Keep winning

This is the last home game of the season and let's win it for the fans and maintain our slim hope of catching up Manchester United. Rafa may again rest some players, but for whoever playing, don't do silly things and get you red cardded.

My Team Prediction:
Dudek
Kromkamp
Hyypia
Traore
Warnock
Gerrard
Hamann
Sissoko
Cisse
Fowler
Morientes

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060426 at West Ham United: Stupidity overshadowed victory

2-1 and the result will give us a psycological boast before the FA Cup Final, but for some stupidity by Luis Garcia, he get himself sent off and will miss the Final. While we may be sympathatic on the fact that he played well in the Semi Final that let us into the Final, but sometimes you need to be careful not to let the image that you are a diver get affect yourself. But unfortunately Luis Garcia learned it the hard way. Now, we are going to win this for him without his participation.

Player Rating:
Dudek: 6.5 A decent display for our CL hero.
Finnan: 6.5 A good display at the back.
Carragher: 6.5 Leading the defense well apart from the lapse at the start of 2H.
Traore: 6.5 Not bad performance as center back.
Warnock: 6.5 A good performance.
Kromkamp: 6.5 Played well in right midfield and right back.
Sissoko: 7.5 Nice performance and a nice assist.
Hamann: 7 Good display in midfield.
Cisse: 8 Two nice goals.
Fowler: 7 A great assist but should have score himself to make it 3-0.
Morientes: 6.5 Hit the crossbar...

Substitutions:
Hyypia: 6.5 Good display when called up.
Luis Garcia: 4 Have only himself to blame for the red card.
Riise: Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 7 A good rotation in resting most of the first team players, but would be angry for Luis Garcia's stupidity.

West Ham United: 6 Also rested many players, and it may hurt them more with Mullin's sent off. And we will beat them again in the FA Cup Final on May 13.

Man of the Match: Cisse. Great display, but why can't he play like every game?

The FA Cup rehersal

Although this game is the FA Cup rehersal expect there will be big changes to the lineup on May 13 as Rafa will be resting many players after a long season. This is a chance for the 2nd team players to impress tonight, and grab it well.

My Team Prediction:
Dudek
Kromkamp
Agger
Traore
Warnock
Cisse
Sissoko
Hamann
Riise
Morientes
Crouch

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060424 vs Chelsea: The better team won

2-1 and this time no doubt the better team won. Rafa's tactics were spot on and the players discharged accordingly. Luis Garcia proved again he is a big time player, and Harry Kewell had his best game for us. The job has not finished yet, and we will face West Ham in the Final. Let's not be complacement and finish the job professionally.

Players Rating:
Reina: 6.5 A very poor decision in rusing out and lead to the Drogba goal. Other than that, he was not seriously tested.
Finnan: 7 Discharged his defensive responsibility well.
Carragher: 7 Another whole-hearted performance from Carra as you can expect.
Hyypia: 7 Handled the Chelsea strikers well.
Riise: 7.5 Scored another beauty, but his poor header clearance let to the Chelsea goal.
Luis Garcia: 8 Big time player, and this time the ball definitely crossed the line.
Gerrard: 7.5 Disciplined performance by the PFA Player of the year.
Alonso: 7.5 Goo display in the middle.
Sissoko: 7.5 Excellent defensive display in breaking the Chelsea midfield.
Kewell: 7.5 A superb display by Kewell. Made lots of fun of the Chelsea full backs.
Crouch: 7 His persence created lots of troubles to the Chelsea defense.

Substitutions:
Cisse: 6 Erratic and poor performance. Cannot keep the ball.
Traore/Morientes: Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 8 Spot on tactics.

Chelsea: 6 Tasteless.

Player of the Match: Luis Garcia. Magic.

Another 5th time lucky

It's Chelsea again and we won't mind to win once every five times if this means we are going to eliminate them again in another semi-final. It is a pity that Fowler is cup-tied and won't be able to continue his amazing scoring run, but the other strikers will now need to step up and take responsibility.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Luis Garcia
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Kewell
Crouch

Result: 1-0

Match Report 060416 at Blackburn Rovers: Happy Birthday to Rafa

1-0 and this time Fowler sent an excellent birthday gift to Rafa by scoring the goal that secured us 3rd place and Champions League qualification. The goal is a very controversal one, but this is how the rule is intrepreted... and fortunately this time we benefited from it.

Fowler has scored 4 goals in 4 starts now and it makes Rafa's decision easier. For Cisse, he is puting himself in an awful position... but he can improve it by scoring against Chelsea.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Another good goal keeping performance.
Finnan: 7 Defending very well
Carragher: 8 Another superb performance.
Hyypia: 7.5 He may have lost his pace, but it is more than covered by his superb positioning.
Warnock: 7 A bit shaky at times facing Bellamy but in general a good performance.
Cisse: 6.5 A good dummy in the offside position, but he missed 2 golden chances to make the win easier.
Alonso: 6.5 A slight off day from his high standard.
Sissoko: 7.5 Superb in midfield.
Riise: 7 A good display in left midfield and defense.
Fowler: 8 How can Rafa justify not renewing his contract?
Morientes: 6.5 An assist and a tame header.

Substitutions:
Luis Garcia: 7 Provided another level of threat to Blackburn
Kewell: 6.5 A good performance in general.
Krompamp: Not enough time to impress.

Blackburn Rovers: 6 Not really in the game, and now they probably need to settle on UEFA Cup.

Men of the Match: Carragher and Fowler. Two great Scrousers diplay for the Hillsborough 96.

We remember

It's Hillsborough anniversery and we remember those who lost their lives for their beloved team. Blackburn had done very well in moving the game by 1 day (although in hindsight it should not be scheduled on the day at first place). We have already secured fourth place after Arsenal's draw, but nevertheless let's win it for the people, and continue our fading dream of finishing 2nd.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Kewell
Fowler
Crouch

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060409 vs Bolton Wanderers: The Birthday gave us the birthday gift

1-0 and the birthday boy scored a really nice goal that was decisive. We did not play particularly well, but what matters is that we get 3 more points and 1 more win we will guarantee at least finishing 3rd, although finishing 2nd is still mathematically possible, but it will be very unlikely.

Player Ratings:
Reina: 8 Made a lot of saves to make sure we win.
Finnan: 6.5 A bit shaky.
Carragher: 7 Made a great tackle in 1H to keep the score at 0-0
Hyypia: 6.5 Looks a bit tired.
Riise: 6.5 A decent defense display, but not much use when pushing up.
Cisse: 6 Not effective in attack and was correctly substituted.
Gerrard: 6 Not very effective. Maybe he was rested for too long?
Alonso: 7 Have a few nice passes and was unlucky to hit the post.
Kewell: 6.5 Provided lots of problems to the Bolton defense.
Fowler: 7.5 A well taken goal that makes the difference.
Crouch: 7 A nice assist and a few tame header.

Substitutions:
Luis Garcia: 6.5 Have a good impact when come up but soon faded.
Hamann/Traore: Haven't seen them for a long time, but not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6.5 A good game plan in general, although we seemed to be unable to control the pace.

Bolton Wanderers: 5.5 A poor display probably due to the jading of players. They need to step up a gear in order to qualify for UEFA Cup.

Man of the Match: Reina. Fowler scored the winning goal, and Reina makes sure we get the 3 points.

Prepare on another tough fight

Bolton may have lose many matches recently but they will still try their best to win this game as it is still mathematically possible for them to finish 4th. We will welcome Sammy Lee, but will make sure he is on the losing side.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Kewell
Fowler
Crouch

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060401at West Bromwich Albion: A easy win

2-0 and we were in control from start to finish. Cisse played very well on the right and showed us how his pace can terrify defenders with a goal and an assist. Alonso was playing like Joe Montana and it is really nice to see him excel especially without Stevie G. And Fowler has scored another poacher goal. Rafa, give him a contract.

Player Ratings:
Reina: 7.5 Had to be very alert in 2H against Gera to earn another clean sheet.
Finnan: 7 Nice defending.
Carragher: 7 Solid as usual.
Hyypia: 7 Good game in defense.
Riise: 7 Another nice display.
Cisse: 8 Used his pace very well and scored a well deserved goal.
Alonso: 8 Played like a quarter back. His long passes that feed Cisse provides a lot of danger and 2 goals.
Sissoko: 7.5 Tackle as if he was never injuried.
Kewell: 7 Doing the destroy on the left.
Fowler: 7.5 A nice goal and he surpassed Dalgish. We want more!
Crouch: 6.5 Missed a sitter.

Substitutions:
Luis Garcia: 6.5 Continue the terrifying job on the right.
Morientes: 6.5 A fair game.
Kromkamp: Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 7.5 His tactic is spot on once again in using Cisse to outrun Robinson. Need to address the slightly sloopy defense 2H when Gera was on the pitch.

West Bromwich Albion: They are now back to relegation zone. And they really need to work very hard to survive.

Men of the Match: Alonso and Cisse. Both played well and deserve the award.

Expect a tough game

West Brom is fighting for survival and as Crouch mention, they will put up the game of their live. Stevie G is suspended and so Rafa will do some shuffle. But we will have enough firepower to win the game.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Luis Garcia
Alonso
Sissoko
Kewell
Fowler
Crouch

Result: 2-0