Not since Zinedine Zidane lined up Marco Materazzi’s chest with his head in Berlin over three years ago have so many opinions, distortions, hyperbole and hypocritical utterances been spewed forth.

The “Henry Incident” has provided an opportunity for outlandish stereo-typing and xenophobia.  Opportunists have embraced a platform from which to moralize while others see the chance to advocate the red herring solution of video replay.  (When Tony Cascarino lectures on ethics and fair play and isn’t laughed out of town then the apocalypse must be at hand.)

Certainly the goal should have been disallowed and the Republic of Ireland and their fans have a right to be aggrieved and to feel badly let down. The officials got the call wrong – either through not seeing the play or wrongly interpreting Henry’s actions. However, the debate was quickly hijacked and rapidly distorted. The hijackers seem to fall into three categories.

First of all we have the “the what will we tell the kids?” faction and the “it just reinforces the view that cheats win,” multitude. To the first tell the kids the same thing that you tell them when someone does something bad but prospers. Bad things happen in life and some nasty people do benefit – sport is no different.  It doesn’t mean you have to take the same route.

As for the latter it is not only simplistic but also wrong-headed. It is no truer than the assertion that people who don’t cheat always lose. (If you do happen to believe that then please take a place in chronic cynics’ corner, far far away.)

The second group is the souls who believe technology will cure all and the latest occurrence proves irrefutably that it is time for the camera to be used. It is a very cute way of avoiding the debate about the full ramifications of using technology to review calls that are almost always subjective rather than objective. Video technology may arguably be less likely to bring consensus than our present method.

Technology advocates are often zealots and refuse to countenance the possibility that the law of unintended consequences may kick in. Essentially the law – which is not actually “a law” – relates to the unintended results that accrue from a course of action that might in fact be counter to the intended results.

Rather than video replays ensuring fairness and light for all could it encourage players to cheat even more on the basis that “if I am doing something wrong it is up to camera to catch it?”

Such a possibility only increases when it is suggested that the use of replays would not interrupt play because they would be capped. (Isn’t a paradoxical position to claim that “irrefutable evidence” should be used but only once each half?).  “Cheating” might become less overt but much more insidious. 

The final clique is the “Henry is a cheat” bandwagon-jumpers. (Is is just a coincidence that such a high percentage of video proponents also seem quick to besmirch Henry? Perhaps it comes from watching replay after replay is super-slow-mo and the V-Js have forgotten that the game is played in real time.)

Cheating surely requires premeditation.  From the time the ball skips off the turf to  the time it leaves Henry’s hand it can be no longer than one second. Essentially Henry had to deal with the following in that miniscule amount of time. The game was in extra time, he was traveling at a good clip towards the Irish goal, the ball was skipping off a greasy surface and heading towards him at an angle. 

To “cheat” Henry would have had to act with a level of premeditation that would be nothing short of superhuman. (This is not supporting the notion that Henry did not commit a foul – there is no direct requirement for intent - by the conventional meaning - in the laws of the game. Undoubtedly the goal should not have been allowed to stand.)

But surely it is a case of a player reacting in a way that is quiet natural given the circumstances and in particular the time available. A defender on the goal line and with a ball blasted at him within arm’s length will almost always move his hand towards the ball. In both instances it is an instinct fine tuned through thousands of hours of practice and playing.  

To label Henry a cheat in such circumstances requires us to cast a wide net over almost everyone who has ever played the game.  Handball – cheat, pushing off a defender- cheat, picking a defender at a corner kick – cheat, moving ten yards up the touchline for a throw-in – cheat.

That leaves us with the failure by Henry to admit to the referee that the ball stuck his arm and hand. The French captain is taking a roasting for that as well. The laws of the game do not require self policing by players but that can be written in if the powers-that-be see the advantages of such a system.

We could then look forward to the day when a defender admits to a referee that he did in fact trip the opponent and insist on being sent off. Or in the absence of such a change can we look forward to the same level of indignant protests that we have seen and heard in the last 24-hours the next time a defender fails to own up to a wrong-doing?  

HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE

With the Thierry Henry incident top-of-mind the newspapers have been quick to recount other injustices. One that I remember well (or I certainly thought I remembered it well) was the penalty given against Wales in a World Cup qualifying game against Scotland at Anfield in 1977.

The score was 0-0 at the time and although Scotland would score a late second goal through Kenny Dalglish the Jordan/Jones incident was a critical event in the game.

The reason I say “thought’ is because I have come upon a couple of articles that are at odds with my recollection. Here is how the Daily Telegraph described the incident,

“In the 78th minute of Scotland’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Wales at Anfield, striker Joe Jordan rose with defender Dave Jones to challenge for Asa Hartford’s throw into the box. To the surprise of the Welsh fans and players, referee Robert Wurtz pointed to the spot believing Jones to have flicked on the ball with his hand while TV replays showed otherwise. Scotland duly scored to book their place at the 1978 World Cup Finals in Argentina.”

First of all I remember it as being a long-throw from Willie Johnston and a quick check of some reputable sources confirmed that to be the case. As for Welsh fans and players being surprised – well that surprises me. In fact I don’t recollect it generating much controversy at the specific moment or even right after the match.

As for TV replays showing otherwise – again that is very much at odds with how I remember things unfolding. The quality of television replays was poor 30 plus years ago and I never saw nor have I seen a replay that conclusively shows Jordan punching the ball rather than the Welsh defender David Jones.

However, a Scottish Sunday paper (Sunday Mail perhaps?) was the first to print an enhanced picture that showed Jordan’s fist making contact with the ball rather than Jones. That was five days later.


Paul James in the Globe and Mail also has a different version than the facts of the time.

“After seeing Thierry Henry's get away with a blatant handball in last night's pivotal World Cup qualifier between France and Ireland it was difficult to not recall a similar incident back in 1977 when Wales played Scotland in their all important final qualifying game.”

Well it certainly seems difficult to recall it correctly.  It was indeed Scotland’s final game but it was not the case for Wales.

It was a three country group and before the Anfield match the table looked like this; Scotland P3, Pts 4, Czechoslovakia P3, Pts 2, Wales P2, Pts 2. A Wales win over Scotland would have certainly made them favourites to qualify but it would have been far from certain.

In fact, a Wales win would have pulled Czechoslovakia back into contention and there would have been a possibility of a three way tie at the completion of group play.

At that time Czechoslovakia were the European Champions after beating the then reigning World and European Champions West Germany in the 1976 final. Hardly a slam-dunk even if a draw would have been all Wales needed. 

A draw with Scotland would have left Wales needing a win – again hardly a fait accompli.

The penalty decision was unjust and rightly grieved by what was at the time a fine Welsh side. However, to imply in any way that the decision solely stopped Wales from reaching the World Cup Finals is a distortion of the facts.

The Best…..

New Zealand keeper Mark Paston stepped in to take the place of regular starter Glen Moss who was suspended. Paston took his opportunity with both hands as he saved a penalty that ultimately made the difference between the Kiwis going to the 2010 World Cup Finals and Bahrain qualifying instead.

The atmosphere was phenomenal and Egypt kept their fans on edge until the fifth minute of injury time before adding to an early goal from Amr Zaki. An Emad Moteab header means that Algeria and Egypt have to play again – in Sudan on Wednesday – in order to decide Africa’s fifth group qualifier.  

It wasn’t a goal but if it had been it would have been a truly magnificent goal. Yuri Zhirkov’s slalom run from the half way line was breathtaking and only the leg of Slovenian keeper Samir Handanovic averted a stunning goal.

Honorable mentions……..

The Los Angeles Galaxy v Houston Dynamo western conference final could easily have gone either way. In the end it was a substitute appearance by Alan Gordon that swung things the Galaxy’s way.

Gordon entered the match in the 96th minute but made two critical contributions in extra time. Gordon was fouled by Houston’s Ricardo Clark and that set up a free kick from which LA opened the scoring. Six minutes later and the same pair where involved and this time Clark tripped Gordon in the penalty box.

Obafemi Martins struck twice for Nigeria has they beat Kenya 3-2 and qualified courtesy of Tunisia losing to Mozambique.

Best forgotten…..

The 83rd minute is likely to haunt Tunisian soccer for some time.  Going into the the last round of group play in Africa Tunisia enjoyed a two point lead on Nigeria and only had to match Nigeria’s result in order to qualify for the finals. In the 82nd minute Tunisia was tied 0-0 with Mozambique while Nigeria and Kenya were tied 2-2. One minute later Dario scored for Mozambique and Obafemi Martins for Nigeria.

The George Burley era as Scotland’s manager looks to be coming to an overdue conclusion. A 3-0 thrashing from Wales means that Scotland have won only three of the 14 internationals played under Burley’s leadership.

Canada lost 3-0 to Macedonia and two missed penalty kicks.

Stat facts…..

The last four meetings between the Republic of Ireland and France have produced a total of two goals.

Ukraine and Greece finished scoreless and it was the first time in 11 internationals that Greece has recorded a clean sheet.

Nilmar scored the only goal of the game for Brazil against England. The Villarreal and former Lyon striker has now scored 5 goals in Brazil’s last four matches.

Portugal has only conceded two goals in their last 11 international matches.

What was said….

Richard Whittall with something that is often sadly lacking when discussing soccer in Canada – common sense and a rationale well constructed argument.

Taxing times coming for foreign players in Spain?

The “cost” of Angel Di Maria continues to climb – it started at £12M, then became £27M and has now hit £36M.

A biography of the former Ipswich Town chairman John Cobbold is about to hit bookstores. Cobbold’s support of Bobby Robson in his early years at Portman Road was extremely important as results did not go well early in Robson’s stint with Ipswich. The biography has been 26 years in the making.

The Bundesliga voted last week to keep the membership model for clubs.

And Newcastle fans want to mimic the German model.

When he broke into the Celtic side John Kennedy showed the potential to be a great defender. An opponent’s reckless tackle brought it all to a premature end.

Sometimes following in fathers’ managerial footsteps bring missteps.

A lot of folks have jumped to the conclusion that any attempt to have Celtic and Rangers join the English Premier League is now dead and buried and the suggestion never will again see the light of day. Fat chance.

The vote this time is said to have been 14-6 which is significantly better than 20-0 the first time around. When the vote is shifting your way there is absolutely no chance that bags will be packed. It will take a couple of years but it will be back on the agenda.

Fabio Capello handed off an England team talk and here is how it turned out.

Coming up this week…..

Play offs to decide the remaining six qualifying spots. Next up will be the draw that takes place on December 4.

If…..

During the Russia v Slovenia play-off game on Saturday the television camera caught Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in the stands. Big games often bring out politicians which got me thinking.  If politicians were players who would they be like?

Here are a few suggestions to start off.

Putin – A midfield schemer who doesn’t hesitate to get his retaliation in first - ala Graeme Souness in his playing prime.

Barack Obama – A bit like Dimitar Berbatov at Manchester United. Some great touches but hasn’t lived up to his potential so far.

Angela Merckel – A fullback who gets noticed and who can handle the rough going. A bit like Gianluca Zambrotta perhaps.

Silvio Berlusconi – He gets knocked down again and again but keeps on bouncing back no matter how many bad headlines he generates. David Beckham?

George W Bush – A bull in china shop type defender who is only ever one play away from another embarrassment – Philippe Senderos.

Gordon Brown – A squad player who had the wait for his place but so far hasn’t made much of his chance, Nani?

Twenty two teams plus the host nation South Africa have already secured a spot in next summer’s World Cup Finals. Three more countries from the Africa federation will join the select group this weekend as group play concludes.

There are also six play-off matches scheduled over the next five days and the winners will complete next summer’s roster. New Zealand and Bahrain have already played the first leg of their play off while the other five matches, four in Europe and one between South America and CONCACAF, will play a home and home series.

In all likelihood goals will be at a premium, particularly in the first legs, as countries try to ensure that their World Cup dreams do not dissipate in ninety minutes. That places huge pressure on the players expected to score the goals.

New Zealand v Bahrain

Bahrain only scored 19 goals in 18 qualification matches and they drew a blank in the home leg against New Zealand. Striker Ala’a Hubail tore cruciate ligaments after the first leg and his injury is considered to be a severe blow to the Bahrainis. Their best chance of a goal may be midfielder Salman Isa who plays his club soccer with Al Arabi of Qatar and has scored three during the qualifying phase.

On the other hand the New Zealanders carry an in-form strike threat. Gold Coast United striker Shane Smeltz is the regaining A-League Golden Boot winner and he has 11 goals in 9 games so far this season.

Costa Rica v Uruguay

Two forwards who earn a living in the Dutch Eredivisie will carry their countries hopes in the play-off of the Americas.

Ajax captain Luis Suarez has already scored five times for Uruguay in World Cup qualifying but it is his strike rate of 16 goals in 13 league games in the Dutch league this season that catches the eye.

Since joining Ajax two summers ago Suarez has paid back the $13M transfer fee and more. In his debut season he scored 17 goals in 34 league games and followed that up with 22 last season.

Brian Ruiz is the league’s second top scorer with eight goals for leaders Twente. The Costa Rica striker scored six goals in 15 CONCACAF qualifying matches including a pair in the final game against the USA.

A win against the USA would have earned Costa Rica and automatic spot but they gave up a last ditch equalizer and now must regroup against a Uruguay side that is facing a third straight World Cup play off scenario. They were successful in 2001 but fell to Australia at the final hurdle in 2005.

Russia v Slovenia

Guus Hiddink has a number of options to choose from as far as a main striker is concerned but none are inspiring confidence. Roman Pavlyuchenko can’t get a start for Tottenham Hotspur, Zenit’s Alexander Kerzhakov was poor against Germany last month and it is two months since Pavel Pogrebnyak scored his last league goal for his club Stuttgart.

Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin might carry a greater threat as the support striker while midfielder Vladimir Bystrov has 6 goals in 8 games for Zenit St. Petersburg.

Slovenia’s 18 goals in ten qualifying games are deceptive given that eight goals came in two games against San Marino Nil. Milivoje Novakovic scored five of the goals and was Slovenia’s top scorer. However, goals have not come freely at the club level and Novakovic has only scored twice for Cologne in the Bundesliga – mind you Cologne has only scored seven times in twelve league matches.

Republic of Ireland v France

No doubt the Republic of Ireland will take goals from any source but a goal from Robbie Keane might provide an added jolt of inspiration. Keane has scored 40 times for his country and in the 33 games in which he has scored Ireland has only lost one – even then it was in a penalty shoot out. Twenty four times the Republic has won and eight times the match finished in a draw.

France had eight different players contributing to the 18 goals they scored in group qualifying.  The four goals from top scorer Andre Pierre Gignac do not appear remarkable but they were scored in six appearances – what’s more the six appearances amounted to a little under 300 minutes in actual playing time.

When minutes played are translated to full games it means that Gignac has scored at a clip of better than a goal a game since his call up in April. France captain Thierry Henry describes the Toulouse striker as "an old-fashioned centre forward" so Richard Dunne and the Irish defence can expect nothing remotely close to silky soccer over the two legs.

If they have done their homework the Irish will know that Gignac is overly reliant on his right foot. He scored 24 goals in Ligue Une last season with 23 coming from his right peg.

Greece v Ukraine

Ukraine coach Alexei Mikhailichenko will look to the experience of Andrei Shevchenko for goals. Despite a torrid time at the club level over the last few seasons Shevchenko has played like a man reborn for the national team since his return to Dynamo Kiev. Shevchenko had six goals in nine qualifying games and has scored four in the last five competitive away matches played by Ukraine.

Shevchenko missed a penalty against England in the key group game last month but the odds are that he will step up again if needed. Ukraine was awarded five penalties in ten group matches so he may well get another chance.

When Greece needed goals Theofanis Gekas delivered. Gekas may be unable to hold down a starting position with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga but he finished as the top scorer in UEFA qualifying after hitting double figures. Four of his ten goals came in an important 5-2 win over challengers Latvia.

Gekas has only started one Bundesliga game so far this season and has made five appearances as a substitute. His only club goal this season came in a 2-1 German Cup loss to Kaiserlautern.

Portugal v Bosnia-Herzegovina

Subtract the eight goals scored against Malta in two games and Portugal’s goal scoring record of 9 goals in 8 games is far from impressive. It is also an accurate reflection of why Portugal is in the play offs when many would have expected the 2006 semi-finalists to qualify automatically.

It also partly explains why Portugal’s hopes of breaking free of scoring problems rest with a player who has only scored two international goals. Sporting Lisbon’s Liedson only became a naturalized citizen in late summer and he made his debut for Portugal shortly after.

It was the Brazilian born striker who rescued Portugal with a headed equalizer with only minutes remaining in a crucial away match against Denmark in early September.

On the other hand goals have flowed for Bosnia in finishing behind a Spanish side that completed group qualifying with a 100% record over ten games. Bosnia carries a number of goal scoring threats with midfielder Zvjezdan Misimovic (16 goals in 46) and striker Zlatan Misimovic (13 goals in 19) prominent.

However, the man Portugal will fear is Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko who had a terrific 2008/09 season.  Dzeko finished with nine qualifying goals – just one behind Gekas – and he has five league goals and two in the Champions League so far this season.   
 

The Best…..

Some cracking goals in the Champions League on match day 4. Ryan Babel's late long range effort against Lyon looked to have locked up three points for Liverpool against Lyon but it was not to be.

A late equalizer from Marius Onofras of Unirea Urziceni against Rangers kept his team in the poll position to move on – postage stamp corner stuff. Ronaldinho  showed how to take an unsaveable penalty when he equalized for Milan against Real Madrid.

As far as the Bolton defense was concerned John Carew was unplayable on Saturday. Aston Villa thrashed Bolton 5-1 and the Norwegian striker contributed a goal, two assists and was fouled for a penalty that eventually led to a goal.

Shoot out of the weekend must have been Lyon against Marseille at the Stade Gerland. Ten goals, four in the last ten minutes and three of the late goals came from Lyon.  The last was an effort from Bastos that looked to have nailed all three points for Lyon but an o.g. from Jeremy Toulalan gave the visitors a point.

Honorable mentions……..

Gianluigi Buffon pulled off a stunning save to keep a clean sheet against Maccabi Haifa.  

The goals from Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby for Arsenal against AZ Alkmaar were special.

The Juventus and Atalanta game threatened to become a runaway win for Juventus at one point. However, Atalanta showed tremendous resilience before succumbing to a 5-2 loss. Felipe Melo’s thunderous drive from well outside the penalty area was the pick-of-the-crop.  

A 1-1 draw means that Roma extended their unbeaten streak at the Giuseppe Meazza to five games. The Roma goal came off of a towering header from Vucinic shortly after he had out thought himself on a one-on-one with Buffon and allowed Lucio to catch him from behind.

Best forgotten…..

Things are not going well for Louis Van Gaal and Bayern Munich. After a 2-0 loss at home to Bordeaux Bayern’s chances of making it to the knock stage of the Champions League are looking slim. A second consecutive draw in the Bundesliga also has Bayern in 8th spot with 20 points. Consider this – last season after 12 games under Jurgen Klinsmann Bayern had 24 points and would go on to make it to the last eight of the Champions League. Klinsi got sacked.

Manchester City left back Wayne Bridge looked far from impressive a week past Sunday in a scoreless draw with Birmingham City. However, his form plummeted even lower on Saturday when City drew 3-3 with Burnley. His distribution was awful, his positional play terrible and he was culpable on at least two of the three Burnley goals.

If two wrongs don’t make a right then what do three wrongs make? Maybe Referee Martin Atkinson can provide the answer. He failed to see Manchester United centre back Jonny Evans endeavoring to get his retaliation in first when he launched his studs into the side of Chelsea’s Didier Drogba while in mid air – what’s more it looked as if it happened inside the United penalty area. None of this seemed to matter as Evans escaped without punishment while Drogba was booked - no doubt for attacking Evans' studs with his ribs.

A few minutes later Atkinson called Darren Fletcher to task for a foul on Ashley Cole that looked anything but. To cap it off on the resulting free kick Drogba hauled down United’s Wes Brown just before John Terry’s [text_removed]or Nicolas Anelka's touch) found the back of the United net. There should be enough for United, Chelsea and neutral fans to argue about for months.

Stat facts…..

After four rounds of Champions league play teams from Ligue Une have the best winning percentage – 72%. The Premier League is just slightly behind on 71%. In “third” place come Serie A 63%, followed by La Liga 56% and the Bundesliga well back on 39%.

When Javier Zanetti led Inter out against Dynamo Kiev it was the 59th time he had skippered the side in the Champions League. The all-time leader is Paolo Maldini who did it 77 times.

Against Manchester City Burnley’s Graham Alexander potted his second penalty in two games. Alexander has scored all thirteen penalties he has taken since joining Burnley while over his entire professional career he has only missed 5 out the 74 he has taken – a success rate of more than 93%.  

With a 1-0 win away to Le Mans Auxerre are now unbeaten in their last nine Ligue Une matches and have won their last six. Auxerre lost their first three games of the season but are now in third place, two points behind leaders Bordeaux.  

Ligue Une bottom dweller Grenoble brought an end to a losing streak that sat at 11 games -  it ended with a scoreless draw against Monaco.

Valencia’s 3-1 win at home to Real Zaragoza extended their unbeaten streak against the visitors to 16 games. It also 17 years since Zaragoza won a game at the Mestalla.

What was said….

 A new version of Rangers TV is about to go on the air……sorry on the internet.

Chelsea’s new Chief Executive Peter Kenyon 2 (sorry that should be Ron Gourlay) has set out targets for the club - winning the Champions League twice, financial self-sufficiency and re-engaging with the supporters. Congratulations to Mr. Gourlay for pulling this off and keeping a straight face.

Jim White anticipates the teams that will have to make do when some of their players make tracks for the 2010 African Cup of Nations.

Are there two different Angel Di Marias? One is supposedly heading to Old Trafford while the other must be twice as good based on the money that Manchester City is apparently ready to pay.   

Brian Glanville is not impressed by Arsenal. I wonder if Arsenal feel the same way about Glanville?

Gavin Hamilton contends that the prominence given to Jack Warner by the English press in relation to England’s World Cup Bid greatly exceeds Warner’s power to influence the final outcome.

Uruguay is getting ready to play their third successive play-off with a place in the World Cup Finals. This time they will face Costa Rica while four years ago it was Australia. Tim Vickery looks back on the first leg of that tie played in Montevideo.

David Lacey comments on the now named sportsdirect.com@StJames'ParkStadium – simply pathetic…the naming not the article!

The responses to Paul Hayward’s article makes the whole piece worthwhile.

Coming up this week…..

FIFA Under-17s reach the the quarter finals stage.  


There is the fourth round of the Copa del Rey and everyone will be eagerly watching to see of Real Madrid can overturn a four goal lead held by Alcorcon from the first leg.

On Sunday January 11th of this year Chelsea traveled to play Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League. By early evening Chelsea had been taken apart in a manner not seen for many a season.

The final score may have been 3-0 to United but the score line flattered Chelsea so resounding was the home team’s performance.

It was to be a game that marked the beginning of the end for Chelsea boss Luis Felipe Scolari. Chelsea struggled to beat Stoke the week after – needing two late goals from Belletti and Lampard – before another less than impressive display in dispatching relegation bound Middlesbrough.

A 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield made a parting of the ways close to inevitable while a scoreless draw at home to struggling Hull City sealed the Brazilian’s fate.

Two days after Scolari was sacked Guus Hiddink rolled into Stamford Bridge and invigorated the side albeit on a temporary basis. True to his word and original intentions Hiddink hardly had time to get the manager’s chair warm before returning from whence he came and the mantle was again passed, this time to Carlos Ancelotti.

Both managers have received ample praise for their work on a Chelsea side that had looked tired, placid and on some occasions past it. Answers to the why the change have ranged from the return of Didier Drogba (from both injury and sulking) to the spurious magic of the diamond formation and many in between.

Strangely absent has been the name Michael Essien. Hiddink did many things right but perhaps his greatest accomplishment – or in many peoples’ minds risk – was quickly he integrated Essien back into the first team line up.

Essien had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury while representing Ghana in early September 2008. But than a month into his temporary role as Chelsea manager and with the return leg of a Champions League game against Juventus looming Hiddink gambled and brought the Ghanaian on as a substitute in a FA Cup match at Coventry.

Essien played less than forty five minutes but he showed enough to be a shock inclusion in the starting line-up against Juventus.  

Hiddink’s faith was repaid with interest as Essien scored a critical away goal (Chelsea had won the first leg 1-0 at Stamford Bridge) that provided Chelsea with some breathing space. Te second leg would finish in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea progressing 3-2 on aggregate.

However that was far from the end of Champions League heroics for Essien as he also scored with a stunning left foot volley against Barcelona in a semi final. On that night Chelsea would come within seconds of moving on to their second consecutive final appearance.

By the time Ancelotti arrived any concerns of Essien’s fitness had dissipated and it was not long before the new boss asked the multi-talented Essien to fulfill a new role – at the base of the midfield diamond.

Prior to the switch Chelsea bosses had essentially accepted that first Makelele and then his heir apparent John Obi Mikel held squatting rights to the position.

Of course that left only three other positions in midfield up for grabs and a number of very talented players battling for places. Ballack, Malouda, Lampard, Joe Cole (when fit), Deco as well as Essien had to be accommodated and inevitably a considerable amount of talent was left on the bench.

Ancelotti’s saw no reason why Essien could not play the Makelele/Mikel position and do so with more aggression, drive and attacking fervor. It is a move that has paid off in spades.

In days past the ball at the feet of Mikel would inevitably lead to the play stalling with the youngster almost always opting for the safe pass rather than taking the opportunity to spring a team mate making tracks to the opponent’s goal.

With Essien it is the opposite - Essien only resorts to a square ball when a forward penetrating pass isn’t on; Mikel would only play the penetrating pass when a square ball wasn’t on.

A look at the overall statistics also lends support to the importance of Essien in the starting eleven. During Essien’s spell out with injury Chelsea had a winning percentage of 68% - not bad – but since he returned in March that percentage has risen to a little under 74%.

So what does 6% translate into? Over a Premier League season that would amount to between 6 and 7 points.

When you consider that Chelsea finished third last season, seven points behind United, three behind Liverpool and took only a single point from their efforts against the top two a case could be made that a fit Essien might well have been the difference. Will it be this season? We will find out a bit more on Sunday.

___________________________________________________________________

Manchester United also has a key midfield player and that is Darren Fletcher. The link between Fletcher and United’s performances over the last season and a bit is intriguing.

During that spell United have lost eight matches and Fletcher has only played in one of them. Overall he has appeared in over forty games and the only loss was a 2-0 defeat at Craven Cottage to Fulham in March of this year.

Fletcher has also gained a reputation as a player who may not score a lot of goals but many of his efforts are kept for the big occasions. The genesis likely goes back almost four years to the day.

On November 6, 2005 Sir Alex Ferguson surprised everyone when he started the young Scotsman at Old Trafford against, what at the time was, a rampant Mourinho led Chelsea side.

Fletcher scored the only goal of the game and although Chelsea would retain their title it was a game that in retrospect marked a turning point in United’s challenge to the Londoners.

___________________________________________________________________

Who is hot and who is not…a weekly look at the form teams over the last five league games.

Premier League
Arsenal – 13 points
Wolverhampton Wanderers – 1 point

Ligue Une
Auxerre – 15 points
Grenoble – 0 points

Bundesliga
Werder Bremen – 13 points
Hertha Berlin – 1 point

Serie A
Inter – 15 points
Siena –  2 points

La Liga
Barcelona and Valencia – 11 points
Malaga – 1 point

SPL
Hibernian – 11 points
Falkirk – 2 points

Portugal
Braga – 13 points
Olhanense - 1 point