TOUR EVENT
For the 700th match of Ryan Giggs, the whole Manchester United got a gift. The victory over “Liverpool” did not follow from the logic of the match, but unexpected joy is an indispensable attribute of a good presentation. Merseysides surpassed their opponents in almost all respects, and Manchester United lost the injured Rooney, Scholes removed and a penalty for the demolition of Saa at the end of the second half. It seemed that 0-0 would be the best result for the guests. But the English football gods could not ignore the anniversary of such a person. Van der Sar fights off Crouch's non-tearing blow in other circumstances, Giggs himself gets a free-kick, Cristiano Ronaldo uses Pepe Reina for an assist and John O'Shea executes a fate sentence with an undefeated foot. The Mankunians keep ahead of Chelsea, clear the path to triumph, but then they will have to do it exclusively on their own.
HERO TOUR
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech had a brilliant match against Portsmouth and kept the intrigue in the championship. Once again, the defense of the “blue”, left without paternal supervision by John Terry, allowed the opponent to create many moments, and his own goalkeeper - to get into our review. Particularly spectacular was Andy Cole's head-shot reflected by Cech from close range in the opposite direction - the goalkeeper already instinctively threw his left hand out and deprived the experienced striker of well-deserved joy. Chelsea win and continue to chase the leader.
TOUR FAILURE
Everton midfielder Tim Cahill broke one of his foot bones in a match with Sheffield United and apparently dropped out before the end of the championship. For the Australian, this is the second serious injury of the season - earlier he had to miss about two months because of problems with his knee. One of the leaders of the “butterscotch” will now be able to help the team fighting for a ticket to the European Cups only mentally.
TOUR SENSATION
It never happened. However, “West Ham” and “Tottenham” unexpectedly issued, perhaps the most vivid and emotional match of the English season. In order to play, the "hammers" had to sink to the very bottom. They inspiredly began the meeting, as if angry with themselves, they drove 2-0 after the first half. Then they allowed the “spurs” to even the score, but only then, in order to deliver a seemingly decisive blow - the one who left the bench Zamora scored with the first touch. But this was still not a denouement. “Tottenham Hotspur” first recouped at the very end, and a few seconds before the expiration of the compensated time with deadly calmness tore the victory. Those who did not find a place for themselves, Alan Kerbishli and Eggert Magnusson became convinced of how short the path from football happiness to football grief is sometimes. The saving hope was so close. Now they can’t get out.
TREND
Manchester City are losing their fourth game in a row in the Premier League, three of which are in their own stadium and dry. Stuart Pearce, vowing that combining the coaching posts at the club and the England youth team would be of “benefit" to the townspeople, is seriously at risk. “City” has already dropped to 17th place and, if it continues in the same vein, may join the low-honored company of survival fighters.
CM. ALSO
Goalkeeper “Sheffield United” Paddy Kenny out of the blue brought a penalty and in his misfortune painted a very colorless match “blades” with “Everton”. Mikel Arteta scored an adventure and set the final score - 1: 1.
TOUR FIGURES
The Craven Cottage on Saturday brought together the top draw experts in the Premier League - Fulham and Aston Villa. Oddly enough, the teams did not reveal the winner, having obtained 12th draw in the championship. For 2.5 years these clubs have not been able to beat one another, having tried the most diverse peaceful results during this time - from 0: 0 to 3: 3.
Dmitry LONGICH