Mexes 1-0
Perrotta 2-0
Pele 2-1
Highlights
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL : MANCHESTER UNITED - CHELSEA
MANCHESTER UNITED WON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEASON 2007/2008.
Ronaldo 1-0
Lampard 1-1
PENALTY KICKS
Celebrations 1
Celebrations 2
Chelsea Players Receiving The Medals
ManUTD Coronation
Celebrations with the Cup
Ronaldo 1-0
Lampard 1-1
PENALTY KICKS
Celebrations 1
Celebrations 2
Chelsea Players Receiving The Medals
ManUTD Coronation
Celebrations with the Cup
Monday, May 19, 2008
La Liga Week 38: Real Madrid - Levante
Nistelrooy 1-0
Ramos 2-0
Nistelrooy 3-0
Geijo 3-1
Sneijder 4-1
Geijo 4-2
Ramos 5-2
Real Madrid Coronation
Ramos 2-0
Nistelrooy 3-0
Geijo 3-1
Sneijder 4-1
Geijo 4-2
Ramos 5-2
Real Madrid Coronation
Serie A Week 38: Parma - Inter
INTER WON THE SCUDETTO SEASON 2007/2008
Ibrahimovic 0-1
Ibrahimovic 0-2
Inter Players & Fans Celebrations
Inter Fans Celebrating on Field
Ibrahimovic 0-1
Ibrahimovic 0-2
Inter Players & Fans Celebrations
Inter Fans Celebrating on Field
Saturday, May 17, 2008
La Liga Week 38: Murcia - Barcelona
Ochoa 1-0
Eto'o 1-1
Henry 1-2
Giovanni 1-3
Giovanni 1-4
Giovanni 1-5
Ivan 2-5
Abel 3-5
Eto'o 1-1
Henry 1-2
Giovanni 1-3
Giovanni 1-4
Giovanni 1-5
Ivan 2-5
Abel 3-5
Ligue 1 Week 38: Auxerre - Lyon
LYON WON THE LIGUE 1 SEASON 2007/2008
Benzema 0-1
Fred 0-2
Källström 0-3
Thomas 1-3
Benzema 0-1
Fred 0-2
Källström 0-3
Thomas 1-3
Bundesliga Week 34: Bayern Munich - Hertha
BAYERN MUNICH WON THE BUNDESLIGA SEASON 2007/2008
All goals
Trophy Presentation
All goals
Trophy Presentation
Bayern duly beat Hertha in their final game of the season to lift the Bundesliga trophy in style. Luca Toni grabbed a hat trick to secure the ‘Torschützenkanone’ ahead of Mario Gomez, while Oliver Kahn was given a standing ovation a he came off with three minutes to play.
Following the emotional farewells pre-match, Bayern quickly set about doing what they have done best this season. It took them just three minutes to open the scoring through the most likely of sources. Ribéry crossed and Luca Toni easily beat von Bergen to the ball and the Italian headed home.
The home side doubled their lead on 27 minutes with ‘Il Bomber’ Luca Toni grabbing his second. Schweinsteiger fired in a cross from the right and Toni beat Friedrich to the ball to head just under the bar.
With Luca Toni already scoring twice, Bayern’s other star of the season Franck Ribéry got himself in on the act on 33 minutes. Kacar deflected a Schweinsteiger corner and Ribéry was waiting on the edge of the penalty area to fire home.
Luca Toni duly completed his hat trick on the hour mark after latching onto a Podolski square ball to take his season’s total to 24. Oliver Kahn was beaten in his final game but the Bavarians have still set a record for the fewest goals conceded. Bulgarian Domovchiyski beat Kahn with six minutes remaining.
Bundesliga Week 34: Bayer Leverkusen - Werder Bremen
Rosenberg 0-1
A solitary goal from Swede Markus Rosenberg ten minutes from time was enough to win this match and secure the runners up spot for Werder Bremen.
A fine pass from Klasnic to Frings started the move and the German midfielder played in the Swedish striker to coolly fire past Rene Adler and deny the Werkself European football next season.
Bundesliga Week 34: Nurnberg - Schalke
Bordon 0-1
Bordon 0-2
Bordon 0-2
Nürnberg were relegated in a wholly disappointing game for the fans of ‘der Klub’. In a game they had to win, they never looked like scoring and lost 2-0. What makes matters worse is that Bielefeld were held to a draw at Stuttgart so a point would have done to secure their survival.
The positive, expectant mood inside the easycredit Stadion was soon dampened when Bordon headed the visitors ahead after 19 minutes. A classic corner delivered by Pander saw the Schalke captain rise strongly to power in an unstoppable header.
The Königsblauen then hammered another nail into the Nürnberg coffin on the hour mark with Bordon getting his and Schalke’s second of the afternoon. Pander’s free kick was narrowly missed by Kevin Kuranyi and Klewer was forced to parry. However Bordon was on the spot to stab home from close range.
The win though was not enough to secure second spot for Schalke as Werder beat Bayer Leverkusen.
Serie A Week 38: Sampdoria - Juventus
Del Piero 0-1
Trezeguet 0-2
Cassano 1-2
Maggio 2-2
Del Piero 2-3
Montella 3-3
Samp and Juve Battle out Six-Goal Draw
Despite having nothing more to play for, Sampdoria and Juventus entertained their fans with a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Stadio Marassi.
Trezeguet 0-2
Cassano 1-2
Maggio 2-2
Del Piero 2-3
Montella 3-3
Samp and Juve Battle out Six-Goal Draw
Despite having nothing more to play for, Sampdoria and Juventus entertained their fans with a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Stadio Marassi.
Both Sampdoria and Juventus had reached their respective objectives going into this final match (Uefa Cup spot for Samp, Champions League qualification for Juve), which was played today instead of Sunday because of the Pope's visit to Genoa. It turned out to be a thrilling encounter, although neither team could celebrate a victory at the end.
From the start the match was surprisingly fast-paced and exciting. After just a minute David Trezeguet, who was playing up front alongside fellow top-scorer Alessandro Del Piero as usual, fired a volley from inside the area that went just wide of the goal.
Del Piero himself opened the scoring on 7 minutes with a left-footed shot from inside the area on an assist by Pavel Nedved. The Juve captain then won the first of two penalties for the visitors in the 16th minute, but allowed Trezeguet to convert it. At this point both strikers were on top of the goalscorers' chart with 20 goals.
After this stunning start by the visitors, Samp did not lie down. Six minutes after the second gal, Antonio Cassano reduced the deficit for Samp with a nice goal after a solo run on the left wing (22'), although he was somewhat lucky as his shot deflected off Christian Molinaro.
The Blucerchiati had the game under control now, although Antonio Mirante had to be quick to tip David Trezguet's header on a corner kick over the bar in the 34th minute.
Shortly before the break, the hosts equalised with a dynamite shot from outside the area by Christian Maggio (39') on which Juve's stand-in goalkeeper Emanuele Belardi did not look very convincing. He managed to redeem himself, however, just before the half time break, when Sampdoria were awarded a penalty as Giorgio Chiellini fouled striker Emiliano Bonazzoli in the area. Cassano stepped up, but his poor shot was through the middle and easy to save for Belardi.
The teams thus went into the half time break on a 2-2 score which reflected the course of a very open, entertaining first half.
In the second half, Samp looked like the better side early on, as Cassano continued to produce flashes of his magic. In the 49th minute, he found Bonazzoli with a brilliant pass, but Jonathan Zebina managed to clear the ball away for a corner. Five minutes later, he tried an audacious curling shot, but it went wide.
In the 57th minute, there was a chance for Juve as Guglielmo Stendardo was all alone to head in a corner from the left, but he sent the ball wide of the goal.
Two minutes later, midfielder Mohamed Sissoko was sent off with his second yellow card, leaving Juve behind with ten men on the pitch. Surprisingly enough, it were the Bianconeri who took the lead soon after that, as Del Piero won his second penalty of the game (foul by Pietro Accardi), and converted it himself (65'). 'Pinturicchio' will therefore be the new Capocannoniere unless Marco Borriello of Genoa scores a hat-trick tomorrow.
A minute after taking the lead again, Juve almost conceded another equaliser, as Maggio came close to scoring another stunning goal with a cross-shot in the 66th minute. And Cassano almost found his brace in the 72nd minute with a right-footed volley toward the far post which went just wide of the target.
Sampdoria managed to find a deserved equaliser ten minutes before the end, and it came from an unexpected corner. Cassano crossed the ball in from the left and found veteran striker Vincenzo Montella, who had been out of action since the start of the season but managed to squeeze the ball in to make it 3-3 with a nice first-time shot. He had just come on for Bonazzoli four minutes earlier.
In the final minutes, with Juve still down to ten men, Samp tried to find a prestigious victory and continued to attack, but there were no more chances for either side. The Bianconeri finish the season in 3rd place with a respectable 72 points, while Samp are 6th with 60 points.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
UEFA Cup Final - Zenit - Rangers
Denisov 1-0
Zyrianov 2-0
Zenit's Celebrations & Ceremony for UEFA CUP of the year 2007 - 2008
Superb Zenit Burst Rangers Bubble
Zenit playmaker Andrei Arshavin, the best player on the pitch, masterminded the downfall of Rangers in a tightly contested Uefa Cup final. The Glasgow side defended reolutely until the 73rd minute when Arshavin set up Denisov for the superb opener, and with the last kick of the game, Zyrianov wrapped it all up.
Rangers' 19th European tie of the season proved a bridge too far as Zenit underlined the burgeoning health of Russian club football.
An estimated 100,000 Rangers fans had invaded Manchester ahead of their team's first European final since 1972, though fewer than 14,000 of them were actually able to watch the game live in the City of Manchester Stadium. Many of the rest were outside the stadium or watching on huge screens around the city, or in bars, while another 25,000 followed the game at Ibrox via a beam-back.
The team news revealed that Kevin Thomson had been passed fit to start after recovering from a foot injury. Thomson and Brahim Hemdani were given defensive midfield roles, with Steven Davis, Steven Whittaker and captain Barry Ferguson tucked in behind Rangers' lone striker, Jean-Claude Darcheville.
There was no place in the starting eleven for fit-again midfielder Lee McCulloch, or striker Nacho Novo, on target with two goals in Saturday's controversial SPL win over Dundee United.
Zenit coach, the former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat, had to do the leading scorer in this eason's Uefa Cup, striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, who was suspended. But he does had much-coveted Andrei Arshavin back after serving a ban of his own.
Advocaat made two other changes, Fatih Tekke and Radek Sirl starting, with ex-Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen named among the substitutes.
The pre-match debates revolved around whether Tymoschuk would be pulling the strings to good effect for the Russians in midfield, or whether Jean-Claude Darcheville - who had not completed 90 minutes for Rangers - would get any joy against the Zenit defence.
The fans and the teams were reminded what it was all about when Scottish legend and former Manchester City hero Denis Law (he also played for United!)1held the trophy aloft in the centre of the pitch at Eastlands before kick-off.
First Half
Once the game got underway in an electric atmosphere, Zenit were quick to dominate the early possession. But Rangers, more than seven hours without conceding a goal in the competition, were confident in their ability to withstand the pressure.
After five minutes, Arshavin drove in a shot from just inside the Rangers area that flew narrowly wide of Neil Alexander's right-hand post. Then Zyrianov's attempt at a through-ball to Tekke was cut-out by David Weir on the edge of the area. Tymoschuk tried a shot from 18 yards that Alexander saved comfortably, with the Russians looking full of pace and Rangers looking nervy and struggling to get out of their own half.
But they did break forward, and Darcheville's teasing ball into Zenit's six-yard box had to be intercepted by Sirl with Barry Ferguson set to punish Zenit. Rangers were starting to see a bit more of the ball but Zenit wrested the initiative away from them again with another sustained spell of possession as they dictated the tempo of the game.
Rangers have made a virtue of defending with great discipline and earming goalless draws this season. It can be a risky game-plan, but they looked comfortable with the strategy as Arshavin's cross from the left wing was headed well over the bar by Fayzulin.
Sirl let fly with a powerful effort from 25 yards that cannoned off Kirk Broadfoot and away to safety, but Zenit continued to create shooting opportunities as Rangers invited them to attack. Zyrianov's effort from the edge of the area was blocked by Carlos Cuellar, who then headed another Zyrianov cross from the right.
With Rangers happy to concede possession in midfield and resist the Russian attacks, Zenit were dominating territorially but not causing Alexander much consternation in the Rangers goal. He dealt competently with Alexsandr Anyukov's half-volley from 30 yards at the right-hand post
Arshavin was orchestrating things for the Russian side, but on 37 minutes, a Davis cross from the right was headed narrowly over the bar by Whittaker from eight yards. At the other end, Rangers, defending in numbers, held firm as Tekke was crowded out on the edge of the area before he could get in a shot at goal.
Darcheville was then bundled to the ground by Denisov and Rangers had a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the area, but Ferguson's free-kick lacked power and was driven straight into the Zenit wall.
In the first minute of first half stoppage-time, a Tekke cross from the right struck the arm of Broadfoot but the referee waved play-on to Rangers' relief. It was a lucky let-off, but meant the half ended goalless with neither side having come too close to scoring.
Second Half
The second period got underway with the now familiar pattern of play being repeated. Arshavin went on a promising dribble down the left wing but was halted by a strong challenge from Broadfoot. Then Hemdani won the ball from Arshavin with a superbly-timed tackle on the edge of the Rangers area.
But on 54 minutes, Rangers had their most threatening moment when a Darcheville shot from 10 yards was parried by Malafeev into the path of Ferguson, and the Rangers skipper's deflected shot hit the arm of Denisov. As he had done in the first half when Zenit appealed, the referee waved play-on.
Weir collided with Tekke in the air and beeded treatment before Davis personfied the Rangers work ethic by tracking back and winning the ball from Zyrianov with an excellent tackle. Then Weir confirmed he was OK by heading . Zyrianov's cross away from danger authoritatively.
With an hour gone, and both sides effecively cancelling each other out, it was difficult to see where the breakthrough would come from, altough it was becoming a much livelier game to watch.
Steven Whittaker fired in a fierce low drive from the left of the area that was deflected out for a corner at the near-post by by Krizanac. From the corner, which Rangers wasted, Zenit broke with a long ball forward for Arshavin to chase. Alexander came sprinting out of his area to try and head it clear but Arshavin got to the ball first and tried to lift his shot deftly into the net from 30 yards. He would have succeeded too, had Sasa Papac not got back to head it off the line decisively.
On 73 minutes the deadlock was finally broken by a superb Russian move that sliced open the Rangers defence. With just over a quarter-of-an-hour to go, Igor Denisov ran onto Arshavin's astute through-ball and, put through one-on-one with Alexander, the St Petersburg-born Zenit winger - who will be 24 at the weekend - tucked his shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the Rangers goal with some aplomb, stunning the mased Rangers fans into near silence.
Suddenly Rangers had to chase the game and their tactics needed to change. While Walter Smith weighed up his options, Zyrianov nearly made it two when he fired Arshavin's pass across the face of the six-yard box and narrowly past the post. Smith's response was to send on Nacho Novo for Papac. A couple of minutes later, Lee McCulloch replaced Hemdani as Rangers switched to 4-3-3 to try and save the game.
With Rangers running out of time, the Glasgow side tried to get the ball forward as quickly as possible, but found the Zenit defence dealing comfortably with their attacks.
On the break, the outstanding Arshavin tried o curl in a shot from the edge of the Rangers area, but scooped it way over the bar. Undaunted, Arshavin tried to thread a ball through ball to Sirl, but Broadfoot cut it out superbly.
Smith's last bthrow of the dice was to send on Kris Boyd for Whittaker. Three minutes of added time were announced and Novo, eight yards out, blazed the ball over the bar when presented with a chance.
Zenit then added the killer second, another well-worked goal, withn the last kick of the match. Zyrianov swept in Tekke's neat ball from the left from a couple of yards to wrap up a well-deserved victory.
Teams:
Zenit St Petersburg: Malafeev, Krizanac, Tekke, Arshavin, Sirl, Shirokov, Zyryanov, Faitzulin, Aniukov, Denisov, Tymoschuk. Subs: Contofalsky, Radimov, Kim, Dominguez, Ricksen, Ionov, Gorshkov.
Rangers: Alexander, Weir, Papac, Ferguson, Hemdani, Thomson, Darcheville, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Whittaker, Davis. Subs: Graeme Smith, Boyd, Novo, Adam, Dailly, McCulloch, Faye.
Referee: Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden)
Zyrianov 2-0
Zenit's Celebrations & Ceremony for UEFA CUP of the year 2007 - 2008
Superb Zenit Burst Rangers Bubble
Zenit playmaker Andrei Arshavin, the best player on the pitch, masterminded the downfall of Rangers in a tightly contested Uefa Cup final. The Glasgow side defended reolutely until the 73rd minute when Arshavin set up Denisov for the superb opener, and with the last kick of the game, Zyrianov wrapped it all up.
Rangers' 19th European tie of the season proved a bridge too far as Zenit underlined the burgeoning health of Russian club football.
An estimated 100,000 Rangers fans had invaded Manchester ahead of their team's first European final since 1972, though fewer than 14,000 of them were actually able to watch the game live in the City of Manchester Stadium. Many of the rest were outside the stadium or watching on huge screens around the city, or in bars, while another 25,000 followed the game at Ibrox via a beam-back.
The team news revealed that Kevin Thomson had been passed fit to start after recovering from a foot injury. Thomson and Brahim Hemdani were given defensive midfield roles, with Steven Davis, Steven Whittaker and captain Barry Ferguson tucked in behind Rangers' lone striker, Jean-Claude Darcheville.
There was no place in the starting eleven for fit-again midfielder Lee McCulloch, or striker Nacho Novo, on target with two goals in Saturday's controversial SPL win over Dundee United.
Zenit coach, the former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat, had to do the leading scorer in this eason's Uefa Cup, striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, who was suspended. But he does had much-coveted Andrei Arshavin back after serving a ban of his own.
Advocaat made two other changes, Fatih Tekke and Radek Sirl starting, with ex-Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen named among the substitutes.
The pre-match debates revolved around whether Tymoschuk would be pulling the strings to good effect for the Russians in midfield, or whether Jean-Claude Darcheville - who had not completed 90 minutes for Rangers - would get any joy against the Zenit defence.
The fans and the teams were reminded what it was all about when Scottish legend and former Manchester City hero Denis Law (he also played for United!)1held the trophy aloft in the centre of the pitch at Eastlands before kick-off.
First Half
Once the game got underway in an electric atmosphere, Zenit were quick to dominate the early possession. But Rangers, more than seven hours without conceding a goal in the competition, were confident in their ability to withstand the pressure.
After five minutes, Arshavin drove in a shot from just inside the Rangers area that flew narrowly wide of Neil Alexander's right-hand post. Then Zyrianov's attempt at a through-ball to Tekke was cut-out by David Weir on the edge of the area. Tymoschuk tried a shot from 18 yards that Alexander saved comfortably, with the Russians looking full of pace and Rangers looking nervy and struggling to get out of their own half.
But they did break forward, and Darcheville's teasing ball into Zenit's six-yard box had to be intercepted by Sirl with Barry Ferguson set to punish Zenit. Rangers were starting to see a bit more of the ball but Zenit wrested the initiative away from them again with another sustained spell of possession as they dictated the tempo of the game.
Rangers have made a virtue of defending with great discipline and earming goalless draws this season. It can be a risky game-plan, but they looked comfortable with the strategy as Arshavin's cross from the left wing was headed well over the bar by Fayzulin.
Sirl let fly with a powerful effort from 25 yards that cannoned off Kirk Broadfoot and away to safety, but Zenit continued to create shooting opportunities as Rangers invited them to attack. Zyrianov's effort from the edge of the area was blocked by Carlos Cuellar, who then headed another Zyrianov cross from the right.
With Rangers happy to concede possession in midfield and resist the Russian attacks, Zenit were dominating territorially but not causing Alexander much consternation in the Rangers goal. He dealt competently with Alexsandr Anyukov's half-volley from 30 yards at the right-hand post
Arshavin was orchestrating things for the Russian side, but on 37 minutes, a Davis cross from the right was headed narrowly over the bar by Whittaker from eight yards. At the other end, Rangers, defending in numbers, held firm as Tekke was crowded out on the edge of the area before he could get in a shot at goal.
Darcheville was then bundled to the ground by Denisov and Rangers had a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the area, but Ferguson's free-kick lacked power and was driven straight into the Zenit wall.
In the first minute of first half stoppage-time, a Tekke cross from the right struck the arm of Broadfoot but the referee waved play-on to Rangers' relief. It was a lucky let-off, but meant the half ended goalless with neither side having come too close to scoring.
Second Half
The second period got underway with the now familiar pattern of play being repeated. Arshavin went on a promising dribble down the left wing but was halted by a strong challenge from Broadfoot. Then Hemdani won the ball from Arshavin with a superbly-timed tackle on the edge of the Rangers area.
But on 54 minutes, Rangers had their most threatening moment when a Darcheville shot from 10 yards was parried by Malafeev into the path of Ferguson, and the Rangers skipper's deflected shot hit the arm of Denisov. As he had done in the first half when Zenit appealed, the referee waved play-on.
Weir collided with Tekke in the air and beeded treatment before Davis personfied the Rangers work ethic by tracking back and winning the ball from Zyrianov with an excellent tackle. Then Weir confirmed he was OK by heading . Zyrianov's cross away from danger authoritatively.
With an hour gone, and both sides effecively cancelling each other out, it was difficult to see where the breakthrough would come from, altough it was becoming a much livelier game to watch.
Steven Whittaker fired in a fierce low drive from the left of the area that was deflected out for a corner at the near-post by by Krizanac. From the corner, which Rangers wasted, Zenit broke with a long ball forward for Arshavin to chase. Alexander came sprinting out of his area to try and head it clear but Arshavin got to the ball first and tried to lift his shot deftly into the net from 30 yards. He would have succeeded too, had Sasa Papac not got back to head it off the line decisively.
On 73 minutes the deadlock was finally broken by a superb Russian move that sliced open the Rangers defence. With just over a quarter-of-an-hour to go, Igor Denisov ran onto Arshavin's astute through-ball and, put through one-on-one with Alexander, the St Petersburg-born Zenit winger - who will be 24 at the weekend - tucked his shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the Rangers goal with some aplomb, stunning the mased Rangers fans into near silence.
Suddenly Rangers had to chase the game and their tactics needed to change. While Walter Smith weighed up his options, Zyrianov nearly made it two when he fired Arshavin's pass across the face of the six-yard box and narrowly past the post. Smith's response was to send on Nacho Novo for Papac. A couple of minutes later, Lee McCulloch replaced Hemdani as Rangers switched to 4-3-3 to try and save the game.
With Rangers running out of time, the Glasgow side tried to get the ball forward as quickly as possible, but found the Zenit defence dealing comfortably with their attacks.
On the break, the outstanding Arshavin tried o curl in a shot from the edge of the Rangers area, but scooped it way over the bar. Undaunted, Arshavin tried to thread a ball through ball to Sirl, but Broadfoot cut it out superbly.
Smith's last bthrow of the dice was to send on Kris Boyd for Whittaker. Three minutes of added time were announced and Novo, eight yards out, blazed the ball over the bar when presented with a chance.
Zenit then added the killer second, another well-worked goal, withn the last kick of the match. Zyrianov swept in Tekke's neat ball from the left from a couple of yards to wrap up a well-deserved victory.
Teams:
Zenit St Petersburg: Malafeev, Krizanac, Tekke, Arshavin, Sirl, Shirokov, Zyryanov, Faitzulin, Aniukov, Denisov, Tymoschuk. Subs: Contofalsky, Radimov, Kim, Dominguez, Ricksen, Ionov, Gorshkov.
Rangers: Alexander, Weir, Papac, Ferguson, Hemdani, Thomson, Darcheville, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Whittaker, Davis. Subs: Graeme Smith, Boyd, Novo, Adam, Dailly, McCulloch, Faye.
Referee: Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
EPL Week 38: Wigan - Manchester United
MANCHESTER UNITED WON THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON 2007/2008
Ronaldo ( p.k. ) 0-1
Giggs 0-2
Manchester United Celebrating after the Whistle
Manchester United Greeting the Fans
The coronation of Manchester United for Winning the EPL For the Year 2007-2008
Ronaldo ( p.k. ) 0-1
Giggs 0-2
Manchester United Celebrating after the Whistle
Manchester United Greeting the Fans
The coronation of Manchester United for Winning the EPL For the Year 2007-2008
La Liga Week 37: Zaragoza - Real Madrid
Olivera 1-0
van Nistelrooy ( p.k. ) 1-1
Robinho 1-2
Sergio 2-2
Real Madrid didn't let Zaragoza to win
Real Zaragoza missed enough chances to last an entire season as they played out a highly entertaining 2-2 draw with champions Real Madrid, in what was undoubtedly one of the games of the season.
Zaragoza were in a precarious position coming into this game, as they were just one point above the relegation zone. Coach Manolo Villanova had Albert Celades, Sergio Fernandez and Alberto Zapater available after suspension, but Carlos Diogo picked up a serious injury against Valencia and will be out for six months.
Real Madrid were looking to cap off a wonderful past week, during which they secured their second straight Primera title, and thrashed bitter rivals Barcelona. Fabio Cannavaro served his suspension during that game, and partnered Christoph Metzelder. Raul was rested, with Gonzalo Higuain taking his place. Jerzy Dudek also got a rare outing in goal.
First Half
Zaragoza had the first chance of the game as Ricardo Oliveira was completely free inside the box but his header from a right-wing cross was weak.
The Brazilian lost his marker again just moments later, and flashed a shot into the side-netting from a narrow angle. Indeed Oliveira was having all of Zaragoza’s early efforts and he directed another cross over the bar.
In the tenth minute Sergio Garcia squandered a fabulous opportunity to give the home side the lead as he nutmegged Cannavaro before sliding the ball inches wide.
Wesley Sneijder had Madrid’s first attempt of the game with a powerful drive from distance that flashed over.
Sergio Ramos gifted the ball to Aimar, who squared the ball to Milito, but the Argentine saw his goal-bound effort blocked by Metzelder.
It was a very open game and on 17 minutes a free-flowing Madrid move ended in Cesar beating away Higuain’s ferocious effort.
Moments later the deadlock was broken, but it was Zaragoza who got the goal. Sergio Garcia did superbly down the right, and his ball across the six-yard box was tapped home by Oliveira at the back post.
Madrid tried to react, and Mahamadou Diarra was guilty of a simply shocking tackle on Diego Milito, stamping down on the ankle of the striker with his studs showing. The Malian midfielder went unpunished for the incident, while Milito carried on after treatment.
On 25 minutes Madrid leveled the scores up. Higuain’s delightful chip over the top located Robinho, and when his shot was saved by Cesar, Van Nistelrooy was on hand to gobble up the rebound.
The standard of defending in this game was atrocious at times, and Robinho almost put Madrid ahead as his close range shot was blocked by a defender.
Cesar then performed a fantastic reaction on Sergio Ramos’ volley, but it didn’t matter as the linesman had his flag up anyway.
Robinho bamboozled Zapater with some fancy footwork before seeing his shot deflected wide. From the resulting corner Cesar made another superb stop, pushing away Sergio Ramos’ far post header one-handed.
Robinho became the second Madrid player of the night to make an horrendous tackle, with a leg-breaker of a challenge on goalkeeper Cesar. The Brazilian was shown a yellow card, but it should have been red. Fortunately Cesar was left unharmed.
Down the other end, Oliveira had a chance to restore Zaragoza’s lead following an error from Dudek, but the Milan-owned forward’s shot was cleared off the line. Aimar then headed just wide as the home side finished the first half strongly.
Second Half
Into the second period, and the chances kept on coming. Aimar twice went agonizingly close to scoring, first of all bringing a fine save out of Dudek, before then crashing a deflected header against the crossbar.
A mistake by Cannavaro allowed Oliveira a run through at Dudek, but he wasted the chance by unselfishly looking for a team-mate.
Van Nistelrooy was almost through down the other end, but Javier Paredes made a textbook last-gasp tackle.
Oliveira was going for the world record for number of shots in one game, and his next effort brought a comfortable save out of Dudek. Matuzalem then bombed forward from midfield and hit a left-foot daisycutter just wide of the left-hand post.
Oliveira had yet another chance just past the hour mark, but this time Cannavaro was on hand to make a fine block.
Milito attempted a curling effort from the edge of the box that was deflected just over. From the resulting corner, Dudek made an excellent fingertip save from a looping header.
The shots continued to rain in on Dudek’s goal, and Matuzalem had another effort from outside the area, but again it was off-target.
Madrid were less potent at the beginning of the second half but Van Nistelrooy could have grabbed a goal against the run-of-play had it not been for Ayala’s superb block. Robinho then tested Cesar with a weak shot.
With results not going their way elsewhere, Zaragoza knew they needed to go for the win, and they started to throw more and more men forward. Milito headed wide, while Sergio Garcia dragged his long-distance shot badly.
Sneijder didn’t have his shooting boots on for the visitors, crashing a free kick well over the bar, before firing another effort wide.
Zaragoza were dreadfully wasteful in front of goal, and it was looking more and more likely that they were going to be left to rue a host of missed chances. The worst finisher of them all had been Sergio Garcia, who again fluffed his lines, toe-poking the ball straight at Dudek when well placed.
Zaragoza were inevitably made to pay for their profligacy, as Higuain released Robinho, who flicked the ball sumptuously over the on-rushing Cesar to put Madrid ahead.
Sergio Garcia fired into the sidenetting, Albert Celades forced Dudek into a save, before ‘the Philippe Senderos of Spain’, Sergio, missed an absolute sitter, hashing the ball over the bar from just yards out following a right-wing corner.
Quite how Zaragoza were losing this game was a mystery that even Sherlock Holmes wouldn’t be able to solve. Sergio Garcia danced his way through, but with just Dudek to beat, he again couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.
Finally on 85 minutes the home side got a second goal to level the scores, and unbelievably it was the cumbersome Sergio who got the goal, making up for his earlier miss by toe-poking the ball into the roof of the net.
Zaragoza now searched for the winner, and in the penultimate minute Milito had the goal at his mercy at the far post, but he inexplicably headed the ball back into the area rather than put the ball in himself.
In injury time, and Dudek made a simply astonishing save to pluck the ball out of the bottom corner after a cross had rebounded off Sergio Ramos’ back.
The Polish custodian then bettered this seconds later with an incredible double save. He first parried a long-range shot, before getting back up to fling himself at Milito’s rebound.
The game finished 2-2 in one of the games of the season in La Liga, but Zaragoza will be wondering just how they didn’t manage to win after missing enough chances to last a whole season. This result means that Villanova’s men drop into the relegation zone with just one game of the season remaining.
Real Zaragoza: Sanchez, Zapater, Sergio, Ayala, Paredes, Sergio Garcia, Celades, Matuzalem, Aimar (Gabi 56), Milito, Oliveira.
Real Madrid: Dudek, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Metzelder, Marcelo (Torres 79), Guti, Diarra, Sneijder, Robinho, Higuain, Van Nistelrooy (Baptista 72)
van Nistelrooy ( p.k. ) 1-1
Robinho 1-2
Sergio 2-2
Real Madrid didn't let Zaragoza to win
Real Zaragoza missed enough chances to last an entire season as they played out a highly entertaining 2-2 draw with champions Real Madrid, in what was undoubtedly one of the games of the season.
Zaragoza were in a precarious position coming into this game, as they were just one point above the relegation zone. Coach Manolo Villanova had Albert Celades, Sergio Fernandez and Alberto Zapater available after suspension, but Carlos Diogo picked up a serious injury against Valencia and will be out for six months.
Real Madrid were looking to cap off a wonderful past week, during which they secured their second straight Primera title, and thrashed bitter rivals Barcelona. Fabio Cannavaro served his suspension during that game, and partnered Christoph Metzelder. Raul was rested, with Gonzalo Higuain taking his place. Jerzy Dudek also got a rare outing in goal.
First Half
Zaragoza had the first chance of the game as Ricardo Oliveira was completely free inside the box but his header from a right-wing cross was weak.
The Brazilian lost his marker again just moments later, and flashed a shot into the side-netting from a narrow angle. Indeed Oliveira was having all of Zaragoza’s early efforts and he directed another cross over the bar.
In the tenth minute Sergio Garcia squandered a fabulous opportunity to give the home side the lead as he nutmegged Cannavaro before sliding the ball inches wide.
Wesley Sneijder had Madrid’s first attempt of the game with a powerful drive from distance that flashed over.
Sergio Ramos gifted the ball to Aimar, who squared the ball to Milito, but the Argentine saw his goal-bound effort blocked by Metzelder.
It was a very open game and on 17 minutes a free-flowing Madrid move ended in Cesar beating away Higuain’s ferocious effort.
Moments later the deadlock was broken, but it was Zaragoza who got the goal. Sergio Garcia did superbly down the right, and his ball across the six-yard box was tapped home by Oliveira at the back post.
Madrid tried to react, and Mahamadou Diarra was guilty of a simply shocking tackle on Diego Milito, stamping down on the ankle of the striker with his studs showing. The Malian midfielder went unpunished for the incident, while Milito carried on after treatment.
On 25 minutes Madrid leveled the scores up. Higuain’s delightful chip over the top located Robinho, and when his shot was saved by Cesar, Van Nistelrooy was on hand to gobble up the rebound.
The standard of defending in this game was atrocious at times, and Robinho almost put Madrid ahead as his close range shot was blocked by a defender.
Cesar then performed a fantastic reaction on Sergio Ramos’ volley, but it didn’t matter as the linesman had his flag up anyway.
Robinho bamboozled Zapater with some fancy footwork before seeing his shot deflected wide. From the resulting corner Cesar made another superb stop, pushing away Sergio Ramos’ far post header one-handed.
Robinho became the second Madrid player of the night to make an horrendous tackle, with a leg-breaker of a challenge on goalkeeper Cesar. The Brazilian was shown a yellow card, but it should have been red. Fortunately Cesar was left unharmed.
Down the other end, Oliveira had a chance to restore Zaragoza’s lead following an error from Dudek, but the Milan-owned forward’s shot was cleared off the line. Aimar then headed just wide as the home side finished the first half strongly.
Second Half
Into the second period, and the chances kept on coming. Aimar twice went agonizingly close to scoring, first of all bringing a fine save out of Dudek, before then crashing a deflected header against the crossbar.
A mistake by Cannavaro allowed Oliveira a run through at Dudek, but he wasted the chance by unselfishly looking for a team-mate.
Van Nistelrooy was almost through down the other end, but Javier Paredes made a textbook last-gasp tackle.
Oliveira was going for the world record for number of shots in one game, and his next effort brought a comfortable save out of Dudek. Matuzalem then bombed forward from midfield and hit a left-foot daisycutter just wide of the left-hand post.
Oliveira had yet another chance just past the hour mark, but this time Cannavaro was on hand to make a fine block.
Milito attempted a curling effort from the edge of the box that was deflected just over. From the resulting corner, Dudek made an excellent fingertip save from a looping header.
The shots continued to rain in on Dudek’s goal, and Matuzalem had another effort from outside the area, but again it was off-target.
Madrid were less potent at the beginning of the second half but Van Nistelrooy could have grabbed a goal against the run-of-play had it not been for Ayala’s superb block. Robinho then tested Cesar with a weak shot.
With results not going their way elsewhere, Zaragoza knew they needed to go for the win, and they started to throw more and more men forward. Milito headed wide, while Sergio Garcia dragged his long-distance shot badly.
Sneijder didn’t have his shooting boots on for the visitors, crashing a free kick well over the bar, before firing another effort wide.
Zaragoza were dreadfully wasteful in front of goal, and it was looking more and more likely that they were going to be left to rue a host of missed chances. The worst finisher of them all had been Sergio Garcia, who again fluffed his lines, toe-poking the ball straight at Dudek when well placed.
Zaragoza were inevitably made to pay for their profligacy, as Higuain released Robinho, who flicked the ball sumptuously over the on-rushing Cesar to put Madrid ahead.
Sergio Garcia fired into the sidenetting, Albert Celades forced Dudek into a save, before ‘the Philippe Senderos of Spain’, Sergio, missed an absolute sitter, hashing the ball over the bar from just yards out following a right-wing corner.
Quite how Zaragoza were losing this game was a mystery that even Sherlock Holmes wouldn’t be able to solve. Sergio Garcia danced his way through, but with just Dudek to beat, he again couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.
Finally on 85 minutes the home side got a second goal to level the scores, and unbelievably it was the cumbersome Sergio who got the goal, making up for his earlier miss by toe-poking the ball into the roof of the net.
Zaragoza now searched for the winner, and in the penultimate minute Milito had the goal at his mercy at the far post, but he inexplicably headed the ball back into the area rather than put the ball in himself.
In injury time, and Dudek made a simply astonishing save to pluck the ball out of the bottom corner after a cross had rebounded off Sergio Ramos’ back.
The Polish custodian then bettered this seconds later with an incredible double save. He first parried a long-range shot, before getting back up to fling himself at Milito’s rebound.
The game finished 2-2 in one of the games of the season in La Liga, but Zaragoza will be wondering just how they didn’t manage to win after missing enough chances to last a whole season. This result means that Villanova’s men drop into the relegation zone with just one game of the season remaining.
Real Zaragoza: Sanchez, Zapater, Sergio, Ayala, Paredes, Sergio Garcia, Celades, Matuzalem, Aimar (Gabi 56), Milito, Oliveira.
Real Madrid: Dudek, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Metzelder, Marcelo (Torres 79), Guti, Diarra, Sneijder, Robinho, Higuain, Van Nistelrooy (Baptista 72)
La Liga Week 37: Barcelona - Mallorca
Henry 1-0
Eto'o 2-0
Valero 2-1
Webo 2-2
Guiza 2-3
Barca humiliated at Nou Camp
Daniel Güiza stated that he dreams of playing for Barcelona and after netting a late, late winner he will be popular with the Catalan club's fans having given them a reason to start their demonstrations in earnest.
The home supporters wanted to demonstrate against president Joan Laporta, but when Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o put Barça two goals ahead the jeers had to turn to cheers.
Frank Rijkaard was applauded and it was harsh on the coach who brought such a entertaining football to the club to see his last game at home spoiled by the atmosphere and the final score.
Borja reduced the arrears midway through the second half and Pierre Webó levelled soon after, but few expected the visitors to snatch a dramatic winner to keep their UEFA Cup qualification hopes alive after Edmílson had been sent off for the hosts.
For the outgoing Barça coach, he deserved a far more dignified end to his spell at the the club where he was praised in the sports press for his professionalism and conduct throughout his stay.
Instead, the home supporters chose what should have been a send-off for the coach that won the the club only its second European Cup to jeer the players and call for the president to resign.
Whether the star names being whistled at deserved the treatment or not should not have mattered and the fans could have held their protests until close to the end.
But from the start, after Laporta had been jeered while taking his seat, Samuel Eto'o, Deco and Thierry Henry were heckled whenever they touched the ball.
Henry for not living up to expectations and the other pair for comments attributed to them about their desire to leave Camp Nou should the team not improve next term.
The visitors still had something to play for too with Gregorio Manzano's side still in with a shout of clinching sixth place and a UEFA Cup spot next term, but that was not considered to be a matter that should unduly worry the home team.
Barcelona do have a summer of change planned, starting with a new coach, but Henry has said that he wants to stay and he was able to win over the whistling doubters fro the stands with the opening goal in the 17th minute.
A jinking run towards the edge of the box by Lionel Messi ended with the Argentinian flicking the ball to left where Henry stroked it first time inside the near post from the edge of the area.
That lifted the Frenchman's spirits and he was impressive as he tracked back and worked very hard throughout at both end of the field.
Mallorca knew that they could not sit back and defend all evening, but it was not until moments before half-time that José Manuel Pinto was called upon to make two superb saves to keep Barça level.
Ten minutes after the break and the Blaugrana looked to have sewn up the victory. Messi caught a high ball superbly on the volley and when Miguel Ángel Moyá parried it out Eto'o was on hand to score from close range.
The Cameroonian striker showed his frustration at having been booed all evening by following the ball into the net and taking two more swings at it.
With jeers continuing to ring out, Barça's concentration finally lapsed and in the 66th minute Mallorca reduced the arrears when Borja saw his shot from outside the area deflect past Pinto and into the far corner of the net.
While the hosts recovered from that, the away team stunned them by grabbing an equaliser four minutes later when Webó hit the ball into the ground from 18 yards out and it looped up and over Pinto.
Edmílson ended his time at Barcelona in an unceremonious manner when receiving a red card for a hefty challenge having already been booked earlier in the encounter.
A point apiece looked set to be the outcome and just the two goal comeback gave the Barça fans the perfect reason for launching a demonstration, but they were given a real green light in second half injury time.
Eto'o had two good chances to push the points the other way, but in the 94th minute Güiza was given too much time and space to control the ball and slide it past the keeper and show Barça what they could be buying.
Eto'o 2-0
Valero 2-1
Webo 2-2
Guiza 2-3
Barca humiliated at Nou Camp
Daniel Güiza stated that he dreams of playing for Barcelona and after netting a late, late winner he will be popular with the Catalan club's fans having given them a reason to start their demonstrations in earnest.
The home supporters wanted to demonstrate against president Joan Laporta, but when Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o put Barça two goals ahead the jeers had to turn to cheers.
Frank Rijkaard was applauded and it was harsh on the coach who brought such a entertaining football to the club to see his last game at home spoiled by the atmosphere and the final score.
Borja reduced the arrears midway through the second half and Pierre Webó levelled soon after, but few expected the visitors to snatch a dramatic winner to keep their UEFA Cup qualification hopes alive after Edmílson had been sent off for the hosts.
For the outgoing Barça coach, he deserved a far more dignified end to his spell at the the club where he was praised in the sports press for his professionalism and conduct throughout his stay.
Instead, the home supporters chose what should have been a send-off for the coach that won the the club only its second European Cup to jeer the players and call for the president to resign.
Whether the star names being whistled at deserved the treatment or not should not have mattered and the fans could have held their protests until close to the end.
But from the start, after Laporta had been jeered while taking his seat, Samuel Eto'o, Deco and Thierry Henry were heckled whenever they touched the ball.
Henry for not living up to expectations and the other pair for comments attributed to them about their desire to leave Camp Nou should the team not improve next term.
The visitors still had something to play for too with Gregorio Manzano's side still in with a shout of clinching sixth place and a UEFA Cup spot next term, but that was not considered to be a matter that should unduly worry the home team.
Barcelona do have a summer of change planned, starting with a new coach, but Henry has said that he wants to stay and he was able to win over the whistling doubters fro the stands with the opening goal in the 17th minute.
A jinking run towards the edge of the box by Lionel Messi ended with the Argentinian flicking the ball to left where Henry stroked it first time inside the near post from the edge of the area.
That lifted the Frenchman's spirits and he was impressive as he tracked back and worked very hard throughout at both end of the field.
Mallorca knew that they could not sit back and defend all evening, but it was not until moments before half-time that José Manuel Pinto was called upon to make two superb saves to keep Barça level.
Ten minutes after the break and the Blaugrana looked to have sewn up the victory. Messi caught a high ball superbly on the volley and when Miguel Ángel Moyá parried it out Eto'o was on hand to score from close range.
The Cameroonian striker showed his frustration at having been booed all evening by following the ball into the net and taking two more swings at it.
With jeers continuing to ring out, Barça's concentration finally lapsed and in the 66th minute Mallorca reduced the arrears when Borja saw his shot from outside the area deflect past Pinto and into the far corner of the net.
While the hosts recovered from that, the away team stunned them by grabbing an equaliser four minutes later when Webó hit the ball into the ground from 18 yards out and it looped up and over Pinto.
Edmílson ended his time at Barcelona in an unceremonious manner when receiving a red card for a hefty challenge having already been booked earlier in the encounter.
A point apiece looked set to be the outcome and just the two goal comeback gave the Barça fans the perfect reason for launching a demonstration, but they were given a real green light in second half injury time.
Eto'o had two good chances to push the points the other way, but in the 94th minute Güiza was given too much time and space to control the ball and slide it past the keeper and show Barça what they could be buying.
Serie A Week 37: Inter - Siena
Vieira 1-0
Maccarone 1-1
Balotelli 2-1
Kharja 2-2
Highlights
Maccarone 1-1
Balotelli 2-1
Kharja 2-2
Highlights
There was a carnival atmosphere at San Siro with the home crowd hoping to see Inter lift the Scudetto with a victory. The Nerazzurri had injury problems going into the game, as Christian Chivu joined Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Luis Figo, Santiago Solari, Olivier Dacourt, Ivan Cordoba and Walter Samuel on the sidelines.
Inter came racing out of the blocks, with Julio Cruz warming the hands of Alex Manninger, and Patrick Vieira firing just wide, all in the first 90 seconds.
Inter won a succession of corners around the 10 minute mark, and Marco Materazzi crashed a header against the crossbar at the back post.
The goal was coming though, and from another Balotelli set-piece Vieira put the home side ahead with a thumping header past Manninger.
Inter were completely dominant and almost added a second when Balotelli’s free kick from the right located Cruz, whose goalbound shot was blocked in the Siena goalmouth.
This shook Inter back into action and Manninger performed a brilliant save from Luis Jimenez, spreading himself Peter Schmeichel-style, although the linesman had his flag up so the goal wouldn't have counted anyway.
This miss proved crucial as on the stroke of half time Inter went back in front. A long throw from the right was flicked on by Vieira, and Balotelli nodded the ball in from a yard out.
Inter started the second half just like they did the first, and Cruz almost added a third, as he stroked the ball inches past the post.
The Argentine was involved heavily, and he tested Manninger again soon after with a low shot.
The Nerazzurri were so in control of the game it was almost embarrassing at times, but once again
Inter now threw the kitchen sink at
On 78 minutes Inter were handed a glorious opportunity to find the goal they craved as the referee awarded them a penalty after Christian Rigano was adjudged to have held Materazzi. Materazzi stepped up to take the spotkick, but he was denied by a brilliant Manninger save down to the goalkeeper’s left.
Inter were camped inside the Siena final third, and with five minutes remaining Jimenez saw his header creep inches wide of the post.
The Chilean crashed another shot over as the game moved into stoppages, as did Cruz.
The game finished 2-2, and Roma’s win over Atalanta means that the Scudetto will go down to the final day of the season.
EPL Week 38: Chelsea - Bolton
Shevchenko 1-0
Taylor 1-1
Chelsea Held Dramatic Late Equaliser
Bolton managed a last-gasp leveller at Stamford Bridge - not that it mattered...
A late Matt Taylor goal gave Bolton a share of the spoils at Stamford Bridge after a rare Shevchenko goal had put Chelsea ahead. Chelsea who also had their captain John Terry stretchered off after only ten minutes, therefore finished second, two points behind Manchester United who regain their title.
Before the match all the talk had been about goal difference with Avram Grant suggesting a play off might be a better idea when teams finish level on points. However in the end it didn’t matter as a late Taylor goal denied Chelsea victory and saw them finish two points behind the leaders.
The match began quietly, the home side looking nervous against an organised Bolton side keen to keep the game tight and allow their opponents very little time and space on the ball.
However it wasn’t long before Chelsea did manage to create a couple of chances in quick succession. Firstly Ballack crossed a good ball into the box for Drogba who headed across goal but there was no one on hand to slot the ball home for the Blues.
Less than a minute later however Drogba had an even better chance. Another great ball into the box from Ballack found the striker creeping in at the far post. However with the goal gaping and from only a few yards out he conspired to cannon the ball high and wide.
Chelsea were looking good but after only ten minutes were rocked by an injury to captain John Terry. A long ball from Bolton into the Chelsea box was collected comfortably by Cech but in doing so he accidentally collided with his captain.
Although the collision looked fairly innocuous the Chelsea captain was stretchered off with what looked like a serious elbow injury. Grant sent on Belletti who replaced Essien at right back with the Ghanaian moving to central defence to partner Alex.
The injury undoubtedly affected the home side who lost the momentum they had been starting to build. The crowd likewise seemed subdued and the game went rather flat after a promising start.
However Chelsea still managed to dominate possession even if they were struggling to create any chances from open play. Joe Cole and Michael Ballack were looking the most creative players but too often the final ball into the box lacked the quality or accuracy to break down a disciplined Bolton side.
With Bolton defending well, Chelsea’s best chance of success looked to come from a set piece. A thunderous free kick from Drogba flew inches wide with keeper Al-Habsi stranded.
The home side did manage to rouse themselves just before the break with some exerted pressure. Belletti fizzing in a great cross for Ballack but Joey O’Brien just got back in time to clear and the sides headed for half time level, but the home side deprived of their captain when they needed him most.
A far more threatening Chelsea side emerged from the break. Grant choosing to shuffle his pack early by replacing Makelele with Shevchenko as they searched for the vital goal that would keep their title chances alive.
Within a minute of the restart a Malouda shot from fully 35 yards was wonderfully saved by Al-Habsi and then seconds later Belletti had another effort deflected wide. Chelsea were on the front foot and determined not to give up without a fight.
Chelsea began to turn the screw, the tempo raised with almost constant pressure on the Bolton back line. Lampard, Cole and Ballack all lining up to shoot at the Bolton goal but every time finding a white shirt flinging its way and deflected and diverting their shots wide.
Eventually the pressure eventually told and it was Shevchenko, in probably his last game for the club, who claimed it. A corner wasn’t cleared properly and the ball fell to the Ukrainian in the box who scuffed it in from close range. Not one of his best but surely one of his most important.
Yet almost unbelievably Bolton could have been level within minutes. Despite having offered virtually nothing as an attacking force all match, Diouf turned on a loose ball in the box and hit a well struck shot only to see Cech block well.
After taking the lead Chelsea became more cautious, understandably perhaps, and the tempo dropped dramatically as they opted for safety first. Joe Cole had a good shot well saved but chances became few and far between.
Still the Blues were reminded of how narrow their lead was when a looping header was cleared off the line by Ashley Cole after a Petr Cech punch was headed back in by Gavin McCann.
However as news of a second Manchester United goal slowly filtered through the atmosphere fizzled out. And there was to be further disappointment for the home side when with only seconds left on the clock Matt Taylor pounced on the ball to deny Chelsea the victory they had needed.
An afternoon which promised much, ultimately ended in disappointment for the home side and great credit must go to Bolton for the fight they put up. Chelsea meanwhile must now quickly forget about the Premier League and concentrate on the Champions League final.
Taylor 1-1
Chelsea Held Dramatic Late Equaliser
Bolton managed a last-gasp leveller at Stamford Bridge - not that it mattered...
A late Matt Taylor goal gave Bolton a share of the spoils at Stamford Bridge after a rare Shevchenko goal had put Chelsea ahead. Chelsea who also had their captain John Terry stretchered off after only ten minutes, therefore finished second, two points behind Manchester United who regain their title.
Before the match all the talk had been about goal difference with Avram Grant suggesting a play off might be a better idea when teams finish level on points. However in the end it didn’t matter as a late Taylor goal denied Chelsea victory and saw them finish two points behind the leaders.
The match began quietly, the home side looking nervous against an organised Bolton side keen to keep the game tight and allow their opponents very little time and space on the ball.
However it wasn’t long before Chelsea did manage to create a couple of chances in quick succession. Firstly Ballack crossed a good ball into the box for Drogba who headed across goal but there was no one on hand to slot the ball home for the Blues.
Less than a minute later however Drogba had an even better chance. Another great ball into the box from Ballack found the striker creeping in at the far post. However with the goal gaping and from only a few yards out he conspired to cannon the ball high and wide.
Chelsea were looking good but after only ten minutes were rocked by an injury to captain John Terry. A long ball from Bolton into the Chelsea box was collected comfortably by Cech but in doing so he accidentally collided with his captain.
Although the collision looked fairly innocuous the Chelsea captain was stretchered off with what looked like a serious elbow injury. Grant sent on Belletti who replaced Essien at right back with the Ghanaian moving to central defence to partner Alex.
The injury undoubtedly affected the home side who lost the momentum they had been starting to build. The crowd likewise seemed subdued and the game went rather flat after a promising start.
However Chelsea still managed to dominate possession even if they were struggling to create any chances from open play. Joe Cole and Michael Ballack were looking the most creative players but too often the final ball into the box lacked the quality or accuracy to break down a disciplined Bolton side.
With Bolton defending well, Chelsea’s best chance of success looked to come from a set piece. A thunderous free kick from Drogba flew inches wide with keeper Al-Habsi stranded.
The home side did manage to rouse themselves just before the break with some exerted pressure. Belletti fizzing in a great cross for Ballack but Joey O’Brien just got back in time to clear and the sides headed for half time level, but the home side deprived of their captain when they needed him most.
A far more threatening Chelsea side emerged from the break. Grant choosing to shuffle his pack early by replacing Makelele with Shevchenko as they searched for the vital goal that would keep their title chances alive.
Within a minute of the restart a Malouda shot from fully 35 yards was wonderfully saved by Al-Habsi and then seconds later Belletti had another effort deflected wide. Chelsea were on the front foot and determined not to give up without a fight.
Chelsea began to turn the screw, the tempo raised with almost constant pressure on the Bolton back line. Lampard, Cole and Ballack all lining up to shoot at the Bolton goal but every time finding a white shirt flinging its way and deflected and diverting their shots wide.
Eventually the pressure eventually told and it was Shevchenko, in probably his last game for the club, who claimed it. A corner wasn’t cleared properly and the ball fell to the Ukrainian in the box who scuffed it in from close range. Not one of his best but surely one of his most important.
Yet almost unbelievably Bolton could have been level within minutes. Despite having offered virtually nothing as an attacking force all match, Diouf turned on a loose ball in the box and hit a well struck shot only to see Cech block well.
After taking the lead Chelsea became more cautious, understandably perhaps, and the tempo dropped dramatically as they opted for safety first. Joe Cole had a good shot well saved but chances became few and far between.
Still the Blues were reminded of how narrow their lead was when a looping header was cleared off the line by Ashley Cole after a Petr Cech punch was headed back in by Gavin McCann.
However as news of a second Manchester United goal slowly filtered through the atmosphere fizzled out. And there was to be further disappointment for the home side when with only seconds left on the clock Matt Taylor pounced on the ball to deny Chelsea the victory they had needed.
An afternoon which promised much, ultimately ended in disappointment for the home side and great credit must go to Bolton for the fight they put up. Chelsea meanwhile must now quickly forget about the Premier League and concentrate on the Champions League final.
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