Barrie's View

Arsenal made it 5 Premier League wins in a row with a 2-1 victory at Norwich City this afternoon as they continue their push for a top 4 finish.

The visitors looked threatening down the wings as early as the opening seconds of the game when Theo Walcott whizzed past left back Marc Tierney only to see his cut back sliced wide by Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman was denied a few minutes later by a stunning goal line clearance from Russell Martin. Martin would make two further clearances off his goal line in the first half alone.

Completely against the run of play, it was Norwich City who went ahead in the 16th minute. Per Mertesacker was hesitant with a bouncing ball heading into the penalty area and as he fail to decide what to do with the ball, Steve Morison closed him down, stole the ball and finished the one-on-one with Wojciech Szczesny.

If this happened during the opening couple of games this season, perhaps Arsenal may have crumbled. This Arsenal side, playing with some confidence and an in-form Robin van Persie were not going to lose. My only regret not being connected to the internet to back Arsenal at 0-1 as I watched on from the pub amongst both sets of supporters.

Prior to the game this morning, I noticed Arsenal’s odds climbing from 1.73 to 1.82. As soon as the team sheets were announced, I quickly backed Arsenal some more. As I said in my preview, I loved the match ups for Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie against the Norwich defence.

The England forward continually got beyond his man down the right wing. In the 26th minute, it was his run down the right and low ball inside the 6 yard box that Robin van Persie tapped home from close range after Gervinho missed the ball with a fancy attempt.

Arsenal, much on top and getting themselves into good positions only had themselves to blame for poor deliveries and indecision that prevented them from taking the lead in the opening 45.

The lead did come on the hour mark though. Alex Song lead a counter attack, and instead of playing the easier option of a through ball to Gervinho, he played it across to van Persie on the right-hand side. At this point, Gervinho had missed two one-on-one’s in the game and I can only imagine Song had lost faith in his team mate.

A heavy first touch from van Persie dragged him out wide but a deft second touch with his right foot saw him chip the ball over John Ruddy in the Norwich goal and tuck inside the near post. 2-1.

My 25/1 bet on Robin van Persie did not come off and neither did the over 3.5 goals bet I was sure would. However, van Persie was backed at 11/10 to score once, and also the following bet that he would score twice:

Arsene Wenger’s side need to do more with the ball in the final third. They held on to their lead under little pressure but for a 94th minute free kick that must have had some fans biting their nails. In truth, Arsenal were much the better side and well-deserved victors.  3 goal bound efforts cleared off the line, Gervinho missed two one-on-ones, van Persie scuffing his lines early on and Theo Walcott hitting the post were just some of the chances, that on another day may have fallen the Gunners way.

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter has come out with another astonishing statement – this time saying that racism is not an issue on a football pitch and all that took place during the 90 minutes on the pitch can be forgiven with a handshake at the end. No, really, he did say that.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has already made a comment on his Twitter account, stating that he was “astonished” by Sepp’s comments on racism:

Rio’s brother, Anton is currently involved in a case that reopened the books on racism in football when John Terry was caught on camera for seemingly shouting racist comments towards the Queens Park Rangers defender. Neil Warnock’s defence of his player, stating he plays like Franz Beckenbauer was hilarious.

These latest, foolish comments made by the FIFA President is just one of a long list of ridiculous comments made over the years during his reign. Here is a couple of Sepp Blatter’s stupidest quotes since he came into power:

Sepp Blatter Quotes

1. “Let the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball. They could, for example, have tighter shorts. Female players are pretty, if you excuse me for saying so, and they already have some different rules to men – such as playing with a lighter ball. That decision was taken to create a more female aesthetic, so why not do it in fashion?”

2. “I think in football there’s too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere.” (regarding Manchester United’s efforts to prevent Real Madrid poaching Cristiano Ronaldo)

3. “I could understand it if it had happened in Africa, but not in Italy.” (regarding match-fixing)

4. “I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities.” (his advice to homosexuals travelling to Qatar 2022)

5. “There is no systematic corruption in FIFA. That is nonsense. We are financially clean and clear.”

The above quote relates to the reason why Sepp Blatter currently remains in the job and why he’s probably not going anywhere fast in the future.

Will Sepp Blatter resign? No. Will he get overthrown? No. He’s too powerful. He will likely see out his current tenure because he sticks up for and covers all of his scrooges who were accused of taking payments during the last World Cup voting. In exchange, they back him.

Expect to hear a lot about this story in the news over the coming hours and days. Expect to hear a lot of current and former black professional footballers interviewed in the recent days. And expect Sepp Blatter to be handing over the Champions League trophy to this season’s winners at the Allianz Arena in May. He’s not going anywhere… unfortunately.

Manchester City’s under par performance this evening at Loftus Road saw them come away with a 3-2 win over Queens Park Rangers.

Neil Warnock’s side were the reason why Manchester City were not at their best. Queens Park Rangers took the game to the undefeated lead leaders from the get go.

Jay Bothroyd headed the home side into a deserved lead just before the half hour mark when he beat Stefan Savic in the air from a Joey Barton free kick.

Savic, in for the suspended Vincent Kompany alongside Joleon Lescott looked shaky this evening. Kompany’s aerial ability and positioning was desperately lacking from the Montenegrin.

Queens Park Rangers were on top for most of the first half but were a little fortunate to go in level at half time. Manchester City equalised two minutes before half time when Edin Dzeko lacked onto a a James Milner through ball down the left wing before cutting inside, fooling Anton Ferdinand with a dummy and then firing past Paddy Kenny, low into the corner.

Minutes later, Sergion Aguero hit the outside of the post before the the sides went in at 1-1.

Queens Park Rangers started the second half on top once again. Joey Barton testing Joe Hart with a stinging long range effort 20 seconds after the restart.

It would be the league leaders who would go in front in the 52nd minute. Edin Dzeko took the ball down the left wing on the counter attack before crossing low into the box for David Silva. The Spaniard’s first touch took out two defenders and his second touch was the smash the ball past Kenny for a 2-1 City lead.

Other than his goal, David Silva had a relatively quiet game. Hard to tell whether there was any fatigue, the small Loftus Road pitch and hostile atmosphere, or that he his eyes haven’t got use to the yellow winter ball yet…

You’d have been wrong to think Queens Park Rangers were going to bail out at this point. They kept fighting even during a spell where their home fans had gone quiet and let some chants of “Blue Moon” take over.

Jay Bothroyd connected with an Armand Traore cross and his header deflected off Heidar Helguson for Queens Park Rangers equaliser. Despite appeals for offside by a number of the City side, replays justified referee Martin Atkinson and his decision with Stefan Savic playing the Icelandic striker onside.

QPR were on level terms for 5 minutes. Luke Young gave Aleksandar Kolarov too much time and space down the left wing. The Serbian put in a great cross for which Yaya Toure beat Danny Gabbidon in the air to head City back in front.

The visitors narrowly head on to maintain their 5 point lead at the top of the Premier League. Helguson hit the bar late on but Neil Warnock’s side came away with 0 points after the final whistle.

That’s two Premier League games in a row that Manchester City have been under par and have scored 3 goals in each and taken 6 points away with them. Whether squad rotation and potential fatigue for a few players potentially causing havoc for the side with Champions League games, Roberto Mancini’s side remain favourites to win the Premier League.

Following Manchester United and Chelsea’s toughly fought 1-0 victories over Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers respectively today, Manchester City’s odds have shortened to 10/11 to win the Premier League.

FIFA have today announced the 23 names nominated for the coveted Ballon d’Or award given to the player considered to have been the best over the calendar year.

In 2010, Barcelona dominated as they took positions 1, 2 and 3 with Lionel Messi winning the award, ahead of team mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi respectively.

This year, Barcelona have over a third of the nominations; with an incredible 8 players in the running; twice as many as the Premier League.

La Liga dominates the shortlist, whilst Real Madrid having 5 players of their own nominated.

Wayne Rooney, Nani, Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero are the current Premier League players to have made the shortlist.

An immediate question springs to mind: where is Robin van Persie on this list? Someone FIFA have ignored the calendar year’s Premier League top goalscorer.

The Arsenal forward has 27 goals in 28 games in 2011; only Cristiano Ronaldo (33) of free-scoring Real Madrid has more in the top 5 European leagues. Yes, that’s right; van Persie has more league goals than Lionel Messi in this calendar year.

Robin van Persie has scored 3 goals in his 6 Champions League appearances this year. Not helped by his controversial red card at Camp Nou in February. The Dutchman scored Arsenal’s opener in their 2-1 first leg victory at the Emirates. Add a further 6 goals in 8 appearances for the Netherlands national team to his name.

I have come to the conclusion that FIFA don’t pay much attention to the Premier League. Or perhaps they’ve been focussing on Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

I’m happy to see Luis Suarez nominated for the award. The Uruguayan has made a big impact at Liverpool since his arrival in January. The 18-times domestic champions’ results have improved since the arrival of the 2010 World Cup’s most controversial player, coinciding with a change of manager. However, if forward’s are to be judged on goals; he only has 8 in 23 league games to date. With a further 7 assists to his name.

Nani had a startling start to last season domestically, but started to fade in the final few months of the season. However, the Manchester United and Portugal winger has arguably been the best player for the Red Devil’s so far this season.

Wayne Rooney wasn’t quite the player Manchester United and England were expecting last season but his flying start to the new season prior to October, and given his worldwide reputation helped his nomination. Rooney, the only Englishman on this year’s shortlist. Michael Owen was the last Englishman to win this award, 10 years ago.

An honourable mention goes to Sergio Aguero too for his nomination after setting the Premier League alight with his ability and finishing during his early days at Manchester City.

As for Barcelona’s nominees… Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta certainly merit them. Right back Dani Alves is a good nomination given his impact on games from the position he plays. David Villa has a couple of goals to his name, but hasn’t been the player we were expecting following his move from Valencia after the World Cup. Cesc Fabregas stands out like a sore thumb on this list given his limited game time and impact at Arsenal before moving to Barcelona. Eric Abidal’s inclusion is just bizarre. Out of sympathy one can assume.

Neymar of Santos was the only player playing outside of Europe nominated.

The full list of players nominated for the 2011 Ballon d’Or:

Eric Abidal (Barcelona)
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Dani Alves (Barcelona)
Samuel Eto’o (Anzhi Makhachkala)
Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona)
Diego Forlan (Inter Milan)
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich)
Nani (Manchester United)
Neymar (Santos)
Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid)
Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)
Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan)
Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
David Villa (Barcelona)
Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)
Xavi (Barcelona)

Number of players nominated by club:

Barcelona (8)
Real Madrid (5)
Bayern Munich (2)
Inter Milan (2)
Manchester United (2)
Anzhi Makhachkala (1)
Liverpool (1)
Manchester City (1)
Santos (1)

Number of players nominated by league:

Spanish La Liga (13)
English Premier League (4)
German Bundesliga (2)
Italian Serie A (2)
Brazilian Serie A (1)
Russian Premier League (1)