Footy Speak

Forget Chelsea vs United on the pitch – a game which both teams seemed happy to draw until a dodgy set-piece – there were far more entertaining matters taking place off the pitch.

Just what is this guy playing at?!

A slick, powerful Chelsea sent out a warning to their title rivals with a dominant display against a hugely mediocre Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge – and for one of England’s forgotten men, it was the perfect showcase for Fabio Capello.

Joe Cole was at the heart of everything good about Chelsea, adding flair and movement to a fairly rigid diamond formation, constantly picking up the ball in dangerous pockets and committing defenders in the final third. Cole is a player like no other in Capello’s England shortlist and, if he can stay fit, must be a shoe-in for South Africa. He’s akin to an English South American; a dainty playmaker that can turn a game with one through ball, one mazy dribble, one devastating turn of pace.

Chelsea could have scored eight; in the end though, five was enough as Frank Lampard (2), Michael Essien, Didier Drogband and a Gael Givet own goal sent the Blues back to Premier League summit.

Manchester United equalled Ajax’s record of 14 successive unbeaten away matches in the Champions League last night after beating CSKA Moscow 1-0 to move within touching distance of the knockout stages.

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed a thoroughly professional performance as Antonio Valencia’s second goal in as many matches, four minutes from time, saw off Juande Ramos’s side and ensured United matched the record set by the Dutch club between 1994 and 1997.

United and Ajax both lost Champions League finals in Italy during these 14-game runs, but let’s not be pedantic…

Like Chelsea, 4-0 winners over Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge, a point from their next fixture — against CSKA at Old Trafford on November 3 — should be enough to secure qualification with two games to spare.

With Liverpool to play at Anfield on Sunday, it was the perfect run-out and result for United, who also avoided any further injuries on the artificial pitch at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Overall, for the English clubs this week, the results went their way in the Champions League. However, there were major concerns for Liverpool, after playing their way into a 2-0 defeat at Fiorentina.

I watched the match. I must say, I’ve never seen Liverpool play so badly. It really was men against boys. Fiorentina were first to every ball. I can’t even recall a good attacking move by Liverpool in the first half. Both goals should have been stopped however. The first was ridiculous – every Liverpool defender tried to play the offside – they all just looked around when Stevan Jovetic was through on goal – expecting the flag and the whistle. It didn’t come and Jovetic calmly slotted past Reina.

We are all use to seeing Liverpool tighten up when they need to. However, Tuesday night was different. When they are a goal down, playing badly, Fiorentina are on fire – DON’T GIVE THE BALL AWAY – keep it at 1-0 at the break. Instead Liverpool gave the ball away way to easily and Jovetic poked in his second from a cross/shot. Bam, I felt right there, there go Liverpool’s chances in this game!

But..in the end. We need to take this game into context. Its an early group stage game in the Champions league. It doesn’t matter that they lost – I have no doubt they will still qualify – they still have Fiorentina at home, Debrecon (whom Lyon smashed 4-0 the other day). This game will act as a warning bolt of lightning in the Liverpool camp.

Gerrard said: “We will be fine if we win our home games.”

I’ll put my life out on the line here and say that I expect them to take the game to Chelsea, I expect a goal feast and I expect another phenominal performence from El Nino!

Chelsea also played rubbish this week, however their opponents were too weak to get anything from the game and Chelsea ran out 1-0 winners, courtesy of an 18th minute Anelka strike. I feel this puts so much pressure on both Chelsea and Liverpool on the weekend, to perform and get a result. I’m already starting to get excited!

Manchester United, it could be argued were the only English side who showed some spirit over the past couple of nights. United needed goals from Ryan Giggs (he’s getting mentioned a lot recently!) and Michael Carrick to come from behind to beat Wolfsburg – the German champions.  United had two balls in the back of the net – both disallowed (Rooney and Giggs) but that didn’t deter them! One thing to take from this game – Vidic is immune to getting sent off, unitl the weekend at least!