OFFICIAL: Barclays Premier League 2011-12 Season

[missioncirca]

Anyone see Balotelli's vicious tackle today? How he wasn't booked is beyond me.

[evosky]

Anyone see Balotelli's vicious tackle today? How he wasn't booked is beyond me.

Yeah his tackle on Song was bad, i think the ref was behind a player and didnt see it head on. But yeah, Balotelli is just too unpredictable, not sure what's going on in Mancini's head. Glad Arsenal got the win in the end from Arteta's attempt. Crazy how Vermaelen basically blocked RVP's header for a sure goal.

Refs in general were a bit weird today. I'm glad we (Manchester United) got the win today, but the call on Derry's challenge on Young was wrong. Young was offside and that's all it should have been. QPR is going to appeal the red, and I'm sure it's going to get overturned.

[missioncirca]

the call on Derry's challenge on Young was wrong. Young was offside and that's all it should have been. QPR is going to appeal the red, and I'm sure it's going to get overturned.

Yeah that was a terrible call, I fully expect it to be turned around.

MCFC has to get rid of Mario while he's still worth something. Dude's like Pepe: one solid brain away from being a world-class player. Guess you can't teach stupid.

[evosky]

FFFFF

Can't believe United dropped points to Wigan. Terrible performance and result. We have a knack for losing to the bottom-most teams. I don't get it

[missioncirca]

FFFFF

Can't believe United dropped points to Wigan. Terrible performance and result. We have a knack for losing to the bottom-most teams. I don't get it

Even with that, I don't see City catching them. They're a bit of a mess right now.

[adoniram7]

Amazing there hasn't been a post today.

If you get a chance, watch a rerun of Everton vs. Manchester United.
GREAT game!

And now that Manchester City is only 3 points behind United, we have
a real race on.

And then the shots of the fans pouring on to the field when Reading
won and made it back to the Premiership?

And then Tuesday we have Chelsea vs. Barcelona for the UEFA cup
semi and Wednesday it's Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid.

I don't know much about European football. But this has been a fantastic
season to watch and learn for sure! And the fact that the NFL has become
1 minute of football and 3 minutes of advertisements vs. soccer which is
45 minutes plus of advertisement-free TV....

[evosky]

yeah, i didn't get a chance to watch any of this past week(end)'s matches, but i did read the results.

Everton should be really proud that they drew with ManU. Going to give them a lot of credit for that and for staying above Liverpool in the table. It's just amazing how fast the title race points gap can swing from 8 to 3.

I'm glad that Reading are going to be back in the Premiership next season. Also, Wolves' relegation will be good for them, they need some time to rebuild and refocus.

I was surprised to see the Clasico result of Madrid winning against Barca 2-1. That makes 2 straight defeats in all competition for the reigning champions! Of course the winner had to be from CR7.

Anyway, next Monday's Manchester derby will be huge.

[missioncirca]

I really hope Chelsea can knock off Barca. They're so pretentious, what with Iniesta saying the loss to Chelsea was "unjust". Di Matteo should run Drogba first half, Torres second, park the bus and counter fast and hard. Teams are gradually learning how to beat Barca, and it'll be interesting to see how exhausted they are after El Clasico.

Hala Chelsea!

[gnavs]

I really hope Chelsea can knock off Barca. They're so pretentious, what with Iniesta saying the loss to Chelsea was "unjust". Di Matteo should run Drogba first half, Torres second, park the bus and counter fast and hard. Teams are gradually learning how to beat Barca, and it'll be interesting to see how exhausted they are after El Clasico.

Hala Chelsea!

One of the most intense games I've ever watched. My pits are stained and my hands are still shaking. For them to be able to hold off Barca for over 45 minutes with only 10 men and then for Torres to score the goal that almost makes his astronomical transfer fee worth every penny in stoppage time is downright incredible.
Hala Chelsea indeed

[evosky]

I cannot believe i was actually rooting for Chelsea there. Didn't get to watch the match but was following on the BBC feed, and wow, I was actually getting anxious there. Torres comes through with his worth by securing that spot. Ironic it was the Spaniard to take the Spanish giants down... anyway, a Chelsea vs RM final would be incredible if RM can beat BM

[missioncirca]

Such poetic justice for Chelsea after the farce in 2009. Incredible, I'm so happy for Torres.

Madrid are going to be flying around tomorrow. Everything has gone well for them ever since losing the heartbreaker to Bayern. I don't know if Munich can handle the Bernabeu, but we'll see. These might be some of the best CL semifinals ever.

Hasta el final, vamos Real!

[adoniram7]

Such poetic justice for Chelsea after the farce in 2009. Incredible, I'm so happy for Torres.

Madrid are going to be flying around tomorrow. Everything has gone well for them ever since losing the heartbreaker to Bayern. I don't know if Munich can handle the Bernabeu, but we'll see. These might be some of the best CL semifinals ever.

Hasta el final, vamos Real!

I'm happy for Torres as well.

When an athlete loses confidence, it's REALLY hard to get it back.
It seems in past games that whenever Torres had a scoring opportunity,
he'd slip, or mis-hit, or otherwise find a way to screw it up. I mean,
every single time. I saw this again, and again, and again. He had a
Charlie Brown complex going, big-time.

So, what's so AMAZING about this goal, is that not only did he one-touch
it perfectly on the fly while sprinting full-speed on a ball that traveled
50 yards in the air, he also continued to control it right, avoided the
goal-keeper attempting to take him down, and tapped the ball into the
net.

In past games, Torres would have:

1) mistimed the initial contact, lost control, or
2) mis-hit his second touch, lost control, or
3) been taken down by the goal-keeper, or
4) missed the wide open net completely.

This time, he not only hit the net, he hit it exactly in the center.
I mean, EXACTLY in the center.

[evosky]

I'm happy for Torres as well.

When an athlete loses confidence, it's REALLY hard to get it back.
It seems in past games that whenever Torres had a scoring opportunity,
he'd slip, or mis-hit, or otherwise find a way to screw it up. I mean,
every single time. I saw this again, and again, and again. He had a
Charlie Brown complex going, big-time.

So, what's so AMAZING about this goal, is that not only did he one-touch
it perfectly on the fly while sprinting full-speed on a ball that traveled
50 yards in the air, he also continued to control it right, avoided the
goal-keeper attempting to take him down, and tapped the ball into the
net.

In past games, Torres would have:

1) mistimed the initial contact, lost control, or
2) mis-hit his second touch, lost control, or
3) been taken down by the goal-keeper, or
4) missed the wide open net completely.

This time, he not only hit the net, he hit it exactly in the center.
I mean, EXACTLY in the center.

well put

this is a huge step for Chelsea, and I'm glad they're turning things around in the sense of team confidence.

Now, United just need to win on Monday to make me all happy haha.

Any Liverpool fans out there? I want to hear your thoughts on the season so far and how the team needs to rebuild.

[missioncirca]

Not even mad about Madrid losing. It's been Bayern's year. Neuer is a FREAK. Stopping CR7 and Kaka on back to back penalties?! Unbelievable.

[adoniram7]

Not even mad about Madrid losing. It's been Bayern's year. Neuer is a FREAK. Stopping CR7 and Kaka on back to back penalties?! Unbelievable.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona looked drained, come to think of it.
Maybe their head-to-head match over the weekend took a lot out of
both sides.

Ronaldo looked way off his game; like his legs were gone.

[evosky]

so a Bayern v Chelsea CL final ... this should be interesting, especially with Chelsea's defense basically missing the first string.

[adoniram7]

so a Bayern v Chelsea CL final ... this should be interesting, especially with Chelsea's defense basically missing the first string.

Yeah, and Neueur is a great goalie. It's gonna be TOUGH for Chelsea.

[missioncirca]

Maybe I'm biased but I feel like Madrid-Bayern was the true final, I felt whoever won would take down Chelsea, especially with so many suspended players. Add the fact that Bayern's playing at home and the Blues are huge underdogs.

[AudiSportFan]

Bayen Munich playing at home, will be really hard for Chelsea there. I hope a good match, but I prefered by far Barça vs. Real in the big final

Next year be ready, Juventus will be back

[evosky]

now PeppiG is leaving Barca this summer:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17867892

[missioncirca]

Pep looked like he aged 20 years in his time at Barca, it must be incredibly stressful having that kind of pressure on you. I hate Barca with every fiber of my being, but I wish Pep well.

[evosky]

MANCHESTER DERBY DAY

Match to start in an hour. I am so close to just bouncing early and swinging by the pub for it.
United to win, 2-1.

Oh, and Hodgson is close to becoming England's new manager.

[watanabe2k]

And the plot thickens...

[Mr. Roloff]

And the plot thickens...

Indeed. Fergie has some questions to answer with that crackpot starting 11.

[evosky]

i am very disappointed with the result. i think Fergie did the reasonable thing at the time. in retrospect, yeah, he should have played valencia and young right off the bat to give us the speed and width, but city's midfield threat was too much to really ignore pre-match. anyway, city deserved the win, and it's really on now. i wouldn't be surprised if city win the league by 2 points on the final day.

[adoniram7]

United had decent possession, but they lacked any kind of creativity in the
final third. City had way more chances, and deserved to win.

I just think it's really cool that after breaking the jinx, Torres went on to
get a hat trick in his next game. The FA cup final should be a great game!
I am hoping they play both Torres and Drogba up front at some point -
that would be fun to watch indeed.

[missioncirca]

Man City dominated the flow of the game. Nasri looked like his old self. This is gonna be a super exciting finish.

[Mr. Roloff]

i am very disappointed with the result. i think Fergie did the reasonable thing at the time. in retrospect, yeah, he should have played valencia and young right off the bat to give us the speed and width, but city's midfield threat was too much to really ignore pre-match. anyway, city deserved the win, and it's really on now. i wouldn't be surprised if city win the league by 2 points on the final day.

Come on bud, as a United fan you should've been cussing as soon as the put up the starting 11.

Park? Dude hasn't played since when? Scholes and Giggs? No Welbeck to work with Rooney? Valencia is the most in form player in the league and he sits him. Big questions to ask about how he approached the game.

I'm not writing United off, never in a million years, but I was ready to see a valiant effort and was deeply disappointed. The players he picked showed his intent for the game. Get the draw.

[Mr. Roloff]

Also, watched some tunnel footage from Etihad and Kompany has that team on lock down. They leave and enter the field together.

Good sign for a soccer team to have that unity. This should be a good next few years with these two going head to head like that.

[evosky]

Park was the big question mark for me, but all other selections i could rationalize. oh well. let's just hope we win these final two matches and ManCity loses theirs.

[Mr. Roloff]

finger crossed newcastle wants that champions league spot

[missioncirca]

Real Madrid 2011-12 La Liga Campeones! A shift of power in Spain! Feelsgoodman.

But WOW, have you guys seen this goal by Cisses against Chelsea!? Goal of the year IMO.

Gif here

[Mr. Roloff]

Newcastle really surprised me this year. Last team to go unbeaten too.

I'll always silently root for them if they pull of a win or draw against City Sunday.

[evosky]

im glad Real are on top now. Barca had a good run with Pep.

Cisse's goal looked like a cheeky streetball move haha

[AudiSportFan]

Who's following Italian Seria A? Titanic battle for the title, Juventus vs. AC Milan !