O'Donnell's Observations: Rafa finally wins
by Paul O'Donnell
Finally! Rafa wins a league match against Sir Alex Ferguson (SAF) for the very first time making his record against Man United 1-1-7 in EPL play.
It didn’t look as if it would turn out that way. United started quickly, scored in the 4th minute (Tevez) and looked set to run Liverpool off their own home ground. With both Torres and Gerrard on the sideline the question that swirled around Anfield was, "I wonder who will score the goal we now need to get back in it?" Answer: United, courtesy of the unfortunate Wes Brown.
When Kujt missed narrowly and then failed again from two yards to jam the ball past Van der Sar Reds fans had to feel not on this day. The 2nd half Liverpool were the better side creating pressure with some nice runs off the ball but couldn’t find the answer. Then, of all men, Ryan Giggs made a terrible error of judgment keeping the ball in play instead of giving a corner. Credit Dirk Kujt on the play for his diligent effort and fine pass to Babel who cashed in the match winner.
With the win Liverpool actually goes to the top of the table tied with Chelsea separated by goal difference.
In what had been billed as the "cash clash" Chelsea held serve with a 3-1 victory at Eastlands despite Robinho’s opener from a free kick in his debut for City. For one I was surprised at the Blues play without Essien who may miss the entire season with injury sustained during the international break.
How bad can it get for the Magpies? How about losing at home to newboys Hull City 2-1, which they did. Many empty seats at St James’ Park too and now there are meetings spawning rumors of another resurrection; a return of KK. Good grief! Can you actually believe what is going on there? Fans parading around the park with signs declaring "Cockney Mafia OUT" and "Sold Down the River" express what many fans think of the nonsense the board has brought to the club. Billionaire owner Mike Ashley has now decided he’s had enough and the club has been put up for sale.
Speaking of strange, how about this? Jose’s Serie A defending champion Inter Milan managed to come from behind to earn a victory over Catania 2-1 after being reduced to 10 men as well. Ok, so what’s so strange about that then? Well, both goals were Own Goals and the eventual match winner generated a storm of controversy. It was one of those that a neutral observer would say "you can’t tell for sure" even after viewing it from all possible angles ten times over. Wonder if thats what Jose means by calling himself "the special one"?
Arsenal wasted Blackburn at Ewood Park 4-0 with a hat trick from Adebayor. It was embarrassing. Rovers actually played well for about ten minutes and their manager Paul Ince focused on that saying that if one of their early chances hadn’t hit the woodwork it would have been a different game. I guess he has to say such things. Van Persie, still on his Dennis Bergkamp imitation routine opened the scoring early for the Gunners while Theo Wolcott ended his week with another good display. The young Gunners are for real no doubt about that.
In MLS the LA Galaxy, with both Donovan and Beckham back on the pitch, extended their winless streak to 12 in a 2-0 loss to Kansas City while the NY Red Bulls added another come from behind victory to their charge with one from Angel to level and the match winner from Van den Berg in a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake.
How many times will Tim Cahill rescue David Moyes and his Everton mates? He’s done it again with a fine header off an Arteta corner kick after seeing the Toffees surrender a 2-0 lead. Actually Stoke, in a ten minute span, swarmed all over Everton pulling even at 2 and that was with one disallowed before Cahill’s winner (76’). It was Cahill’s first appearance for Everton since March when he went down with an injury.
Some guys just seem to be right there for their mates when needed and the Aussie is one of them.
