Monday Questions

Wow, what a big weekend of football!

After an action packed weekend I am now asking myself the following questions.

1. Have Man Utd re-asserted themselves as favourites in the Premier League race? United were second best for a lot of the game, and with a number of key players absent it looked like United were going to lose a third game on the trot. Yet in the last 10 minutes they came alive sparked by a Ronaldo goal; who his first-half goal aside had not really gotten into the game. A story book ending followed with a fantastic goal from youngster Macheda followed. This comeback seems to have nullified the momentum Liverpool achieved by winning last minute at Fulham.

2. Middlesbrough lost heavily, again. Will Steve Gibson keep faith with Gareth Southgate in the Championship? Not many chairmen would have kept faith with the declining progress of recent years, yet Steve Gibson has done what so many openly cry out for, he gave a young English manager a chance, and then stuck by him. Southgate slashed the wage bill and got rid of the big names that were there for the massive salaries. Others then got better offers, or just got old. Southgate is left with a young team lacking any players with Premier League veteran status. Having gone with a youth policy would it be better to stick with Southgate in hope for a quick return to the Premier League, or go with a new manager who might be less keen on sticking with the young guns?

3. What the hell has happened to Aston Villa? It has happened again, a team looked like they were going to break into that top four yet in the run in. In December Terry Venebles said Villa should not count themselves out of the title race, but by April I can't remember the last time they won a game of Football.... Was it before Emile Heskey joined? There is hope, in periods yesterday they looked good value for an Old Trafford victory. However, the gap between them and Arsenal now looks a little daunting, and if fourth spot evades them they best player will be moving to Liverpool, or possibly Chelsea in the summer. Where 3rd looked likely not so long ago, it looks like Villa will likely now finish 6th.

4. What the hell has happened to Hull City? In a worse free-fall than Villa they have only won two games since Christmas. I tipped Stoke to go down, but Stoke now look the strongest of the teams promoted last year. Will Hull join West Brom and Boro in the drop zone?

The day today

It should be worth mentioning that today (Sunday 21st December 2008) was a big day in the history of British Football. Manchester United have scored a famous victory and been crowned Club Champions of the World. (well done lads!). The victory is not without a price, with Nemanja Vidic red carded and facing a Champions League Ban.

Late Goals saw Newcastle overcome Tottenham 2-1, and West Brom overcome Manchester City by the same scoreline.

Arsenal drew with Liverpool at home 1-1. Wenger was also disappointed to see Adebayor sent off and commented that he felt that cost them the win.

The biggest domestic result of the weekend however, was probably the 1-0 win for Aston Villa over West Ham. Terry Venables says that if Arsene Wenger thinks Arsenal are still in the title race, that Villa should stop thinking about finishing fourth, and set their sights on the title.