Manchester United wins its 10th Premier League title in sixteen years and once again proves their dominance within domestic soccer in the UK. For coach Alex Ferguson it now puts him at extreme heights within the game domestically. He's the most successful coach in all of British soccer. And his accomplishments ought to be lauded. Having been a fan of the game since my birth I've grown up within the UK and saw the likes of Leeds United , Liverpool , Arsenal , Chelsea dominate the scene. But now one has come close to achieving what this sporting behemoth has done within soccer. People may well say that the success of Glasgow Celtic is comparable. But to my mind the soccer in Scotland is nowhere as competitive as it is to its compatriot south of the border.
Paul Scholes of Manchester United and Wilson Palacios of Wigan contest a loose ball during the final Premiership game of the season. picture courtesy of getty images/ Alex Livesey ............
United proved themselves more than equal to the task in defeating Wigan Athletic to secure the win and guarantee the formality of claiming the Premiere League trophy. After a long and arduous season this was the culmination of it all. The winning of the Premiereship and the chance to say that they're the champions of English soccer. The players themselves will no doubt feel pleased with their accomplishments. And for some it'll be an unprecedented event. Stalwarts like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs whose service to the club has been a long and tenured one the winning of another trophy won't seem like any of the others that they've already won before. But for them no doubt the taste of victory becomes even sweeter each time it's repeated.
Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the penalty spot on the way to ensuring Manchester United's 2-0 victory over their Premiereship rival. picture courtesy of getty images/ Alex Livesey ..........
And for all of the success that the team has known it can never become any drearier for the franchise no matter how it is achieved. As to what their dominance tells you about the state of the sport in the country. It suggests that the status quo remains as it always has been. When there's a dominant force within a sport that's when the interest is at its most heightened with regard to the sense of awareness by the fans. United's fans are ravenous they come when it comes to success. There are legions of them across the world and they come in all nationalities.
A victorious coach Alex Ferguson acknowledges the applause of the crowd having just won the Premiership for the tenth time during his illustrious career. He's brought in excess of twenty trophies to the United faithful in his career. pictures courtesy of Reuters UK .............
As a Chelsea fan I for one am hoping that we're able to acquit ourselves well when we come face to face in the finals of the Champions League. Europe's most prestigious club tournament will pit us against Manchester United for the trophy that both teams have won before. And it goes without saying I'm hoping that we'll prove to be victorious in that endeavor. This will not only place the champions of the Premiereship against the runners up but also some might say the the two best club sides in Europe without a doubt. Both teams are ladened with stars that've made themselves known throughout the game. And each in their own way are out to prove that they represent the best that the game has to offer. United's dominance of the game domestically only goes so far. But it's on the international stage where they feel that they can really make their presence felt. Just as it is with any other sport that seeks to gain notoriety internationally.
United and England defender Rio Ferdinand holds aloft the Premiereship trophy for the fans and press alike. picture courtesy of Empirepics/ Reuters ..........
As I've alluded to before the Champions League final will be a daunting task for Chelsea as a team. United will start off as favorites for the title but it's certainly not an unaccustomed position that we'll find ourselves in. With the style of play that the team is capable of they're more than likely to give United the challenge it seeks. We're not without talented players ourselves and the experience of the team will no doubt bear this out. However if we're at a disadvantage it is from the fact as manager of the team Avram Grant is unaccustomed to the sort of pressure envisaged.
Chelsea midlfielder Michael Ballack during the final game of the season played against Bolton that ensued in a 1-1 draw which enabled United to become champions of the Barclay Premiership League. picture courtesy of /AFP/Getty Images ...................
The game itself will bring a vast array of fans worldwide for one of the more spectacular highlights of the European sport's season. That inofitself is bound to bring out the most curious of fans albeit if it will be the first time viewing the spectacle of European soccer at its best. Enjoy the spectacle as it unfolds as it will bring out the very best that the teams will have to offer and a whole more than one is accustomed to seeing.
May I also suggest that your title be "Three Up, Three Down" and not "Two" as Stoke, West Brom and possibly Hull if they beat Watford (or Palace or Bristol) move up to EPL while Reading, Brum, and Derby are relegated to FL Championship...
Dirtbag, no wonder you're a Chelski fan, one short again...
Dirtbag
The reason behind the title of the piece has nothing top do with the relegation process at all . So don't get your boxers in a damn not. As for me being a Chelsea fan it's by choice what's your damn excuse for breathing nut job ?
You're sort plebiscite that gave British soccer a bad name . But then again it may have already had a bad name before you came into being.
There's a place for all sorts in the world as they say even the fans of Chelsea and United .
Damnit, ramp! Are you being sexist and negative again? LOL What's happening these days? Are folks just reading a sentence or two and then giving a comment? BTW, have you noticed that you have to be extremely careful making comments? Some people are chewing new azzholes over comments also. As always, well written and thought out piece.
LOL rampant... by the way I think you meant to call me a "plebeian" which refers to the "common man" rather than "plebicite" which would be the vote of the people regarding government... and it is interesting that you comment "But then again it may have already had a bad name" which would reflect your actual opinion of football prior to any of my comments- you are a cosmetic fan (hence Chelsea) who has failed to grasp that calling most football supporters as plebeian is actually not an insult as you intended but spot on- it is indeed a working man's sport (look at the crowd turnout even for Derby, week in week out) but perhaps you consider yourelf above all that, again failing to understand the culture of football and blinkered by your media-hyped, disposable, and cosmetic surroundings in the US...
BTW, nowhere in your commentary (and yes, volfan69, I did read past the first 2 lines) does it explain the "two up, two down" phrase as being anything other than referring to the dynamics of the league.. becaue you also wrote "ordinarily the same game" and wrote about football, your intent is very clear- no bigee really, but it is another reflection of your cosmetic support for the game- perhaps if you really were a "supporter" (and not just a "fan") you would have caught the Pompey blunder and been intrigued enough at who goes up (three) and who goes down (three) to get that right also...
volfan
It'd appear that I'm the irritant to some people's defiant need to have wage war on others if they're not in line with their thinking.
The title of the piece had nothing to do with the game of soccer other than idiom used by my friends and I. However it appears that there are those who feel that they're knowledgeable when it comes to the game feel that they ought to opine on it. Never mind the fact that they've got nothing useful to say. Like a politcian who lives vicariously through the deeds of others.
My writing the piece was merely to laud the accomplishments of one of the great teams of the game that I grew up admiring. And still do to this day even though I'm a Chelsea fan.
I'd say this though moving to the US may well have been the best thing that I've ever done.
Here one can freely express one's self whereas in the UK in sporting realm any sort of dissent is seen as sacreligious.
Dirtbag
If I've referred to you as a plebiscite it's obviously done for a reason. As you probably represent a legion of nut jobs out there with the same infatile persona who thinks that any fan that it's not a supporter of some team is a waste of space . As to the title of the piece where does it have anything to do with the relegation process of the Premiership ? Did I allude to that fact in the piece ? When you've got something substantiative to say then perhaps we can discuss the rudimentaries of the game. I've yet to see any sort of contribution from you within this forum on the game. Or is that you partake of your time just going around to be be citical of anyone who doesn't share the same opinion as you ?
plebiscite: the LAW or VOTE of the people NOT the people...
"infatile" should probably be "infaNtile"
"substantiative" should probably be "substantive"
Your opinion, which you have erroneously assumed to be my critique, is neither here nor there... your ignorance is that which SUBSTANTIATES my point and your cosmetic support of Chelski, that which is INFANTILE...
BTW, if you actually read any of the English FOOTBALL threads you would note my contributions are indeed cutthroat but relevant and you would also know just a little more about that which you purport to critique yourself
Dirtbag, wrote the TOEFL which you should probably try to pass before you attempt the English language
Last edited by Dirtbag#001 on May 13th at 11:32 AM.
top, thanks for your response.
Dirtbag, I didn't mean to offend you. Honestly, I was in a car wreck a couple of years ago. I have a closed head injury. Will you please explain to me (in small words) your response here. I'm slow with comprehension and I don't understand your point. Were you saying that in the US most folks just don't get what it is all about? I'll admit that I have a hard time with soccer, but I really try to get it because my grandkids love it and they play. Again, no offense intended toward you from me.
Oh, Dirtbag, my first comment was actually referring to another blog that top wrote and someone called him sexist and negative. Was that where we went wrong?
Dirtbag
This is probably the first time you've come across the site and proferred up anything regarding what I've written. As to the wants and wherewithall of the English language let's not go there for one as I'd presuming you to be either a fervent Yank or an Englishman on one side or the other of the pond.
Sift through the site and you'll see several pieces that I've written with regard to the game before you go espousing your so called knowledge of it.
rampant' aka tophatal ........
Last edited by rampantfanatic on May 13th at 1:56 PM.
volfan
That in ofitself was nothing anyway. Nique and I have a little tete' a tete' going with regard to Danica Patrick. She believes that I'm being unkind to her . Whereas I'm pointing out that Patrick believes that she's above reproach when it comes to her conduct on and off the track. It's nothing more than slight banter at the end of the day !
slshusker
My mind'll be in two places at once concering the day. My brother and several of his friends (British servicemen) I hope will be returning home back to the UK from Iraq. So that's something that I for one am really happy about.
As to the game itself it will prove to be really entertaining. You've got two highly talented sides whose games are predicated on playing a highly attacking style and competitive brand of soccer.
Hopefully it'll be appreciated who are knowledgeable about the game ?
As a Chelsea fan I'm really looking forward to it and I hope that they can acquit themselves well against the likes of Utd in that endeavor.
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An avid martial artist and fan of Jet Li. Possessing a black belt in karate (2nd degree Black Belt) I'm of Caribbean parentage born in the UK and have lived in the US for the past 14 years. A lover of sports in particular Soccer, NFL, NBA and MLB.
Slowly getting use to NASCAR but I prefer F1 Practices martial arts, karate and wu shu kwan , muy thai -kick boxing) College grad BA in Int'l Fin and BA in Economics.
I've recently received my MBA here in the US
Teams Chelsea (EPL) Patriots,Spur s, Marlins..LaDa nian Tomlinson & Roger Federer favorite sports personalities
Music, Jazz , r & b, hip hop, reggae.....Ou tkast,Jay-Z, Kanye, 50 cent, Alicia Keys & Nelly Furtado, Wynton Marsalis Movies....Hea t, Training Day.... Actors Denzel Washington , De Niro, Salma Hayek, Thandie Newton
