EPL 2016/17 - Game Week 36

This is why we watch soccer! Action and goals!!!

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2017-05-02/liverpools-emre-can-registers-late-premier-league-goal-of-the-season-entry-but-is-it-the-best/1668504

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his incredible goal-scoring prowess against Athletico Madrid with another hattrick. This man is a goal machine and I wonder if there will be one as prolific that we can ever find again! You can't say he has scored many because La Liga is easier because he has done that with Manchester United as a young man. This man's physique and fitness is like that of the late Bruce Lee, a man mountain warm marbled muscles. He scores with his left foot, right foot, he leaps and arches himself in the air like a salmon, he scores from wonderful free kicks, dribbles and crosses. The most complete player ever perhaps. He is a man obsessed to be the best ever soccer player. There have been times often, where his narcissistic side were there to see. So too his petulance but then at the same time, he would do much for charitable causes and he has no tattoos on his body as he wanted to keep it clean so he could donate blood for children. There has been no other, maybe ever to have scored 103 goals in 108 champions league games. His hattrick against Athletico Madrid was probably not his greatest but at 32, to do that in the Champions League Semi-Finals against one of Europe's top teams with one of the meanest defence. Now that spoke volume.

Unfortunately, he has to come to us in the same era as Lionel Messi otherwise he is the undisputed king for whatever.

Meantime, Juventus v Monaco can be described as irresistible force versus immovable object. Monaco scored an impressive 12 goals just in the knockout stages with Mbappe starring while Juventus conceded only two goals in eleven Champions League games. Gonzalo Higuain brace this time is likely to see them clear favourites to go through.

On Sunday, I saw how Manchester United got a dubious penalty to lead Swansea who were the better team. If Marcus Rashford has lost his balance and fell it is one thing but for on so young with so much potential for United and England, had he taken a dive it would have been a sad day. The referee erred. It was no penalty as Rashford fell before Fabianski got there. There was once when Robbie Fowler was given a Liverpool penalty but the opponent did not touched him. He then intentionally sent the penalty out. What a gentleman. If Rashford did that. Mourinho would kill him. In soccer as in life, we love to see justice. The argument that using technology will cause some delays to decision making and rob the game of its raw emotion. Rubbish! There should always be justice and fairness. Had Swansea lost or even with this draw they went down and lost millions it would have been gross injustice! Swansea have always been a good footballing side playing a passing game. Justice was done when Gylfli Sigurdsson sent in a guided missile leaving de Gea stranded. What a beauty! Swansea have been robbed. I hope they stay up. United have now amassed 25 games unbeaten but almost half of them were drawn games. That is how they have been set up. So Mourinho is no longer the Special One. He is one-one.

Everton were at Goodison Park, a venue Chelsea did not like but that second half performance meant their belief is still soaring. They can't slip as London rival Tottenham have been the most awesome side and had they got a better start they could be champions. United's Manchester neighbour City at least fought back to hold Boro. Leroy Sane has such talent as a winger. Why did he resorted to diving for a penalty? De Joon saw yellow for doing no wrong. Sane basically ran into De Joon intentionally. Boro went on to lead at 2-1 and justice was done but Aguero underlined his importance by getting the equaliser. 

It is just so embarrassing to see young talented players like Rashford and Sane diving to fool referees. If this is not cheating, what is? I say roll out the VAR (Video Assisted Referees) and you better think not to cheat. If these technology were employed, Rashford and Sane would each get a yellow card for diving and De Joon would have been exonerated with free kicks given the other way. 

This meant that at this stage the games in hand the United and City had petered out and all level at 34 matches with Liverpool still in third place. Liverpool carved out 2-1 away win at Stoke and followed by a 1-0 away win at WBA then crashed 1-2 at home to Crystal Palace but now have been resuscitated by Sunday's result. They took full advantage with an away 1-0 win at Watford where the Hornets have not lost on this ground for sometime with a goal from Emre Can that should win any match. Before that Adam Lallana smashed his first time left footed volley from afar onto the crossbar. He showed no sign of waning despite the injury lay off and was the effervescence that Liverpool needed. Yes, we have criticised Simon Mignolet and Emre Can in the past for their insipid performances but this time Can was the saviour and Mignolet was no less a hero with here and a strong of recent outstanding performances. Perhaps there is really something that Klopp knew about them that we don't? His trust and belief system that they are now repaying him.

Tottenham continued their awesomeness with a 2-0 drubbing of Arsenal. There was such dominance with a superbly marshaled defence, a conquering midfield and a menacing attack. Tottenham must hope to win it by winning every game and see if Chelsea drop points. This should be a title winning team if not now then in the next couple of years.

West Ham v Tottenham - By the time you read this, they may have already played the match at the ungodly hour in Singapore at 0300 hours. The Hammers have not won in three struggling to a point in each of their last three. The Lilywhites not only have not lost but have been winning non-stop for quite some time. No team has beaten Tottenham for a long time in the league. West Ham have only 39 points, what if they lost all their remaining ties? SO they still have to fight for some but the visitors are just too strong. Count on Kane, Son, Erikssen and Alli the usual awesome suspects. Anything other than a win could mean the end of the title challenge. Away win. 0-2. Game over! Kudos to the Hammers for probably ending the challenge in Chelsea's favour. If Chelsea wins on Monday they will be on 84 points, seven more than Tottenham with three matches left. Tottenham will be second best yet again.

Manchester City v Crystal Palace - City have won eight and lost one against Palace. Palace were so good when they crush Arsenal and won at Liverpool but have since lost two in a row including last week's 0-2 at home to Burnley. At 38 points they are not completely safe yet so they need more to ensure staying up. Sam Allardyce will bombard City with sucker punches just like they did Liiverpool. Unless City is up for it, they may be surprised but with United behind a point and a champions league spot, they have to go all out. They should do enough for a win but it won't be too easy. 2-1.

Bournemouth v Stoke - Stoke have won only once in six visits to the Cherries' Goldsands Stadium. Like City v Palace, they do not seem to do draws and usually a win for either one. Bournemouth are the better form team now and also on 39 points. A win will ensure their one point lead over Stoke will be increased. Stoke have not scored in two matches while Bournemouth have not conceded in their last two. I see a home win. 2-1. 

Burnley v WBA - The Baggies must be thankful for their earlier form that kept them in eight position as they have lost their last four matches quite often by an odd goal. Meanwhile, Burnley were impressive in their 2-0 away win at Palace. Last tow visits to Turf Moor ended 3-1 in Burnley's favor and 2-2. Tony Pulis must lift his side up but Burnley will fight all the way to ensure they have more than 39 points to stay up for sure. 2-1.

Hull v Sunderland - The Tigers need all the points to stay up as they are just above the bottom three with two points more but Sunderland are left with only pride to play for as they are the first team down finally ending years and season after season of last ditch Houdini escape. The only thing good for Sunderland is that Hull have only won once at home to them in four attempts (W1D1L2) but in their last five Sunderland won just once and lost thrice. Hull defeated Watford 2-0 here so if they bring on the same game, it is likely to be a home win. 1-0.

Leicester City v Watford - In five previous meetings, the Foxes lost just once to the Hornets and Watford failed to keep a clean sheet against Leicester in the past 15. Leicester have been climbing up the ladder steadily to 11th whee at one time they seemed like a derailed train going South. Mahrez has not been his impeccable best but Vardy is soring again. Watford have been impotent for two matches and while the home team have been having at least a goal a game. Probably a Leicester win. 1-0.

Swansea v Everton - Swansea's record against the Toffees is dismal. W1D5L5 in eleven but the last five times were good with four draw and an away win. Everton have never lost at the Liberty Stadium (W3D2) so reading history is daunting enough for the home team. Everton crumbled at Chelsea last week while Swansea played well to hold United at Old Trafford. This could end yet another draw but I pick Swansea to win. 2-1.

Liverpool v Southampton - Liverpool can't be sure yet unless they perform yet again. In their last league meeting at the St. Mary's they ended 0-0. Then they lost the League Cup ties 0-1 home and away. The Saints are in a way a nemesis. But Southampton's recent performance have been weaker and have not won in three matches losing two and have won only once at Anfield in five visits. After meeting Southampton three times this season Liverpool have yet to score. That is why they wanted to buy Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool could be Southampton's top buyer of players. With Lallana back and still in form, Can inspired with that kind of wonder goal, Mignolet playing like a hero and with confidence, COutinho and Firmino, they still look good for a win. 2-1. 

http://ourmatch.net/videos/01-05-2017-watford-vs-liverpool/

Arsenal v Manchester United - The last time the Red Devils visited the Emirates, the Gunners gunned them down with a 3-0 spanking but thereafter, the next two at Old Trafford it was 3-2 and 1-1. United have injuries and Europa distraction. If you put everything aside, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho would love to upend the other. United do have an advantage based on their results versus Arsenal. But I do fear for Luke Shaw who is obviously a really big talent for United and England but he is so unlucky with injuries. He would go through long lay off, return for awhile and goes right back to the treatment table. How sad. Luke is young and have a bright future. As he was, he is strong and quick defends and tackles well but he is always in the thick of action in attack too. There was no better left fullback than Luke Shaw at the time before he joined United. Wish him well. Meantime, if Mourinho decided to rest a few key players he will have a weakened side but United squad is huge and expensive so any team he puts in will still be tough to beat and their chances for Champions League is better by winning the Europa than being in top four. Arsenal have to win all their remaining ties and hope others drop some points to have a chance and that is their only ticket. They have to give their all to the cause. Wenger may not continue and the team may break off at some point in the near future. They must work and enjoy the time. Arsenal must win. 2-1.

Chelsea v Middlesborough - If you have watched the Everton game you must probably been convinced Chelsea are going to sail away. Boro's record against Chelsea have been abysmal to say the least. Not necessarily big loss but small margin loss is a probability. I watched Boro battled City to a 2-2 draw. They were good and so if they could hold City why can't they do the same to Chelsea? Because Chelsea have been too consistently good and they know how to win a game. 2-0.