Preview: Chelsea vs Liverpool

Chelsea and Liverpool both enter their match on Sunday reeling from stunning losses. For Liverpool it was a mid-week 2-0 loss to Fiorentina in the Champions League. For Chelsea it was a 3-1 self-destruction against Wigan last weekend. They failed to gain any momentum in their Champions League match, squeaking by Apoel Nicosia 1-0. Both teams need this game to right their season and prevent a potential early-season freefall.
The early upper hand goes to Liverpool who, despite their struggles have managed to produce some significant offense in the Premier League. Its also relatively injury-free. Chelsea will be hurting on the defensive end because of the absence of goalkeeper Petr Cech who was sent off during last weekend’s match against Wigan with a straight red card. Hilario will keep goal in Cech’s place, but his lack of game time experience will cause worries from Chelsea supporters.
My prediction: As much as I hate to say it, I think the odds are against the Blues for this one. Chelsea will be keen on breaking out of its mini-slump, but without several key players, it won’t be able to reach its true form. My only hope is that Joe Cole will come up with a big game. Otherwise I think Liverpool will manage to poke through a few goals for the win. 2-0.

This is why I hate Manchester United

Manchester United did not deserve to win today. They were severely outplayed by an inspired Sunderland squad for almost 90 solid minutes. But Patrice Evra’s shot, which deflected off Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand for an own goal, proved why Manchester United is Manchester United. Sometimes they don’t deserve the win, but they win anyway.

Darren Bent put Sunderland ahead in the 7th minute with a low line drive that extended just past the fingertips of Man U’s Ben Foster. Sunderland played smart, possessive football throughout the first half while Man U squandered several chances and carelessly turned the ball over. Especially angered at trailing 1-0, Wayne Rooney was relatively un-effective for the duration of the match. Man U trailed at the start of the second half but began to generate better opportunities.

Then, in the 51st minute, Dimitar Berbatov sent a beautiful ball past Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon to open the scoring for Man U. Berbatov expertly bicycled John O’Shea’s cross with an acrobatic jump and twist.

Most thought that this would open up the floodgates for Manchester United’s goal scorers, but Sunderland swiftly recovered. It kept up its workhorse style of play with crisp, smart passes and well-placed balls. In the 58th minute, Andy Reid sent a nifty pass to Kenwyne Jones who collided mid-air with Foster, who got the worst of the collision. But Jones head reached the ball first and sent it bouncing into the goal, putting the Mackems up 2-1.

Sunderland played valiant defense for the last half hour as Manchester United began to increase their attack. It cleared out countless Man U crosses and prevented Man U from producing any legitimate chances. It appeared that the underdogs would escape the barrage unharmed until the 93rd minute when Patrice Evra sent a shot into the box. The shot ricocheted off Anton Ferdinand, brother of Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand who did not play today, and into the back of the net, salvaging a point for the Red Devils.

Although the score didn’t reflect it, Sunderland played winning football. Darren Bent and Lee Cattermole played the field superbly, creating several offensive opportunities while Sunderland’s defense as a whole stifled Manchester United.

Despite the hear-breaking loss, Sunderland has several opportunities to better their record in the coming weeks. They face a tough match against Liverpool on the 17th and then travel to Birmingham to face Birmingham City.

Manchester United hosts Bolton on the 17th. Despite a mid-week Champions League match against CSKA Moscow on the 21st and the continued absence of stars Edwin van der Sar and Rio Ferdinand, one can only assume that Manchester United will continue to play choppy, disorganized football and continue to win.

Rites of Autumn

There’s an irresistible excitement in the London air this September. Along with the bite of the wind and fresh smell of leaves, football is in the air. After a three-month long stint of beating hot sun, humidity cricket test matches and the Confederations Cup, proper football is back in England. Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup matches populate pub television screens and newspaper back pages. Each day provides a new opportunity to enjoy brilliance and beauty of football. From a bright Saturday afternoon at the stadium to a chilly Tuesday night in a warm pub with a pint of cider, watching Europe’s finest, football provides all of London with endless excitement.

And in the fall, the excitement is especially high, because of the unknown that lies ahead. Each team starts the season with an optimistic view, with a belief that they can improve upon the previous season. Fans and players alike share in the excitement of a new season, craving the exciting goals, comeback victories and moments of glory that lie ahead. Enjoy the autumn, football fans. Enjoy the sunny days at the pitch before the biting November cold sweeps in. Enjoy the optimism of a 3-1 record and the visions of FA Cup or European glory. Because this is football at its most pure