Neu im Forum » the goalie and the left post for a 2-1 lead

The last day of the Barclays Premier League goes Sunday and the permutations are rather simple. If Manchester City wins or draws against West Ham at the Etihad, they win the title. A draw would mean the league would be decided by goal differential if Liverpool beats Newcastle; a gleeful sight for Manchester United supporters if City were to win both of their two titles based on goal difference. After a frustrating year at Old Trafford, this is all they have. The only way Liverpool are crowned champions is a win Sunday at Anfield combined with a Man City loss. Seems improbable, but not impossible. The dream of ending the title drought since 1990 will most likely carry on another year, along with the pain, anguish and yearning. This is the most compelling storyline heading in to Super Sunday with all eyes on Man City (TSN Radio Network, 10am ET) and Liverpool (TSN) and who will reign supreme. At the bottom of the table, Fulham and Cardiff City have already been relegated. Norwich City is all but relegated, needing a miracle of biblical proportions, facing a 17-goal gap in goal differential. Bye, bye, Canaries. So we will not to be treated to a topsy-turvy day of who stays and who goes from Premier League football. The casual fan is worse off for it not having the drama at the death. Tottenham and Manchester United are the only other teams playing for anything come Sunday. Spurs can wrap up Europa League qualification with a win or a draw at home against Aston Villa. If Spurs lose, a Manchester United win at Southampton would see them qualify for Europe. Europa League is hardly the prize either team envisioned. Again, blasé. An exciting season may be coming to an end in unspectacular fashion, however talking points continue to swirl. Here are this weeks musings: - Hardly Vintage: The 2013/14 season will hardly go down as a vintage Premier League campaign. There were plenty of memorable moments (more on the flash points next week), good and bad, but the prevailing sentiment over the season was sub-par play. The league lacked a true frontrunner and parity was more a product of mediocre play and change, rather than top quality football. The Premier League spends millions in transfers on a bi-annual basis. It can hardly be said teams are paying for value. The Premier League is rich with sponsors and earnings for surpassing any of their contemporaries. The wealth is exposed by lesser lights, with Premier League teams paying out the nose for marginal talent. It makes development that much more important for British clubs, avoiding the pitfalls of fools gold. Its a double-edged sword, as young players failing to get first team opportunity leave for green pastures (Paul Pogba, anyone?) or attempt to catch on elsewhere in a maze lacking identity or true direction. Although the entire ‘B-team model has been approached by cynicism by many in high-ranking positions and influential pundits, alternative opportunity to develop is paramount for competitiveness and business. - Super Sunday: North American professional sports need take notice of the Premier Leagues final day of games. All matches start at 10am et, meaning all-important results cannot be manipulated to the benefit of self or detriment to another. The NBA became a farce down the stretch of its regular season, with teams purposely losing to jockey for position. Professional basketball is not the only culprit. Its understood scheduling decisions are made based upon broadcasting revenue. But for the good of the sport and the fans, integrity must be taken into account. And the excitement of the final day of the Premier League more years than not trumps the spectacle of all others based upon set-up and importance. The drama is unmatched. - Suarez doubts: The pictures of Luis Suarez after Liverpools late collapse in a dramatic 3-3 tie at Selhurst Park will be replayed for ages. Burying his head in his shirt, visibly inconsolable speaks volumes. There is no doubt Suarez loves Liverpool. And Champions League football next season brings the assumption he will remain at Anfield. But thats all it is - an assumption. If Real Madrid comes calling, which continues to be rumoured, will Suarez be able to resist? And is the Uruguayan to be trusted by anything he says? This was a player who cast a line and was headed to Arsenal before the season. Hes a player suspended twice for biting and once for racist gestures. His actions on and off the field dont speak of a reliable, stable, predictable player. There is a lot to like about Suarez. Manchester Citys Yaya Toure and the Liverpool striker have been a cut above on the season. Liverpool need be wary heading into the summer, bringing in requisite players to compete in Europe, also keeping in mind cover for Suarez may be needed. Its a big summer ahead for Brendan Rodgers making sure he makes the right moves so his team doesnt regress after this ultimately successful campaign. Suarez is a big part of that. And if he goes, question marks will remain above the sustainability of success at Liverpool in an ultimately competitive Premier League. - Poor Stevie G: Contrary to belief, Liverpools title chances didnt go out the window after Mondays draw; it came through Steven Gerrards infamous ‘slip-up leading to the game winning goal in a 2-0 home loss to an weakened Chelsea. Its incredible a player as decorated as Gerrard may end his career without a Premier League title. Hes been one of the top midfielders of his generation, yet hasnt been able to inspire his team to consistent greatness aside from that one night in Istanbul. This doesnt fall solely on Gerrards shoulders. And his loyalty to Liverpool is one that should be applauded. The riches of Chelsea tempted him, yet he remained on the Merseyside. Seeing Gerrard ‘rally the troops in his now infamous team huddle with the title in his sights, paired with his ‘slip against Chelsea makes for an undeserving snippet of how harsh the game truly his. As his career fades into memories, how will he be remembered? The last month provides material he, perhaps, would want stricken from the record. - Citys Dynamic Duo: Manchester City has a roster among the best money can buy. Yaya Toure is the pulse and Vincent Kompany, despite some hiccups this season, remains the anchor at the back. But its hard to see City having the success they have without right back Pablo Zabaleta and attacking midfielder David Silva; in my opinion, the best two at their respective positions in the Premier League. On Wednesday, in a game Aston Villa proved a difficult team to breakdown, it was Zabaleta and Silva with top rate passing and movement that broke Villa down leading to the first two goals. It must be appreciated how these two see the game and can provide a variance in attack. In a Premier League predicated on speed and strength, the Argentine and Spaniard bring elements of intelligence and understanding seldom properly utilized. Their respective importance to team success cannot be understated. - Mourinhos self-fulfilling prophecy: Looking back on Jose Mourinhos first season back at Chelsea, its hard not to wonder what could have been. The Portuguese tactician was clear throughout the year his team was an underdog in the title race - the ‘little horse, if you will. It was hard to buy it back when he started spewing the nonsense and it makes little sense now. It may have not been a squad Mourinho was entirely comfortable with. And the group will continue to be cut in the mold to what Mourinho desires. Money is no object, but the past season cannot be deemed a success. He wasnt managing a team of lesser lights. The squad was as good as any in the league, but losses to Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Sunderland in the last two months were the fatal blow. It must be asked whether Mourinhos open pessimism about his team played a role in the team psyche. When you repeatedly downplay your teams chances, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. A more positive Mourinho doesnt mean less realistic. When he sits back and reflects on the season that was, he should rue the outcome as a year of what could have been, rather than what was. - Wenger success?: Arsenal finishes fourth place in the league - another successful year for the club? That seems to be the mentality at Arsenal and its backwards, but lifting the FA Cup in just over a week from now would soften the blow. The lack of silverware over the last decade is astonishing for a marquee club. Wenger will blame injuries and anything else he can grasp hold of. Its all nonsense. Arsenals positive start masked continual holes in this team. A striker and a goalkeeper remain atop the checklist at Arsenal and further squad upgrades are essential. Arsenals policy of fiscal restraint and development of unknown commodities is a honourable one and Champions League football is great to keep the wheel spinning, but at some point, it must be decided whether fourth place constitutes a victory because at present time it is accepted as good enough...which is really isnt. - Giggss future: With Louis van Gaal seeming like Manchester Uniteds manager of the future, the debate continues to swirl about a role for Ryan Giggs. The Welshman is a club legend and that will never change. The insistence he remains part of the new United backroom staff is a romantic one, but it may be flawed. Uniteds links to their past are never really far away, but now, were speaking of a new-look United, in need of turning the page, moving on to the next chapter. If van Gaal wants to bring Danny Blind, Patrick Kluivert or whomever he wants to fill out important assistant roles, then so it shall be. Holding Giggs over his head would be a mistake. The class of 92 brought incredible success to the team. They, along with a solid group of veteran leadership, were be able to become the most successful team in English football and it wasnt even close. Sir Alex Ferguson steered that ship. If van Gaal is to do his job properly, he needs full autonomy. If he doesnt have it, who knows what kind of mish-mashed vision will come of it and a mish-mash of results will predictably follow. It may sound harsh, even unfair, but Giggs may have to go for the restructure to properly take place. If youre going to hand over the keys to van Gaal, then do it. No restrictions. Cheap Air Max 97 Wholesale . If Vettel wins at Suzuka on Sunday, and his nearest rival Fernando Alonso finishes worse than eighth, the German driver will join his compatriot Michael Schumacher and Argentine Juan-Manuel Fangio as the only men to win four consecutive titles. Air Max 97 Ultra 17 Silver Bullet . The bout served as the headlining matchup of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva" event, which took place at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati. It was Silva who looked well on his way to victory in the early going, delivering a pair of crushing kicks to the body that sent Brown crashing to the floor, doubled over in pain. http://www.outletairmax97.com/mens-nike-...ci1508-400.html. The Mets made the announcement Sunday night. Parnell blew a save on opening day against Washington and the next day it was revealed he had partially torn right elbow ligament. Air Max 97 Womens Clearance . Last year, Matt Kuchar closed with a 4-under 68 to beat Kevin Chappell by two strokes for his second win of the 2013 season and sixth of his career. Air Max 97 Have a Nike Day . Nikolai Khabibulin was yanked in the second period, and the Ottawa Senators looked ready to put away a big road win.NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Predators are glad captain Shea Weber managed to play with an upper body injury that sent him out of their previous game. Weber scored two goals, including the game-winner at 1:29 of overtime, and the Predators rallied late in beating the New Jersey Devils 3-2 on Friday night. "Its going to take a lot to keep him out of a hockey game," Predators forward David Legwand said of the big defenceman. "He loves playing the game and shows that over the course of his career. He was big for us tonight. Obviously on the first one and in overtime, two huge goals." Weber didnt practice Thursday and was a game-time decision after leaving Tuesday nights win in Winnipeg early in the third period. Nashville coach Barry Trotz said Weber deciding to play made all the difference. "Hes one of the best at his position plain and simple," Trotz said. "Hes our building block, and hes a difference maker in this business. There arent too many guys at his level." Legwand scored with 10.8 seconds remaining in regulation with goalie Carter Hutton on the bench to force the extra period. The puck squirted out to Legwand, who scored on a slap shot from the right circle. Hutton, who struggled giving up the two goals to New Jersey, stopped Michael Ryder on a breakaway 80 seconds into overtime to keep the game tied. "It is good to get the win obviously," Weber said. "It took us 60 minutes to get it tied up, but we found a way. We battled hard and got it tied up. Obviously, Hutton made a huge save in overtime and gave us a chance to win." Then Colin Wilson took the puck back the other way and drove toward the net before dropping the puck off to Weber, who beat Cory Schneider with a wrister from the left circle. "We played four games in six nights," Devils coach Peter DeBoer said. "We got an unfortunate bounce at the end, and well take the point and move on." Patrik Elias scored a goal and had an assist, and Jaromir Jagr had a goal for the Devils.dddddddddddd Travis Zajac had two assists. Out of the 16 games played between these teams, this was the 13th decided by a goal. This was a rare visit to Nashville with the Devils playing only their 10th game here Friday night and first since Oct. 15, 2011. The Devils, who beat Nashville 5-0 in New Jersey on Nov. 10, wrapped up a three-game road trip against the Western Conference with their second game in as many nights after beating the Stars in overtime in Dallas on Thursday night. "Its tough two nights in a row ... giving up a lead in the last minute, and we shouldve had an extra point tonight again," Schneider said. The Predators want to build some momentum before the Olympic break, and they have earned points in five of six games going 4-1-1. They had a couple days off since their last game and outshot the Devils 9-3 in the opening minutes and 33-26 for the game. Weber gave Nashville a 1-0 lead after the first period, beating Schneider with a slap shot 6:45 into the game off an assist from Patric Hornqvist. New Jersey tied it at 13:00 of the second when Elias came skating up the left side and fired off a shot that might have gone wide if not for Hutton trying to snag it with his glove. The puck glanced off Huttons glove and redirected into the net for a goal. Jagr got his 17th goal this season late in the second putting the Devils ahead 2-1. Jagr skated behind the net and fired a wrister that hit off Hutton and slipped between the goalie and the left post for a 2-1 lead at 18:59 of the second. But the Predators gave Hutton a chance to make up for those goals in overtime. Notes: Jagr has 698 career goals. ... Weber leads all defencemen with 15 goals, and eight have come in the first period. Nashville is 11-1-2 when Weber scores. ... Nashville is 19-2-5 when scoring first this season and just 2-22-2 when trailing after two periods. ... The Devils are 7-1-2 in Nashville. ' ' '