He cost Chelsea £50m and he was largely ineffective against Liverpool, yes Fernando Torres despite his price-tag could not break down the defence of the team he left acrimoniously last week! Torres was so ineffective that he was substituted 66 minutes into the game. Liverpool beat the home side at Stamford Bridge by a solitary second half goal; just three minute after Torres was substituted; Raul Meireles; who is the best thing to happen during former manager, Roy Hodgson’s short tenure at Anfield netted again. The Portuguese capitalised on a defensive mix-up between goalkeeper and defender to poach a goal from Gerrard’s cross. It could have been 2 – 0 to the Reds but somehow Maxi Rodriguez managed to hit the crossbar from just a few feet out, but it doesn’t matter it’s still a win; Liverpool look like a very different side under the guidance of Kenny Dalglish! The Reds move into sixth place just six points off today’s opponents in fourth place; Liverpool may still be playing Champions League football next season if this resurgence continues. Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea are on the slide after a great early start to the season, can Ancelotti turn it around; it doesn’t look good even with their bank account £50m lighter. Manchester United also lost 2 – 1 to Wolves at Molineux on Saturday while Arsenal were held to a 4 – 4 draw with Newcastle United, the only team to win in the top four was Manchester City with former United striker netting a hat-trick! Liverpool are in with a good shout of finishing in the top four if they can maintain their recent form under Reds living legend “King” Kenny Dalglish.
Another team has done the league double over Argyle; this time Brentford who sacked their manager this week and hadn’t won in seven games; comprehensively outplayed the Pilgrims in a 2 – 0 victory at Griffin Park. Kari Arnason had Plymouth’s only real chance; rattling the crossbar in the first half. Myles Weston scored both Brentford goals on the 35th and 56th minutes. Argyle were lucky to only lose by two goals, Brentford were rampant narrowly missing out on two additional goals.Argyle slide down to 18th in the league just two points away from the relegation zone; desparation is starting to sink in at Home Park, losing the last four games on the trott and facing another court date for the club’s survival as major shareholder, Japanese Kagami doesn’t seem to care a damn about my home town team, no money have been forthcoming despite renewed calls for assistance from Argyle consultant, Peter Ridsdale, who threatened to walk away from Argyle if money wasn’t forthcoming from the Japanese by tomorrow (Tuesday 8th February).
England ended their dismal one day international series in Australia with a sixth defeat to come home with their tails between their legs after a fantastic Ashes series. England finished the one day series 6 – 1 down being outplayed for the most part in this series against the old enemy. England lost the final game by 57 runs, the biggest defeat of the entire series, both England openers, Andrew Strauss and Steven Davies went for ducks, even Mr. Dependable, Jonathan Trott’s wicket fell cheaply for 14 runs and Kevin Pietersen’s wicket fell shortly after for 26 runs. Ian Bell only lasted 16 balls making 8 runs before Matt Prior and Michael Yardy added 55 runs before Prior’s wicket fell for 39 runs. Yardy finished the innings on 61 not out running out of partners, 57 runs shy of the target of 280 to win that had been set by the Australians!
Devastating news for Renault/Lotus F1 driver Robert Kubica; the Pole is likely to be sidelined for at least one year according to doctors after he crashed heavily in a rally he was competing in. He was reportedly trapped in his Skoda Fabia for upto an hour while specialist cutting equipment was used on the car which ploughed into the side of a church in Italy at high speed! Initially it was thought that Kubica would lose his right hand which was partially severed in the accident but surgeons managed to reattach his hand, it remains to be seen whether he will regain full usage of that hand, which could end his promising F1 career. I wish Robert all the best and hope to see him back racing in an F1 car in 2012 or sooner, it’ll be a great shame to lose such an immense talent!
Finally… another rock legend sheds their mortal coil; RIP Gary Moore, you’re music will live on!