THE 2011 f.A Community Shield-match report

                        THE F.A COMMUNITY SHIELD 2011 – Match Report

MANCHESTER UNITED V MANCHESTER CITY

                                    NEW WEMBLEY STADIUM –SUNDAY, 7 AUGUST 2011.

                        MATCH REFEREE-PHIL DOWD

The community shield has always been a fascinating showpiece event. It is usually a match-up between the immediate past winners of the English Premier League and defending champions of the F.A Cup. However if one team scoops both trophies in one season, (as was the case in the 09-10 season when Chelsea were domestic double winners) then the runners-up of the EPL automatically qualify to challenge for honours in the season opener.

On this occasion however, fans all over the World were treated to an explosive matchup between Manchester arch-enemies and neighbours, MAN UTD AND MAN CITY. As expected, Wembley was filled to capacity as all and sundry left their homes to watch the 150^th instalment of the MANCHESTER rivalry, most call it derby though. The EL GRANDE CLASSICO (Barcelona v Real Madrid) might be the most watched derby in the world, but nothing can take away the fact that the Manchester duel is up there with the very best of games every season. It is in fact, one of the most anticipated matches in football.

Since Dennis Law, Manchester United’s second highest goal scorer ever (237 goals in 404 games), (behind Sir Bobby Charlton) scored a decisive goal for City over his former club Manchester United in 1976, a goal which relegated the ‘red army’ to the second tier of English Football –The rivalry has even become fiercer.

Today was no different as Sir Alex and his charges were aiming to avenge the F.A Cup semi final loss suffered in the hands of their noisy neighbours just four months earlier. That day, it was the Ivorian, Yaya Toure who scored the all important match winner.

For the season's curtain raiser, Manchester United lined up with new signing, David De Gea in goal, Ferdinand, Vidic(c), Evra , and Smalling in defence, Anderson, Carrick, in Central Midfield, another new boy, Ashley Young and Nani on the wings, Rooney and Welbeck in attack. (4-4-2). Mnchester City on the other hand started with a flexible 4-3-3 formation with England No 1 safe hands, Joe Hart between the sticks, Kompany(c), Lescott, Richards and Kolarov in defence. Yaya, De jong, Milner in midfield and a trident attacking set-up of Balotelli, Silva and 27 million pound Bosnian giant, Edin Dzeko. There was no space for Sergio ‘el kun’ Aguero who cost Sheikh Mansour a cool 38 million pounds from the Vicente Calderon.

The match started with Manchester United dominating proceedings early and fashioning out opportunities, but couldn’t put any away. It however lived up to its pre-match billing when Mario Balotelli and Nemanja Vidic had a whirly old go at each other early on in the game. Of course, it drew a lot of attention because of Barwuah’s reputation. Anderson and Dzeko also got involved, but were not as lucky as Vidic and Balotelli, as they were cautioned. Micah Richards did a ‘de jong’ tackle on Ashley Young which got Sir Alex raving in annoyance. This forced Phil (the referee) to brandish a yellow card at Micah.

Mancini was tired of the incessant pressure on his charges and decided to Switch Milner to right midfield. This paid off almost immediately as Evra fouled the Englishman in the 38^th minute of the encounter and the resultant dead ball was taken by the impressive David Silva who placed it perfectly on Jolean Lescott’s head to give the blue half of Manchester the lead. It was a huge blow to the confidence of the united players who prior to falling behind, had bossed proceedings without finding the desired outcome. Fingers were pointed in defence as Jolean out jumped Rio, but pundits and spectators aplenty were of the opinion that the goal was largely the fault of United’s new goal tender, De Gea. If the guilty party was debatable for the first goal, the second was very clear (to most people really). Edin Dzeko picked the ball 35 yards out and sent a pile driver to the keeper’s right and the result was City going two goals up in the space of 4 first half minutes. De Gea was blamed by the vast majority of people who watched the game. Now the matter which has dragged on all summer was resurrected ----------- CAN DE GEA FILL THE BOOTS OF EDWIN VAN DER SAR? I wasn’t among those who felt he couldn’t or can’t just because of errors (arguable) in 1 match. After all, he is only 20 and has just started keeping the goal safe. The first half ended with Man City leading their more accomplished rivals by 2 beautiful, un-replied goals.

Those who are seasoned soccer viewers and Manchester united followers know that you only write Manchester United off at your own peril. As expected, Fergie made changes, haven said earlier that he views the Community shield as a preparatory game for the first official EPL game of the season. 21 year old (will be 22 in 5 days) Tom Cleverley came in for Michael Carrick who was a huge doubt for today’s game as a result of the knock he picked up in mid-week while starring in the Van der Sar testimonial. Evans and new boy, 19 year old Phil Jones took the places of experienced campaigners, Rio and Vidic. City came out unchanged for the second half. A few minutes into the second stanza, a lovely weighted Ashley Young free-kick was stylishly poked in by Chris Smalling to make it 2-1. City hadn’t recovered from that setback when United struck again. If the first goal was eye-catching, the second was even more exceptional. Rooney, Cleverley and Nani worked wonders and ran circles around the Kompany marshalled defence  and Nani was there to chip the ball over the net from a somewhat tight angle. Game back in the balance

United were on the ascendancy and city of course knew what might come after, so they tightened their defence line and started causing a few problems at the other end with Silva, Yaya and Dzeko combining to try and regain the lead. City rang the changes with Gareth Barry coming on for Balotelli and James Milner fleet footed Adam Johnson. United also pulled off Evra for Rafael. Rafa not only took the French man’s position, but also kept the arm band.  Johnson’s impact was almost immediate as he forced a magnificent, world class save from De Gea in the united goal. The game went from one end to the other after that, with the only real incident of note coming when Micah forced another very good save off De Gea, although he was adjudged to have illegally climbed Nani to get his head to the ball. Rooney wasted a glorious opportunity from a free kick, and Nani’s goal bound shot was blocked by the city rear guard. Late on in the game, the languid Bulgarian and united striker, Berbatov came on for Welbeck

We were all set for penalties until a Manchester City attack right at the death, led to Rooney playing a hopeful ball towards the city goal. Kompany made a harsh of his clearance, allowing Nani to race through on goal, smartly rounding Hart, and coolly slotting the ball past the keeper and the Belgian who raced back to try and make up for his blunder. That was the game clincher and secured Manchester United a 4^th shield success in the last 5 attempts.

At the end of proceedings, the red part of Manchester was victorious and Club Captain, NEMANJA VIDIC deservedly held aloft the first title of the 2011-2012 Season. The red army also claimed the MOTM (man of the match award) --- with the recipient being Luis Nani.

That does it.

By

Ohireime Princeton Eboreime aka OHISKAKA

Follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990

e-mail- ohebors@yahoo.com

Tel -   (+44) (0)7908165493, 7424627071.

francesc Fabregas-A Legend exits the EPL >au revoir (bye bye) 15-08-2011

I was prompted to write this piece becaause a good friend drew my attention to the fact that the English Premier league has once again lost a playmaker, especially after the retirement of Paul Scholes and the persistent injuries of Steven Gerrard.
The name Cesc Fabregas is as popular to the common man as other hugely popular sportsmen like Roger Federer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lewis Hamilton, Sachin Tendulkar etc, Yet he is only 24 years of age.

Born May 4, 1987- cesc as he was called in the FIFA u-17 tournament in Finland(2003),is one of the best midfielders of his generation and indeed the world. He was extremely brilliant in that U-17 world cup as his 5 goals from midfield led him to be named player of the tournament and the competition's joint top scorer alongside Carlos Hidalgo and Manuel Curto.of Columbia and Portugal respectively.

Watching him in that tournament, he struck me as someone who was going to make it big and I was proved right when he signed the dotted lines for Arsenal from Barcelona in September 2003 when he was 16 years old. He was't known at that time but Arsene spotted something in him and was of the opinion that Cesc will be a great player. That was never in doubt when he put in a string of  good performances in the League cup (Carling cup) against the likes of Wolverhampton wanderers. he became the youngest player to appear and score for the gooners all in the space of one month when he appeared against Rotterham Utd and scored against Wolves -All these achievements still at the tender age of 16. The best was yet to come.

Fabregas did not get his opportunity to star in the Arsenal first team until the 04-05 season when starting midfielders Edu, Vieira and Gilberto Silva (the invisible wall) had injuries at one period or the other with him replacing them and putting in strings of performances which attracted immeasurable praise from soccer pundits all over Britain and the World of football. He however scooped his first trophy as an Arsenal player at the end of the season (his first full season) when they defeated rivals Manchester United in the F.A cup final on penalties.- The match was the last that Patrick Vieira played  as captain and player for Arsenal as he signed for Juventus that summer.

Wenger was disgruntled as another great player bade farewell to the Highury faithful. But he was very optimistic that Cesc will step up and fill the vaccum left by the Talismanic Senegalese born french midfield gem.

The 05-06 season season began with fabregas taking vieira's place in the team and his no 4 shirt a year later. But the captain's armband was passed on to the great Thierry Henry. Fabregas was just the perfect replacement for the departed french man as he put in series of exceptional displays, alongside g.silva in both the premier league and Champions League. The highlight of this season was the quarter-final v Juventus where he came up against his former captain and in all fairness tore him and the entire Juve team apart in a scintillating display--- he scored the first and assisted his new skipper, Henry for the 2nd.  The Biancconeri coach at that time, Fabio Capello, (now England manager) was full of encomiums for the Spanish starlet and tipped him to achieve great things. Fabregas , alongside Henry, kolo toure, sol campbell, jens lehmann, robert pires and others propelled Arsenal to the final of the Champions League which they led for long periods of the game, despite being down to 10 men as early as the 18th minute of the match, ( Lehmann was sent off for an infringement on Samuel Eto'o.)and lost it eventually to his boyhood club, Barca by 2 goals to 1. All in all, Cesc made more than 40 apps that season and was instrumental to just about every good thing that happened to Arsenal throughout the course of the season. He was still only 19, but already regarded as one of the best young players in the world,even more highly rated at that time, than his friend and national teammate, Andres Lugan Iniesta.

Despite the painful UCL final loss, Arsenal started the 06-07 season with so much hope, especially because of Fabregass' rising profile. He became the talisman from then on,racking up goals and assists like no man's business and dictating play without much ado. He was allowed to roam freely ahead because of the defensive assurance of the immense gilberto silva who is by far the best Brazilian footballer to play in the premier league till date. Arsenal failed to reach the heights of the previous season though, but still managed to reach the champions league round of 16, but was just edged out by Hiddink's PSV, who were immediately knocked out by Liverpool in the q/finals. The club also reached the league cup final but ultimately lost out to defending EPL champions, Chelsea  in a final that was marred by a lot of controversies. Fabregas nonetheless was nominated for the end of season awards, but lost out to Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in both the PFA young player of the year and players' player of the year. Disappointed as he was, Cesc was still the shinning light of the Arsenal team, even with  the presence of Thierry Henry and co.

This time, Real Madrid took notice of his blossoming career and were heavily linked to him, but Wenger was very adamant to lose him and made it clear to those interested that Cesc was going nowhere and he meant every word of it.

The 07-08 season began very well for Arsenal, despite the transfer of The legendary Thierry Henry to Barcelona-a move which was supposed to have happened before the beginning of the 06-07 season, but Wenger pleaded with Henry to stay put for one more season which he duly obliged. Long time Vice Prseident and majority shareholder, David Dein also left the club for pastures new. Arsene was devastated because he had a very close knit relationship with the departing executive. It was even rumoured that Arsene asked David if he should resign his position as manager, but David refused, saying he was very vital to the future of the club, asking him to remain. Amidst all these, Cesc knew that he was now the focal point of the Arsenal team and he pledged his commitment to the London club. He was still only 21, but he had qualities way beyond his age.

Fabregas led the gooners to the summit of the premier League all the way through to March, but they lost the plot and eventually lost the league crown to a Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Manchester United. Although many believe that the career threatening injury Eduardo sustained at St Andrews in February was the beginning of the end for Arsenal. Despite this, the Spanish midfielder was nominated for the end of season awards for the second consecutive season. This time he won the young player of the year award while losing the players player of the year crown to Ronaldo who deservedly retained it. Faregas was also named in the PFA team of the year for the 2nd straight year.

He carried that form to the UEFA-EURO 2008 co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria, although he was restricted to substitute appearances because the first choice midfield trio was-senna, xavi and alonso, he still contributed in no small measure to the triumph of the la furia roja (nickname of the Spanish national team),especially his penalty in the shoot-out against the azzuri (Italy), which qualified Spain for the s/finals

In November 2008, Fabregas was named Arsenal captain, after Wenger stripped William Gallas of the armband following some indiscretion from the french ace and he duly accepted, displaying leadership atributes, but was unfortunate to be sidelined with injury for a long time. he came back in time for the semi final of the champions league which they eventually lost to rivals,Manchester United 4-1 on aggregate.

The 09-10 season began with Fabregas in explosive form, hoping to make up for the lost time of the previous season and making his presence felt in a lot of matches that season. He was very instrumental to Arsenal's run yet again to the UCL champions league quarter finals where they lost out  Guardiola's Barcelona 6-2 on agg. He however suffered a leg break in that match and was sidelined for the rest of the season. He came back just in time for the world cup in which Spain were pre-tournament favourites and lived up to the billing by winning a hard fought final, defeating The oranje (Netherlands) by an extra time goal to nothing. The goal was scored by Iniesta, with a sumptuous assist by the one and only Cesc.

The summer of 2010 was filled with the Fabregas to Barca rumours. This suggestion became rife as a result of what his Spanish colleagues did to him during the World cup celebrations. Liverpool's Pepe Reina who also doubles as Spain's 2nd choice goal keeper, and Gerard Pique were among those who tried to force a Barca jersey on the young superstar. Barcelona indeed were interested as Pep was Fabregass' idol since childhood and the player himself has many a time declared his desire to move back to his boyhood club. The Catalan club bid in the region of 35 million pounds, but Arsenal rejected the bid, and Fabregas had to stay with Arsenal, against his wish.

The wranglings of the summer did not stop him from giving his best for Arsenal when he needed to- He still turned in his ever impressive showings during the 10-11 season  and was very vital to the team's challenge for all the four trophies. By February, they were still in contention for all four titles but buckled under the pressure later, as they were dumped out of the UCL by Barca for the second successive year, surprisngly lost to Birmingham in the League Cup final,  thrown out of the F.A cup by Man Utd, and bowed out in the title race, later placing fourth behind Utd, Chelsea and Man City. It was another sad tale of 'almost there'.

Barcelona reiterated  their interest in signing the Arsenal skipper in the summer of 2011. This time, Fabregas was in no mood to be refused his dream move back to the club where it all began for him. He even went as far as offering to pay some part of the money which will enable him secure his transfer from the London giants. Barcelona as usual,came up with a laughable offer of 26 Million pounds which Arsenal immediately rejected, telling them that it is 40 Million Pounds or no deal. Sandro Rossel, the President of the Spanish club came with another deal of 31 million pounds with fell way short of Arsenal's valuation for their captain. As expected, it was immediately rejected by Gazidis and the rest of the Arsenal Board. The Catalans returned with what they called their final bid for Cesc, worth 35 million pounds + add-ons (although this is not certain) and finally Arsenal cracked. The club finally accepted that Fabregas can leave for Barcelona yesterday, Sunday-14th August 2011 and the deal was finalized today ending one of the long running transfer sagas-possibly the longest and most frustrating in recent time.

Fabregas has finally bade farewell to the English Premier League where he spent the better part of eight years providing defence splitting passes, scoring brilliant, eye catching goals and most importantly cementing his status as a true World class player. All in all, he made 303 appearances for ARSENAL scoring 57 goals and made more than 50 assists in all competitions. a Legend already at 24 years of age, he bestrode the premier league like a Colossus. Although, he is not among my favourite players, I admire his wonderful contribution to the EPL and indeed World football. He will be missed by every sincere football fan, devoid of whichever club he or she supports because he was a fantastic midfield ochestrator. we wish him nothing but the very best as he opens a new chapter in Spain

Ohireime P.Eboreime
follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990

EL GRANDE CLASSICO 1ST LEG REVIEW -15-08-2011

Yesterday saw the titanic battle between two Spanish power houses, Barcelona and Real Madrid at the El Santiago de Bernabeu. The match was all about the 1st leg of the Spanish Super Cup.
The line-up for RM was-Casillas (c), pepe, Carvalho, sergio ramos,marcelo, khedira, alonso, ozil, di maria, ronaldo and benzema. While the away side lined up without their captain and asst captain puyol and xavi, as a result of injury, Pep chose valdes (c), alves, adriano,abidal, mascherano, keita, thiago, iniesta, messi, alexis, villa.
The match began in explosive fashion with the 'whites' taking the game to the blaugrana. The first 20 minutes was all about Mourinho's charges asking all the questions and it was only a matter of time before Barcelona succumbed to the unending pressure. In the 13th minute, Karim Benzema who has been Real's best player in pre-seaosn justified his coach's faith in him by dancing past the Barcelona rearguard, leaving Abidal for dead and swiftly laying the ball through to German super star, Meisut Ozil who wasted no time in sticking the ball into the net to give Madrid a head start. 1-0 Real.
The pressure kept on coming with Barcelona sitting back and defending their goal with a lot of tenacity. Ronaldo and co kept on missing chances and in football, you mostly pay for missed opportunities. Barcelona had not shot a ball to the Madrid goal even in anger, until ten minutes from the end of the first half when the ever reliable Messi found space and brilliantly found Villa on the left. El guaje (villa's nickname) rarely misses and he curled a wonderful and unstoppable effort beyond his national team capt and Madrid goalkeeper, Iker Casillas into the left hand corner of the net. The goal brought the Bernabeu crowd to their feet, including the Real fans who despite being unhappy that Barcelona had drawn level,couldn't help but applaud the breathtaking goal. 1-1. 'THE SPECIAL ONE' was distraught.
Madrid did not learn from their mistake as they allowed Messi space and time on the ball yet again on the stroke of half time as he danced through the Real shaky defence, via a khedira unintentional pass. Jose would not have been pleased with how the hardworking and solid Pepe was left on the floor as 'el pulga left all of them in his wake and cooly slotted the ball past the hapless 'san iker'...Surprisingly, Barca had seized the initiative. The 1st half ended 2-1 in favour of Barca.
Mourinho was very unhappy considering the fact that his wards had 11 shots on goal only to convert 1 as against the perfect 2 shots,2 goals for the Catalan giants.

The second half began with Barcelona taking the game to Real and new signing, Alexis was getting into the game more and more, giving Marcelo a torrid time @ left back. Thiago Alcantara was displaying all his bag of tricks even constantly nutmegging his senior Spanish colleague, Xabi Alonso. But it was Real who drew 1st blood in the second stanza as a corner kick wasn't properly clearly by the makeshift Barca defence and pepe laid it on a plate foe Alonso who side footed the ball,past Valdes and into the net to bring Madrid back on level terms. 2-2 the score in the 54th minute.
Mourinho showed no emotions rather he sent on new signing, Fabio Coentrao to replace the ineffective Di Maria who could be excused for his match rustiness because of his participation in the 2011 Copa America.
Barcelona also yanked off young thiago, villa (as usual) and adriano, bringing in the world's best midfielder, Xavi Hernandez, pedro and Gerard Pique, to add stability to the team and also provide the cutting edge. Madrid also brought on another new face, Jose Callejon for Sami khedira with coentrao taking khedira's place in midfield. Gonzalo Higuain (el pipita) also took the place of Benzema who had once again been impressive in the match and deserved a standing ovation from the Madrid faithful.
Towards the end of the game,Real had a strong shout for a penalty which was immediately turned down by the referee, Teixeira Vitienes. Valdes fluffed his lines and took Ronaldo's leg with him Mourinho was livid  and we all know what that means. Barca also had one turned down at the other end when pedro fell under the pressure put on him by Marcelo and co. Asides both incidents, nothing worthy of note occurred to suggest that either team wanted to win the game.
At the end of proceedings at the Bernabeu, it was all square between both teams with all to play for in two days time at the Nou Camp,  home of Barcelona.

Ohireime Eboreime
follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990