Premiership 2006-2007

[ginger tours]

Emotional rollercoaster this morning - at one stage Utd 2:0 down and Chelsea 2:1 up however the good guys came thru again - Rooney was awesome today

 

[ginger tours]

West Ham winning Tevez with 2. The Premier League must be cringing - they are in so much trouble if the Hammers stay up

 

[djones]

United 1-0 City.

Arsenal vs. Chelsea tomorrow.

"Cheque, please!"

 

[djones]

We are the Champions!

Final 2006/07 Premiership Standings

CLUB GP W L D PTS GD
Man Utd 36 28 4 4 88 57
Chelsea 36 24 3 9 81 40
Liverpool 37 20 10 7 67 30
Arsenal 37 19 8 10 67 28

GILBERTO HANDS UNITED SILVA LINING
Skysports News

Manchester United are the new Premiership champions following Chelsea's inability to beat Arsenal, in a 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium which hands Sir Alex Ferguson's side their first title in four years.

A Gilberto Silva penalty three minutes before half-time was enough to crown United as champions, in an incident that saw Khalid Boulahrouz leave the field for a professional foul and with the defender's departure, went Chelsea's dream of a third successive title.

With 20 minutes remaining Michael Essien gave Chelsea hope when he flung himself to divert Shaun Wright-Phillip's devilish delivery beyond Jens Lehmann, but at the final whistle, his efforts proved in vain.

Showing characteristic vigour and fight Jose Mourinho's men could have kept the title race alive as Joe Cole had a goal disallowed, Essien fired over from close range and Frank Lampard had a long distance drive repelled but it was not to be, as celebrations started early in Manchester, as Wednesday's top of the table clash was rendered redundant.

In the early hours of Sunday morning over in far-flung Las Vegas the cocksure Floyd Mayweather was celebrating taking the title off the old champ Oscar De La Hoya but into the afternoon, in London, it was the polar opposite as the veteran master Ferguson was left to celebrate and the younger Mourinho to reflect on being usurped as the Premiership's king.

Chelsea's line-up saw injury, or as the sceptic would suggest, defeatism rob them of both Ashley Cole and Didier Drogba and without their attacking talisman, the champions were shorn of a goal threat for much of the afternoon.

The opening sparring simmered rather than shone as Arsenal's narrow midfield competed manfully but failed to cause Chelsea undue concern.

There is of course no love lost between these capital neighbours following their Carling Cup final spat and so it was no surprise that the tackles were fierce and the pervading mood was one of disdain, in a first 45 minutes devoid of clear-cut chances, prior to Gilberto's penalty.

It was the languid Emmanuel Adebayor that looked the most likely for the home side but his robust forays were dealt with without fuss by an authoritative John Terry, while at the other end, Chelsea lacked punch without Drogba.

A full thirty minutes had elapsed before Chelsea caused consternation to Arsenal's backline, as Cole found space on the left edge of the home side's box but his lashed ball across just evaded the advanced Lampard.

As if spurred by Chelsea's impertinence at fortress Emirates, Arsenal moved the ball upfield and after Abou Diaby and Cesc Fabregas exchanged clever passes, Denilson's beautifully disguised and weighted through ball gave Adebayor a great chance but the striker's effort was meek rather than mighty.

Their next effort was, though, more decisive as Boulharouz showed perhaps why he has been used so sparingly this season. Lehmann's long punt upfield evaded John Terry and after Julio Baptista had muscled past the dozing defender to gain a sight on goal, the Dutchman showed all the subtlety of the WWE wrestlers Mourinho so admires, in hauling down the Brazilian in the box.

Referee Alan Wiley had no choice in sending off Boulharouz, Gilberto no nerves in dispatching past Petr Cech from the penalty spot.

Buoyed by their goal Arsenal set out for the second half with renewed vigour and after a free-kick was only partially cleared, Adebayor's volley fizzed past Cech's far post, as William Gallas lunged to convert, albeit to no avail.

In truth, Chelsea looked leg weary from their midweek European exertions and with the champagne being uncorked in Manchester, it was Arsenal that looked the more likely to add to the scoreline.

Gallas will wonder how he failed to convert his header from no more than five yards, while Adebayor will rue a heavy touch that wasted Fabregras' sumptuous back-heel into his path.

Chelsea's dominance of English football has, though, been built on resilience as much as any other quality and Mourinho will be delighted with his players following Essien's header.

In the final minute a man not normally associated with being a hero of the United faithful proved just that, as Lehmann tipped over after Salomon Kalou fired in from the edge of the area, while Emmanuel Eboue smacked the bar in added time with a stunning strike on the overlap.

As Arsenal showed why they are still some way off mounting a bid of their own, Chelsea pressed incessantly but while they will consider themselves unfortunate, the masses at Old Trafford will care not one iota as celebrations start in earnest.

 

[steve1234]

The pre match interview on sky sports had a sombre Mourinho trying to explain the missing Drogba and Cole with recurring ankle injuries. The skeptics suggest, better to tie away and lose the title, than lose it at home on Wednesday.

 

[striker14]

I am gonna say

Man Utd 3
Chelsea 1

Finish em' off nicely

 

[Walks]

Slim and no chance of that happening as United have made 8 changes to their starting lineup today ....... apparently, the focus is on Sunday where in order to preserve a sense of fair play in the relegation battle, players are being rested.

 

[striker14]

Slim and no chance of that happening as United have made 8 changes to their starting lineup today ....... apparently, the focus is on Sunday where in order to preserve a sense of fair play in the relegation battle, players are being rested.

Yah...I guess I should have guessed that with the starting line up...my bad! They say Chelsea should have taken it from what I heard.

 

[rickshaw]

Congrats to West Ham Utd for their incredible form over the past 9 games. 7 wins, 4 on the road. And they beat Man U twice as well as Arsenal twice this season. I believe no other team accomplished that trick.

Here's to another year in the top flight.

 

[Kippax]

West Ham are shite and they should have been relagated.

 

[club_i_champ]

West Ham are shite and they should have been relagated.

You could say the same about Man City right Kippax? Unlucky end for Stuart Pierce, IMO his squad lost belief in him.

 

[steve1234]

I would give Pierce 6 more minutes to prove his worth. No more.

 

[Kippax]

CIC
Yes we were crap, but I am not congatulating them for there performance. We beat them twice, and scored on them at home, twice. I believe no other team let us accomplished that trick

Steve1234 go back to the scottish thread you wank

 

[crafty cokcney]

CIC
Yes we were crap, but I am not congatulating them for there performance. We beat them twice, and scored on them at home, twice. I believe no other team let us accomplished that trick

Kippax,

You are right, you are shite.


How many teams beat Man Utd this season home and away.......?

How many teams beat Arsenal this season home and away.........?


No doubt we were very lucky and the tune from the "Great Escape" movie is still playing in my head, but give credit where it is due for the final two months of the season. Seven wins from the last nine games is no small undertaking when the Championship is staring you in the face. I'm confinced there was some doggy dealings regarding the transfers of the Argy's, but the job was done on the pitch and at the end of the day, that's all that really counts.


"I'm forever blowing bubbles........."...

 

[striker14]

I'm confinced there was some doggy dealings regarding the transfers of the Argy's, but the job was done on the pitch and at the end of the day, that's all that really counts.

And who was it that scored the winner against Man Utd in the last game? ironic, huh?

 

[crafty cokcney]

Striker14,

No doubt that Tevez was a huge part of our success in staying up. His goal contribution was key, as was his inspiration.
Kind of made up for the fact that we were without Ashton all season


I'm sure the debate will go on for a while.

Cheers

 

[Kippax]

Crafty
I'm just bitter City finished a point below where I predicted, Hopefully Ranieri will be better for the blues.

 

[Sandman]

According to the BBC - Henry to Barcelona for 24 million Euro

Sandman

 

[knvb]

For Sale -

All my shares of Arsenal stock.

 

[striker14]

Henry signs for Barcelona

Thierry Henry tonight appeared to be on the brink of leaving Arsenal for Barcelona.

Sources close to the Spanish club have declared a four-year deal has been signed for the France World Cup winner.

Henry, the most influential player in Arsenal's history, admitted the shock departure of vice-chairman David Dein last season had been unsettling for everyone at the club.

It now looks as if the brilliant forward is set to call time on his eight-year stay in north London.

Manager Arsene Wenger will have no doubt tried to convince his talisman to remain at the club, confident they could again compete for honours both at home and abroad.