WEEKEND FOOTBALL NEWS WITH TONY AFUTI

The big teams were in action in the Champions League a few days back. Arsenal, who lost shockingly to Dinamo and Olympiakos, brought Bayern Munich’s winning run to an end. There was no luck for Chelsea as they were held to a desolately goalless draw. Perhaps, they didn’t give their all in that match because they were reserving their energies to face a much tougher opponent who had bullied Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City earlier. 

Football lovers expected Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain to push each other to their limits, but the game ended on a rather disappointing note as both teams only gained a goalless point apiece. Atlelico Madrid trumped Astana, while Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma shared eight goals in equal proportions. The Manchester teams, who were destined to face each other later on Sunday were in Champions league action. Anthony Martial awarded CSK Moscow a penalty, and fifty minutes later, found the equalizer to redeem his mistake. 

With enough said about the Champions League, all eyes were now turned on the West Ham United versus Chelsea game. West Ham, as said earlier, had humbled the big’uns, and Chelsea fans had wished fervently that the Special One could come up with some tactics (such as benching Hazard) that would overpower the Hammers. However, Zarate scored for the Hammers, and shortly afterwards had a lob attempt gyaned over the crossbar. Chelsea responded a few minutes later, but their attempt was friendzoned by the goal-line technology. Fabregas found the back of the net, but the linesman had his flag raised, ruling the Arsenal legend offside-positioned. Matic contributed greatly to the Blues’ woes. His effort to hug from Sakho didn’t please the referee, and was shown a second yellow card so he could go home and hug his wife instead.

In the second half of that game, Mourinho brought on Michel Obi, who would contribute defensively considering the fact that they were a player short. He impressed, occasionally distributing some dangerous passes and winning a couple of tackles here and there. Cahill had given the blues a glimmer of hope after he had pounced on a loose ball which was malingering in West Ham’s eighteen area to make the scores level. But that wasn’t enough as Andy Carol was introduced and his head found the winner for West Ham United. Two one it ended, leaving Chelsea with no option but to be just five points away from relegation.

At Villa Park, the Ayews battled it out. The elder came close to scoring after welcoming a flirty cross from Gomis, but Villa’s goalkeeper responded instinctively to block Andre’s shot. Jordan received a rather weak cross, but dived carefully to score his first EPL goal. However, Andre wouldn’t allow his junior brother to outshine him. He proved that, although blood is thicker than water, one doesn’t drink blood when he’s thirsty. He scored in the dying embers of the game to bring his team above Aston Villa, after Sigurdsson’s free kick goal brought them level not too long ago. The next day however, Aston Villa board couldn’t compromise any longer with Tim Sherwood’s poor management and so showed him the exit. Many have already tipped beleaguered Brendan Rodgers as Tim’s successor.

Celta Vigo thought they could bully Real Madrid the same way they had bullied Barcelona, but their mentality suffered an erectile dysfunction as Ronaldo, Danilo and Marcelo hit the back of the net. Perhaps, the only thing more consolidating than their oversized football pitch was the fact that they denied Navas a clean sheet, although he impressed entirely in the game.

Spurs, Bayern, Barcelona and Dortmund were in a free scoring form thrashing Bournemouth, FC Cologne, Eiber and Ausburg respectively. Harry Kane hurricaned a ruthless hattrick in a thrilling five-one comeback against the newies Bournemouth. With Bayern shocked by the Gunners earlier, they seemed to have put the disappointment behind them and showed no mercy to FC Cologne. Barcelona, who do not know what a cleansheet is managed to get all three points from Eibar. Luis Suarez was able to bite all three goals for the Calatans, though they had to finish the last seven to ten minutes of the match a man less as Mascherano was shown a straight red card. Dortmund, who have been impressive so far breezed past Augsburg in style. Spiderman Aubameyang found the net thrice, while Marco Reus did so twice. Ausburg however could only fetch a consolation goal midway through the match.

Finally, Liverpool are still wearing ‘dross’ as their drawing streak continues; three draws in three games. The Manchester derby failed to produce any goals, and so City remained on top, above Arsenal (who had silenced Everton on Saturday) with a goal difference of six, while the Red Devils were in Arsenal’s favorite spot, though they have the same points with West Ham who currently is in third position.