FourFourTwo

By Shaun Orange

English champions Manchester United were startled by a brilliant performance by Spanish giants, Barcelona, who claimed the Champions League trophy in a 2-0 win in Rome.

While Alex Ferguson’s men were outplayed in an entertaining encounter by a composed Barcelona line up, this resulted in the Old Trafford side being stripped of Europe’s top prize.

Notwithstanding United’s domineering reign throughout their campaign, the Red Devils were dealt an early shocker from Barcelona’s Samuel Eto'o, when he put his team up in the 10^th minute.

With Barcelona’s ability to hold on to the ball, getting back into contention for the United side was not going to be an easy task.

With United on the back foot, frustration looming, and an emphatic showing of football by Pep Guardiola’s squad, things were not looking good for them.

It only took Messi, in the 70^th minute to head home what would be the decisive factor in the game, with United unable to gain any substantial ground to their recovery.

United lost to a radiant Barcelona side that was on a mission, went out there and played some captivating football. Their resilience together with some brilliant football was by any standards a performance that was worthy of a victory.

Pep Guardiola’s side were able to click as a unit, and displays from the likes of Iniesta and Xavi were outstanding and ones to be reckoned with. They played a pivotal role in ensuring the ruling out of the much supported English side.

Alex Ferguson and his side have been on a serious run of successes this season and were really going all out in their efforts to attaining as much silverware as possible, however Wednesday’s tie was really a let down for them.

Going into the grand finale, Manchester United were deemed by many to come out on top over the potent Spanish club.

For Ferguson’s part, this is a great disappointment for the Scot, as this competition is meant to be his forte. Throughout the season, on many occasions while playing in other competitions, Ferguson continually insinuated the importance of the Champions League, and this was important for him and the club.

As for the rivalry between Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo and the Argentine winger Lionel Messi, I think the result speaks for itself. Ronaldo, for his part did not emanate true sportsmanship, as frustration got the better of him.

Ferguson knew it was going to be an action packed final, but I don’t think he thought it was going to be action packed with United not in favour.

With United not accustomed to losing, this final would have undoubtedly left a bitter taste in both Ferguson’s and the players’ mouths. 

By Shaun Orange

Everton manager David Moyes has been given an excellent boost going into their FA Cup final clash against Chelsea scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30^th May.

The Toffees manager was awarded the League Managers' Association's (LMA) manager of the Year award. An award sponsored by Barclays is Moyes’ third time to scoop this accolade, the first in 2003 followed by the next in 2005.

The 46 year old Scotsman, who has shown a significant amount of resilience in his tenure with the club and has played an instrumental role in Everton’s success since his arrival at Goodison Park in 2002, and deserves the acknowledgment for his efforts. 

His residence at the club has not been one without difficulties, but through all the tough times, Moyes still managed to show optimism and is one who has utilized whatever resources he had at his disposal to the best of his ability.

However, Everton for a long time now have not exhibited any consistency and this has being a draw back for the club which has so much potential to do better.

Since Moyes’s arrival at the club, where they were treading in the danger zone of relegation, with no time to waste, he steered the Toffees to 7^th place in the Premier League standings from 15^th.

In their 2003-04 campaign they stumbled to 17^th. The following season they gained a considerable amount of ground when they secured 4^th position but as you would expect, in the 2005-06 season they fell to 11^th. For their efforts in the 2006-07 season they finished 6^th then 5^th in 2007-08.

Inconsistency is clearly evident even though this season saw them match last season’s finish in 5^th. Moyes will probably look to this as an improvement but the underlining question is whether they will not drop come next season.

Notwithstanding, their ability to put on some captivating showings whether it be in the Premier League, Carling Cup or the FA Cup to go in and win games, their potential is much higher than what they deliver.

Despite the fact that Everton do not have as much financial backing as some of the other pinnacle clubs, there are a fair amount of talented aces at the club and there still remains some spark in the Goodison Park side.       

Regarded as one of the biggest clubs in England, Everton have won the support of a considerably large amount of fans, who through thick and thin stand by them. 

While Moyes together with his counterparts work side by side to uplift the status of the club, it is good that a deserved Moyes is getting some recognition.

While his men are in line for an important challenge this weekend in their FA Cup final, Moyes would have had his spirits lifted, going into their encounter.

A tough one considering the strength of the Blues’ squad, but one which they will be aiming to seal.

By Shaun Orange

While an action packed Sunday marked the end of an exciting Premier League season, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough were dealt some harsh consequences for what could be deemed as a poor season for the duo.

Additionally, Hull City and Sunderland managed to escape the deadly drop, though in an unconvincing manner but nevertheless, they are still in it among the best in the world.

Going into Sunday’s fixture, Hull were under a lot of pressure to perform against United. Furthermore, Ferguson’s methods were questioned while preparing for the encounter, but with Red Devils’ victory with a weakened line-up, all that was be put to rest. 

Despite Hull’s loss in their 1-0 encounter, they were spared the embarrassment of regulation with

both the Magpies and Boro failing to get a result. With this, it also put Sunderland to safety even though they were dealt a 3-2 beating by Chelsea.

Gareth Southgate’s men needed a miracle of somewhat if they were to harbour any chance of survival this season. To their dismay, this was not to be. Middlesbrough crashed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham at Upton Park, which means its all over for them.

Newcastle United also failed to save themselves after they lost 1-0 to Aston Villa. This came about when they put the ball in the wrong side of the net.

The man responsible for this blip was Damien Duff, who in the 38^th minute deflected a shot from Gareth Barry past his own goalkeeper Steve Harper.

Newcastle’s inability to correct this mis-fortune means that they have now slipped out of the most coveted and exciting league in the world.

To say the least this is the biggest letdown of the triple that were relegated as Newcastle are such a big team.

The magnitude and experience of this club does not by any close measure fit a result like this. With this, they have broken a sixteen year spell in the Premier League.

Now, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has got some decision making to do, after failing to save the Magpies with only eight games remaining in the season.

Shearer has to make up his mind whether he wants to make a second attempt to help the Magpies redeem their dignity or not.

Scheduled to discuss the matter with Mike Ashley next week, they will discuss the Club’s future and if all goes well, how best to bring the club back to life.

Although Shearer has taken responsibility for his failure, he is adamant that he is not the only one to blame for Newcastle’s failure to make the grade.

He is in fact right on this one, as Mike Ashley and his advisories made some poor decisions and inevitably the club paid the price.

My thinking is that Shearer will not throw in the towel just yet, but will be willing to assist in the rebuilding of the St. James’ Park side.

By Shaun Orange

Chelsea’s stand in manager Guus Hiddink has reaffirmed his departure from Stamford Bridge after their FA Cup final against the Everton on May 30.

While most Blues' fans are disappointed with Hiddink’s departure, mainly due to the fact that the team was shaping up considerably under his command, the Dutchman is only keeping to his word and his agreement.

Hiddink, who was appointed as Chelsea manager following Luiz Felipe Scolari’s sacking in February, has clearly put across to everyone that he has enjoyed his time in England and with the club but the viability of him extending his contract is simply not feasible.

He also pointed out that Chelsea are a big team that require a lot of attention and nurturing especially if they are to achieve the success which they so much desire, the main one would be to have some silverware to show off for their efforts.

Indeed this is true and quite understandable. Probed on the matter Hiddink said “it cannot be done. Chelsea are a big responsibility and you have to be in charge, day in and day out.”

With the FA cup final coming up, this is a crutial time for Blues’ as they prepare for the encounter. This is their only shot of bringing home some silverware this season, so they will be banking on Hiddink’s expertise to assist in their endeavor

Chelsea skipper Frank Lampard, who plays an instrumental role at Chelsea has also expressed the need for them to perform at their best to ensure that they do not end another season empty handed.

“A season without silverware is seen as a failure and that’s pretty well right, if you look at the quality of the squad here,” said Lampard.

Frank, who is also one that is in favour of Hiddink’s methods and tactics, and among the long list who will feel Hiddink’s absence also added, “We've been a very tight-knit group since he came in. The man has been a pleasure, not just as a manager but as a person.”

The Dutch coach has insinuated that a stay with Chelsea would be enjoyable, and one would think so with all the privileges that come along with being the boss of such a high profile English team.

With his indication that it is impossible to head both the Russian national team and Chelsea simultaneously, Hiddink is set to walk away from Chelsea at the end of this summer and Chelsea for their part will be left to find a replacement.

At the moment Carlo Ancelotti , the AC Milan coach is the most favourable candidate and Chelsea will most likely do all they can to possibly lure the Italian to the English side.

Chelsea’s clash with Everton in the FA Cup final will indeed give them the opportunity to deliver right to the end, which of late they have failed to do.