The Premier League is reaching its climax, and with changes at the top and the bottom, it’s sure to go down to the final day.
With just four games to go and still in the bottom three, Wigan knew the importance of a home victory over Everton. The three points were there for the taking, but Latics failed to snatch them off their North West neighbours.
The performance was much improved and although Wigan only scored once, the attacking play was dangerous as Everton’s back line was constantly stretched.
Charles N’Zogbia scored the opener as he curled past Howard from a tight angle left footed, after it looked like the chance had gone due to his poor first touch.
The illustrious winger then turned into the villain when his clumsy foul on Leon Osman gave Everton the chance to equalise from the spot.
The returning Mikel Arteta saw his effort saved by the excellent Ali Al-Habsi, with the Oman International saving low to his left.
A roar from the crowd followed, and that sense of togetherness looked to provide the team with determination as the defining moment in the season that would typify the campaign if we do stay up. So close to disaster yet saved at the last… by Ali.
This was reminiscent to the moment when John Filan saved Nolberto Solano’s penalty in the vital 1-0 victory over Newcastle in February 2007. We went on to stay up that season with an away win on the final day against a team in red and white stripes…
So it seemed Charles got away with his lapse in concentration, yet striker Hugo Rodallega wasn’t so lucky when his inexplicable handball was penalized late in the game.
In his two and a half years as a Latic, Hugo has scored many important goals that have ultimately won us points. For example the last minute winner against Burnley; the goal that beat Liverpool at the DW last March and the wonder strike in Martinez’s first match at Villa Park. Yet his actions on Saturday could be looked back on at the end of the season as the moment we lost the points we needed to stay up.
It would be very cruel on the Columbian, yet it would be just as harsh on young Leighton Baines.
The full back stepped up against his former club to smash home the decisive penalty, not for the first time either and it proved the difference between a vital win and a disappointing draw.
Leighton has been quoted saying he hopes Wigan stay up and that his penalty has little consequences. Yet how typical would it be if the local lad that helped us get to the promised land, and keep us there, was the unwilling architect of our downfall?
A brilliant way for Hugo to atone for his error would be to repeat that goal at Villa Park from August 2009 on Saturday at the same venue to seal a massive three points. Osama Bin Laden’s been found, so I suppose anything’s possible.
It’s practically as you were at the bottom with most teams drawing or losing, so I’ll concentrate on the top where it could be all change against all odds.
Some crazy refereeing has contributed to a potential upset at the summit, which could see Man Utd knocked off their perch and ending the season trophy-less.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea faced Spurs, and some questionable officiating ensured that Tottenham’s infamous run without a win away to Chelsea continues.
Sandro, improving all the time alongside the creative Luka Modric in the heart of Spurs’ midfield, scored a surprise opener out of the blue from 30 yards.
As he ran to celebrate with Harry Redknapp, his manager refused to go crazy, instead instructing his midfield linchpin to hold and keep it tight in the middle. No time to get carried away if you’re Harry…
And just before half time, he was proved right as Frank Lampard gained revenge for his disallowed goal against Germany at the World Cup, albeit against Tottenham and nobody associated at all with Germany.
His dipping shot should have been comfortably saved, yet the eccentric Gomes did what he’s known for best: messing up big time.
The Brazilian takes the world famous ‘Impression of the Week’ award off Antolin Alcaraz and Gary Caldwell for his version of Massimo Tiabi’s ‘through the legs’ maneuver from a Matt Le Tissier shot.
The differences between the two incidents were that Le Tissier’s shot was hit with minimum power, whereas Lampard’s was a more vicious effort in fairness to Gomes. Yet he still should have saved it with ease.
Secondly, Le Tissier’s shot actually hit the net, Lampard’s didn’t even cross the line.
This brings us back to the old ‘goal line technology’ argument again.
It’s almost certain that the unanimous view amongst everyone that knows anything about football that technology is a must. Most other sports have it, why can’t football, the greatest sport there is, modernize accordingly too?
It was clear to TV viewers that the ball hadn’t crossed the line a whole 5 seconds after the incident, I forget of course, that those five seconds would slow the game down dramatically if reviewed by officials.
Sepp Blatter is a fool and why this mindless gimp is the most powerful man in football I have no idea. Him and his cronies at FIFA have time to discuss the pointless matter of snoods and finding ways to abolish tackling, yet they have no time to improve the game through technology. Madness.
We have the same discussion every few months and every time, everyone agrees that goal line technology is needed. Stop living in the stone ages Blatter, football needs goal line justice.
If only Gomes could catch a flipping ball, I wouldn’t even be having this rant…
Ferguson will be the most unhappy at the decision to let the goal stand, as it now means Chelsea are breathing down the neck of United, just three points behind with three to play. And they face each other.
The red nosed Scot then had the audacity to accuse the referee during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, of poor reffing. This is despite the fact Chris Foy denied a clear Arsenal penalty when Nemanja Vidic decided the game was getting a bit boring, so he showed us what Superman would be like if he was a volleyball player. He was a close second for ‘Impression of the Week’.
Fergie then complained ‘the big calls go against us in big games’. My heart bleeds for him, considering he gets every decision against every other club and can manipulate referees so easily, it’s only fair he gets all the decisions all the time isn’t it?
Up the Tics, and have fun at Villa Park those of you that are going.
The Duke’s:
Goal of the Weekend: Never thought I’d say this, Nigel De Jong’s goal, Man City 2-1 West Ham
Save of the Weekend: Any of Ali Al-Habsi’s during our 1-1 draw with Everton, he must have earned us so many points single handedly.
Blunder of the Weekend: Kenwyne Jones’ failure to tap a ball into an empty net to hand Blackpool a point, Blackpool 0-0 Stoke
This Week’s Teaser: Which ex football league manager’s spell at one club was exceeded by the average life of a housefly (600 seconds).
