Little Lionel Messi wins the Golden Ball. And it wasn’t even close. A record margin for the Ballon D’or. Douchebag Portuguese finished 2nd. Almost as remarkable as Messi’s winning margin is the fact that Xavi, Iniesta, and Eto’o (three of his teammates at Barca) finished 3rd through 5th respectively.
[Update: No, Messi didn't give the trophy to some spurned Irishman. Keith has seen fit to make this the open thread for the Carling Cup quarters today. It's Avram! v. Villa and the Evil Empire v. the Evil Empire. Oh, and Norwich are playing some sub-MLS-quality football against someone else.]
and while I celebrate this trip to the semis, let’s thank Stan Petrov for breaking Downing’s foot in May, thus driving down his value and putting Liverpool off his scent.
There we go Bale. Left midfield! Left midfield!
Thanks, Stan.
What this match needs was another Spurs player who can’t control the ball. Oh! Look! Peter Crouch!
phil, you’re particular pessimistic today.
Vidic, according to the commentator, is a man-mountain. Heh.
Well, I guess this means we can focus now on getting into the top 4. Or something.
@Steve: Alan Hutton brings out the worst in me.
So, what are the odds that Pav gets a shot in the last 15?
Ladies and gentlemen, David Bentley!
Kanu makes it 2-3
And Ashley makes it 2-4!
and Delfouneso on for stoppage time.
Was that an a**hole blowing a god-damned vuvuzela?
I don’t know why we haven’t run at Da Laet more often. His chief skill seems to be tripping.
phil: B/c Bentley and Hutton have been playing over on that side, not Lennon.
Hutton adds a card to his stultifying performance
This second half has been f**king terrible.
Nice to see the FA officials line up for SAF to sign their checks.
@Anon: it really has. There were at least some redeeming moments in that first half, but the second half was dire, dire, dire football. On the whole, a very poor showing from what was a pretty experienced side.
zing!
Text from my friend:
“We’ve solved the mystery. Alan Hutton at all the pies.”
Say what you will about this being a 2nd class competition and all (and you’d likely be right); but seriously the two legged semis could be absolutely outstanding.
Tell me…. is using ‘douchebag african’ racist when I talk about Drogba?