QUOTE(Gareth Keenan Invetigates @ Mar 9 2006, 04:39 PM) [snapback]39550[/snapback]
Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Roma L
A Yakubu 12 (pen)
Roma, my 2nd favorite team loses to shitty Middlesbrough. Caps off a bad week.
Full Version: Rolling Football Thread
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Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Roma L
A Yakubu 12 (pen)
Roma, my 2nd favorite team loses to shitty Middlesbrough. Caps off a bad week.
Quarter-final draw
ARSENAL v Juventus
Lyon v AC Milan
Inter Milan or Ajax v Villarreal
Benfica v Barcelona
Semi-final draw
ARSENAL or Juventus v Inter Milan/Ajax or Villarreal
Lyon or AC Milan v Benfica or Barcelona
Quarter-finals: 28/29 March & 4/5 April
Semi-finals: 18/19 & 25/26 April
Final: 17 May
I'm sure Arsenal will be quite happy that they can't play Barcelona until the final. If there's one Italian team they can beat with the way they play, it's The Old Lady
ARSENAL v Juventus
Lyon v AC Milan
Inter Milan or Ajax v Villarreal
Benfica v Barcelona
Semi-final draw
ARSENAL or Juventus v Inter Milan/Ajax or Villarreal
Lyon or AC Milan v Benfica or Barcelona
Quarter-finals: 28/29 March & 4/5 April
Semi-finals: 18/19 & 25/26 April
Final: 17 May
I'm sure Arsenal will be quite happy that they can't play Barcelona until the final. If there's one Italian team they can beat with the way they play, it's The Old Lady
Oh man, that Arsenal v. Juve match up is going to be great.
And Simao at Benfica is making himself millions with each match he plays now. Chelsea are going probably buy him up in the offseason.
Wouldn't be surprised if Lyon beat Milan.
And Simao at Benfica is making himself millions with each match he plays now. Chelsea are going probably buy him up in the offseason.
Wouldn't be surprised if Lyon beat Milan.
Hey Mitchell, you watching this Chelsea v. Spurs match right now? It's pretty decent.
Listening to it. Not near a TV with Sky at the moment. But yeah about time Spurs beat Chelsea it's been 19 years in the league.
QUOTE(Gareth Keenan Invetigates @ Mar 11 2006, 09:55 AM) [snapback]40889[/snapback]
Listening to it. Not near a TV with Sky at the moment. But yeah about time Spurs beat Chelsea it's been 19 years in the league.
That Gallas strike was world class. You'll have to catch the highlight.
That's why they are going to win the league. No other team would have the class to go for a win against the 4th placed team in the league at that late stage. Just that little bit of class counts.
I meant 1990 so 16 years when Gary Lineker scored the winner!!
I meant 1990 so 16 years when Gary Lineker scored the winner!!
Juve vs. Arsenal tomorrow. Shit's gonna be epic. I have a feeling.
Seeing Viera play against Arsenal should be very interesting on it's own.
Another great victory for Spurs tonight, especially with Arsenal and Blackburn pushing them hard. I think that's the 4th time they've been losing and still won this season. Not something you'd usual associate with them. Do think CL football is too big a jump for them next season though.
Another great victory for Spurs tonight, especially with Arsenal and Blackburn pushing them hard. I think that's the 4th time they've been losing and still won this season. Not something you'd usual associate with them. Do think CL football is too big a jump for them next season though.
QUOTE(Gareth Keenan Invetigates @ Mar 27 2006, 07:46 PM) [snapback]50823[/snapback]
Do think CL football is too big a jump for them next season though.
They seem more convincing of a side than Everton were last year. But if I were a top Euro side, Spurs would not worry me one bit.
I'm sure they'd want the money but a season in the UEFA cup, be it by losing the qualifier or not coming forth, would be better experience.
That said I can't see them coming 4th if they don't get any points at Arsenal. Arsenal have much easier games and many at home.
That said I can't see them coming 4th if they don't get any points at Arsenal. Arsenal have much easier games and many at home.
It would be a disaster for Arsenal to open a new stadium next year and not have CL football being played there.
Not as nearly as much of a diaster as when they played at Wembley 
Arsenal snatch a deserved lead just before half time.
Juve were appaling. Capello's face for both sending offs was Mourinhio-esque. Juventus are lucky there wasn't longer left they could have leaked more.
No Viera in the second leg either.
No Viera in the second leg either.
Oh man, I can't believe how awful Juve were today. The sending offs in particular. Arsenal could have scored 4 goals today if they were a bit luckier.
Henry is da best.
AC Milan rode their luck last night but with talent like that upfront you know that they can be called upon to put away chances likt that when called upon.
Shevchenko's 9th in the tournament this season and 52nd overall making him the highest scorer in the history of the competition. I applaud him.
Shevchenko's 9th in the tournament this season and 52nd overall making him the highest scorer in the history of the competition. I applaud him.
Dude broadcasting on UEFA.com went nuts when Milan went up 2-1. Wish I had been able to watch it. Sounded like Lyon blew about 4 chances to put the game away in the first half.
Arsenal through and to be honest I don't see why they can't win it now. Both Semi-finals are quite evenly matched but have to go with the winner coming from AC Milan/Barcelona.
Thankfully Arsenal don't have any fit England players.
Thankfully Arsenal don't have any fit England players.
How great would it be if Milan lost in the final for a second straight year to a 5th place EPL side?
So, I've asked this before and not gotten much response, but given we've got a Futbol thread now, I'll try again.
I coach my 10year old daughter and 9 year old son in soccer. Anybody got any good suggestions for drills and/or other practice activities.
I'd like to teach them how to better place themselves on the field, in addition to improving dribbling, passing, shooting, and handling skills. Goal Keeping is another difficult thing to teach. If anyone has good ideas, I'd love to hear them.
Thanks.
I coach my 10year old daughter and 9 year old son in soccer. Anybody got any good suggestions for drills and/or other practice activities.
I'd like to teach them how to better place themselves on the field, in addition to improving dribbling, passing, shooting, and handling skills. Goal Keeping is another difficult thing to teach. If anyone has good ideas, I'd love to hear them.
Thanks.
When I was a lad the main training sessions after warm-up etc usually consisted of things like practicing long-distance passing, having a queue of people practiing one-twos before taking a shot at a goal keeper or dribbling arouund cones before passing the ball off to someone who would do the return journey in a team situation.
I recommend http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/skills/default.stm
I recommend http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/skills/default.stm
barca or arsenal tio win for me, dont look too much into scevchenko, henry, raul goal total, distefano still have the record for me no group stages in his day.
The Boro game last night was fantastic. Exactly the kind of game the European competitions were made for. I'm not a Boro fan but I was cheering at the sending off and Boro's 3rd and 4th like a mad man.
didnt see it, heard it was great, uefa not for me, good uck to boro then, uk clubs on the comeback in europe, like the late 70's early 80's again, maybe.
As long as it's the ones that don't have England players doing well I'm fine with it. If the World Cup was last summer most of the midfield would be fried. It's been a long time coming round after Heysel and more recently the removal of the European Cup Winner's Cup but having a variety in Champion's league semi-finals (Manchester Utd, Leeds, Chelsea, Liverpool and now Arsenal) this decade shows how strong the English game is at the moment.
Wayne Rooney? What a player.
Yeah, looks good for the summer, Hope he stays fit. Shame for Man Utd that there are only 5 games left, if it were more like 10 they'd have a real shot at the title.
wont be surprised is Utd win. Chelsea have a tougher run in. Still fancy Chelsea, but its a long way from over.
Check out Nick Webster's predictions for how the season will end.
QUOTE
On a side note though, there could be a huge punch up at Kings Cross Station when Blues and Red Devil fans meet in a dress rehearsal for April 29.
What a fucking stupid comment.
Anyway due to the fixture list I'm sure Man Utd will be two points (having played a game more) behind when they play each other at the end of April. He gives it as a Utd win but a win for Chelsea would see them win the league in front of their own fans against Man Utd and a draw would require Chelsea to then not win either of their last two games of the season. So I disagree, the game at Stamford Bridge will be a draw (or even a Chelsea win) and the title will stay where it is. Also saying that Chelsea might not win at St. James Park but Man Utd will win at White Hart Lane is a pretty risky bet.
Chelsea 93
Man Utd 88
Liverpool 82
Arsenal 65
Tottenham 64
Blackburn 58
Bolton 55
Everton 55
Newcastle 53
West Ham 52
Wigan 52
Charlton 48
Man City 45
Fulham 44
Middlesborough 42
Aston Villa 40
Portsmouth 37
-------------------
Birmingham 33
West Brom 30
Sunderland 13
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/e...tor/default.stm
On September 10, 1978, the greatest rolling football moment of all time occurred...
Oh, Mitchell and Nick, isn't it time someone here recognized the Reading Royals?
QUOTE
Holy Roller (American football)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Holy Roller (known as the Immaculate Deception by San Diego Chargers fans) was an infamous, controversial game-winning play executed by the Oakland Raiders against the Chargers on September 10, 1978 (see 1978 in sports). The game was played at the Chargers' home field, Jack Murphy Stadium (now Qualcomm Stadium).
What some believe should have been called an incomplete pass (and possibly intentional grounding) was seen as a fumble and the rest of the play involved illegal batting of the ball. The officials did not think the illegal actions were obvious enough to call a penalty so the play ended in a touchdown.
The play
With 10 seconds left in the game, the Raiders had possession of the ball at the Chargers 14-yard line, trailing 20-14. Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler took the snap and found himself about to be sacked by Chargers linebacker Woody Lowe on the 24-yard line. Stabler lost the ball, and it rolled forward towards the San Diego goal line. Running back Pete Banaszak tried to recover the ball on the 12-yard line, but could not keep his footing, and the ball was pushed even closer to the end zone. Raiders tight end Dave Casper was the next player to reach the ball but he also could not get a handle on it. He batted and kicked the ball into the end zone, where he fell on it for the game-tying touchdown as time ran out. The Raiders won, 21-20, with the ensuing extra point by placekicker Errol Mann.
During the play, the game officials ruled that Banaszak and Casper's actions were legal because it was impossible to determine if they intentionally batted the ball forward, and thus a penalty. The National Football League (NFL) also backed up referee Jerry Markbreit's call that Stabler fumbled the ball instead of throwing a forward pass. 1
However, when asked after the game by radio announcer Bill King if he intentionally fumbled, Stabler said, "You bet your ass I did." 2 Banaszak and Casper also admitted that they deliberately batted the ball towards the end zone.
Reaction
The Chargers and their fans were furious. Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts said the officials blew the call. After the game, Chargers fans began wearing T-shirts depicting a fat, blindfolded referee signaling a touchdown. Under the referee were the words "IMMACULATE DECEPTION." The nickname refers to the Immaculate Reception, another history-making play that went against the Raiders. That time, in a 1972 playoff game, it was the Pittsburgh Steelers who turned a great defensive play by the Raiders into a controversial game-winning touchdown.
Before the 1979 season, the NFL passed a new rule restricting fumble recoveries by the offense. Now, if a passer intentionally fumbles forward, it is automatically an incomplete pass. Rules against illegally batting the ball were strengthened and a fumble in the final two minutes of a game, or on fourth down at any time in the game, may not be advanced beyond by the offense beyond the spot of the fumble unless the player who fumbled recovers the ball. (In such situations, the defense can recover and advance a fumble as always.) In later years the NCAA passed a similar fourth-down fumble rule for college football, though without the provision for the last two minutes of a game.
The play-by-play call
Almost as memorable as the Holy Roller play was the account of it by Bill King, who called the game with his color commentator, Monty Stickles, on the San Francisco radio station KGO-AM.
BILL KING: Ten seconds left, (Fred) Biletnikoff out, (Morris) Bradshaw in, the ball on the 14, Oakland trails 20 to 14. The crowd takes up a chant of "Defense!" (Terry) Robiskie and Banaszak are the backs. Slot right, (Cliff) Branch inside Bradshaw.
Stabler back. Here comes the rush. He sidesteps and HE FUMBLES! HE'S SACKED! The ball, flipped forward, is loose! A wild scramble! Two seconds on the clock. Casper grabbing the ball. It is ruled a fumble. Casper has recovered in the end zone! The Oakland Raiders have scored on the most zany, unbelievable, absolutely impossible dream of a play!!
Stabler, while being hit, the ball squirted forward. (Raiders coach John) Madden is on the field; he wants to know if it's real. They said yes, get your big butt out of here! He does!
They [unintelligible] wildly found him inside the 10. [Unintelligible] goes on the field. Stabler, it is ruled, has been hit and fumbled. Banaszak knocked the ball forward, it bounded crazily. I'm looking at a replay now. Ultimately, Casper fell on it in the end zone. On the replay you see Banaszak go after it, it's knocked away as he shovels it forward. It's bounding inside the 5, Casper flips it with the fingers and falls on it.
And I have to tell you, I think Kenny Stabler threw the ball away, belt-high with a little flip and got away with it.
MONTY STICKLES: I'll tell you what, I think Kenny threw the ball away and got away with it. I think Banaszak fumbled it forward. But on all of that, Casper still has the presence of mind to get it in the end zone.
BILL KING: There it is, the kick by Mann is up - IT'S GOOD! THERE'S NO TIME LEFT!
There's nothing real in the world anymore! The Raiders have won the football game! Fifty-two thousand people, minus a few lonely Raider fans, are stunned! The Chargers are standing, looking at each other, looking at the sky. They don't believe it! Nobody believes it! I don't know if the Raiders believe it!
It's not real! A man would be a fool to ever try and write a drama and make you believe it. And now, this one will be relived - forever! Bitterly here in San Diego, joyfully in Oakland. Final score: Oakland 21, San Diego 20!''
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Holy Roller (known as the Immaculate Deception by San Diego Chargers fans) was an infamous, controversial game-winning play executed by the Oakland Raiders against the Chargers on September 10, 1978 (see 1978 in sports). The game was played at the Chargers' home field, Jack Murphy Stadium (now Qualcomm Stadium).
What some believe should have been called an incomplete pass (and possibly intentional grounding) was seen as a fumble and the rest of the play involved illegal batting of the ball. The officials did not think the illegal actions were obvious enough to call a penalty so the play ended in a touchdown.
The play
With 10 seconds left in the game, the Raiders had possession of the ball at the Chargers 14-yard line, trailing 20-14. Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler took the snap and found himself about to be sacked by Chargers linebacker Woody Lowe on the 24-yard line. Stabler lost the ball, and it rolled forward towards the San Diego goal line. Running back Pete Banaszak tried to recover the ball on the 12-yard line, but could not keep his footing, and the ball was pushed even closer to the end zone. Raiders tight end Dave Casper was the next player to reach the ball but he also could not get a handle on it. He batted and kicked the ball into the end zone, where he fell on it for the game-tying touchdown as time ran out. The Raiders won, 21-20, with the ensuing extra point by placekicker Errol Mann.
During the play, the game officials ruled that Banaszak and Casper's actions were legal because it was impossible to determine if they intentionally batted the ball forward, and thus a penalty. The National Football League (NFL) also backed up referee Jerry Markbreit's call that Stabler fumbled the ball instead of throwing a forward pass. 1
However, when asked after the game by radio announcer Bill King if he intentionally fumbled, Stabler said, "You bet your ass I did." 2 Banaszak and Casper also admitted that they deliberately batted the ball towards the end zone.
Reaction
The Chargers and their fans were furious. Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts said the officials blew the call. After the game, Chargers fans began wearing T-shirts depicting a fat, blindfolded referee signaling a touchdown. Under the referee were the words "IMMACULATE DECEPTION." The nickname refers to the Immaculate Reception, another history-making play that went against the Raiders. That time, in a 1972 playoff game, it was the Pittsburgh Steelers who turned a great defensive play by the Raiders into a controversial game-winning touchdown.
Before the 1979 season, the NFL passed a new rule restricting fumble recoveries by the offense. Now, if a passer intentionally fumbles forward, it is automatically an incomplete pass. Rules against illegally batting the ball were strengthened and a fumble in the final two minutes of a game, or on fourth down at any time in the game, may not be advanced beyond by the offense beyond the spot of the fumble unless the player who fumbled recovers the ball. (In such situations, the defense can recover and advance a fumble as always.) In later years the NCAA passed a similar fourth-down fumble rule for college football, though without the provision for the last two minutes of a game.
The play-by-play call
Almost as memorable as the Holy Roller play was the account of it by Bill King, who called the game with his color commentator, Monty Stickles, on the San Francisco radio station KGO-AM.
BILL KING: Ten seconds left, (Fred) Biletnikoff out, (Morris) Bradshaw in, the ball on the 14, Oakland trails 20 to 14. The crowd takes up a chant of "Defense!" (Terry) Robiskie and Banaszak are the backs. Slot right, (Cliff) Branch inside Bradshaw.
Stabler back. Here comes the rush. He sidesteps and HE FUMBLES! HE'S SACKED! The ball, flipped forward, is loose! A wild scramble! Two seconds on the clock. Casper grabbing the ball. It is ruled a fumble. Casper has recovered in the end zone! The Oakland Raiders have scored on the most zany, unbelievable, absolutely impossible dream of a play!!
Stabler, while being hit, the ball squirted forward. (Raiders coach John) Madden is on the field; he wants to know if it's real. They said yes, get your big butt out of here! He does!
They [unintelligible] wildly found him inside the 10. [Unintelligible] goes on the field. Stabler, it is ruled, has been hit and fumbled. Banaszak knocked the ball forward, it bounded crazily. I'm looking at a replay now. Ultimately, Casper fell on it in the end zone. On the replay you see Banaszak go after it, it's knocked away as he shovels it forward. It's bounding inside the 5, Casper flips it with the fingers and falls on it.
And I have to tell you, I think Kenny Stabler threw the ball away, belt-high with a little flip and got away with it.
MONTY STICKLES: I'll tell you what, I think Kenny threw the ball away and got away with it. I think Banaszak fumbled it forward. But on all of that, Casper still has the presence of mind to get it in the end zone.
BILL KING: There it is, the kick by Mann is up - IT'S GOOD! THERE'S NO TIME LEFT!
There's nothing real in the world anymore! The Raiders have won the football game! Fifty-two thousand people, minus a few lonely Raider fans, are stunned! The Chargers are standing, looking at each other, looking at the sky. They don't believe it! Nobody believes it! I don't know if the Raiders believe it!
It's not real! A man would be a fool to ever try and write a drama and make you believe it. And now, this one will be relived - forever! Bitterly here in San Diego, joyfully in Oakland. Final score: Oakland 21, San Diego 20!''
Oh, Mitchell and Nick, isn't it time someone here recognized the Reading Royals?
I live in Reading, I don't want to hear about them again.
QUOTE(Gareth Keenan Invetigates @ Apr 10 2006, 05:40 PM) [snapback]61622[/snapback]
I live in Reading, I don't want to hear about them again.
Oh come on now, don't be like that Mitchell. Promotion to the first division for the first time in 135 years isn't worth mentioning? Or is it because it took a little help from the Americans (yet again
) to get the job done?
Yeah they look like getting a record points total for a 46 game 3 points for a win season. Good for them, but I wish I could go into town without being asked if I want to buy a flag.
I'll make sure I ask the Reading Post to print a 24 page special every day the week they get relegated.
I'll make sure I ask the Reading Post to print a 24 page special every day the week they get relegated.
Chelsea head list of PFA nominees
PFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Joe Cole (Chelsea)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Wayne Rooney (Man United)
John Terry (Chelsea)
PFA YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Darren Bent (Charlton)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Anton Ferdinand (West Ham)
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United)
Wayne Rooney (Man United)
I'll have to say that Rooney has been more impressive than any individual Chelsea player who haven't been firing on all cylinders this season. Have to go with Fabregas in the young players though.
PFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Joe Cole (Chelsea)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Wayne Rooney (Man United)
John Terry (Chelsea)
PFA YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Darren Bent (Charlton)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Anton Ferdinand (West Ham)
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United)
Wayne Rooney (Man United)
I'll have to say that Rooney has been more impressive than any individual Chelsea player who haven't been firing on all cylinders this season. Have to go with Fabregas in the young players though.
QUOTE(EastBayJ @ Apr 10 2006, 07:22 PM) [snapback]61607[/snapback]
Oh, Mitchell and Nick, isn't it time someone here recognized the Reading Royals?
Oh yea, EastBayJ. Love the way Bobby Convey is playing. And Marcus Hahnemann is terrific. The problem is you never know with the teams coming up what will happen. Look at Sunderland this year. But another couple Americans (maybe more if Leeds comes up) in the EPL is a great thing.
Reading are more likely to do a Wigan/West Ham than a Sunderland to be fair. They have 7 weeks on who ever goes up via the Play-offs to prepapre.
Arsenal drew at Portsmouth tonight which I think means Pompey are going to stay up and may cost Arsenal 4th place.
Arsenal drew at Portsmouth tonight which I think means Pompey are going to stay up and may cost Arsenal 4th place.
What is with Boro? I don't think they'll win UEFA Cup or FA Cup, but still...
And when did this Lua Lua guy become so amazing?
And when did this Lua Lua guy become so amazing?
Barca are coming to the US this summer and playing in LA, New York and...Houston?
Did they not see the crowd Real Madrid drew or Man Utd. against Bayern Munich. Or USMNT against England?
Serious, how do you pass up Chicago on a tour of America?
Did they not see the crowd Real Madrid drew or Man Utd. against Bayern Munich. Or USMNT against England?
Serious, how do you pass up Chicago on a tour of America?
Since Mitchell is missing in action and I never know when Jigga will show up, I'll discuss the Champions League semi-final matches by myself...
Arsenal booked their place for the final today IMO. They'll go to Villarreal and either draw 0-0 or snag another 1-0. I also don't believe Villarreal can shut Henry out two matches in a row.
As for the other semi-final. Barca are going to dismantle Milan at the Camp Nou. And then go on to dismantle Arsenal in the final.
Arsenal booked their place for the final today IMO. They'll go to Villarreal and either draw 0-0 or snag another 1-0. I also don't believe Villarreal can shut Henry out two matches in a row.
As for the other semi-final. Barca are going to dismantle Milan at the Camp Nou. And then go on to dismantle Arsenal in the final.
assuming barca and arsenal go through, who do you like in the finakl NIck? its a win win situation, either henry or ronaldinho will get their greatness confirmed. I have to say i hope henry scores more goals i dont want people to say he dont perform in the big games i know he has scored 2 in the knockout stages so far but he's a striker you rate him by goals, i think ronaldinho has been fantastic all those people hating saying barca are not what they are without messi, and they arent, but ronaldinho carrying this team very well, mad a great goal out of nothing against milan and nearly scored a wonder goal just off the post. peace.
QUOTE(Jigga @ Apr 20 2006, 06:13 AM) [snapback]69229[/snapback]
assuming barca and arsenal go through, who do you like in the finakl NIck? its a win win situation, either henry or ronaldinho will get their greatness confirmed. I have to say i hope henry scores more goals i dont want people to say he dont perform in the big games i know he has scored 2 in the knockout stages so far but he's a striker you rate him by goals, i think ronaldinho has been fantastic all those people hating saying barca are not what they are without messi, and they arent, but ronaldinho carrying this team very well, mad a great goal out of nothing against milan and nearly scored a wonder goal just off the post. peace.
Jigga, that was an excellent post. And I have to admit, I'd love to see Arsenal defeat Barca 2-0 on two Henry goals. Ronaldinho is the best player in the world IMO. I think whether Barca win the CL or not Ronnie will confirm that at the World Cup. I actually think Messi is a year away before he is the critical part of that side people make him out to be. I still feel Deco really pulls the strings out there and Eto'o, Ronnie and Giuly do the rest. Valdez is an underrated 'keeper as well.
I'd love to see Arsenal lose on Saturday and on Tuesday as most of the Gunner's fans I know tend to be obnoxious pricks. A win for Barcelona is a win for attacking football that a major tournament has been lacking since snore merchants Greece won Euro 2004.
My MLS All Star game prediction: MLS 4 - Chelsea 3
Liverpool sneak into the final, Mourinho's first half tactics backfired big time. Liverpool fans very happy, this competion means so much to them. "You'll Never Walk Alone" is being sung rather loudly.
I'd just like to give a standing ovation to the great Alan Shearer.
By Alan Hansen
BBC Sport football expert
I think Alan Shearer has been the best striker in the Premiership.
Thierry Henry is a phenomenal player and has a wonderful goalscoring record with Arsenal but Shearer's longevity just swings it for him.
He has been around virtually since the Premiership started. Not only has he put in performance after performance and scored goal after goal but he was everything you would want in a centre-forward.
Goalscoring is a very selfish occupation and, not only did he do that, but he was also a great team player.
Wherever he went, whether it was Southampton, Blackburn or Newcastle, he really appreciated what team work and team spirit was about.
He was at the forefront of that philosophy which was great for everybody because, as I say, he was in a very selfish position.
His record is absolutely phenomenal both for the clubs he played at and for England. He was a great striker for England.
He just did and had everything. He was strong, great in the air, had great touch and technique and, when he was in his prime, he had pace.
He was very difficult to play against and was very much a team man and player.
You could not ask for anymore from a centre-forward. Everywhere he went he was the first one on the team sheet.
He had that competitive side as well where he wanted to win everything he played in and every great player has that quality.
I think he has been a real credit to the game of football.
The thing about his injuries is that some players do not come back from the kind he has suffered.
But he had that type of commitment and willingness to win to come back and still play a prominent part at Newcastle.
He is a legend for the club. He could have gone to Manchester United but chose Newcastle. I am sure he does not regret that in any way, shape or form.
And, it is fitting that in his last season that he broke the record of Jackie Milburn, who is also a legend for Newcastle.
The one down side of his career is that he did not win a lot in the game. He won a championship at Blackburn and got to a couple of FA Cup finals with Newcastle but when you speak to him he is really honest and realistic about having no regrets.
Why should he have any regrets? He is one of the greatest strikers of all time.
He loved Newcastle and playing for them and to score as many goals as he did in such a prolific career was probably fitting for him.
It is a harsh way to go out but, like he said, to score a goal against his local rivals in his final game was a great finale.
As far as his England career went, I think he looked at it and thought he was going to find it really difficult to play at his best for Newcastle and England - the one that obviously had to go was England.
By not playing for England after Euro 2000 it enabled him to play for Newcastle a lot longer than he would have done. Not only the playing but the travelling was taking its toll and I think he got out at the right time.
I played against him a couple of times when he was at Southampton and you could see at that tender age that he was going to be a great player.
You can never tell how they are going to develop but he has been a handful for every defender he played against and I wouldn't have been any exception.
You look back at his attributes and what he gave to the game and he had a totally glittering career.
I'd just like to give a standing ovation to the great Alan Shearer.
By Alan Hansen
BBC Sport football expert
I think Alan Shearer has been the best striker in the Premiership.
Thierry Henry is a phenomenal player and has a wonderful goalscoring record with Arsenal but Shearer's longevity just swings it for him.
He has been around virtually since the Premiership started. Not only has he put in performance after performance and scored goal after goal but he was everything you would want in a centre-forward.
Goalscoring is a very selfish occupation and, not only did he do that, but he was also a great team player.
Wherever he went, whether it was Southampton, Blackburn or Newcastle, he really appreciated what team work and team spirit was about.
He was at the forefront of that philosophy which was great for everybody because, as I say, he was in a very selfish position.
His record is absolutely phenomenal both for the clubs he played at and for England. He was a great striker for England.
He just did and had everything. He was strong, great in the air, had great touch and technique and, when he was in his prime, he had pace.
He was very difficult to play against and was very much a team man and player.
You could not ask for anymore from a centre-forward. Everywhere he went he was the first one on the team sheet.
He had that competitive side as well where he wanted to win everything he played in and every great player has that quality.
I think he has been a real credit to the game of football.
The thing about his injuries is that some players do not come back from the kind he has suffered.
But he had that type of commitment and willingness to win to come back and still play a prominent part at Newcastle.
He is a legend for the club. He could have gone to Manchester United but chose Newcastle. I am sure he does not regret that in any way, shape or form.
And, it is fitting that in his last season that he broke the record of Jackie Milburn, who is also a legend for Newcastle.
The one down side of his career is that he did not win a lot in the game. He won a championship at Blackburn and got to a couple of FA Cup finals with Newcastle but when you speak to him he is really honest and realistic about having no regrets.
Why should he have any regrets? He is one of the greatest strikers of all time.
He loved Newcastle and playing for them and to score as many goals as he did in such a prolific career was probably fitting for him.
It is a harsh way to go out but, like he said, to score a goal against his local rivals in his final game was a great finale.
As far as his England career went, I think he looked at it and thought he was going to find it really difficult to play at his best for Newcastle and England - the one that obviously had to go was England.
By not playing for England after Euro 2000 it enabled him to play for Newcastle a lot longer than he would have done. Not only the playing but the travelling was taking its toll and I think he got out at the right time.
I played against him a couple of times when he was at Southampton and you could see at that tender age that he was going to be a great player.
You can never tell how they are going to develop but he has been a handful for every defender he played against and I wouldn't have been any exception.
You look back at his attributes and what he gave to the game and he had a totally glittering career.
Money can't buy you...The FA Cup
So sad to see Shearer go. I just caught the Newcastle-West Brom game, and when the Toon Army gave him that huge ovation late in the game, it was bittersweet to say the least.
He was the big reason I got into the EPL, when he tore it up at Euro 96 and then when he went to Newcastle shortly after, who I adopted as my favourite team.
Newcastle have really been on an impressive run in the wake of Owen's terrible injury and the firing of Souness, and now they're on the cusp of making Europe next season. Credit Roeder and the long-awaited emergence of Shola Ameobi as big factors.
Hey Mitchell...what exactly goes on at a testimonial anyway? Is it just a friendly game where the retiring player plays, or what? Over here, what teams do is have a ceremony where the player's number is retired forever (Mark Messier's ceremony with the New York Rangers this past winter was one of the best I've seen in years), held prior to a regular season game. These soccer testimonials are never televised over here, so I've always been curious as to what goes on. Shearer's is on May 11 against Celtic.
He was the big reason I got into the EPL, when he tore it up at Euro 96 and then when he went to Newcastle shortly after, who I adopted as my favourite team.
Newcastle have really been on an impressive run in the wake of Owen's terrible injury and the firing of Souness, and now they're on the cusp of making Europe next season. Credit Roeder and the long-awaited emergence of Shola Ameobi as big factors.
Hey Mitchell...what exactly goes on at a testimonial anyway? Is it just a friendly game where the retiring player plays, or what? Over here, what teams do is have a ceremony where the player's number is retired forever (Mark Messier's ceremony with the New York Rangers this past winter was one of the best I've seen in years), held prior to a regular season game. These soccer testimonials are never televised over here, so I've always been curious as to what goes on. Shearer's is on May 11 against Celtic.
Testimonials here usd to hark back to days when players weren't quite as well paid and before a player retired two of his old teams or a collection of his old team mates would all play in what can only be called an exhibition game and the retiring player would get a large share of the gate receipts. Don't think that aspect still stands but the game as a send of does. Lots of post-season games are testomonials.
Shearer's retirement has made me feel old as I remember when he was at Southampton. (Thankfully I'm not old enough to remeber his hat-trick against Arsenal.)
Shearer's retirement has made me feel old as I remember when he was at Southampton. (Thankfully I'm not old enough to remeber his hat-trick against Arsenal.)
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