The Heavens Wept as Ten Men Win
Eduardo v Burnley
By Boris Mellor
August 27 2009
I couldn't see the Eduardo penalty incident, and unless you were behind the goal concerned I doubt if you did either. I was behind the goal at opposite end, so when Eduardo went down on 25 minutes I was not surprised to see the penalty awarded. Indeed the previously loud Celtic fan behind me did not raise a whisper in objection.
Most of the crowd, apart from the Celtic fans who were closer to the incident than most Arsenal fans, cheered the penalty decision and the resulting goal. The Celtic fans booed, but who wouldn't in their situation. So I still didn't suspect anything was wrong. I didn't know there was anything up, it was all quite ordinary. The Arsenal crowd chanted Eduardo's name in gratitude for ending the tedium.
The know-nothing at the Guardian blog claimed that the incident was not shown at half time as Arsenal were too embarrassed. Nonsense, the club never shows controversial decisions, and it doesn't matter which side suffers them. I have always assumed that was because the football authorities objected to them being shown.
I am surprised that he didn't write that even the heavens wept in sympathy with the bumble bees' cruel treatment by the fates, he missed his chance as it was raining.
So the first I knew that this great controversy was raging was a phone call from a friend fed up with ITVs haranguing of the evil, wicked and untalented Arsenal, well that's how she saw it. The theory that Arsenal had no right to win was a narrative I had observed first hand during the first leg Sky coverage. A constant diatribe of how poor Arsenal were, even though Celtic barely made a chance worth the name.
In the second half I was at the right end to see two perfectly good goals, the best by Eboue. "You've only come to see Eboue", sang the triumphant Gooners mob, a few, not that many Celtic fans slinked off home. I doubt if as many Gooners would have hung around for 5-0 down on aggregate. Arshavin was so impressed by Eboue's technique that he copied, and then improved it for his goal.
Meanwhile Arsenal were down to ten men for 3 minutes, so my headline is nonsense, but hey that's the media's role isn't it? Exaggerate everything.
Celtic saved their only spark of brilliance for the 181st minute, a great goal brought it back to 5-1, Arsenal fans joined in the applause for Donati's across goal volley. However it meant little, Celtic had been dominated over two matches, and if Arsenal had two lucky goals and a dodgy pen they still had far more chances than Celtic, who created hardly anything. With the best will in the world it could hardly be said they had been robbed, and the dignified Tony Mowbray was not prepared to claim he had been.
On returning home I watched the highlights and could clearly see it was not a penalty. If it was Eduardo's intention to dive then I really wish he hadn't. It wasn't necessary and it is not the Arsenal way, Wenger felt it was not a penalty, but he wasn't prepared to judge Eduardo. I suspect he will have a quiet word with him.Gazides' showed some nifty footwork today at the CL draw when door stepped on the issue. He talked about video and angles, and the need to support the referee. It was important that the referee was supported was a point he made again and again. Ha ha what a smoothy, Wenger could learn something there; we were all doubting our eyesight after that performance.
So the press raged and a Liverpool website rushed to proclaim Eduardo as the number one cheat with video evidence. No mention of how they had cheated Arsenal in the QF of the CL two years ago. A match that Arsenal had outplayed the scousers over two legs. I can't remember if the heavens wept, certainly players and fans wept internally, and a few openly. I do remember that the TV companies did not run a campaign for the cheat to be punished. No call for UEFA investigations and retrospective punishment.
However for any Liverpool fans, or media pundits, who are feeling morally superior, I suggest that they watch this video. They then can shut up, or at least broaden their campaign of vilification to include cheating Englishmen.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:29:15:15:22 by Padre Pio.
Dont really care what the Pool supporters have to say. They are a group who have never won the Epl but keep banging on about what great history and tradition they have. The big difference between us and them is they seem to have perfected the art- diving when it really matters not for a inconsequential goal in a 5-1 drubbing.
Have to take the positives out of it though. Ed wont be diving again Im sure, and anyone who tries the same on us will be met with a storm by our club.
I hope we knock them out in final with a dodgy pen.
They also cheated us out of FA cup, and Henry was slagged off for not scoring, but its hard to score against two keepers
Am a bit disappointed about the witch-hunt on Eduardo, but only because it looks like sour grapes from Celtic. In fact the club have not said anything. Sure, he shouldn't have done it, but Giggs did exactly the same thing 2 years ago at OT, for them to win 3-2 in the last few minutes. That was worse for me, as it changed the course of the result. I don't think Celtic would have done anything, although if they were given a dodgy penalty to make it 1-0 Celts, it could (and I stress could) have got interesting.
Arsenal were a far better side. I went to the home game and was impressed by the way they controlled it (after the period of being freaking livid at losing!) They play nice football. Wenger is becomming a bit of a Bobby Robson, i.e. no real football fan can do anything but like the guy. Wishing Arsenal well for the rest of the CL and league (even tho I grew up a Man U fan when I wasn't allowed to support the Celts!!!) Man U and Pool are weaker this year, Chelsea look the same, but in my book Arsenal look a lot better. Good luck.
I think money is a problem now, even the top clubs in the SPL cannot afford the wages that the top clubs in EPL pay. Its not a level playing field - but then it never was.
I would rather Eduardo save that trick for Liverpool or Man U, but now we probably wont get Pens against them even when deserved, there again we never did so not a lot of change there.
Eduardo - don't think PP is saying it's not fair, just it's not level. Celtic have done bloody well over the past 4 or 5 years beating better teams like Juve, Man U, Milan, Lyon, Liverpool, Barcelona etc. The richest teams don't always win but they often do. (Incidentally, that's why a lot of people outside the big 4 want Arsenal to do well....)
As for Rankers, well they are now paying for that unsustainable strategy. They had an egomaniac of a chairman who once said 'For every Fiver Celtic spend, I'll spend Ten.' I bet the banks who want their money back are rueing that line.... They are skint, and almost only stayed afloat by winning the league. Scotland has 1/10 the population of England. The Premiership is far better than the SPL. No-one with half a brain would every argue that, but PPs point is the gulf is increasing, and the playing field becomming more uneven.
You'd need to see the bigger picture (cliche violation) to see how damaging that could be for footy in the longer term. I think people will get bored of 3 English teams making up the last 4 in the 'Champions' League each year. They are there on merit, absolutely, but am not sure if people are getting a bit bored of it. If we play Man U one more time....or if Liverpool play Chelsea one more time etc etc.
The game needs Lyons, Portos, Celtics (!), and dare I say Arsenals of this world to do well. (I only put Arsenal in there as they havent won it yet - but that could change in 9 months.....) Otherwise it get monotonous and almost boring.
1. He gives the ball away a lot in positions that can be compromising. My brother can't stand him for this reason.
2. He tries to beat every player twice at least before moving on.
3. He is still a bit weak for me (although he is improving on his bulk.)
That sounds a bit harsh on a player who is improving, and he is still a youngster. If he can sort out certainly number 1 above, then he has the ability to be very special. He used to annoy me that he didn't turn games, but since 2nd half of last season, he has started to do things that at least send us on our way.
Where would I pitch him? Probably a Spurs/Everton/Villa level at the moment, maybe in the £7 myn (judging by recent market activity.) In a couple of years, he 'could' step up to top 4 - but it's a big step, and his consistency would need to make the leap.
As I've said though, he's a young lad, and has plenty of time to fulfill his awesome skills that he clearly possesses. (Ronaldinho said he was the most skillful player he'd come up against all season about 18 months ago..praise indeed.)
Another one for the plucking (and I hope neither go btw) is Scott Brown. The guy is currently a compete headless (and brainless) chicken, but given the right direction, could turn out to be world class in his position. A bit like a surging Keane, or a fast Neil Lennon. A guy who will sit in front of the back 4, and stick his nut, oar, body, anything he has available into a tustle, or a rammy. Great guy to have on ur side. Nightmare to be up against him. He wants to fight the world, but if he can channel that into dictating the game, he will be tremendous. Value? Difficult to say, maybe same as McGeady, but VERY different player. Possibly only other player capable of sniffing top 4 in Eng is Boruc. Had a bad few months last year, but now back to his best. A wee bit tubby (always has been) but a gifted goal-keeper, and (usually) good facing pens (a la Saha and Ronaldinho etc.)
Well, you did ask.......am knacked - off to my scratcher. Good luck Gooners in the biggy this Sat. I'll be watchin it in a boozer in Glasvegas with a mate who supports Boro. Anyone seen them recently?!?! ;-)
Quote:Padre Pio
Selling their team last i heard. Poor ol Southgate what chance has he got?
^looking like that. Nil to none.
Made even better with the hand picked quotes.
What a chump.
I am dissapointed in Eduardo tbh. I'd like to hope his first instinct was to protect his ankle. But he certainly exaggerated the event. And the lil smirk certainly didn't help. That said, when he walked in the tunnel at full time, he looked weeeell @#$%& off. I hope Eboue has a word, he seems to have sorted it out and grown some balls!
Quote:henrik1888
The problems are the following, pretty-much as you have outlined:
1. He gives the ball away a lot in positions that can be compromising. My brother can't stand him for this reason.
2. He tries to beat every player twice at least before moving on.
That sounds a bit harsh on a player who is improving, and he is still a youngster. If he can sort out certainly number 1 above, then he has the ability to be very special. He used to annoy me that he didn't turn games, but since 2nd half of last season, he has started to do things that at least send us on our way.
without realising you've just described abou diaby
Scouse idiot.
Surprised he didn't dive in that
fracas he had in that bar.