Any soccer (EPL) fans here?

[audiopablo]

That was a kick in the nads for sure. And an away goal at that. Poor John. I wouldn't want to see Rafa in the tunnel after that. He's a good player, though, and sometimes you have to risk these things to defend.

[G-Ride]

Originally Posted by jeffj

Couldn't agree more. Chelsea were totally flat, especially in the attacking third. Ballack was lucky not to have handling called and the AR's were somewhat generous in not calling offside on at least 3 occasions.

Our attacking was terrible. Grant promised an attacking game (why would you divulge your strategy before the match?), but they looked totally unorganized and couldn't control the ball. And the offsides? We had like 6 already....a few of them could have been goals.

Originally Posted by audiopablo

That was a kick in the nads for sure. And an away goal at that. Poor John. I wouldn't want to see Rafa in the tunnel after that. He's a good player, though, and sometimes you have to risk these things to defend.

In fairness, Kuyt's nutmeg on Cech was a defensive blunder on our part too. Still, if you're a defender, you're always taught to go for the ball in the box no matter what, so fair play. Oh yes, leg 2 will be a barn-burner for sure.

[Kaboom]

Originally Posted by G-Ride

Absolutely ugly. Liverpool was the much better team today. Poor Riise, he played a great game otherwise. I don't know what was wrong with the Blues, though.....we looked terrible. I'll take the away goal though.

What a mess!!! Going to be tough to score at Stamford Bridge. Rafa better get creative.

[G-Ride]

Originally Posted by Kaboom

What a mess!!! Going to be tough to score at Stamford Bridge. Rafa better get creative.

Don't forget this Saturday is CFC/Man U at the Bridge. This is the league match of the year for sure. If United wins they will end Chelsea's 80-game home unbeaten streak, and pretty much lock up the Premiership. But we all know that won't happen.

Getting ready for Barca/Man U today at the Nou Camp. What a game this will be. Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Henry, Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney all on the same pitch. Unreal.

[tehelmo]

What a stalemate and Ronaldo not converting that key penalty kick.

[jeffj]

I hope the 2nd leg of ManU and Barca is better than the first. Watching ManU play bunkerball was a waste of DVR space today. They had everyone behind the ball all day long.

Ronaldo's paper ankle failed him on the PK. He really choked away a golden chance. I think it would have a much different match had he converted that so early on.

He flops so much, the ref didn't take him seriously when he did get fouled later on. He will have a long trip home.

[Jwag]

Dont be too hard on Ronaldo...Should have made it yes...but did Rooney do anything but give the ball away?

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by Jwag

Dont be too hard on Ronaldo...Should have made it yes...but did Rooney do anything but give the ball away?

CR should have at least put it on frame. He is talented and he's really stepped up his game this year, but I absolutely HATE his propensity for diving . I don't know who is worse about it, him or Gerard

Sir Alex had both Rooney and Ronaldo playing out of position. Rooney playing outside mid? Tevez was even playing defense all the way back into the penalty area. Really strange to watch them play like that.

[Lefty Kev]

Originally from London, I've been a die-hard Chelsea fan since I was an embryo, long before the Roman Abramovich era. I once believed I'd never see the Blues win a league title in my lifetime and obviously witnessed back-to-back titles in recent years! Hopefully, there will be a lot more trophies to come.

I was sad to see the departure of Jose Mourinho and just plain angry when Avram Grant was appointed as his successor! Replacing him during the summer should be the club's first order of business.

We were very fortunate to get an away goal against Liverpool on Tuesday. Let's hope it's not in vain. No defensive display in the second leg...we need to build on the away-goal advantage.

C'mon you Blues!!

[G-Ride]

Originally Posted by Lefty Kev

Originally from London, I've been a die-hard Chelsea fan since I was an embryo, long before the Roman Abramovich era. I once believed I'd never see the Blues win a league title in my lifetime and obviously witnessed back-to-back titles in recent years! Hopefully, there will be a lot more trophies to come.

I was sad to see the departure of Jose Mourinho and just plain angry when Avram Grant was appointed as his successor! Replacing him during the summer should be the club's first order of business.

We were very fortunate to get an away goal against Liverpool on Tuesday. Let's hope it's not in vain. No defensive display in the second leg...we need to build on the away-goal advantage.

C'mon you Blues!!

Finally another CFC fan! Amen to literally everything you said. I'm reading that Lampard's mom died today, so he is likely out for the United match, and probably the second leg against Liverpool too. I am thinking this is probably a good thing.

[Lefty Kev]

Originally Posted by G-Ride

Finally another CFC fan! Amen to literally everything you said. I'm reading that Lampard's mom died today, so he is likely out for the United match, and probably the second leg against Liverpool too. I am thinking this is probably a good thing.

Very sad indeed. I didn't realize people still died of pneumonia. Only 58 years old too

It might spur the rest of the players on to beat Manure then Liverpool for Lamps. They shouldn't need motivating for these games but they haven't seemed up for it under Grant. The fact that we've won most of our games is down to the team being a well-oiled machine. I think even I could manage a squad like that

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by Lefty Kev

They shouldn't need motivating for these games but they haven't seemed up for it under Grant. The fact that we've won most of our games is down to the team being a well-oiled machine. I think even I could manage a squad like that

That is also my current assessment of CFC's number one issue. And it's slowly falling apart and it's disappointing because they have one of the deepest rosters in the soccer world. They could have a great match amongst themselves.

[jeffj]

ManU are through to the Champion's League final.

It will be an all England/EPL final!

Now they can try to finish off the Premiereship...

[G-Ride]

Originally Posted by jeffj

ManU are through to the Champion's League final.

Beautiful goal by Scholes.

Originally Posted by jeffj

It will be an all England/EPL final!

Hopefully not an all-Red final.

Originally Posted by jeffj

Now they can try to finish off the Premiereship...

What a match last Saturday! This weekend I will be a Hammer with my brother. Come on you Irons!

[northshore]

Originally Posted by jeffj

ManU are through to the Champion's League final.

It will be an all England/EPL final!

Now they can try to finish off the Premiereship...

Saw it this afternoon. Too bad for Barcelona but the EPL champs game should be excellent!

[uno-speedo]

So its Man U vs Liverpool final then

[Kaboom]

All Red final would be great. Nice goal from Scholes. Barca looked confused/unorganized. Let's go Reds tomorrow!!! YNWA!!!

[kingaucho]

If anyone is interested in joining me, I'm thinking about going to Muldoon's or Rudy's in Newport for the CFC-Liverpool match today. I'll be in a Liverpool jersey.

[Kaboom]

Originally Posted by kingaucho

If anyone is interested in joining me, I'm thinking about going to Muldoon's or Rudy's in Newport for the CFC-Liverpool match today. I'll be in a Liverpool jersey.

Where's Rudy's?

[kingaucho]

Right when you get on to the Peninsula. On the corner of 32nd and Newport Blvd, across from the Albertsons. It's a nice sports bar.