EPL - 2018/19 Game Week 27
Gordon Banks
I never really followed soccer till secondary school. It was a soccer crazy school and Singapore was playing in the Malaysia Cup. The only soccer we had were on TV was an hour of weekly highlights of the previous week's matches of the old English First Division and everything was in black and white. All we heard about were the legends of the games. One of our teachers Mr. Harry Lim was also our school soccer team's coach and he was a very passionate fan of the game we fondly called football. In between teaching or after completing what he has to teach, he would surely talk about the previous week's Malaysia Cup match especially about how good Quah Kim Song was. Sometimes, he would share with us about Bobby Charlton and yes, Gordan Banks. Even people who aren't really soccer fans knew how Charlton and Banks were.
In 1974, the World Cup soccer was held in the then West Germany. This was the year that colour television was introduced to Singapore which increased the excitement quotient. The black and white of West Germany and the bright orange of the Netherlands shone brightly on colour TV. Just before the 74 World Cup, the television screened "The World At Their Feet" featuring the highlights of the 1970 World Cup. I remembered the footage came in both black and white and some were in colours. It opened my eyes to World Cup soccer and it was the very first time I saw for myself that miraculous save that Gordon Banks made from Pele's super header. You must know that at the time, they were no social media, youtube, whatsapp and what nots.
I could recall vividly how Banks in anticipation of the cross coming over as Jairzinho flew down his right flank and Banks was moving to his left and as the cross come quickly, Pele leaped like a salmon and headed down a powerful header to Banks top right hand corner and Pele was already punching the air in celebration in anticipation of a goal as Gordon Banks was going in the wrong direction and too far away when he suddenly dived across incredibly to make that save with his fingertips and flicked it over the crossbar which till this day was defined as the greatest save ever made! Allan Mullery who played with Banks that day against Brazil recalled fondly he went over to Banks and said "why didn't you catch it" and he said the abuse that came back was unbelievable. "He was the best at that time. We had some great goalkeepers in those days, and the only person I can think came near was Pat Jennings".
Gordon Banks was FIFA Goalkeeper of the year six times and will forever remain as one of the world's greatest goalkeepers of all time. Banks died a few days ago at 81. RIP legend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G_q2aB5G6o (Gordan Banks' Save - 1970 World Cup)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzcfppUKhb8 (Gordon Bank's Saves)
Meanwhile, there have been talks of whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be appointed the permanent manager of Manchester United. He is relatively inexperienced and do not have the CV of some big shot managers but not every hotshot manager is going to win trophies or become successful. OGS knows the Red Devils and has their DNA. He has shown since taking over that he could do the job. Why not give an old boy the job. Moving over to EPL action, with twelve matches left and the distraction of the Champions League, how will things turn out this weekend?
Cardiff v Watford - The Welsh club are 17th with 25 points, just one above relegation. They have to cling on to dear life and must make full use of home advantage. The Hornets have done very well to be on 8th. Cardiff were highly motivated in their last two matches as they had Bournemouth beaten 2-0 and followed that with a great 2-1 away win over Southampton. Watford too defeated Everton 1-0 and was victorious away to QPR in the F.A. Cup. It should be quite a physical contest and I think it would end a draw. 1-1.
West Ham v Fulham - The Hammers in 10th have been rather poor. Fulham in 19th are eight points behind 18th placed Southampton. It is a race for survival from here on with little margin for error. Fulham managed to pull off only one win (4-2 v Brighton) and lost four in their last five. West Ham lost three straight matches before holding Liverpool and Palace. In this London Derby, West Ham with home advantage looks a better bet. 2-1.
Burnley v Tottenham - Burnley in 15th with 27 points cannot be considered safe. A bad run could see them go down. Tottenham are 3rd on 60 and technically could win the title. The Clarets were undefeated in their last three and even won away against Brighton (3-1). In the prolonged absence of Harry Kane and Dele Alli, Heung-Min Son has been unstoppable as he has 11 goals in 12 matches for Spurs. Somehow Spurs has carved out wins, even tight ones without losing momentum. The 3-0 win over Borussia Dortmund was highly impressive as Dortmund is a very strong team. Pochettino has the ability to fashion something to overcome their short-handedness and this is why he is co coveted. Spurs will control this game and go on to win it. A win shall put them on 63 points, 2 behind City with Liverpool having their game in hand on Sunday. 0-2.
Bournemouth v Wolves - The Cherries slid down to 11th with 33 points one below West Ham by goal difference. Wolves have been the finest side outside the top six in 7th place. Deservedly so. After the 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea, Bournemouth lost at Cardiff (0-2) and were soundly beaten by Liverpool (0-3). Wolves have been unbeaten for quite some time and have won four and drew one match (including F. A. Cup). This could be an interesting and exciting match with good football. 2-2.
Newcastle v Huddersfield - The Magpies are 16th with 25 points so they are not entirely safe. Only the Terriers looked set to plan a new life in the Championship next season unless a miracle happens now till the end of the season. Newcastle should be encouraged with their recent displays - Shocked Manchester City 2-1, lost to Tottenham 0-1 away and held Wolves 1-1 (away). The Magpies were only better than their visitors in the goal-scoring department with 22 goals v 14 and that is their weakness but they now have a new signing capable of ending all that in Miguel Almiron and he could be the difference in their bid for survival. 2-1.
Leicester v Crystal Palace - The Foxes should be higher up but they are 12th. Ditto Crystal Palace at 13th five points behind. Although their recent performances were encouraging the results were bad in their last five outings - LLDLL and compare that to Palace's WDWDW and you will have a good idea. It will be a tight contest. Jamie Vardy, James Maddison and new youngster Harvey Barnes could trouble Palace but so could Wilfried Zaha, Andros Townsend and Mitchy Batshuayi. There must be goals. 2-2.
Chelsea v Brighton - Postponed.
Arsenal v Southampton - The Gunners are 5th, a point behind United. The Saints are 18th. Arsenal's LWLWL sequence tells you much about their patchy form. Southampton have improved so much under Ralph Hassenhuttl and were unbeaten in four matches but in their last game succumbed 1-2 at home to Cardiff. Unai Emery must demand a big response from his side which they did when they went down 0-1 to BATES and won the return at the Emirates 3-0. However, Aubameyang has been quiet for awhile. Time for him to be on the score sheet. The Gunners need to gun for top four and nothing less than a win will do. 2-1.
Manchester United v Liverpool - And this is the match of the day! An incredibly important match that has bearing on the title. The Red devils were the most in form team but crashed to PSG at home in the Champions League (0-2) but recovered with an away win at Chelsea in the F.A. Cup and won 2-0. They still have a good squad and could play king maker as after this match they will later visit the other side of Manchester. Liverpool had themselves to blame when their lead was cut down to three after two drawn game which hey could have won as they were leading, 1-1 at home to Leicester and then 1-1 again away to West Ham. Prior to that both Leicester and West Ham suffered 3 defeats in a row. Their solid 3-0 win over Bournemouth brought some hope and perspective. Allison kept a clean sheet, they defence was quite imperious, most impressively their midfield was really solid with special note on Naby Keita's best in a Liverpool shirt. Also, the front three of Mane, Firmino and Salah showed glimpses of how they destroyed all in the way last season. That goal where Keita threaded a through pass to Firmino who instead of shooting, fashioned a deilcate back heel flick to a onrushing Salah to slot home is the kind of goal that is impossible to defend. Gini Wijnaldum's goal was magnificent. He received a high ball from Robertson, trapped it with one touch and in his next and with the outside of his foot, he floated the ball over the back pedaling goalie at full stretch and into the corner of the net. Naby Keita was involved in all goals.
Next, Bayern Munich came to Anfield and stole a point. It was their game plan. Liverpool had 9 shots to Bayern's 3. 6 chances created to Bayern's 3 and the Reds had 3 big chances to Bayern's nil. It was a tight and high level game which Liverpool should have won. With a crocked back line, many expected the home side to have problems there but they not only kept a clean sheet but make-sift centre-back Fabinho was outstanding. He was very god in the air and more than equally adept with his feet making a few crucial tackles including one perfectly-timed that hacked the ball away from Lewandowski. He kept Lewandowski quiet all night and Lewandowski is one of the world's top marksman. It was surprising to see former Arsenal youngster Gnarby take on Andrew Robertson who did not have his best night as Gnarby had him beaten a couple of times, a rare occurrence. Most impressive were the Reds' defence. Wijnaldum was everywhere and worked his socks off. Henderson, as holding midfielder had one of his best games where he won his tackles and a few crucial interventions and also his accurate long forward passes one of which found Salah who was sandwiched between 2 defenders and only managed to toe his shot into Neuer's arms. Naby Keita was for me MOTM. He has shown for a second time his true potential. SOmetimes, he just glided and ghosted past 2 or 3 opponents effortlessly. But Liverpool's final ball in the final third was not as fluid and I felt Mane was the worst player. 0-0 is the best draw anyone could get in a two legged tie.Virgil van Dijk will be back for the return leg and so will Leon Goretzka and Arjen Robben for Bayern. It will be a different game as Bayern will be more attacking.
This is where the battle will be at Old Trafford on Sunday - midfield. Liverpool will have to win the battle against an in form Paul Pogba, probably Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic. A win here would put Liverpool back on top with this game in hand as City are involved in Cup action but Liverpool's record at Old Trafford are not good as they have not won in their last five visits. It is a record that needed to be erased. Martial and Lingard may be out for this tie. Solskjaer was outsmarted by Tuchel in the Champions League so wil lKlopp outsmart him too? This is the kind of challenges Liverpool must embrace and overcome if they want to be Champions for they could still end up with nothing in their hands in the space of the next few weeks. Both sides have the ability to win this one, even a draw looks likely but Liverpool must know they have to win this one to lead by three points and if they do not overcome Bayern this is all they have to fight for. Liverpool must win. This is the first step to change their record at Old Trafford and also because I will get free beer. 1-2.
Next, Bayern Munich came to Anfield and stole a point. It was their game plan. Liverpool had 9 shots to Bayern's 3. 6 chances created to Bayern's 3 and the Reds had 3 big chances to Bayern's nil. It was a tight and high level game which Liverpool should have won. With a crocked back line, many expected the home side to have problems there but they not only kept a clean sheet but make-sift centre-back Fabinho was outstanding. He was very god in the air and more than equally adept with his feet making a few crucial tackles including one perfectly-timed that hacked the ball away from Lewandowski. He kept Lewandowski quiet all night and Lewandowski is one of the world's top marksman. It was surprising to see former Arsenal youngster Gnarby take on Andrew Robertson who did not have his best night as Gnarby had him beaten a couple of times, a rare occurrence. Most impressive were the Reds' defence. Wijnaldum was everywhere and worked his socks off. Henderson, as holding midfielder had one of his best games where he won his tackles and a few crucial interventions and also his accurate long forward passes one of which found Salah who was sandwiched between 2 defenders and only managed to toe his shot into Neuer's arms. Naby Keita was for me MOTM. He has shown for a second time his true potential. SOmetimes, he just glided and ghosted past 2 or 3 opponents effortlessly. But Liverpool's final ball in the final third was not as fluid and I felt Mane was the worst player. 0-0 is the best draw anyone could get in a two legged tie.Virgil van Dijk will be back for the return leg and so will Leon Goretzka and Arjen Robben for Bayern. It will be a different game as Bayern will be more attacking.
This is where the battle will be at Old Trafford on Sunday - midfield. Liverpool will have to win the battle against an in form Paul Pogba, probably Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic. A win here would put Liverpool back on top with this game in hand as City are involved in Cup action but Liverpool's record at Old Trafford are not good as they have not won in their last five visits. It is a record that needed to be erased. Martial and Lingard may be out for this tie. Solskjaer was outsmarted by Tuchel in the Champions League so wil lKlopp outsmart him too? This is the kind of challenges Liverpool must embrace and overcome if they want to be Champions for they could still end up with nothing in their hands in the space of the next few weeks. Both sides have the ability to win this one, even a draw looks likely but Liverpool must know they have to win this one to lead by three points and if they do not overcome Bayern this is all they have to fight for. Liverpool must win. This is the first step to change their record at Old Trafford and also because I will get free beer. 1-2.
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