Which Club Is Going To Win The Premiership This Season?

[Jeimuzu]

1-1 so far, Richardson scored after Scholes put a long ball forward, and Rooney brought it down with loads of room. We were trying to attack at the time, so we got caught out. Only 2:55 gone at this point.

However, Rio pulled up badly after going for a header, and has messed up his groin again. Unable to really challenge at all, he could only watch as Viduka connected to a cross from the left and put it past Van Der Sar's (seemingly rather bad) attempt to save, on the stroke of half time.

So Middlesbrough have equalised, Man Utd have suffered more defensive injuries, and Van Der Sar is really looking flustered. That's what's in our favour.

What's in their's is Ronaldo. He's being showing off up front, admittedly going down easily occasionally, but then so has Rochemback, so I can't complain. One trick in particular sticks in my mind, where he backheeled it against his other foot, to pass in the opposite direction of the backheel. Show off...

We can always concede again, but so could they. It's anyone's game now!

 

[olides74]

Good job Middlesborough!!! Whatcha think Jacobim?

It's amazing how as a semi-neutral observer - but who definitely wants ManU to win the title over Chelsea - that I shifted who I was supporting while watching this match. And I hereby take back my post a few months back railing about how much more I respected ManU over Chelsea - they were whining and diving today just as much as Mourinho's boys.

Ok, out to enjoy what's left of the morning. And finally, yay, Reading!! Back into 7th and a European spot.

 

[Jeimuzu]

*tries to stop the incontrollable shaking*

My god was that tense... Games like that remind me why I regard Football as the greatest sport in the world.

So, right, stayed the same after the second 45 minutes, Middlesbrough defended like heroes, and could well have won it. So could Man Utd, of course - that's why it was so tense.

Viduka could well have scored very early on, with a fabulous piece of skill, only to be blocked off by a onrushing Van Der Sar. Excellent play by both keeper and striker.

A lot of shooting from distance - I thought Cattermole had scored on his wrong foot, whereas Man Utd went close a couple of times - Carrick's sticks in the memory especially.

And two very tough decisions, one on either side; The Solskjaer 'goal', which is a serious grey area in the rules, and a penalty decision which Lee Dong-Gook didn't get given.

Solskjaer blocked a ball from being kicked from the Keepers hands, and put it in the net... well, I'm not sure there's a rule against it, but whatever happened, the spirit of the law was followed ahead of the word. The two hand rule means that when the keeper has two hands on the ball, nobody can kick it out. The reason it's two hands is because that makes it so that he clearly has control. Schwarzer naturally had control - it was a simple drop-kick.

The other decision; The commentators agreed that it was a definite penalty. O'Shea didn't make contact, and was the only man left to stop Dong-Gook besides Van Der Sar. That's as clear a penalty as there can be... written down. In practise, it's very hard for the referee to see, so I can see why it's not given - And quite possibly to even up what he may have been worrying was a bad decision with the Solskjaer incident. Quite common in refereeing.

So, two decisions, I honestly think Middlesbrough should've had a penalty, and by the word of the rules, Solskjaer should've scored. However, by the spirit of the law, it shouldn't have been a goal...

I'm letting the two decisions cancel each other out. I think it was a hard earned thoroughly deserved draw.

Well done with Reading, Olides! It'll be good to see you in Europe next year, if you stay in position! Try and go one better than Boro and win the thing, maybe? I want an English team to win it soon, but Middlesbrough got the closest last year, and yet just couldn't quite get there; We got to the final, but got a bit of a kicking.

By the way, since you're not local to Reading, why do you support them? Were you from around there, or did you just look at all the clubs, and just find something you really liked about Reading?

On topic, I'm really proud of the way middlesbrough played today, and hopefully that can spur on a bit of form, maybe leading to finishing a bit higher? Above Newcastle hopefully, who're taking on Chelsea tomorrow, which, if they lose, they'll stay only one point ahead of us.

C'mon Boro!!

I shall finish on a few interesting statistics.

1.) If Man Utd had won today, it would've been the first time they'd won 11 matches in a row at Old Trafford.

2.) That was the first away league goal Middlesbrough has scored since playing charlton in our only away win this season. That was on January 13th, where we won 3-1 thanks to Yakubu, Cattermole and Arca, and despite a Hasselbaink opener.

3.) The statistics before the game for the past five clashes between the two sides at Old Trafford, shockingly, favoured Middlesbrough;
2 wins, 2 draws and a loss. Now, make that 2 wins, 3 draws, and a loss.

 

[Sam_UK]

i really dont understand why he played Rio, i guess they just thought he was fit enough, obviously not. Besides the 2 goals there wasnt really much in it i dont think, neither sides really created much good chances, guess a draw was probably a fair result on the night.

i so fukin pissed off though lol if Chelsea win tommorrow against Newcastle then the gap is down to 1pt, and this is surely now the closest ending of a Premiership season in years.

I think its sort of swinging towards Chelsea now, the pressure is really on and the injuries are now catching up with us

 

[greaves]

Well done Boro. Should be secure now.

"For a second time this week, the visiting team are wondering why they were not awarded a penalty." Not my words sam, but the Sky commentator, though, to be fair, today's incident was not as clear-cut as the one v SheffUtd.

Makes for an excitng run-in to the title race. ManUtd's next three Prem fixtures are all away: Everton, ManCity and Chelsea...Tricky.

Spurs were VERY lucky to get a point v Arsenal. They played well in the 1st half, but were rubbish in the 2nd half. Quite the worst performance I've seen from them this season. Apart from Berbatov.

Fortunately, we have an easy game next Saturday...

Runs for cover...

 

[Jeimuzu]

i really dont understand why he played Rio, i guess they just thought he was fit enough, obviously not. Besides the 2 goals there wasnt really much in it i dont think, neither sides really created much good chances, guess a draw was probably a fair result on the night.

i so fukin pissed off though lol if Chelsea win tommorrow against Newcastle then the gap is down to 1pt, and this is surely now the closest ending of a Premiership season in years.

I think its sort of swinging towards Chelsea now, the pressure is really on and the injuries are now catching up with us

I think he played him because he is the one really who can deal with aerial threats. When he's out of it, you're kinda weak there at the moment; and we do currently have one of the most accurate crossers in the league. It was from a ball from the left, while Ferdinand was limping and couldn't compete for the ball, that we scored. If he'd not pulled up badly at that point, I'm not sure we'd have scored. We were fortunate in that sense; but that's football! There was fortune going both ways, as there is in most games.

To be honest, Sam, Middlesbrough have always been your bogey team. The stat about the previous form says a lot about our giant-killing abilities away from home. They certainly aren't disputed at home, considering the fact that we outclassed three of the top teams in the country last year at the riverside.

I think Man Utd need to remember the ball is still in their court, and that they're still at the top; and of course, that their goal difference is much better, I think.

I think the worst thing for you now would be if Chelsea go out of europe; that way, they'll have a fixture congestion advantage over you, and that could be disastrous, especially with your depleted squad this season.

I'm quite impressed at the resilience of Man Utd this season, tbh. You lost Van Nistelrooy at the start, who for five years had been the striker. All that's happened since then is that other people have chipped in with a few more goals, and Ronaldo now looks like a striker purely on goals return, as well as a winger and attacking midfielder.

I'd rather Chelsea didn't win the league, but I do want Newcastle to lose - this season will be a success for me, if we finish above Newcastle. Closest local rivals to Middlesbrough, in the premiership anyway.

 

[Sam_UK]

yea i knw wot u mean Jacob, i mean last year, oh the horrific memories of a 4-1 slaughtering lol

and yea defo about ur goal, if only he hadnt hav pulled up 2 mins b4 the halftime whistle then i do think we would have been fine.

The Champions League doesnt matter now, as were both in the semi's, and the final would be the last match of the season, so even if Chelsea went out, it wouldnt matter.

I think we've done really well without Van Nistelrooy, and yea the amount of goals we've scored this season and the fact that they've been coming from all parts of the field is great. If only Saha was fit, hes scored 8 goals in the premiership this season but hes been injured more or less since Janurary. I do hope we sign another stricker this season.

i understand why u want Chelsea to win 2mrw, but obviously ill be supporting Newcastle hehe

 

[Jeimuzu]

yea i knw wot u mean Jacob, i mean last year, oh the horrific memories of a 4-1 slaughtering lol

and yea defo about ur goal, if only he hadnt hav pulled up 2 mins b4 the halftime whistle then i do think we would have been fine.

The Champions League doesnt matter now, as were both in the semi's, and the final would be the last match of the season, so even if Chelsea went out, it wouldnt matter.

I think we've done really well without Van Nistelrooy, and yea the amount of goals we've scored this season and the fact that they've been coming from all parts of the field is great. If only Saha was fit, hes scored 8 goals in the premiership this season but hes been injured more or less since Janurary. I do hope we sign another stricker this season.

i understand why u want Chelsea to win 2mrw, but obviously ill be supporting Newcastle hehe

A friendly rivalry tomorrow between us, then?

Yes, except to me they're wonderful memories. Look on the bright side, though; at least in yours you scored. We beat Chelsea 3-0 (after an horrific run of form, meaning if anyone had put a bet on 3-0, they'd have probably come away as millionaires ), as well So in the long run, we didn't actually damage your season last year. We even beat Arsenal!

Good point about the Champions league. In that case, it might be beneficial, then. After all, if they go out, it's also a morale damager; especially with how long they've been going for it.

A lot of teams lose a big player, and from then on are in deep trouble. For example, imagine Liverpool without Gerrard. What on earth would they do?
I know what they'd do - probably struggle to even qualify for the UEFA cup, let alone champions league.

Or, in fact, just note; Arsenal have had a relatively bad season this year, and when you keep in mind that Henry has had a horrible season with injuries, it explains why. Henry and Van Nistelrooy for about three seasons were the only two candidates in England for the top striker of the year, and this season they've neither been there.

At least for Arsenal they've had him for short spells, you haven't had a big goalscorer all season, you're just getting goals from everywhere. Rooney is not a big goalscorer, he's there to tear apart the defence. That's what he does.

I don't want Chelsea to win anything beyond the Carling Cup this year... although I wouldn't mind if they won both domestic cups (I know they've won them before Abramovich, even, so it's not really proving absolute success is buyable [ftr, I know because in consecutive seasons, they beat Boro in the finals {the main reason I dislike Chelsea, really} ]) and then Man Utd or Liverpool won the Champions League, while you won the league.

That way, Chelsea won't have 1.) joined the three-in-a-row club of Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal and Huddersfield apparently of winning the top flight three years on the trot, and 2.) won their biggest prize, being the champions league.

Poor watford. It's a shame they're down, but I just guess they expected it. Ah well.

So, two spots up for grabs! Who is gonna drop off now? I reckon West ham are down, too... which is sheer, unadulterated, complete disaster - if they could've got their stuff together, they'd be in Europe right now. Their squad is impressive. I just hope Boro nick a couple of the better players afterwards. Yossi Benayoun would be nice.

And after them, Charlton, Wigan or Sheff Utd are the likely ones now. I think that extra point may just save Fulham from being dragged in, despite their recent troubles. I wanna see Sheff Utd go down now, though, because I've recently decided that Neil Warnock is a complete git.

Anyone remember where he basically decided that Middlesbrough were a complete joke, biased, were ruining his side's chances of staying up, and all that, because we rested a couple of players against Man City, so we could be stronger in the cup match about three days after?

He rested a fair few of his players a while back, can't remember what match, but some of the bigger names weren't there, and all that...

So, come on Wigan! Come on Charlton!

 

[olides74]

By the way, since you're not local to Reading, why do you support them? Were you from around there, or did you just look at all the clubs, and just find something you really liked about Reading?

The latter. Went to the WC this past summer, getting back into soccer again. Decided I needed a team to root for in the premiership. Learned about Reading, the whole 135 years and finally in the top division mojo, two USA internationals including Bobby Convey who is my favorite US player.

Then watched their first game - against you guys!! - and their 3-2 comeback victory and said "that's my team!" Unfortunately, Convey's been injured most of the season, but they are fun to follow and definitely play football the right way.

I've linked up with a couple Reading locals and am hoping to visit and see a game there early next season. Also hopefully see a Liverpool game with a good mate who is a huge fan. Just gotta wait for the schedules to come out, whenever that is.

 

[olides74]

I wanna see Sheff Utd go down now, though, because I've recently decided that Neil Warnock is a complete git.

Jeez, it only took me a few months of paying attention to english football to come to that conclusion. And I'm not sure what git exactly means but I have a good guess. He is entertaining though - if everyone was like Coppell that'd be awful.

 

[Jeimuzu]

That 3-2 annoyed me. That was Middlesbrough at our leakiest. We've got good defenders now, though, that doesn't happen so much anymore. Otherwise though, Reading are alright. I certainly respect their manager, because he's not a complete moron, which shockingly enough is pretty rare in this division.

Before, Warnock just was another manager to me. I guess I usually spend my time criticising the 'bigger fish', but he directly attacked our team, so I hate him now.

 

[Jeimuzu]

Chelsea 0 - 0 Newcastle

That'll do as a compromise, Sam, don't you think? Chelsea gain no ground on you, and Newcastle don't pull away from Boro

 

[Sam_UK]

hehe yea im happy with that Jacob, i was shittin it close to the end lol

i thought the match was on later 2day, so when my mate sed to me online its still 0-0 i was like "WOT?" lol so i quickly put it on and saw the 2nd half i jus thought they were gna score at the end like they always do lol

 

[Jeimuzu]

Haha yeah, there is a period of time known only as Chelsea time. Aka the last couple of minutes, when they score winners.

 

[Sam_UK]

Well Ronaldos already got 1 treble in the bag, maybe it will be another one this season hehe

He won the PFA Player of the Year Award AND PFA Young Player of the Year Award on Sunday night. Both were voted by all the other players in the premiership.

And today hes also got the Fans' Player of the Year Award, and to me thats saying something that not only United fans, but other teams fans throughout the country have voted for him aswell.

Well done to him, already is a Legend at the Theatre of Dreams, but im sure he will go on to do a hell of a lot more in the coming few seasons

 

[Jeimuzu]

I'll admit, he deserved it, but I thought the Team of the Year was just silly. I mean, I really think Van Der Sar has been so... shaky this season. I mean, he's not bad, but he's not the best in the division based on the season's contributions.

No Terry, no Lampard, no Woodgate (Who I really think should be there)...

It's missing so many players who should be there.

 

[Sam_UK]

Oh god yea, totally forgot to mention that lol did think it was abit silly, even though im a Utd fan lol but hey Van Der Sars not been bad overall, its only in the last month or so hes looked shakey, besides that hes been quality all season.

personally my team of the year would have been

Goalkeeper: hate to say it, but Cech, hes kept the most clean sheets.

Defense:

Right - Neville, well it has to be, even at his age, on his day you just cant beat him.
Centre - Terry and Ferdinand, Englands centeral defense, so they must be good lol
Left - Cole, cant stand him, but he is one of the best and completes the England back four.​

Midfield:

Right - Gerrard, i know its not his best position, but i just think it would be silly to leave him out.
Centre - Fabregas and Scholes, for me, two of the best players in the premiership.
Left - Ronaldo, u really didnt think i wouldnt have him would u lol​

Strikers:

Drogba, as much as i cnt stand him, his goals this season speak for themselves
Rooney, well i knw hes not been on fire this season, but its his work rate and ethic.​

Subs
Goalkeeper: Van Der Sar
Defenders: Vidic, Carvalho, Woodgate
Midfielders: Lennon, Carrick, Giggs, Alonso
Strikers: Berbatov, Viduka, Van Persie (if he was still fit)

wow just reading it back, the subs team isnt to shabby at all lol

 

[Jeimuzu]

Oh god yea, totally forgot to mention that lol did think it was abit silly, even though im a Utd fan lol but hey Van Der Sars not been bad overall, its only in the last month or so hes looked shakey, besides that hes been quality all season.

personally my team of the year would have been

Goalkeeper: hate to say it, but Cech, hes kept the most clean sheets.

Defense:

Right - Neville, well it has to be, even at his age, on his day you just cant beat him.
Centre - Terry and Ferdinand, Englands centeral defense, so they must be good lol
Left - Cole, cant stand him, but he is one of the best and completes the England back four.​

Midfield:

Right - Gerrard, i know its not his best position, but i just think it would be silly to leave him out.
Centre - Fabregas and Scholes, for me, two of the best players in the premiership.
Left - Ronaldo, u really didnt think i wouldnt have him would u lol​

Strikers:

Drogba, as much as i cnt stand him, his goals this season speak for themselves
Rooney, well i knw hes not been on fire this season, but its his work rate and ethic.​

Subs
Goalkeeper: Van Der Sar
Defenders: Vidic, Carvalho, Woodgate
Midfielders: Lennon, Carrick, Giggs, Alonso
Strikers: Berbatov, Viduka, Van Persie (if he was still fit)

wow just reading it back, the subs team isnt to shabby at all lol

That seems way more reasonable a team than the one mentioned. I would've been uncertain about Rooney, but I just watched your game against Milan.

 

[Jeimuzu]

*celebrates* Woodgate has signed as a permanent Boro player £7 million, 4 year deal. Get in!

 

[Sam_UK]

wow thats a good deal, only £7m? i would have thought hes worth atleast twice that

but hey, good result for u i think.