% back both physically and mentally.

[crazylegs]

Isn't Ferdinand out for a while anyway due to injury? A calf problem this time, I think.

Evans and Brown were good today, but very iffy last Wednesday against CSKA so I'm not completely sold on those 2 being the back up to Vidic/Ferdinand.

If Ferguson goes with any first team changes it should be to switch Nani for Obertan whose has really impressed me in the few games he's played. I'd like to see him get a start, if only to to find out if he could keep his pace up for a whole game. Maybe he'll give it to him against Wolfsburg or Besiktas

[SteelFan714]

I forgot about that Drogba play. How, in the name of all that is good, did he end up catching the yellow for that? Did he chest him too hard in the studs? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the FA has an aggregate system for yellows leading to a game ban, right? Is there any chance of appealing to get that one taken off, because, come on.

[JohnnyLocke]

Isn't Ferdinand out for a while anyway due to injury? A calf problem this time, I think.

Yes, but they're claiming it stemmed from his previous back injury.

I found it odd that Drogba was carded for that, I didn't think he deserved it for the challenge because it didn't seem late, and obviously it wasn't for diving. I did however love that Vidic stood up on the sideline to get a better view of what was going on.

[InMotion]

I forgot about that Drogba play. How, in the name of all that is good, did he end up catching the yellow for that? Did he chest him too hard in the studs? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the FA has an aggregate system for yellows leading to a game ban, right? Is there any chance of appealing to get that one taken off, because, come on.

Chelsea haven't announced an appeal, but if I remember correctly you can only appeal red cards.  To be fair though, on balance that was probably the most deserved card in the history of football.

[Otis P Jivefunk]

Anyone else see that dude brushing his teeth behind the Chelsea dugout?



In London, folks be so busy they don't get time to brush their teeth before leaving the house.



edit:  It seems there is a larger than average ratio of ugly men in that photograph.

[codespyder]

Racist.

[Otis P Jivefunk]

Not at all.  Good oral hygiene just really turns me on.

[SteelFan714]

Well, that was a mighty fine finish from Ngog, and an even finer dive. I have to say, I find it pretty enjoyable that Liverpool have so quickly fallen from title contenders to a team that a just-promoted club can draw at Anfield, and have their captain talk of the game as "two points lost" not "a point won."

[Djavo]

Is it time for a new coach in Liverpool yet? Or will Benitez stay on for a longer period of time like Ferguson and Wenger?

Personally I always like if a good coach can stay around for a longer period of time to really make the team his own. But I don't think Benitez is good enough to get Liverpool to the first place.