TOUR EVENT
She is already noticeably aged. Recently, she has lost strength and energy. It has long been clear to rational thinkers: the end is near. And so she died before one round and one match before the season finale. She died in the beautiful ceremonial atmosphere of the London derby at the Emirates, but in the hands of Chelsea. She is a champion intrigue. Referee Alan Wiley played the role of a priest, listened to confession and even for some reason accelerated the process. And - recorded death. After the match, Jose Mourinho, John Terry and Frank Lampard embraced each other with restrained sorrow on their faces, as close relatives of the deceased, and listened to the condolences of the stands in the form of applause - as is customary in England. Together with the intrigue, their championship also died. They say this is life. And in that part of Manchester that is rooting for United, there is glee. There they are preparing for a ceremony of a completely different kind and they are repeating the spell “MJ” - the champion ” not as a prayer, but as a fact. Mancunians regain the long-awaited title, symbolically earning gold points in a principled Manchester derby. Now the two processions will meet on May 9, giving rise to the ornate cycle of opposing, but equally strong and sincere feelings and emotions. The result will be the transfer of the coveted Premier League Champions Cup from Chelsea to Manchester United. And this is also life.
HERO TOUR
MJ becomes the champion, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to collect individual awards, and Carlos Tevez still takes the place of the hero in our charts and does not want to part with him. The Argentine striker West Ham this time became the brightest figure of the tour, already by the end of the first half hour providing the Hammers with a vital victory over Bolton. A free-kick billiard hit, an assisted goal in a sweeping combination, an efficient pass to Mark Noble - the Londoners leave the relegation zone under the enthusiastic roar of Upton Park and hopelessly ruin Sammy Lee's coaching debut. And let the losers scribble slogans, hoping to solve their problems behind the scenes, “Sport Today” does not accept appeals: Tevez deservedly remains on our chart.
TOUR FAILURE
Manchester City defender Michael Ball has done everything to become the most prominent character in the Manchester derby. He succeeded - however, contrary to his thoughts, he turned out to be a hero through and through negative. A vile trick against Cristiano Ronaldo at the beginning of the match will certainly cost the player a long disqualification. Foul against the Portuguese in his own penalty area led to the victory of United. And even the penalty earned in the end of the meeting didn’t bring happiness to Ball - justice settled in van der Sarah’s knee, fending off the penalty kick.
TOUR SENSATION
The defeat of Reading from Watford, which had already been played two rounds ago, was a very instructive grin of fate. Steve Koppell has repeatedly stated that it is too early for his team to play in European competition, that the next season will be extremely difficult and he does not need an extra headache. And now, when the “Reading” itself, perhaps, wanted it the least, the football providence went on about the pragmatic aspirations of the team. The "royal" club in front of their fans said goodbye to the brilliant season is by no means royal. “The UEFA Cup is now difficult for us,” said upset Coppell with poorly concealed satisfaction after the match. But more than such a chance, neither Coppell himself nor Reading could have imagined it.
TREND
Outside the tournament intrigues and general attention, Aston Villa decided on an impressive finish spurt . The merciless defeat of the super-motivated Sheffield United formed the basis of the plot of the eighth series of the Birmingham win-win series. Martin O'Neill's team, in a relaxed atmosphere, enjoys football and the wealth of their offensive capabilities. Plastic giant Carew, smart technical Agbonlahor and Young, sophisticated Petrov and Berger, who remembered his youth, each match to the delight of the audience arrange an attraction at the gates of others, breathtaking opponents. If it were not for the failure in the middle of the season, Aston Villa could now even fight for the Champions League. And so - only promises to do it next year.
CM. ALSO
With such luck, Wigan will not stay in the Premier League. Appreciate the originality of a free kick by Stuart Downing.
TOUR DIGIT
Having lost in the Manchester derby with a score of 0: 1, City adequately finished the season in front of its fans - having set three anti-records of the English championships at once. On account of the “townspeople” is now the longest goalless series in home games, which now amounts to 738 minutes and is likely to continue next season. In addition, for the entire championship, Stuart Pearce's wards made the City of Manchester happy with only 10 goals scored, however, the guests were allowed to score only 16 times, which in sum is also an unprecedented result. With the power of the “townspeople”, the Eastlands cannot be bewitched - a priest is clearly needed. At least the one who buried champion intrigue.
Dmitry LONGICH