One of the first things you are ever taught about football once you start playing competitive matches is to play to the whistle - it sounds pretty basic doesn't it. The referee blows his whistle to start play and blows again to stop play, if you don't hear it, well, guess what...keep playing except of course if you're Manchester United!

The annual curtain raiser at Wembley between Chelsea and United was exactly what I wanted to see - two very good teams, shaking off ring rust and going at one another in an effort to lay down the first marker of the campaign. Yes, its early doors but I think we learnt a number of things about the respective clubs.

Other than the glaring 'playing-to-the-whistle' which won't happen again this season if Sir Alex Ferguson has anything to do with it, United didn't have that extra punch in the post Cristiano Ronaldo era. Nani who had a few good moments looks like a cheap, lightweight replacement that still needs to evolve into a consistent Premiership performer.

The pace of the Red Devils was also a concern of mine whenever Dimitar Berbatov got hold of the ball. With Ronaldo they were a team of fliers however the Bulgarian constantly wanted to slow the game down to his speed and I don't believe that suits his teammates. Don't get me wrong, his touch on the ball is dreamy while his vision is almost clairvoyant but he screams a Juan Sebastian Veron purchase. It took far too long for SAF to swallow his pride with the Argentinean and there is a danger he'll do the same with this 30 million pound purchase. Of course, Berbatov could come good but at what price to the style of a team that has made its name with swashbuckling football.

I think we also saw the need for United to have a decent back-up goalkeeper as Ben Foster looked unsure of himself and his surroundings. Perhaps it was the watching eyes of England boss, Fabio Capello that had the youngster fluffing his lines however you'd certainly want to see more confidence on such a large stage.

The plus points for the current Premiership champions in my mind was the consistency and industry of Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher along with the fire of Wayne Rooney in a rousing first half display which makes their disappearance in the 2^nd period all the more puzzling. So in conclusion plenty for SAF to ponder post match as he deflected any problems in his team in the general direction of referee, Chris Foy.

On the other side of the coin, Chelsea finally won a penalty shootout and over the course of the match it was a deserved victory. I really like the fact that new boss, Carlo Ancelotti had a 'plan b' after his side were outplayed in the opening stanza's. Introducing Jose Bosingwa was just the tactical change that was seemingly beyond Filipe Scolari last season.

On the other flank, Ashley Cole, who I'll admit to not being a fan of was largely excellent and if he can combine his attacking endeavors with more consistent defending, I'll be forced to revise my opinion. One player who I always think is quality is Ricardo Carvalho and the match sponsors agreed with that perspective by making him man-of-the-match. If his head is in London and not Milan, the Blues will have the best defensive four in the Premiership and they'll need it as the one concern has to be the continued inconsistency of Petr Cech. To let Nani's long range effort in was poor but to then turnaround and produce stunning back-to-back saves leaves me wondering how long Ancelotti will remain patient.

The character and bottle installed by Guus Hiddink still courses through the team and that was epitomized by Frank Lampard who not only took his goal superbly but stayed ice cool from twelve yards. I think that Lampard is going to have a massive year as he goes head-to-head with Steven Gerrard for the title of England's best attacking midfielder. Throw in a happy Didier Drogba and you have the makings of a team that I believe will once again challenge on all fronts.

In conclusion Manchester United and Chelsea served up a tasty appetizer before we get down to the real business of the Premiership and UEFA Champions League and in the process they sure whetted my whistle!

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Friday afternoon in a Liverpool Crown Court, a jury made up of Liverpudlians, cleared Liverpool FC captain, Steven Gerrard from the charge of affray. This surely was an impressive feat as the incident was captured on CCTV and 'Stevie G' admitted punching Marcus McGee three times whilst feeling a more than merry seven-out-of-ten on the worse for wear scale - call me crazy but if I did that...

I am certainly not insinuating that the jury was blinded by the star power of the England international however it does seem that there is little to no consistency when it comes to punishment and crime regarding professional footballers.

For example everybody's favorite villain, Joey Barton, wasn't as lucky as his fellow Scouser in the affray category. In 2008 he served 77 days of a six-month sentence after a bevy fueled incident in Liverpool City center. Perhaps it one act of violence too much for the jury as Barton has had plenty of previous including stubbing a cigar out onto the eyes of former Manchester City teammate Jamie Tandy - call me crazy but if I did that...

Whether Barton can control the emotions that lead to these sickening outbursts is a matter for people more qualified than myself but it does appear that here is a young man with some serious problems who needs a firm hand.

It is not hard to assume that ex-Leeds United teammates, Lee Bowyer and Jonathon Woodgate were imbibing on that sorry night at the Majestyk club back in year 2000 as their behavior outside the club was not that of a sober couple. Once again the charge of affray was handed down along with the more serious crime of causing grievous bodily harm. After the first trial collapsed, a second trial convicted Woodgate and sentenced to 100 hours of community service while the FA banned him from international selection (it would have been interesting to see what the FA would've have done if Gerrard had been convicted) - Bowyer was cleared! He wasn't so lucky when he slugged Kieron Dyer, his Newcastle teammate in front of 50,000 in 2005. Northumbria Police charged him with a public order offence, fining him 600 pounds - call me crazy but if I did that...

Woodgate has since rehabilitated his image but Bowyer on the other hand still carries the vibe that in one hand he has a stick of dynamite while the other hand messes around with matches - 'handle with care.'

Ben Thatcher wasn't under the influence of alcohol but one assumes he must've been woofing down massive amounts of testosterone when he attempted to separate Portsmouth's, Pedro Mendes' head, from his shoulders. Greater Manchester Police where involved for a short time but later released a statement that read 'in consultation with the injured player, the clubs and the FA, GMP have been informed the player would like to pursue a complaint and have asked for it to be dealt with by the FA, not the police' - call me crazy but if I did that...

Thatcher, like Barton has previous - for the FA to suspend the player for what was basically a criminal act of violence committed on a pitch in front of millions was and is a growing sign that the organization is impotent and that the police don't have the nerve to step onto a turf that is surely theirs.

Ex-Evertonian and Rangers striker, Big Duncan Ferguson wasn't as lucky as Thatcher when it came to on-the-field activities. An off-the-ball assault on John McStay of Raith Rovers led to the Scottish international spending three months in tough Barlinnie prison. For once it seems that the punishment fits the crime however it was just one of four convictions for assault - call me crazy but if I did that...

Ferguson certainly had a reputation has a 'hard-man' and it was well deserved as he was not the kind of player/man that stood for any nonsense on-and-off-the-park. One of the burglars attempting to rob his home in Lancashire found that out as he spent three days in hospital after 'Big Dunc' detained him!

The final incident I want to highlight is perhaps the most famous - Eric Cantona and his 'kung-fu' kick* on Crystal Palace supporter, Mathew Simmons back in 1995. Cantona was sentenced to 120 hours of community service after an appeals court overturned a two-week prison sentence and the FA banned him for nine-months while fining him 10,000 pounds - call me crazy but if I did that...

Even 14 years later the sight of Cantona airborne of the advertising hoarding still shocks but instead of being viewed as a thug, Cantona has taken on a different persona. Now a star of the silver screen, he's seen as a thoughtful, sensitive man and I would have agree having met him once for about 10 seconds and being sucked in by his charisma.

Ultimately though, it seems to me, that regardless of what these men have done on-or-off the pitch, the ability to kick a ball better than your 'average-Joe' trumps everything - and you have to ask yourself whether that is right and the answer is, hell no - will it change, hell no, but it could...

One day perhaps, the courts and Football Association will put fame, celebrity and the ability to entertain aside and treat footballers with the same brush that you and I are painted with - call me crazy but one day it just might happen.

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.

* I asked David Beckham if he was going 'Cantona' last week at the HDC against the LA Riot Squad - he said he wasn't (but he was fined a grand!) however with the abuse still flowing (witness the Galaxy's recent visit to Kansas City), how long before England's finest utters the immortal Cantona words..."when the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown in the sea. Thank you very much."

 

 

Last night at the Home Depot Center, home to Major League Soccer's, Los Angeles Galaxy, vocal portions of the 30,000 sell out crowd gave David Beckham the kind of reception reserved for pantomime villains instead of global superstar and he didn't like it one bit!

One section of the crowd, the LA Riot squad was particularly vociferous with their chants, comments and hand made signs that called into questions Beckham's loyalty and commitment to the club he signed for in 2007. This was the section that Beckham confronted at the end of the 1^st half and for a second or two it looked like the England international was going to reprise Eric Cantona's legendary 1995 leap into the crowd - cooler heads prevailed on this occasion as security quickly snuffed out an ugly situation.

One has to wonder what provoked Beckham to such a degree after all this is a man who has suffered legendary abuse at the hands of opposing fans in England's Premier League during his playing days with Manchester United. His effigy has been burned, his wife and children insulted and I for one was appalled this loutish behavior however Beckham always retained his cool on the pitch. Perhaps as he's entering the twilight of his playing career, the skin that was once inches thick is now thinning and the barbs that bounced of him now hit the mark and sting.

The riot squad members I spoke to say that 1). They've paid their money and their entitled to their opinions. 2). Beckham has let them down 3). It's obvious that he doesn't want to be in Major League Soccer.

It's hard to argue against number one however there is a fine line. Good natured banter and booing is part and parcel of being a professional sportsman as Beckham noted..."a lot of people predicted the vicious kind of reaction that would be here (at the HDC) and they were right. But at the end of the day it didn't affect me as a player". What did affect him though were personal insults, "one of the guys was saying things that really weren't very nice. It was stepping over the line".

In my opinion no one should have to go to their place of work and get abused regardless of whether you're making the MLS league minimum (around $24,000) or getting the top whack $5.6 million as Beckham reportedly collects.

Point number two is that Beckham has let them down. I would say 'grow up' - an athletic career is so short that anybody in their right mind is going to do whatever it takes to stay in the limelight. Beckham wants to play for England at the 2010 World Cup and he is going to do whatever it takes to fulfill that wish...end of!

And finally the charge that he doesn't want to play in MLS - well I'm inclined to agree with that statement! But what does it mean in the big picture...in all honesty very little. The 'Beckham Experiment' to borrow the title of Grant Wahl's explosive book has taken the shine and glitz off England's most famous export and no amount of posturing is going to change that perception.

At the end of the day American soccer fans want results - they don't care if you come from Mars, Timbuktu or Real Madrid. They have become savvy and they know a fraud and they also know what the real deal looks like. If David Beckham produces the kind of football he showed for 70 minutes last night from now until the end of the season I will guarantee you that the boos heard last night will soon become cheers. If on the other hand he replicates the form of last season, he'll make life very hard for the next ageing superstar who tries his hand at doing what is seemingly impossible and that is turning the average American into a soccer fan!

 

I was asked this question the other day...'what is beautiful football' - well I replied, that all depends on what your idea of beauty is!

 

On Saturday in North London, the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Everton will question our ideas of beauty in a way that Barcelona triumph in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night didn't - but that though is the magic of football. While Rome was full of artistry and panache, London will be bursting with tests of manhood and physicality. There can be no doubt though that they'll be more Gladiators on display at Wembley than there were at the Stadio Olimpico - it'll still be football...just different.

 

Everton, their manager, David Moyes and their highly partisan fans rightly pride themselves on being a blue-collar team hence the nickname, 'The Peoples Club' seems to suit them aptly. They are gritty, physical, tough, well organized and in the eye of the beholder - beautiful.

 

Chelsea on the other hand flirts with the idea of beauty however they are more like Everton than would like us to believe. Yes, they began the season with designs on matching that mesmerizing outfit that dumped them out of the Champions League but reality is about results, plain and simple - so when push comes to shove, out goes beauty and in comes the beast.

 

So what happens when two immovable objects meet on the vast expanse that is the hallowed and much maligned Wembley turf?

 

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard vs. Petr Cech

 

Howard has had his most consistent season in England to date. I don't think he's as spectacular as he once was but by-and-large he's eliminated the 'big' match changing mistakes. Most importantly he has the belief of the players in front of him. From 12 yards out where I think this game may be decided, he was huge in the semi-final even though the Man Utd attempts were pathetic.

 

Unlike Howard, Cech has had his most inconsistent season since arriving in England. The Czech colossus has lost the invincibility that made him the best in the world. He looks suspect under an aerial attack and I won't be surprised if Everton test him early and often however as an out-and-out shot stopper, he's still right up there with the best.

 

Advantage: Everton

 

Back Four (projected): Leighton Baines, Joseph Yobo, Joleon Lescott, Tony Hibbert vs. Jose Bosingwa, John Terry, Alex, Ashley Cole

 

If the match was played on paper, Everton needn't show up as the Blues back four looks far more cosmopolitan but looks can be deceiving. Despite winning matches, Chelsea has recently been conceding from set pieces and crosses again - this was their Achilles heel under Luiz Felipe Scolari.

 

The Toffees on the other hand have gotten better as the season progressed. Granted losing Phil Jagielka is a blow that the likes of Drogba and Anelka may yet still exploit but confidence is a powerful aphrodisiac that will serve them well.

 

Going forward, Baines and Lescott are excellent at set pieces although they're no match for the explosiveness of Bosingwa, Terry and Alex.

 

Advantage: A tie

 

Midfield (Projected): Phil Neville, Tim Cahill, Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman vs. Frank Lamaprd, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack, Florent Malouda

 

I can't see Moyes allowing Chelsea the time and space to boss the middle of the park so he'll have to play the extra man and deny space through simply outworking four ridiculously talented footballers. It'll be about tracking runs, winning 2nd balls, competing for all the 50/50 challenges and hammering them when they get a chance.

 

The Blues have that extra guile and if they can keep the ball moving at pace, the Toffees could be chasing shadows. They are also deadly with long-range bombs and if they are not closed down, Howard better watch out for incoming missiles.

 

Advantage: Chelsea

 

Forwards (Projected): Luis Saha vs. Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka

 

Everton did know what they were getting when they signed the new 'sick-note' from Man Utd, still, even they would've been disappointed with a return of just 18 games played. Now it's a chance for Saha to repay that faith and in all honesty there are not many better finishers in football when he is healthy. If he can get two chances, he'll score at least one however his opponents in this art are two of the best.

 

This will probably be Drogba's last match for Chelsea and he'll be looking to add to his 93 all time goals total for the Londoners while Anelka has proven this season that when his mind is right, he remains one of the elite strikers in world football. All three players are capable of every conceivable finish when given even half-a-chance.

 

Advantage: Chelsea

 

Managers: David Moyes vs. Guus Hiddink

 

Moyes has long been considered the best manager outside the 'B4' - now he has a chance to prove it and yes, he does need a trophy to make that resume pop. Hiddink knows that his legacy will not be tarnished one way or the other regardless of the result. Both men know their stuff and both are naturally conservative. The man who can step outside of the box may take home the silverware.

 

Advantage: Everton (Moyes wants it more)

 

Recently matches between these two clubs have been tight, dour and short of beauty. I can't but help feel that that trend will continue and one goal could be enough. I'd even go so far as to say that we could even be in for 120 minutes and penalties. If it does go that far, Everton will win however if the final is decided in 90 minutes the Blues will be celebrating.

 

If you like teams pummeling one another at 100 mph this one could will be a beauty for you.

 

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.

 

 

 

So here we are at the finish line and as we like to say that at the end of the season, the table doesn't lie. With that in mind, United are deservedly Champions and whoever joins West Brom had it coming. As for this prediction business, it's been a rollercoaster and it proves to me how unpredictable the Barclays Premier League is.

 

I've really enjoyed looking at your picks and in all honesty we've never been that far apart. I've also enjoyed your comments especially the not so flattering kind, which generally make me laugh before running to the scales (I'm not that fat!) and the mirror (I am that bald!).

 

I'm hoping that by next season we'll have a game in place where are results will be tracked and we can really have a Championship of our own. Thanks for playing.

 

 Season-to-date: 171 from 340 = 50.294117% (51 bulls-eyes = 15%)

 

 Arsenal vs. Stoke I saw a few ashen faced Gunner fans the other day when word of Arsene Wenger's unrest hit the streets. To lose the Professor would be a devastating blow but in all fairness I can identify with Arsene -it's never any fun getting slagged off when you're trying your hardest!!!

 

It's been a dream campaign for Stoke and Tony Pulis. There is nothing like giving the big middle one to all those who said 'we'll see you back in the Championship'. In a way it gives hope to everyone from top to bottom because with hard work, organization and a little luck it proves that anything is possible in football.

 

Arsenal 2 - 0 Stoke

 

Aston Villa vs. Newcastle I just don't understand how a Martin O'Neill led side could collapse so completely - there simply must be more to Villa's slide than meets the eye. I'm sure we'll find out in the off-season as the Gareth Barry transfer saga dominates the back pages.

 

 

 

From the high of beating Boro to the low of losing to Fulham - the magic carpet ride that is being a Newcastle supporter will be tested to the max as they've contrived to take their own destiny out of their hands. Let's be honest here, they must win but it's hard to see how that will be achieved. The only thing in their favor is that the Villains are in a bigger slump than they are.

 

Aston Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle

 

Blackburn vs. West Brom From relegation certainties when Sam Allardyce took over in December to fully paid up Premiership members next season - what a long strange trip it's been. They'll be in full holiday mode this afternoon.

 

Tony Mowbray stuck to his principles about playing attractive football and hopefully he'll keep that belief in the Championship. With no pressure on either team's shoulders, I wouldn't be surprised if West Brom turned on the style.

 

Blackburn 1 - 2 West Brom

 

Fulham vs. Everton Europa League football is the carrot that Roy Hodgson will dangle in front of his players and I'm darn sure they'll all want a taste of it. Fulham along with Stoke have been my Cinderella clubs this season and it's a fully deserved honor.

 

Obviously David Moyes has no intention of letting his club coast to the FA Cup Final as they've only lost once since booking a Wembley date. Surely this must be the weekend where they take their foot of the gas and protect themselves for the showpiece of English football.

 

Fulham 1 - 0 Everton

Hull vs. Man Utd When United won the title, Hull for a second must have believed - then they looked a Ferguson's squad and their hearts sank. In all fairness, Hull, have close to $100 million to play for so I would imagine motivation won't be a problem. On the other hand nerves maybe shredded - 'get the brown trousers' and I'm not talking Phil!

 

The kids will get a run today and with Rome a few days away, I'm sure a couple of them are looking at earning a possible late inclusion to the bench. With that in mind, I have to believe that they'll be too good for a team that is literally crawling towards the finish line.

 

Hull 1 - 1 Man Utd

 

Liverpool vs. Tottenham Two steps forward-one step back would sum up Liverpool's campaign for me. For so long the destiny of the title was in their hands but a lack of quality depth within the squad and a series of home draws has ultimately cost them. This summer's transfer market will be the most eagerly anticipated on Merseyside for quite sometime.

 

Harry Redknapp couldn't really fail to bring Spurs out of the mire when you look at the resources available to him. Yes it looked bleak for many months but ultimately we always knew that Spurs would find their rightful place in the table. Now they look to next season and a top four challenge must be maintained or they'll forever be the 'nearly-club'.

 

Liverpool 1 - 0 Tottenham

 

Man City vs. Bolton If any club will be the center of attention next season it will be the team from Manchester that rarely wins anything. With a war chest that rivals small countries GDP, City will be the prime destination for many of the world's biggest stars. The same won't be said about the Trotters who will now endure at least a few more months of Gary Megson - better the devil you know than the devil you don't I say to them.

 

Man City 2 - 0 Bolton

 

Sunderland vs. Chelsea The Stadium of Light will be heaving with 49,000 demented Black Cats and that could be the defining factor. As the air has leaked out of them so has the luck but with a chance to stay alive and put Newcastle down in the same breath, this place will be a cauldron that only the bravest will survive.

 

Chelsea are professional, clinical and honest but second place is all but mathematically impossible (they need a Tottenham miracle at Anfield) and with a Wembley date on the horizon, it must be a reserve team that Guus Hiddink sends out for his last Premiership match.

 

Sunderland 1 - 1 Chelsea

 

West Ham vs. Middlesbrough The Hammers have been poor the last few weeks which given their off field financial woes is not surprising. In this football climate it is very difficult to separate the two departments. The backroom mess must be addressed and sorted before August rolls around.

 

Boro need Hull and Newcastle to lose by at least three while they win by at least two. Oh my goodness me, my boss just flew by my office window and offered to double my salary!!!

 

West Ham 0 - 1 Middlesbrough

 

Wigan vs. Portsmouth With close to $1 million a place at stake in the BPL, a Pompey win could see them jump over the Latics - then again with Pi