Can't cooment on the pre-game unfortunately. The wonderful people who run the USA PPV waited until the actual kickoff to cut in to the broadcast. From what BBC radio said it sounded fantastic. I really hate that Sir Alex went with that bloody 4-5-1! Here's to a great match!Glory, Glory Man United!
Cheers!
Mike R.
Sunnyvale, CA
PS... DID YOU SEE THAT HITZELSBERGER EQUALIZER FOR STUTTGART??? MY GOD, WHAT A VOLLEY!
Chelsea with an edge in the first half. United may have five in midfield at times but Paul Scholes is the the only United player is playing up to par. Fletcher's out on the right side contributing nothing. For Chelsea SWP looked bright for a 20 minute spell then faded. Without being spectacular Lampard and Mikel have been in control of the midfield. Neither keeper has been tested and that probably sums up the first half.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on May 19th at 7:56 AM.
Typical cup final stuff so far.
And I am not impressed with the new stadium ,or should I say the FA (appropriate initials ,come to think of it) .
The stadium should be completely Blue and Red ,and what is opposite the cameras? ,a whole lot of nothing!
looks like the FA are getting their wish ,turning the cup final into the superbowl ,hardly any real supporters ,and those that are there are tucked away out of sight and sound of the cameras ,there was a better atmosphere at BMO field last week!
And are these commentators auditioning for a job with E**N?!
Then again ,one or two goals at the right end ,and everything will seem a lot better!
A much better second half but still lacking that extra piece of magic to break down two very well organized defenses. Drogba is strong but what about the strength of Wayne Rooney. Smith on for Fletcher. I am surprised that we didn't see the two managers make more chages in regualtion time and now Kalou on for SWP. The two substitutions will change the shape of the two teams. Maybe something different will break the deadlock.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on May 19th at 9:05 AM.
I can't watch the game cos it is on PPV. Hearing the match live on ManUtd.com, it was a dull match. Anyway, stil hoping United to win. I love your work so much, Bobby!
So close by United. The ball 'was' over the line. It would have been disallowed anyway since there was an infringement by Smith on Cech! Keep it up, United!
Giggs gets the best chance so far. The replay shows the ball was over the line but Giggs fouled Cech.
Players that might break this open in the last 15 minutes - Scholes and Robben perhaps? Forget Robben he has just been taken off for Ashley Cole.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on May 19th at 9:16 AM.
The goal comes and it is a beautifully crafted but simple goal. United defenders get moved around and Drogba and Lampard exchange a one-two and with four minutes left it looks like a winner.
Could not agree more henry14. The cups are just "consolation" prizes to them as they cannot win the Premiership and the CL. They cannot buy all the trophies!
A game that didn't meet expectations. Two sides that looked like they know each other to well. United had a number of players that went missing for large stretches of the game.
I thought over the 120 minutes Chelsea was the better side today.
Bobby, thanks for opening this blog for us to express someone's joy and my disappointments and frustrations. What's next for us because the English domestic season is drawing a close? Will you be going on a holiday with your family for a well-deserved break? Love your work as always.
I don't understand the call by Mr. Bennett concerning the disallowed goal by Giggs. IF Giggs fouled Cech, then it would result in a free kick. However, Cech threw the ball out to his player, he did not kick it as a free kick. If it was NOT a foul by Giggs, then it was a goal, because as EVERYBODY agrees, the ball was clearly over the line. Chelsea can't have it both ways.
Bobby---you're awesome! Clearly the most educated mediator out there and you put together a great blog.
Congratulations Chelsea supporters (Ringo, LACF etal.) I hate the build-up of what should be a great attacking match to see it turn out like a couple of bloated heavy weight fighters just walk around and clench eachother! Bobby, Mark brought up a good point--could you elaborate?
To be fair, I do congratulate the Chelsea supporters, and a fine goal by D. Drogba. United fell asleep on that one. But I'm still confused. Also, bad call to stop play early when Makelele was called on a foul. United had the ball and were going forward, 3 on 3. Mr. Bennett stopped play. Guess that's football...
Yes ,the ref messed up ,it was either a goal or a free-kick ,but as everyone will agree (I think) ,it was the right decision.
And in my mind ,I am now working my way down the Kings road toward Sloane Square ,and then on to Leicester Square ,and finally to Victoria Station ,The Duke of York ,Shakes and The Stage Door!!
CHEERS ,and we ask you to drink responsibly!
And I just might take a swim in the fountains in Trafalgar square!
ManUtd2006 - Lot's of football this summer. Qualifying for Euro 2008, Gold Cup, Copa America, MLS, and the FIFA Under-20s in Canada. And only three months to the new Premiership season!!
Mark - The decision by referee Bennett on the Giggs/Cech incident was mystifying. I didn't tape the game so this is largely based on what I think happened. The only conclusion I can draw is that Bennett or the assistant referee didn't see the ball cross the line and allowed Cech to play advantage by throwing it out. Then he stopped the game beacause Cech was injured (I'm not sure about that bit) and restarted with a drop ball. A bit convulted but it is the best I can make from a strange decision.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on May 19th at 12:30 PM.
At the risk or repeating myself ,yes the ref got it wrong ,but unless you turn the clock back 50 years ,to when it was legal to knock the goalie into the goal (Nat Lofthouse style),then I don`t see a problem!
And damn ,the water is cold in these fountains ,you`d think they would warm it up for us!
I don't get that goal incident either. I just think Bennet didn't see any of it. If he saw it then playing advantage was not an option because the ball was out of play over the line.
Having watched it over several times, I'm certain that Giggs momentum took him into Cech and forced him over then line. It's clear that Giggs knee forces Cech and the ball over while it's in Cech's posession on the ground. Apart from anything it was dangerous. It's also clear that Cech did not pull the ball into him to protect it and pull the ball over the line first.
The correct decision was free kick.
In the post game interview, SAF seems to claim it was penalty. What!?
Bobby, you warned us about it being a stalemate final. The injuries on the Chelsea side put Maka and Obi in midfield. The poor form of Cole and Kalou didn't help. I'm sure if Robben had been fit then he would have subbed off maka.
Injuries and too many games for Scholes and Giggs, killed Utd.
It's really not a fair reflection of the EPL. 64 games is too many.
Last week we were talking about Ronaldo not being able to shine against top defenses. We saw that again, but Cole and a half fit Robben didn't do much better.
Game over.....We won the cup....Man u won the league.....TSD is back in Portugal.....I`m getting drunk and stupid on the streets of London...and everyone lives happily ever after!!!
I must say I was quite disappointed by the cagey and tentative play by both sides. The magnificent new Wembley with the two best teams in England (if not all of Europe or the world) should have hosted a classic match to start its new era.
Ronaldo was very lacklustre. Is he carrying an injury, or has he just run out of gas. He has been largely absent for the last month.
As a Man U fan, I am desolated to report the Red Devils finished the season with only 1 goal in their last 5 games, and that was Ronaldo from the penalty spot.
Had to work and missed the game but doesn't sound like I missed much. Congrats to Ringo and LACF. Looking forward to Wed.
Next year: United repeat the Trebble!!! Mark Cuban buys Chelski from Roman in the continued American invasion: post game press conference hilarity insues!!! So many teams in Italy are deducted points for various dirty dealings and violence that Sicilian side Ragusa of Serie D is crowned champion. Henry14 is appointed coach of the US national team - he predicts disaster upon hearing the news. The rest of us continue to armchair manage and #### here on Bobbys fine blog. You heard it here first.
A big thanks to Bobby for all the time, effort and insight. You made the season more enjoyable for all of us. Cheers.
Ulsterson, and others, you’re right on. This is definitely thank you time to all.
Bobby thanks for creating this and putting all the effort, research and insight and expertise to us all. It seems that the recent postings and patient replies have been even longer than usual. It’s much appreciated.
Also I want to thank everyone else for putting up with my attempted humor and a lot of chat room banter. (ain’t that right Ringo). Although none of us really know each other it really has created a good natured club atmosphere that’s pretty unique. Special mention for G44 and H14 who not only suffered from a frustrating season, but had to put up with jibes from me and others. Next season could be your turn.
I found out more about non-EPL than any other season from others on this blog plus the great coverage we’ve had on TV. Thanks all.
Final words on the final:
Best Quotes
Ryan Giggs (I can’t figure out if this is a penalty claim or something else):
“I felt I was getting to the ball quite comfortably and felt someone touch my leg”
JM, heading in the opposite direction from the celebrating team …. “My family couldn’t be here because of a 30 cm dog .. I just want to go home to be with them, nothing else” We all know that in some Portuguese kennel, TSD was watching.
Steve Bennett is a bad referee. Like Graham Poll, he has the strong presence to keep control of big matches, but also seems to get a lot of big decisions wrong. Giggs didn't foul Cech, unless they're all of a sudden protecting keepers in England; and a goal line scramble rarely results in an advantage (for the defence) being played. The ball crossed the line and the officials missed it.
Was that Abramovich's daughter or new girlfriend with him!?
Does C.Ronaldo (aka greatest player in the world) ever have a good game against big teams or score any big goals, or does he save it all for the little teams?
Did TSO really put the FA Cup final into perspective by saying that he and his family are more concerned about the dog? Interesting insight into the priorities o####reat manager. I hope Ancelotti's (or Rafa's) dog doesn't wonder off this week!!
Caught in the Brambles
I just love the expression on Sibierski’s face when he found out that Wigan had also signed Titus Bramble in this piece
on the BBC web site.
Sighs of relief elsewhere.
Last edited by LosAngelesChelseaFan on June 4th at 6:49 PM.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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