Barrie's View

Jose Mourinho has been fined for his post-match outburst that followed Real Madrid’s 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Barcelona in last night’s Champions League 1st leg.

After a dull first half, the tie burst into life with an end of half ruckus that saw Barcelona’s backup goalkeeper Jose Pinto sent off.

The second half began with more action than the first, but it was in the 61st minute where the controversy began when Real Madrid’s Pepe was shown a straight red card for barely making contact with Barcelona’s Dani Alves. The Brazilian full back and wannabe winger done his best theatrics that included a few rolls, and German referee Wolfgang Stark sent off his fellow countryman.

Jose Mourinho had a few words to say to the fourth official and sarcastically applauded the referee as he was sent to the stands to watch the remainder of the game. This was the fourth meeting between the two Spanish giants this season, and Madrid have ended all four with 10 men.

Real Madrid failed to deal with Barcelona thereafter, having held them at bay and had chances themselves when the numbers were even. Lionel Messi tapped in the first before a sublime solo second goal all-but-killed the affair.

Mourinho’s post-match interview included the following statements:

If I tell UEFA what I think and feel, my career will end now. As I can’t say what I feel and will just have to leave a question to which some day I hope to get an answer… why? Why?

I don’t know whether it is the UNICEF publicity. I don’t know whether it is Mr. Villar’s power within UEFA. I don’t know whether they are nice people, I just don’t know, I don’t understand. I don’t understand. I congratulate Barcelona; they are a fantastic football team as I have always said. I congratulate their achievements too, but those things should be difficult to achieve. They’ve been helped by gaining this power. Others just don’t have a chance.

Josep Guardiola is a great football coach, I repeat; a fantastic football coach. But he won a Champions League title I would be ashamed of after the scandal at Stamford Bridge in 2009. This year if he wins again it will be after a scandal at the Bernabeu. I hope that one day he’ll win a clean Champions League with no incidents behind it.

In the full interview, Mourinho questioned why Tom Ovrebo (Chelsea versus Barcelona 2009), Massimo Busacca (Arsenal versus Barcelona 2011), Frank De Bleeckere (Barcelona v Inter 2010) and Wolfgang Stark (yesterday’s official) made their bad decisions, all in favour of Barcelona.

Jose Mourinho has a good case; Chelsea had four legitimate penalty claims turned down in their 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in 2009 that saw them eliminated on the away goals rule. In the second round this year, Arsenal’s Robin van Persie was harshly sent off for kicking the ball away, in a tie that Barcelona dominated although only won the tie after the London side were reduced to 10 men. Mourinho’s Inter Milan eliminated Barcelona in last year’s Champions League semi final, despite a harsh red cad to Inter Milan’s Thiago Motta. Inter Milan were fortunate themselves that Bojan’s stoppage time goal that would have sent Barcelona through was disallowed for a harsh Yaya Toure hardball (note that Bojan wasn’t booked for kicking the ball away though). Mourinho’s fourth case was last night; Pepe’s foot was high but made minimal contact with Dani Alves with intent of playing the ball. Should not have been a red card.

Jose Mourinho failed to remind the media of Didier Drogba’s red card for Victor Valdes’ theatrics, when the Chelsea striker failed to make contact with the Barcelona keeper. Chelsea lost the game 2-1 on the night in their second round clash in 2005, but turned Barcelona over 4-2 at Stamford Bridge to progress (and be eliminated in the semi finals to Luis Garcia’s controversial goal). The same tie happened the following year, and this time Asier Del Horno received a soft red card for a foul on Lionel Messi (where he appears to be pulling out of the tackle after missing the ball). Barcelona eliminated Chelsea 3-2 on aggregate on their way to Champions League success.

Not everything has gone against Jose Mourinho in the Champions League. I’ve already referred to Bojan’s disallowed goal in last year’s semi final second leg. In the first leg, Diego Milito’s goal to make it 3-1 was from an offside position, and Dani Alves later had a legitimate reason to go down inside the penalty area from Wesley Sneijder’s scissor tackle from behind. Neither decision went in Barcelona’s favour.

Another more famous decision that went in Jose Mourinho’s favour amongst English viewers was Paul Scholes’ disallowed goal when Manchester United faced Porto in 2004, when he was played onside by more than one player. If the goal had stood, as it should, it would have been Manchester United progressing to the Quarter finals and Chelsea would probably have not come knocking on Mourinho’s door that summer…

The nephew of a former Derby County favourite, Daniel Sturridge is blossoming under Owen Coyle at Bolton Wanderers after he moved in loan during the January transfer window.

Since his £3,500,000 move from Manchester City in the summer of 2009, Daniel Sturridge has failed to hold down a place in the Chelsea side.

In his first season as a Blue, he received a Premer League and FA Cup winners medal, but only made 2 starts in the Premier League (11 substitute appearances), finding the net on just 1 occasion.

This season, Sturridge was on course to break Paul Simpson’s Premier League record, when the Derby County player made all 19 of his Premier League appearances in 1996/97 from the substitutes bench. Before moving to Bolton at the turn of the year, the former Manchester City youngster had made all 13 of his Premier League appearances this season as a substitute. The longest league run out he received was 23 minutes in a 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur; coming on for Salomon Kalou. He failed to score.

Carlo Ancelotti did hand a start to Daniel Sturridge in the League Cup (90 minutes in a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle) and the FA Cup (90 minutes in which he scored twice in a 7-0 victory over Ipswich Town).

The Champions League had been a happier experience for Daniel Sturridge this season for Chelsea. He started and scored in their first group game; a 4-1 victory in MSK Zilina, as well as the return fixture, scoring again in a 2-1 victory over the Slovakian side. Sturridge made substitute appearances in 3 other group games; playing a total of 195 minutes and scoring twice in this season’s competition.

Behind Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, Daniel Sturridge was being used sparingly even before the signing of Fernando Torres at the end of the January transfer window.

Owen Coyle came in to rescue Sturridge’s season by taking him on loan for the remainder. The Chelsea loanee was an instant hit as he came off the bench on his debut on February 2nd to score the only goal of the game at Molineux. He has since started every (8) league game since. He was cup tied for Bolton’s 5-0 FA Cup semi final thrashing at Wembley last week.

Daniel Sturridge scored in his first 4 appearances for Bolton and a brace in their 3-0 home victory versus West Ham two weeks ago. Today he scored the opener in Bolton’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium, pouncing on Samir Nasri’s goal line block from Gary Cahill’s header. Striker’s instinct.

Daniel Sturridge put in a man of the match performance today before he was substituted with 5 minutes remaining, His replacement Tamir Cohen headed home the 90th minute winner. Whilst on the pitch, Sturridge’s movement was causing the Arsenal defence problems, whilst also played a defence-splitting pass that Lee Chung-Yong failed to convert.

What we’re seeing at Bolton is the Daniel Sturridge that many were hoping to see when he burst onto the scenes at Manchester City; and as a successful England under 21 player.

The biggest mistake Carlo Ancelotti made was playing Sturridge out of position. He was usually used on the wings, either cutting in from the right or trying to make things happen from the left. It wasn’t happening. Ancelotti was wrong to play the striker out wide.

Owen Coyle is playing his loan signing in his natural position and is seeing the benefits of it. Playing in a 4-4-2 formation, Sturridge looks to get onto Kevin Davies’ flick-ons, whilst he also picks up the ball outside the area (example: his first goal versus West Ham) instead of out on the wing. He’d be even more effective with a central midfielder or two in the team that could play him successful through balls game after game. Something that Fernando Torres is lacking at Chelsea.

Sturridge has 7 goals in 9 games. Kevin Davies has the same number, except he’s started all 33 Premier League games for Bolton and has only been substituted twice, both late on in games. Johan Elmander is currently Bolton’s top league goalscorer this season, with 10 goals. Daniel’s uncle Dean once scored 11 Premier League goals in a single season, his debut Premier League season in 1996/97 for Derby County.

Bolton’s next fixture is a trip to Fulham on Wednesday night. They sit in 8th position, 1 point behind Everton.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s gamble narrowly paid off as Javier Hernandez headed home the only goal of the game in the Premier League’s early kick off today.

Manchester United started the game without Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Dimitar Berbatov and Ryan Giggs against an Everton side unbeaten in 7 league games.

The Premier League leaders failed to cause much threat to the Everton defence in the first half, and it was the away side who came out with attacking intent in the second half after bringing on Tim Cahill at half time.

Victor Anichebe had a soft shout for a penalty and a long range deflected Jack Rodwell effort was well saved by Edwin van der Sar (Arsenal fans take note).

Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to bring on Patrice Evra for John O’Shea before the hour showed attacking intent, but 6 minutes later Nani was subbed off for Michael Owen. Antonio Valencia became the main creator at that point and his cross to the backpost saw Javier Hernandez’s header well tipped over the bar by Tim Howard in the Everton goal.

Phil Jagielka was having a good game in the middle of the Everton defence, but it was his central partner Sylvain Distin who gave the ball away with 7 minutes remaining that lead to a deflected Antonio Valencia cross being headed home from close range by the young Mexican.

His 12th league goal has put United one step closer to becoming the most successful team in English league history as they now have a 9 point lead over Chelsea and Arsenal who are still to play this weekend.

Hernandez has also scored late valuable goals versus Stoke City (twice), Blackpool and West Ham this season. Without the summer signing, it would be fair to say Manchester United would not be where they are today. He also scored a winning brace versus Marseille in Manchester United’s Champions League second round tie, and a key goal versus Chelsea in their successful quarter final.

I have previously suggested Chicharito is the Premier League signing of the season and today’s only backs that up.

West Ham United midfielder and vice-captain Scott Parker was voted the 2011 Football of the Year by the Football Writers Association today.

The 30-year old Charlton Athletic, Chelsea and Newcastle player had been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award last week, missing out to Tottenham’s Gareth Bale.

To use American terminology, there is no player who is more deserving to be called the Most Valuable Player (MVP) to his club than Scott Parker.

While Manchester United fans can argue they wouldn’t be top of the league without Nani, they have the Premier League top scorer (Dimitar Berbatov), PFA player of the year nominee Nemanja Vidic, as well as Wayne Rooney amongst many others. Arsenal have a number of top class midfielders to go with Robin van Persie, whilst Tottenham have both Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart pulling the strings in midfield. Peter Odemwingie you say? I say Chris Brunt. Charlie Adam? David Vaughan. Carlos Tevez? Vincent Kompany. Chris Samba? OK, you have a point.

Scott Parker has carried his West Ham on his shoulders this season. From his infamous half time team talk in their 3-0 half time comeback at West Brom, to his opener versus Liverpool in the Hammers’ 3-1 win; Scott Parker has been all over the field for West Ham.

James Collins and Nemanja Vidic are the only players I can think of that give Parker a run for his money for the number of times he has thrown himself in front of shots this season.

All this hype for Scott Parker may be tarnished should West Ham fail to avoid relegation this season. They currently sit in 19th position, 2 points adrift of safety.

West Ham travel to title-chasing Chelsea this weekend, followed up with a trip to Eastlands to face Manchester City. After that they will have 3 games to save themselves, against three sides who are amongst the relegation candidates; Blackburn (H), Wigan (A) and finishing the season with Sunderland (H) who are in a good position to be safe by then and therefore not as much to play for.

Scott Parker’s fine form in particular from February saw West Ham pick up 11 points in a 6-game span up to March 19th. At this stage, we thought West Ham were dragging themselves to safety. Then came the international break where Scott Parker came close to playing a full game in England’s 2-0 victory over Wales, only to be substituted late on for Phil Jagielka.

Parker was seemingly unfit or at least too bigger risk to play in England’s friendly with Ghana at Wembley 3 days later. Coincidentally, West Ham’s form has fallen; throwing away a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 versus Manchester United, losing 3-0 at Bolton and then losing 2-1 at home to Aston Villa this past weekend.

Scott Parker is listed as a doubt with an achilles injury ahead of West Ham’s trip to Stamford Bridge this weekend. Perhaps resting him in hope he’ll be fit for West Ham’s final 3 games of the season may be the best suggestion to Avram Grant should he want to avoid taking a team out of the Premier League for a second consecutive season.

After being nominated amongst the Player of the Tournament at last summer’s World Cup, Manchester United were priced out for treble-winning Wesley Sneijder.

With bids of £35,000,000 rejected during the summer, Manchester United failed to have a bid accepted for the 26-year old Dutch midfield maestro.

One season on and Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan signing’s valuation is likely to have decreased. Inter Milan are one game away from the final of the Coppa Italia – the Italian equivalent of the English FA Cup, and one not usually taken so seriously by the big teams.

Manchester United sit 6 points clear atop of the Premier League and face Schalke 04 in their Champions League semi final.

Although he has won plenty in his time, Sneijder may rue not having the opportunity to join Manchester United in the summer, missing out on becoming the first player to win La Liga, Serie A and the Premier League. He still has that opportunity next season. He also won the Dutch Eredivisie title with Ajax in 2004.

With nothing left to achieve with Inter Milan, and the Nerazzurri second best to AC Milan this season, a move to England and one of the biggest teams in the world, Manchester United would be a new and exciting challenge for Wesley Sneijder.

Ferguson is looking to replace 36-year old Paul Scholes with a creative player to sit in midfield. Current youngsters Anderson and Darron Gibson don’t ever look like living up to that. Sneidjer, a proven talent would be an excellent acquisition to the United midfield.

During Antonio Valencia’s absence for the majority of the season, Nani was the supply for most of Manchester United’s chances. Ryan Giggs is still a creative player, but how much has he got left in his career? Wayne Rooney had been more of a provider than a scorer earlier this season, whilst Darren Fletcher has stepped up on occasions to provide his team mates in chances. There’s definitely a space in this current Manchester United side where Sneijder would fit nicely.

Sneijder doesn’t score many goals from midfield, but with Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Nani, Manchester United have goalscorers elsewhere. One thing Sneijder is, is a creator. A talented passer who wins a number of free kicks (and bemoans referees), he takes them well too.

Sir Alex Ferguson would need to make alterations to his midfield should he bring Wesley Sneijder to Old Trafford. The Inter Milan playmaker seems better suited to sitting behind a striker or two, as he did successfully during the World Cup, and has he does for Inter Milan. He doesn’t drop back as much as Paul Scholes (nor does he tackle as rashly).

Former Ajax and Real Madrid team mate Rafael van der Vaart made the switch to England last summer and has been a success at White Hart Lane this season, scoring a brace in Tottenham’s 3-3 draw with rivals Arsenal on Wednesday; helping Manchester United maintain their 6 point atop of the Premier League. Manchester United have also been linked to his current team mate Luka Modric, and were also priced out for the Croatian in the summer.

After a terrible start to this campaign under Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish has really turned the ship around at Liverpool.

Since Kenny Dalglish was hired as Liverpool manager on January 19th, only Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United have picked up more points. Liverpool have shot up from the bottom half into 6th position heading into this weekend’s fixtures.

5 points above them is Tottenham Hotspur, sitting in the one Europa League spot the league offers this season. They face Arsenal midweek as they look to overtake Manchester City for a top 4 finish and Champions League qualification.

It was Manchester City on Monday night who Andy Carroll scored his first goals against for Liverpool as they breezed to a 3-0 victory. But would qualifying for next season’s Europa League benefit Liverpool? I don’t think so.

Europe’s Second Club Cup Competition

There’s not much, if any financial incentive for playing in UEFA’s second club cup competition. The difference between playing in that competition and not will have no impact on persuading players to join Liverpool in the summer. Liverpool are Liverpool – they can attract players regardless. Especially if they’re going to spend the money that is being rumoured.

Distraction

What the Europa League would bring is a distraction. Extra games and midweek away days that would ultimately affect their domestic campaign and top 4 challenge. Champions League football is not available for next season. The reds should happily let their 4 rivals play in next season’s competition while their own squad remains fresh throughout. It will benefit them in the long run.

There is still several players in this squad that finished Premier League runners up in 2008/09. They’ve added a goalscoring threat in Andy Carroll, alongside one of the stars of the World Cup, Luiz Suarez. A player who has the potential to be one of the best in the world. A creator and a scorer, defenders should ignore him at their own peril.

Jose Reina remains in goal, while there are a couple of good young defenders on the books at Liverpool as well as midfielder Jay Spearing. They could certainly do with signing a centre back and a full back in the summer if they want to make a serious challenge for the top 4. Another winger would be handy too.

Competition

With Manchester United and Arsenal likely to continue where they’ve left off for endless years and maintain their top 4 finishes next season, Liverpool should be competing with Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur for a priceless Champions League spot. No, that wasn’t me taking this season’s current top 2 for granted; they are just superior than the chasing pack right now.

For a team that looked so woeful early this season, Liverpool fans have every reason to be enthusiastic about next season…

Tottenham’s debut season in the Champions League came to a disappointing 5-0 aggregate exit at the hands of Real Madrid this evening.

Harry Redknapp’s side can take pride in their overall performance this season that included a victory over defending champions Inter Milan, and a second round victory over AC Milan as they went on to win their group.

Real Madrid, with a talent pool that included World Cup winners Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, and for the first leg, Angel Di Maria. Need I mention any more? Ok then. They were able to bring Karim Benzema and Kaka off the bench this evening. Those two alone costing the Spanish club nearly £100,000,000 combined.

It wasn’t Tottenham’s inexperience that cost them. Unfortunately for Tottenham they came into their first leg unprepared. Aaron Lennon’s illness moments before they stepped onto the pitch at the Bernabeu threw Spurs off course and ultimately out of the competition.

Mistake #1

Tottenham were preparing to line up Gareth Bale on the left, Lennon on the right with Sandro, Luka Modric in the middle and Rafael van der Vaart playing off Peter Crouch. What they actually went out with was Luka Modrid out on the left, Gareth Bale on the right, Sandro and Jermaine Jenas in the middle. These players were unprepared for their positions and it showed in the first leg. Gareth Bale was frustrated and ineffective on his weaker side, Luka Modric wasn’t as influential and van der Vaart was even subbed off at half time.

Mistake #2

Tottenham were on the back foot and generally all over the place from kick off in the first leg and Real Madrid made them pay when ex-Gooner Emmanuel Adebayor headed his side infront within 5 minutes. Gomes and Luka Modric both failing to prevent the opening goal.

Mistake #3

Two needless challenges from Peter Crouch earned him two yellow cards and then the red after just 15 minutes of quarter final action. Something you may have expected from a petulant Wayne Rooney but certainly not Crouchy. The first leg was over at this point and 75 minutes later so would the tie be. The Englishman at fault this time.

Mistake #4

Adebayor headed in a second before Angel Di Maria smashed in a third after a lack of closing down on the edge of the area. Regardless of Harry Redknapp’s hopeful, and Jose Mourinho’s lack of arrogance in their post-match interviews, the tie was done and dusted when Cristiano Ronaldo’s low volley found its way past Gomes to make it 4-0.

Tottenham came out fighting at White Hart Lane this evening. They had 3 penalty appeals turned down in the first half alone, as well as a goal disallowed for a narrow offside. In truth, Tottenham didn’t cause too many threats to Iker Casillas’ goal. The Spaniard saved well/got in the way of a Jermain Defoe downward header late on.

Mistake #5

That was after Cristiano Ronaldo had given Real Madrid the lead on the night with a hopeful 25 yard effort down the throat of Gomes that the Brazilian managed to inexplicably fumble into his own net, compounding Tottenham to a heavy defeat. The Brazilian at fault for both Ronaldo’s goals in this tie.

Real Madrid go on to face Barcelona, who came through their tie with Shakhtar Donetsk as 6-1 winners, while Manchester United, 3-1 victors over Chelsea face the leading goalscorers in this round, Schalke 04, who eliminated defending champions Inter Milan 7-3 on aggregate.

Following American entrepreneur Stan Kroenke’s takeover of Arsenal on Monday, half of the current Premier League teams are now majority owned by foreign investors.

Mr Kroenke becomes the fifth American investor to own an English Premier League club, following in the footsteps of Malcolm Glazer (Manchester United), Randy Lerner (Aston Villa), Ellis Short (Sunderland) and John Henry (Liverpool).

The other 5 foreign owners in the Premier League are Mohamed Al-Fayed (Fulham), Roman Abramovich (Chelsea), Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Manchester City), Carson Yeung (Birmingham City) and Venky’s (Blackburn Rovers).

Both Mr Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour have had the biggest impacts on their teams by the investments of millions, while Liverpool’s latest American owners showed promise in January. Mohamed Al-Fayed spent money bringing Fulham up through the divisions but has spent little in comparison to their rivals in recent seasons.

In terms of British owners, West Ham’s David Gold and David Sullivan spent money in January as they looked to improve their squad for the relegation fight they’re still very much involved in as the season draws to an end. Their side currently lies in the relegation zone, only above Wolves and Wigan whom are both British-owned also. In fact, the current bottom 4 are.

The most successful British owners so far this season are Tottenham’s Joe Lewis who’s side currently sit in 5th position and are finally being eliminated from their debut season in the Champions League, at the quarter final stage. Bill Kenwright’s Everton are 7th, followed by Eddie Davies’ Bolton Wanderers.

The question is, would you rather your team be owned by a local businessman with passion for the club, or a foreign businessman, not necessarily a sugar daddy? Do you even care who owns your team?

Last week when the nominees were announced for the PFA Player of the Year, I could not help but wonder where Manchester United’s Nani was on the list.

The Portuguese winger has shown a fine level of consistency amongst his talent this season. Nani has 9 goals in the Premier League this season and a league high 18 assists (7 ahead of the chasing pack).

Gareth Bale is the bookmakers odds-on favourite despite slowing down in the new year. The Spurs winger has delighted crowds, especially Tottenham this season, and scored the most-memorable hat trick in a 4-3 defeat to Inter Milan. But that was in the Champions League. Domestically, Bale has 7 goals and 3 assists to his name; fewer than Nani in both categories.

I also recall Gareth Bale being kept quiet by Kieran Richardson, Paulo Ferreira and Phil Neville this season. I’m sure other full backs in games I have not seen have done the same to the Welsh full back-come winger. Yes, he’s a fine talent and deserved to be amongst the nominees, but the odds-on favourite doesn’t do it for me.

The other candidates are Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic, Arsenal’s Samir Nasri, Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez, Blackpool’s Charlie Adam and West Ham’s Scott Parker.

Some consider Carlos Tevez as a one man team for Manchester City. I wouldn’t quite agree with that given the number of goals Mario Balotelli is starting to score, the playmaking ability of David Silva and the rock of a centre back that is Vincent Kompany. Although he’s not been on top form since a hat trick versus West Brom at the start of February, Tevez has had another good season in the Premier League.

Nemanja Vidic has been solid at the back again this season that has only missed games due to a two game suspension amongst an injury-plagued Manchester United defence this season. Lifting the Premier League trophy will be helpful in his bid to be this year’s PFA player of the year.

Samir Nasri had a great start to the season, but hasn’t hit the top since Christmas to be honest. Sometimes it feels like he’s better without Cesc Fabregas. The young French man is a talented passer of the ball, has deceptive pace and has an eye for goal (9 Premier League goals this season), but failing to hit top form in 2011 should rule him out of this award.

Charlie Adam’s form at Blackpool has seen him earn praise from pundits and managers galore. Seemingly close to a Liverpool move in January, Manchester United are currently the bookmakers favourites to sign him in the summer. A good piece of business from Ian Holloway, with his great left-footed passing ability and set piece taking. His discipline hasn’t been so good; 10 yellow cards. But we all like a midfielder that gets stuck in, don’t we?

And finally, West Ham and England’s Scott Parker. I’m surprised the bookmakers have had him at 8/1. Pulling the strings at West Ham, he has been the pundits favourite praise in everything West Ham have done good this season (well, prior to Thomas Hitzlsperger’s return from injury at least). Whether he deserves to be linked to a top 6 club remains questionable given his failed spell at Chelsea, but otherwise Parker is a deserving and genuine shot for this year’s award.

Gareth Bale is looking to become the fourth winner of this award, following in the footsteps of Ian Rush (1984), Mark Hughes 1989 and ’91) and Ryan Giggs (2009). Leeds United’s Norman Hunter was the first winner of the award back in 1974, while Aston Villa’s Paul McGrath won the award at the end of the inaugural Premier League season of 1992/93. Wayne Rooney won the award last season.

What? Fucking What? The phrase that everyone has been talking about since the weekend, or at least referring to. Wayne Rooney’s quote to the camera man on Saturday after scoring his and Manchester United’s third goal in their come-from-behind 4-2 victory over West Ham. It has earned the hat trick hero a two match suspension from the FA.

Wayne Rooney will be suspended for next week’s home league game versus Fulham and then the following weekend’s FA Cup semi match versus Manchester City. He has until 18:00 GMT on Tuesday to launch an appeal.

I think the FA have got this one wrong and it’s come about following the big over reaction to his remarks, of which he (or his agent) was quick to apologise for.

It was only late February that Ashley Cole shot an intern with an air rifle at Chelsea’s training ground and got let off scot-free. So a swear word before the watershed is more offensive than shooting someone according to the FA?

Jacob Steinberg from the Guardian summed it up well on Twitter:

Wayne Rooney isn’t the only person in the football world to have sworn now is he? Foul and offensive language is heard on football pitches and by fans inside and outside the ground up and down this country on a weekly basis. It’s part-and-parcel of the game. Suspending Wayne Rooney for two games is nothing more than a farce. No good will come of this. The FA have got it wrong. Again.