A Man United v Barcelona Final Looks Likely

Both Barcelona and Man United took massive leaps in their pursuit to securing their places in this years Champions League Final at Wembley. Both teams had the advantage of playing away in the first leg and made full use of it by running out 2-0 winners in their respective matches. So if all goes to plan in the second legs, then it looks like we're on for a repeat of the 2009 Champions League Final in which Barca won 2-0 in a very comfortable fashion.

On Tuesday, Man United took on the "surprise package" of this years Champions League, Schalke. Man United were simply untouchable, and as a City fan it really takes a lot to admit to that. The only thing preventing United winning by five or six was the very impressive, Manuel Neuer. Before the match, Neuer had been the topic of conversation when it came to transfer talk and with Man United in need of a goalkeeper next year, he has definitely put himself at No.1 of United's transfer targets.

On Wednesday, it was El Classico V, as yet again Barcelona took on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. This showed as both teams cancelled each other out in quite a dull affair. The match was filled with controversy, from start to finish and even after the match had finished. In total, there were three sending offs, only one off which actually occurred on the pitch. First it was Barca's sub keeper, Pinto, who wanted to get involved and started a row as the teams were making their way to the changing rooms. Then, Pepe was sent off after the referee deemed that his challenge on Alves was late and reckless. Mourinho was then sent off for complaining about the decision.

Overall, it was just generally a bad game of football with the only piece of magic coming from, who else, but the sublime Messi as he scored a Maradona-esque goal as he ran circles around the Madrid defence before finally putting the ball past Casillas  and into the Madrid net.

With Man United playing the way they did on Tuesday, I would have to fancy them should they reach the final. What do you think about both games? Who do you think will reach the final?

I would love to hear any comments you may have.

Man City Look To Extend Gap To Four Points

Tonight, Man City have the opportunity to increase their chances of getting their hands on fourth spot. The only thing standing in their way of getting three points tonight is Blackburn. While City are aspiring to get into the Champions League, Blackburn are simply desperate to stay in the Premiership. Not even a point tonight for Blackburn would do them the whole world of good.

Man City have a massive chance of almost securing  fourth spot with wins in their next two games. But they would have to rely on Chelsea to beat Spurs this weekend if they were able to create a seven point gap. Man City's next fixture after tonight is a home game at Eastlands against a struggling West Ham side. Nothing short of a win, even a comfortable win, will leave the City faithful satisfied.

Blackburn are anything but safe from the drop as they fight for survival in the upcoming weeks. They are a point off the bottom three and have only managed to pick up three points off their last four games. Games against Wolves and West Ham are included in their remaining fixtures and the result of each will definitely prove crucial by the end of the season.

So in a must win game for both it should be interesting to see if both teams cancel each other out as both sets of players look to score. I would be surprised if Blackburn aren't the team with more of a defensive approach with City having more of the possession. With City fans still hungover from their derby day win at Wembley, I'm sure only a win is expected.

I would love to hear any comments you may have.

Manchester United Do It Again

Today, Man United showed yet again why they should never be written off at any point during a match. They came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 against Southampton in the FA Cup. Their "never say die" attitude is one of the reasons that a majority of people are backing the Red Devils to be lifting the Premiership title and other honours by the end of the season. Goals by Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and Michael Owen sealed United's place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

After conceding late goals against Everton and Fulham that denied them victory at the start of the season, it seems that lapses in concentration have been removed from the system. United seem to be at their best in the last ten minutes as they have recorded two victories by means of a comeback. I'm referring of course to their victory today and their victory earlier this week against Blackpool as they showed great character to comeback from 2-0 down to leave Bloomfield Road 2-3 winners.

Man United are still unbeaten this season but people are still doubting the prospect of them repeating the success of the 2003/04 Arsenal "invincibles" team. Although they do have Chelsea still to play twice and Man City will be visiting Old Trafford next month, I don't see any reason why they can't. After all, I think it is fair to say that they haven't reached their full potential this season.

With the form Berbatov is in, it does seem that they won't have to rely on the Rooney of old and with the ability of Hernandez, it seems that Rooney might even struggle to find himself in the starting XI more often than  not. With the managerial talent that Ferguson possesses, I wouldn't write them off.

So, will they win the league and in the process go the whole season unbeaten?

I would love to hear any comments that you may have.

One Striker On His Way In While One Possibly Heading Out

It wasn't looking very good for Liverpool only a month or so ago but after the weekend's victory at Molineux against Wolves it looks like the Anfield faithful will soon be chanting with joy as it looks like Luis Suarez looks a certainty to join the ranks at Liverpool. But just as it looked like Liverpool were on the verge of having one of the most formidable strike duos, Torres crushed that possibility as he requested that he is allowed to talk to Chelsea.

After the World Cup, with the exception of the late Paul the Octopus, Luis Suarez was the name that was reasonably unknown before the World Cup, that everyone was going to remember in the near future. Not only for his controversial hand ball which ultimately denied Ghana from becoming the first African nation to reach World Cup Semi Finals but for his, at times, sublime play. He will surely be a real asset for Liverpool and shouldn't disappoint.

Now to the player, with the exception of Wayne Rooney, who will want to forget the Summer of 2010 as quickly as possible, Fernando Torres. After an unbelievably good start to his Liverpool career,  it just seems that Torres can't find the form that made him so popular on Merseyside. He showed glimpses at the weekend though, that might signal the start of a goalscoring run that the Liverpool fans have been dying to see.

But although Liverpool have insisted that the Spain international is not for sale, Torres has insisted that he would like to at least see what Chelsea have on offer. With only a few days left in the transfer window, Chelsea will have to act fast. Apparently, the offer on the table is 35 million pounds. With the arrival of Suarez practically complete, you would have to think that Liverpool would be a little less reluctant to let go of the Spaniard if the right offer was made.

If Liverpool are to keep Torres and sign Suarez and get both strikers to reach the standard that we know they are capable of, then with a bit of luck, the fourth spot could be within Liverpool's sights.

I would love to hear any comments that you may have.

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Why Did Bent Decide To Move To Aston Villa?

In a shock move, Darren Bent has obviously decided that Villa Park is the place to be even though they happen to be in 17th position and no doubt a relegation battle. He left Sunderland, who are in a very respectable 6th position in the premier league with a Europa League spot very much on the cards.

Is it me, or am I right to be slightly baffled by Bent's decision? I don't know, maybe Bent sees something that we don't. All I'm saying is that it just seems strange that he would move to a club that, very clearly, are struggling to keep their Premier League status.

Sunderland have shown some tremendous performances, most notably against a very poor Chelsea side but a 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge none the less. They have shown quality and I wouldn't put it past them to do well in the Europa League should they qualify. Steve Bruce has put a team together, that on their day, can beat anyone in the Premiership at the moment.

Now to Aston Villa. I think it's fair to say that they have had a below-par season struggling to win games this season that they would have won with little effort last season. So obviously, like Chelsea with Ray Wilkins, the loss of staff has really affected their season as Martin O'Neill decided to take an early exit from Villa Park. Gerard Houllier has struggled to have an impact on the way that Villa have gone about their football, showing in their poor form.

So, who would you decide to play for? I think it's fairly clear that Sunderland are in the better form and position in the league, so what was the motivation for Darren Bent's audacious move away from the Stadium of Light. It does seem rather mind boggling. I think it is fair to say, that Bent hasn't been Sunderland's top dog in front of goal. For me, Welbeck has proved to be slightly more affective this season so maybe that had an affect on Bent's decision. 

I would love to hear any comments that you may have.

Pienaar Should NOT Leave Everton

Remember the time when Jolean Lescott was the star on the rise, the leader for England's next generation for central defenders. Well around that time, Man City decided to go into their pockets and cough up a pricey £20 million or so for the big man. Where is he now? Not really doing much at the City of Manchester Stadium and has gone out of contention of being the next solid defender that England manage to produce.

For this reason, I think it would be wise of Pienaar to stay put at Goodison Park. I think it would be an awful shame if he quickly fizzled out and became practically unknown in some parts of the world. Of course he will still be known here and of course in his native South Africa but where else?

Since arriving at Goodison, David Moyes has done what a lot of managers aspire to do. Get a relatively unknown player which will leave a lot of people bemused at the decision and then prove all the doubters wrong by making him into a valuable asset. A lot of managers have tried this with only the best being able to emulate the success of managers like Moyes so I think that is a testament to Moyes as well.

In case you haven't heard, Tottenham and Chelsea are the two clubs interested in the South African. Now I don't about you, but with the quality of players that both teams have, it's hard seeing Pienaar getting a first team spot more often than not. He has proven that he can deliver in big matches and can score and create goals, but I just think it isn't the right move for him at this present time.

With the proposed offer being in and around the region of £3 million, I'm surprised Everton aren't holding out for more especially with the kind of quality that he possesses and especially when you see that Aston Villa have reportedly offered Sunderland £18 million for Darren Bent.

So do you think he should leave Goodison? What do you think would be the best move for his career?

I would love to hear any comments that you may have.

Do Arsenal Ever Stop Complaining?

It's quite clear that everyone loves to watch Arsenal play football. Why? Because they play the game right. No "Route 1" stuff, just fantastic, crisp passing on the deck. But if there is one thing gets me slightly aggravated, it's Arsenal's tendency to complain when things aren't going in their favour. Arsene Wenger is almost famous for saying that teams "are too rough" or "they kick us".

Don't get me wrong, half the time Wenger does have a valid point and sure how can you blame him for complaining. Two of the most horrific injuries I think that we have seen in the past two or three years have come at the cost of an Arsenal player's leg. Of course, I'm talking about the skillful and unfortunate Ramsey and Eduardo. 

Lee Bowyer had to accept a three match ban due to literally kicking Bacary Sagna only a few weeks or so ago. So I think he does have every right to complain, you just wish he wouldn't go on about it so much.

Yet again though, it happened today as Arsenal skipper was caught saying that Ipswich used "rugby" tactics last night as they ran out 1-0 winners through a goal from Ipswich's Tamas Priskin at Portman Road. If you didn't watch the match, Fabregas wasn't complaining about rugby-like tackles but more about the obsessive use of the "route 1" option. 

We all know that when we see Arsenal using the "route 1" option that they are in dire straits and are getting desperate by that stage. I'm sure most of this harmless rant was due to frustration but it was inevitable that Arsenal weren't going to accept losing to a team that is a league below them but there is still no need for the outburst. 

I would love to hear any comments that you may have.