So, basically, the four best teams left in UEFA Champions League that are not named ManU are all in the same half of the quarterfinal draw. I'd just like to say this to Michel Platini: Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't need your help getting to the final, though you gave it anyway by throwing him the weakest team for the quarterfinals (Porto) and potential matchups with an overrated Spanish team (Villareal) or a mostly underperforming British team (Arsenal). Meanwhile, two Final-worthy teams have to face one another in the quarters (Munich/Barca), and neither would get much relief from playing a strong British side in the semis (Chelsea/Pool).
I understand that it's a random draw and all, but the fact that it came out exactly the way it would have in Fergie's dream world is disappointing, and enough to frustrate the other four top quality squads that have all been stuck together on the wrong side of the bracket.
Portsmouth 2-1 Everton
Peter Crouch's two robot dances get a critical three points for Pompey.
Blackburn 1-1 West Ham United
The Hammers get held to a draw in their continued attempt to lock down a spot in Europe next year. Blackburn remains hopeful that they can lock down a spot in England's top flight again.
Fulham 2-0 Manchester United
Paul Scholes gets a red card for being old and forgetting that you can't use your hands in soccer (see above picture), and Fulham make United pay dearly.
Stoke City 1-0 Middlesbrough
If this continues, Middlesbrough won't have Liverpool to push around anymore next season.
Tottenham 1-0 Chelsea
Luka Modric hands the Blues their worst-timed loss of the year.
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Bolton
Someone named Shittu scored the own goal that brought the Baggies a point. I'll leave you to make your own joke.
Newcastle 1-3 Arsenal
Another strong performance from the Gunners keeps them in fourth.
Wigan 1-0 Hull City
The Latics steal the match late, further dampening Hull City's relegation battle.
Manchester City 1-0 Sunderland
Robinho has an early penalty saved, but Man City pulls out three points in the second half in spite of his overratedness/overpaidness/Brazilianness**.
Liverpool 5-0 Aston Villa
Perhaps we here at WCIS should rethink our endorsement of Villa...
**Terms may be used interchangeably
Elsewhere:
In Spain, Real Madrid defeated Almeria 3-0, and Barcelona smashed Malaga at home, 6-0. The Barca lead remains 6 points.
In Italy, Juventus blew out Roma, 4-1, on Saturday. Inter won 3-0 against bottom of the table Reggina on Sunday to maintain a 7 point lead in Serie A going into the international break.
In Germany, Berlin's lead shrank to a single point after they lost to Stuttgart, and Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg both got wins on Saturday. Hamburg defeated Schalke on Sunday to also move within a point of the Berliners.
Top Of The Table:
Man U 65 Pts. +31
Liverpool 64 Pts. +33
Chelsea 61 Pts. +32
Arsenal 55 Pts. +21
Aston Villa 52 Pts. +7
Everton 48 Pts. +9
The Reds climb within a point of the Red Devils, and also the margin of their victory means they have also surpassed Man U on goal differential, which could turn out to be important in the end this year. Arsenal is now looking like a fourth place lock with their improving form and Villa's decomposition. Everton is seven points clear for the second Europa League spot.
Relegation Musical Chairs:
Bolton 34 Pts. -12
Hull City 33 Pts. -17
Sunderland 32 Pts. -10
Portsmouth 32 Pts. -14
Stoke City 32 Pts. -18
Blackburn 31 Pts. -16
Newcastle 29 Pts. -13
Middlesbrough 27 Pts. -21
West Bromwich Albion 24 Pts. -29
Portsmouth and Stoke City both get critical victories to move three points clear of the guillotine, which now hangs over Newcastle's head. No worries, though- Newcastle's beer won't get relegated from my preferred options anytime soon...
Goal Of The Week:
Xavi opens the scoring for Barcelona
Midweek Action:
I got nothin'. Seriously, there isn't any top level club stuff this week, because the top players on those top clubs will be preparing for next weekend's round of World Cup Qualifying. While I could take this chance to declare war on the USA's two upcoming opponents, El Salvador and Trinidad & Tobago just don't generate the same "die in a fire" emotions as Mexico does.
Important Advice From Max Weinberg:
Weekend In Review posts Mondays at 8:15.
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