Just your average weekend, then

With the sun finally out, we should all be seeking the great outdoors. But if the local and foreign soccer leagues keep producing the first-class buffet of this last weekend, then it may prove too much to relinquish the TV remote.

From lunchtime on Saturday, I sat transfixed as the Kop rejoiced in receiving unexpectedly early Christmas presents from Messrs Edwin van der Sar and Ryan Giggs. I mean, it’s all fine and dandy trying to make the league race a tad more interesting, but committing double suicide against your most bitter rivals is not the way to do it. And how Anfield boomed at the final whistle. Guess it means something to them, after all.

The so-called ‘clash-of-the-cash’, or Battle of the Billionaires, also served up its own drama. Robinho doing his best against his jilted first love was a given, but scoring so nonchalantly after barely ten minutes was something else.

But, of course, new money does not immediately breed a new way of doing things and the City defence did its best to help Chelsea climb straight back to the summit of the Premiership. Frank Lampard, overrated? “You havin a laugh”, as they would say down Chelsea way. The England midfielder was the Blues’ best player, and that was before his classy finish.

Arsenal drubbing a beleaguered Blackburn almost sneaked by unnoticed. But who could miss Emmanuel Adebayor? Not his hat trick. His standout moment was the affectionate peck he placed on the badge after scoring. One can assume all is well now. No more “I would love to play at an important club like Barcelona”…

Paul Ince must be wondering what he signed up for. Where is the solid midfield at Elwood Park? Where are the gritty displays against the big four, or against anyone for that matter? This season could descend into freefall if he is not careful. Suddenly the Newcastle gig doesn’t look too bad, hey ‘Guv’nor’?

To wrap up a rather dizzying weekend, our little Maritzburg United decided to employ rather unsubtle methods to properly announce their arrival to the top table in SA soccer. “We shall not be moved” seems apt. Taking nothing away from a fine and well-paced display, all Muhsin Ertugral wanted to go on about was Gary Goldstone’s stray elbow.

That the referee didn’t send Goldstone off is not his fault, but for Ertugral to suggest they were kicked off the park is a little misguided. Get your analysis team to get the stats for you, Mshini. They will inform you that you committed more fouls, missed more chances and spewed out more expletives at the referee. Oh, one last thing. You also conceded more goals.

Take that to your R8 million shootout!!