Just goes to show that football is a funny old game, my predictions were completely wrong and the matches lived up to the hype surrounding them on what was billed as 'Grand Slam Sunday'.
With Manchester United beating Liverpool 3-0 and Chelsea beating Arsenal 2-1, Manchester United have now gone 5 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Manchester United's task was made easier with the Mascherano sending off, however Liverpool at this point were already 1-0 down. I believe that referees should continue this crack down on players using intimidation tactics. When I was a lad, I was told to accept the referee's decision and just get on with the game, as nothing could change their mind.
Players have to realise that they have to accept the referee's decision and any attempt to intimidate them will result in a yellow card. The top four clubs always think they can get away with this tactic. I hope the clampdown is not just a one off and referees continue to crackdown on this behaviour.
It looks like Arsenal are cracking under the pressure and don't seem to be able to grind out results. Whereas Chelsea are playing to their strengths and keeping their title hopes alive by leapfrogging over Arsenal to go second in the table. Drogba is on fine form and banging the goals in, along with Anelka up front, Chelsea have the impetus to challenge Manchester United.
Arsenal are by far the best passing team in the Premier League at the moment, but sometimes they try too hard to pass the ball into the back of the net. If Arsenal had followed Chelsea's example of root one football, then the outcome would have been different and the title race would be more interesting.
Liverpool's title race is all but over with the defeat to Manchester United, so they will have to settle for 4th place. Whereas Manchester United look like favourites to retain the Premier League, but then Chelsea and Arsenal aren't out of the race just yet.
This Sunday (23/03/2008) sees the top four Premier League football clubs do battle (Manchester United vs Liverpool and Arsenal vs Chelsea). These fixtures could make or break the season. With Manchester United currently leading the pack and sitting three points clear at the the top of the Premier League, but that could all change with a slip up against Liverpool and Arsenal defeating Chelsea.
So are these fixtures going to live up to the hype surrounding them, probably not, as they usually end up cancelling each other out and not making good viewing for a neutral fan. That won't stop me watching them on the box and hopefully enjoying a humdinger of a weekend.
Predictions
I predict that Manchester United will beat Liverpool 2-1 and Arsenal and Chelsea will cancel each other out resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Football definitely is a funny old game, but I'm glad to see that the usual top four Premier league teams aren't going to win the competition this year. It looks as though the FA Cup is going back to the good old days when I was a little whippersnapper, as there seemed to be more magic in the FA Cup.
Barnsley fully deserved to beat Chelsea; they had more fight and were first to the ball on every occasion. Likewise Cardiff showed that they wanted to win a lot more than Middlesbrough. Whereas West Brom were just too hot to handle, but Bristol Rovers should be proud of their achievements.
Portsmouth definitely had lady luck on their side as they beat Manchester United. How on earth did Carrick not score, only he will be able to answer that?
Barnsley is my tip to win the FA Cup, as they've knocked out two of the best teams and it will be a shame if they don't go all the way. However, football is never straightforward and easy to predict, but least this year's FA Cup is exciting for the neutral fan.
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