With no ceremony attached nor paparazzi, the weekend wizzled away with great news for pure football fans and football clubs. Some Blue clubs one-two cry, some philosophies were Gomis-ed, others are searching for a win after 3 trials and many more.
Arsenal Top Striker – Own Goal
Arsenal signed Cech to save about 15 points but little did we know that two players were signed from Krypton – Own Goal and Cohesion. The former has been Arsenal’s top striker this season accounting for 67% of the goals so far. While Cohesion has failed to make an impact, Own Goal has been reliable after 4 games in the Premier League – grabbing the winner at Selhurst Park and at Newcastle.
Wenger opted for Walcott to utilise the openings in the toons backline but the 16th minute red card locked up those openings and reduced Walcott to a youngling running around near aimlessly. He had one of the fewest touches – most of which were vital but his profligacy in front the goal was topnotch. His replacement Giroud had more presence in the box but he ended up giving the world another opportunity to scream for a new striker before the window shuts down.
Red Red Red.
It was a weekend of early baths in the Premier League and even in Nigeria. Stoke got 2 quick baths – Ibrahim Afellay and Charlie Adam. Liverpool’s Coutinho was also sent off. Others included Mitrovic of Newcastle,Whittacker of Norwich City and Mark Noble of Westham.
Kwara United’s Mohammed Abdullahi saw red in Lafia as Nasarawa United pummelled the Harmony Warriors with a 3-0 victory.
FFP – Financial False Play
After reading about Wenger’s comment on the FFP on Arseblog, i shook my head and felt pity for the Frenchman. It is like reading for an exam only to be told after the exam that results will be graded by how much money you have paid for bribery, foggery and corruption. The Financial Fair Play has not been fair, Wenger was dubbed – he fell the coy. Manchester have splashed over £150m a season after being sanctioned by the FFP. The bigger clubs will continue to be bigger, Platini will continue to play holier-than-thou as he clamours to head world football calling Blatter’s kettle black with his soot covered face. FFP was/is a scam.
An Arsenal and City Weekend
An early Saturday kick off versus Newcastle didn’t go as plan but the gunners scraped a 1-0 victory. The feeling was not good. The mood was made lighter after Alan Pardew spoilt the 100th home cuntury for Jose Mourinho at the Bridge. Falcao got his 1st goal in the Yokohoma Tyres jersey but his effort was useless – proclaimed by his gaffer – as Crystal Palace went home winners. The special one finally broke David Moyes record of poor start in the Premier League.
The spirit was further lifted seeing Bilic hammer Liverpool at Anfield with Coutinho getting an early shower. Gomis and Ayew will increase the ecstasy level in the Blue half of Manchester and red half of North London as they taught LVG a new type of Philosophy. That Gomis celebration though – shivers
12 More Rounds in the NPFL
It was matchday 26 at the weekend in the GloNPFL with 8 home victories and 2 draws. 6 times champions, Enyimba extended their lead at the top to 3 points thanks to a 0-0 draw against Sharks in Port Harcourt. Sunshine Stars and Kano Pillars continued their poor away form. Taraba FC took one step in their fight for relegation as they changed places at the bottom. With 12 games to go, every point will count to determine who wins the League and who returns to the NNL.
#GloNPFL Match Day 26 Results
Sharks FC 0-0 Enyimba FC
FC Ifeanyiubah 1-0 Bayelsa United
Giwa FC 2-0 Lobi Stars
Dolphins 2-0 Akwa United
El-Kanemi Warriors 2-2 Rangers
Wikki Tourists 2-1 Sunshine Stars
Heartland 1-0 Warri Wolves
Shooting Stars 2-0 Abia Warriors
Nasarawa United 3-0 Kwara United
FC Taraba 1-0 Kano Pillars
Kano Pillars are yet to get themselves since losing their long home record.
Top Flight Football Returns To Lagos
For ever a decade, the city of Lagos have failed to present a team to compete in the NPFL. Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria, the centre of excellence and economic hub of the country. The City have produced great teams in the past – Stationery Stores, Railway, Police Bombers etc. Julius Berger was the last team from Lagos to play topflight football before shifting base to Abeokuta and relegation there after. Union Bank have tried to no avail.
Over the weekend, 4 teams gained promotion to the NPFL – MFM FC, Ikorodu United, Plateau United and Niger Tornadoes. MFM FC and Ikorodu United are Lagos based teams and Lagosians will be happy to have Premier league action from next season. We have waited so long for a team but fate have given us two. It will be a debut season for the Lagos duo but a return for Niger Tornadoes and Plateau United.
Others.
Roma beat Juventus in the Serie A with Szczesny making a last minute save to deny Juventus a point. This loan is going well for the Pole. You need to see Van Gaal’s face as he was living the Liberty Stadium – Ayew Angry?
Ivanovic is a shadow of himself and Courtois facial expression was top notch. Rooney was woeful and Kane is trying so hard not to be a one season wonder. Arsenal’s finishing is questionable but Manchester City is flying away. The international break will give everyone a breather.
Oliseh was in Ibadan but i doubt he was pleased with what he saw because he watched about 30mins of the first half and was no where to be found in the second half. His assignment and judgement starts in the AFCON qualifier against Tanzania. Will any of the 6 home based stars make the starting eleven?
Enough of my musings but all eyes will be on the transfer window and the international break.
Enjoy.
By @AmosCP
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