Another intriguing weekend of Premier League action and time to sort out who was good, who was bad, and who else besides Chelsea were simply FUGGLY:

THE GOOD

Manchester United
Good doesn’t even begin to describe their dismantling of Chelsea on Sunday. This was one of the complete all-around performances of the season, at the expense of a team that was a missed penalty kick away from being Champions of Europe just 8 months ago. United used the width of the pitch to stretch the Chelsea defensive shape, and were lively in all crossing situations. A win like this usually kick-starts a season, and in this case, Sir Alex Ferguson might have done away with the threat of a team that had their number under Jose Mourinho and at times under Avram Grant. They outplayed Chelsea in the first meeting at Stamford Bridge and finally this time they have the result to prove it.

Dimitar Berbatov
In my opinion, one of the best first touches in the game, and so vital for a striker that has a responsibility to hold up play. Capped off a terrific performance with a clinical near post finish.

Sir Alex Ferguson
Answered Rafa Benitez’ dossier the best way possible, by managing a team that will fight for him and produce a result that most didn’t see coming.

Aston Villa
Why not them? They keep finding ways to win. Martin O’Neill can be unhappy with the overall performance, but 3 points is 3 points. And 9 games unbeaten in the Prem since that silly home loss to Middlesbrough. In that run, 8 out of 12 points in matches against Arsenal, Man Utd, and Everton.

Arsenal
7 out of a possible 9 points since the Fabreags injury. Find a way to win against teams that pack it in against you, and that’s what they did.

Everton and David Moyes
5 games unbeaten without many resources to do it. Moyes is easily the most underrated manager in the Premier League.

Wigan and Steve Bruce
4 wins on the trot now, and a real threat to claim a place in Europe next year. What Brucey has done since taking over has been amazing.

The relegation fight
8th to 18th position separated by 7 points. 8th to 20th position separated by 9 points. Every bit as interesting as the title chase.

THE BAD

Liverpool
Another match, another two points dropped against a team they should beat with their reserves.

West Bromwich Albion
Thought to be the promoted team that could rough up the rest of the Premiership, and sit at the foot of the table. Should have gotten something out of the Villa game.

Newcastle United
Enough attacking talent to get out of the relegation scrap, shocking enough in defense to remain in it.

Middlesbrough
Year three under Southgate was supposed to be the year they made their push. Instead, they are languishing in the relegation fight, a point above the drop.

THE FUGGLY

Chelsea
It’s gone from bad to worse. As uninspiring a performance as you are going to see from a side the boasts so much proven talent. It’s time to face the reality that this side needs to be overhauled. The strikers are aging, the midfield is too congested, and the defense has suddenly disappeared.

Luiz Felipe Scolari
Why National Team Managers are not as successful on the club level. Give a guy weeks to prepare for a team and he’ll come up with the right mix. Give the same guy a few days, and he doesn’t look as good.

Hull City
4 consecutive losses and outscored 12-2 in the process. The wheels have fallen off.

Gary Megson
No excuse for only travelling with 15 players. That message to the Chairman says “sack me” more often than it says “I need money for more players.” Some youth team players were denied some precious big game experience, even if they just sat on the bench.

Tottenham
Bring back Jermaine Defoe, get shutout by a team that has conceded 21 goals in 20 games.

So who was your good, bad and FUGGLY? Comment with your thoughts.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

A great weekend of action, with all-timers of games between Roma- Milan and Valencia- Villarreal. Let’s see what this weekend’s games did to my top 25. Previous ranking in parentheses.

1. FC Barcelona (1)
Weekend result: won at Osasuna 3-2.
GENEROUS BECAUSE: You could nitpick and say that a team of Barcelona’s quality should not take that long to do away with Osasuna. But this is not a generous ranking, as the Blaugrana have a death grip on the La Liga title.

2. Inter Milan (2)
Weekend Result: Draw vs Cagliari 1-1
CRUEL BECAUSE: Inter are top of Serie A and it can be argued that the Italian top flight is tougher this season than La Liga.
GENEROUS BECAUSE: That is 2 points lost no matter how you look at it. Cagliari have some good players but should not be able to hold Inter away.

3. Manchester United (4)
Weekend Result: Win vs Chelsea 3-0
CRUEL BECAUSE: The World, European, and English Champions are starting to hit their stride, and on their day are every bit as good as Barcelona and Inter. That was a total team performance in thrashing Chelsea.
GENEROUS BECAUSE: over the next few weeks we’ll find out how impressive the Chelsea win actually is. The Blues are a team in freefall.

4. Juventus (6)
Weekend Result: Win vs Siena 1-0
CRUEL BECAUSE: It’s not a cruel ranking. The Old Lady are consistently finding ways to win and are closing in on Inter. Manninger is deputising well for Buffon.
GENEROUS BECAUSE: Would this team win a one-off over Liverpool or Bayern? Juventus need more scoring options in the run of play when Amauri is quieted, they can’t keep waiting for a Del Piero free kick.

5. Bayern Munich (5)
Currently on Winter Break
CRUEL BECAUSE: It really can’t be, until Bayern start playing again we won’t know if they deserve a better ranking.
GENEROUS BECAUSE: It’s likely that the Bundesliga stinks this year, and winning their Champions League group over Lyon and Fiorentina might not be that big of a deal.

6. Liverpool (3)
Weekend Result: Draw at Stoke 0-0
CRUEL BECAUSE: Despite the run that Manchester United is on, Liverpool still lead the Premier League, and beat the Red Devils.
GENEROUS BECAUSE: The biggest reason the title could slip away from them is all the dropped points against teams they SHOULD beat. 2 goalless draws with relegation-threatened Stoke is not Premier-League winning material.

7. Real Madrid (17)
Weekend Result: win 3-0 at Mallorca
CRUEL BECAUSE: The turnaround under Juande Ramos is taking great shape and this team has the quality to compete with any of the top 6.
GENEROUS BECAUSE: It can’t be. They took a full 3 points from Valencia and Villarreal in recent games.

8. Aston Villa (9)
Weekend Result: Win 2-1 vs West Bromwich Albion
CRUEL BECAUSE: They held Manchester United and Liverpool and they’re only 8th? Martin O’Neill’s men have proven they can compete with the best in England.
GENEROUS BECAUSE: While they are a legitimate threat for the top 4, the lack of depth in the squad is worrying.

9. Arsenal (11)
Weekend Result: Win vs Bolton 1-0
CRUEL BECAUSE: On their day, Arsenal can play with anyone and Wenger is proving that he has the resources to cope with injuries to Fabregas and Walcott. Djourou is turning into a solid central defender.
GENEROUS BECAUSE: They don’t often always play to their talent level. They needed all 90 minutes to beat a depleted Bolton side 1-0.

10. Chelsea (7)
Weekend Result: Lost at Manchester United 0-3
CRUEL BECAUSE: After all they played Manchester United at Old Trafford, and there may not be a team in Europe that will win there this year. However……
GENEROUS BECAUSE: This team is looking more and more in disarray. Their attack on Sunday had very litte purpose and while they have talented, experienced veteran players, they are players with a lot of miles on them.

11. Olympique Lyonnais (8): Still top of French Ligue 1 but they should do better than 1-1 at home against Lorient.

12. Sevilla (12): Impressive 3-1 win over Deportivo at the weekend.

13. Hoffenheim (10): Victimized by the winter break and other teams putting on good performances while they sit idle.

14. Bordeaux (19): A 4-0 thrashing of Paris- Saint Germain that wasn’t even that close. Gourcuff’s star keeps rising.

15. Villarreal (14): fought bravely to earn a draw at Valencia in one of the games of the weekend.

16. Valencia (15): Twice had the lead, and twice dropped points. Only 5 of a possible 15 from Barca, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.

17. AC Milan (16): Played with a lot of possession and created a lot of chances at Roma, but defensively still showing their age.

18. Atletico Madrid (13): A home defeat to Athetic Bilbao is hardly going to help their cause for staying in the Champions League next season.

19. Olympiakos (20): The win over Xanthi has them now 9 points clear in Greece. Also here on the strength of some impressive UEFA Cup performances.

20. Panathinaikos (21): Chasing Olympiakos now after a nice run in the Champions League Group stage.

21. Benfica (NR): Nice 1-0 win over Braga to stay top of the Portuguese League.

22. AZ Alkmaar (22): The Dutch leaders are still on Winter break.

23. Sporting Lisbon (NR): The 2-0 win over Maritimo puts them 2nd in Portugal.

24. Napoli (NR): Picked up a crucial 3 points to beat Catania and grab 4th in Serie A.

25. Ajax (25): Currently on Winter Break.

In last time, out this time: Fiorentina (18), FC Porto (23), Paris Saint Germain (24).

Watching out for: Everton, Wigan, Rennes, Marseille, Deportivo La Coruna, Celtic, and Rangers

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The two sides that were the major talking point of Europe throughout the 2007-08 club season take center stage this weekend and a lot is on the line. Can Chelsea shake this run of disappointing form and prove that they are legitimate title contenders? Or will this match mark the end of what’s been a great run? Will Manchester United signal their intent of three-peating in the Premier League? Or will the Red Devils defense finally be found out?

MANCHESTER UNITED WILL WIN BECAUSE no one in Premier League matches is scoring on them, especially at Old Trafford. The Champions are on a staggering run of 7 consecutive matches without conceding a goal in the Premier League, and have only conceded three goals in 11 league matches at Old Trafford. Sir Alex’s men are doing what the other title contenders aren’t, and that’s getting points at home. 31 out of a possible 33 points. They’ll need to make this a wide game not only to stretch the Chelsea midfield, but also to pin Bosingwa back. They’ll need to stamp their ability to keep the ball and be solid in defense.

CHELSEA WILL WIN BECAUSE they have no trouble scoring in away matches in the Premier League. Further, Scolari’s men will be boosted by their great road form this season where they have taken 26 out of a possible 30 points, scoring 23 and conceding 3 in the process. Anelka in particular will be an interesting figure in this match if selected, 7 of his 14 league goals have come away from Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is going to have to find a way to establish some width themselves in this match, or else they could end up being rather predictable in attack. Which will fall on……

X-MAN: Joe Cole. For Chelsea to be able to go and at least share the points with Manchester United, Cole will have to be the man to provide width, and further up the pitch. Bosingwa’s runs will be important as well, but Cole has had some impact performances in matches like this. He’ll be needed heavily in this game.

HOW I SEE IT: These two will try and go at each other in the first 15 minutes, and then you’ll see the two teams settle into the match. Both teams have been in excellent form in their respective situations: United at home and Chelsea away. With Patrice Evra back in the fold, look for Manchester United to make a lot of use of the left flank, attempting to expose Bosingwa. They’ll have success and jump out to a 2-0 before Anelka pulls one back. The title race will be on.

PREDICTION: Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1.

Also See: Manchester United v. Chelsea – Live Blog

From Soccerlens.com - Football News