*Takes Deep Breath* Hang On To Your Socks...This Will Take a While

For today:
United v Aston Villa--Carling Cup Final
Cristiano and his Pichichi Aspirations
Arsenal--A nasty break for the Gunners
C-Club--A nasty break for the Scummers
World Cup kits--A couple of stunners
Bordeaux--A nasty storm is a bummer
Bordeaux--The Bummiest

United Put the Sword to Villa's Cup Hopes
Manchester United became the first side to successfully defend the Carling Cup since 1990.  With 88,000+ in attendance at Wembley Stadium in London, the Reds looked to win in regulation after a penalty shootout win last year.  Traditionally, the Carling Cup runup matches are played with youth members of the squad, and United held true to that, in part, in the Final.  Sir Alex looked to rest Wayne Rooney for being the United workhorse for the last two months and indeed Wazza was put on the sub list, with Berbatov and Owen starting up front.  With Rio and Giggsy still on the injured list, the back four was composed of two veterans (Evra (Capt.), Vidic), and two young ones (Rafael, Jonny Evans).  The midfield was the only area that was experience-packed, with Valencia, Fletcher, Park, and Carrick doing the honors.  The Reds' number one keeper, Edwin Van der Sar (who recently extended his contract another year), was rested for the day.  Instead of going with last year's winning Carling Cup keeper, Ben Foster, the Boss went with Kusczak.
The other side of the pitch was packed with Villa's first team.  But, it wasn't enough.  The first score went to the Villains because Vidic pulled down Agbonlahor in the area (3rd minute), giving Villa a penalty, which Milner converted.  But the remaining 90 minutes belonged to United.  In the 12th minute, Berbatov did some fancy footwork inside the box, stealing the ball from Villa defender Dunne, who then tackled it away from Berba...right onto the foot of the "Fox in the Box" himself, Michael Owen...who said, "I'll take that, thank you!" And slid it past Villa keeper Brad Freidel. 1-1.  United had many more chances to score, coming very close each time, but unable to click the scoreboard tally.  With just under a minute to play in the first half, Owen pulled up lame when he reached too far for a Berba pass, and Man of the Hour Wayne Rooney came on...much to the chagrin of the Villa faithful and team.  He didn't disappoint.  In the 74th minute, he converted a Valencia cross into a winning header, putting the Reds ahead 2-1...and that was all she wrote.  Kudos to Martin O'Neill's bunch for showing up for the match and giving it their best.  They've never played in Wembley before, and I'm sure with their improved play that they will be back.

Oops...naughty Nemanja Vidic pulls down Agbonlahor for a penalty

I love posting Michael Owen pics! Here he celebrates with Berba

...and Fletch

Just one more...

Roo heads home the winner

...and celebrates with Patrice

Capt. Patrice raises the cup for the Red faithful!!

POP! fzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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I Want Me Some Pichichi

Cristiano scored his 13th La Liga goal of the year in their 1-5 drubbing of bottom-dweller Tenerife.  The Canary Islands bunch have always been a nasty test for the Madridiots, with the former usually topping the Merengues.  CR's goal wasn't a stunner; a penalty (obviously he topped Xabi Alonso for the job this time)...and it's importance was debatable (the 4th goal).  He has claimed that the Pichichi (the horribly-named award for most goals in La Liga) is his goal...what about the titles? hmmmm.  But...his teammate, Gonzalo Higuain, is ahead in the Real standings with 16 goals.  David Villa (reportedly a United target...doubtful) tops the table with 17.  The interesting issue here is...who is tops at Real?  After His Royal Ronnyness' expensive move last summer, he was hailed as the savior of Real.  He's hardly been that this year, and Higuain's form has fans begging that HE be the starter in matches, not CR.  Stay tuned.

CR showing his support for his home island, Madeira

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Arsenal--A Nasty Break for the Gunners (GROSS OUT ALERT...SKIP IF U R SQUEAMISH)

The Gunners fought back against Stoke City (a team on the move) to win 1-3, but it was marred by a horrible tackle by Shawcross on 19-yr-old Aaron Ramsey.  Shawcross was given the red, which definitely helped the Gunners come back.  Stoke City had dominated much of the match, so the unfortunate incident and scoreline weren't indicative of the match as a whole.

Shawcross has apologized for the tackle saying, "I didn't mean to hurt him."  Apology or not, the tib-fib fracture has ended the youngster's promising season.  He underwent surgery yesterday and is expected to play again, but when is a good question.  Nearly two years ago another Gunner, Eduardo, suffered a similar fracture.  He is now back playing for his side.

EWWWW!  That leg isn't right!

Ramsey gives the crowd a lift

C-Club--A Nasty Break for the Scummers

Well, as I predicted, the Blues would hold true-to-form and drop more points before the season was over.  And that they did.  Hosting Man @#$% at Stamford Bridge, C-Club was looking to improve on their one-point advantage on United.  But...the Blue side of Manchester had other things in mind.  Two goals by His Royal Trollness and two goals by His Royal Nastyness (Bellamy) was enough to down the 9-man Blues 2-4.  So...they gained 0 points on the Reds.  The pre-match festivities, ironically, promised the most fireworks; the first meeting of John Terry and his aggrieved former friend, Wayne Bridge (see How Disappointing below).  As you will see by the photo (I HAD to show it...ugggh) even the refs were interested to see how they would react to each other.  Of course Bridge snubbed the handshake of Terry, and the crowd gasped, *cue sappy music* as if they thought the two would embrace, cry together, and wave to the crowd that they had mended their differences. Please.  Both teams have bigger fish to fry...one will be lucky to crack the top 4, the other will be lucky to stay atop the table.  All I can say is this off-pitch/on-pitch strife is GREAT FOR UNITED!!!!! (the Carling Cup Champions, in case you haven't heard)

Bridge (#3) avoids JT and the refs are nosy!!!

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World Cup Kits--A Couple of Stunners

With the world ready to convene in South Africa this summer, Nike took the time during their annual NikeFootball event in London to unveil the new away kits for their sponsored national teams.  I like most of them, except the Charlie Brown look on the left.  The United States' kit is a throwback to their 1950 kit (although I feel they could be mistaken for royalty in S.A....or polo players).  Of all, I really love the Portugal kit.  The vertical stripes are striking and so different from their other attire.  My vote for the most unoriginal and boring is the Brazil strip.  It's the same one they always wear...hardly inspiring.  Let's hope their play is...wait...I'm not cheering for Brazil.

U.S. and Portugal (3rd and 4th from left)

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Bordeaux--A Nasty Storm is a Bummer

The Girondins were looking to put an already-postponed Ligue Cup match with Le Mans on the books today, when a terrible storm that wreaked havoc all throughout Europe put a damper on the plans (51 people have died).  The Marine et Blanc already have a backed-up schedule, thanks to a congested Ligue 1/Champions League/Ligue Cup schedule.  I suppose if the Girondins would lose then they could rest easily, but we don't want that.  So more matches will have to be set aside so they can get their previous matches under foot.  I've attached video of the storm footage...hurricane-force winds!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC1HppoH3Jc

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Bordeaux--The Bummiest!!!
from The Daily Mail:

Arsenal are finalising a four-year deal with Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh, with chief executive Ivan Gazidis negotiating the Moroccan's contract, so Arsene Wenger has at least secured one new signing for next season.
Chamakh is out of contract this summer so entitled to speak to Gazidis but the club are unlikely to announce it until the end of the season out of respect for Bordeaux. Chamakh has made little secret of the move.
'I've dreamed of the Premier League since I was a little boy. I am ready to discover the experience for myself,' he said last week. [end story]

If they are not announcing this to the press out of respect for Bordeaux, then why did he leak it to the press?  I'm not doubting that Chamakh is going to Arsenal next year but the wrangling around this is pathetic and eerily reminiscent of a certain pathetic Spanish club last summer.

Sadly, we won't see this next year!  The Chamcuff *wipes tear*

One more time...

Let's hope we do this two more times this season!