[EN] Premier League 2004/05 (12 Viewers)

[jaecole]

Well done Chelsea :thumb:

 

Buy on AliExpress.com

[Holdon]

Congrats to Chelsea, well deserved.

 

[Chxta]

Congrats to Chel$ki. I have to swallow a lot to say this, but...
well done!

 

[Freddy]

Congrats to Chelski

 

[Chxta]

Mourinho also believes Chelsea owe a debt of gratitude to the club's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

He has spent over £200m on bringing new players to Stamford Bridge and his investment has paid off handsomely.

"I think Roman deserves this title a lot," Mourinho said.

 

[king Ale]

congradulations to Chelsea.they really deserve it.

 

[gray]

++ [ originally posted by chxta ] ++
Mourinho also believes Chelsea owe a debt of gratitude to the club's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

no $#!^

 

[Martin]

Yeah, astute comment wasn't it

 

[Menace]

Congrats

 

[Lampard #8]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/4008957.stm

He was right.

 

[JCK]

So far one title costed 213.3 M, congratulations big spenders

 

[Chxta]

Got this one from Soccernet.

Before Everton fans get carried away with the idea of Bayern Munich and Barcelona coming to Goodison Park next season, they should consider a more probable scenario.

While Toffees fans appear to be under the impression that they have a divine right to play Champions League football after finishing more than 30 points behind the Premiership leaders, the truth is they are a long way from claiming their place among the game's elite.

In fact, many a bookmaker will be backing Everton to make a trip somewhere like Azerbaijan in the UEFA Cup next September, rather than rolling up at the Nou Camp, even if they do manage to finish fourth in the Premiership. Whisper it quietly among Evertonians who are in a state of trembling euphoria, but they are still big outsiders to be playing Champions League football in 2005.

Contrary to popular belief, fourth place in the English league does not result in UEFA writing out a £20m cheque and handing the side in question a place in the group stages of their premier competition; it merely assures you of two games against a better than decent side to battle it out for a place in the big league.

It is normally a great starting point for a side with genuine European aspirations, but for David Moyes' gallant Everton battlers, it seems to be the end game. For that reason, their qualification for a Champions League qualifying tie would be bad news for English football.

If they get thrown into a two leg qualifier against a decent German or Italian side, or even an Eastern European powerhouse, they are likely to have their behinds kicked in no uncertain terms, and that would leave the Premiership with only three sides competing at the highest level next season.

The debate over whether Liverpool should be granted the final Champions League spot if they win the trophy this season should not come into the equation as everyone knew the rules when they started out back in August, but you wonder whether a side featuring Marcus Bent, David Weir and Lee Carsley would send a shiver down the spine of any side in the game's top competition?

Soccernet's Insider arrived at Craven Cottage to assess the merits of Everton just a few days after attending the Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge and the time had come for the Toffees to make their point.

Everton's progress to fourth place in the Premiership may be due as much to the incompetence of the rest in this celebrated league and their nearest rivals didn't take long to do them a favour. Middlesbrough's goal against Liverpool at Anfield was celebrated as if it was scored by Duncan Ferguson or Tim Cahill; but you cannot help but feel Moyes' men are stumbling towards their dream by default in many ways.

Everton started the game in typical fashion, throwing their weight around and showing plenty of energy and enthusiasm. They should have been ahead in the first minute as David Weir's header was goal bound, only for Kevin Kilbane to stick a leg out to snatch the glory when he was in an offside position.

Cahill could have scored shortly afterwards, but he wasted the chance as he burst through on goal and then, in their first attack, Fulham opened the scoring. Liam Rosenior's cross eventually fell into the path of young Collins John, who unleashed an unstoppable effort past Nigel Martyn in the Everton goal.

The departure of the injured Cahill did little to help the Everton cause and with Duncan Ferguson making a rare start, the temptation to knock the ball long proved too tempting as they tried to find a way back into the game. Moyes' men came close a couple of times, but when Brian McBride headed Fulham into a 2-0 advantage after 39 minutes, their Champions League credentials looked laughable.

Forget the idea of them beating a decent German or Spanish side, this Everton side didn't look as if they could see off the second best team in the Faroe Islands for most of this game as, for all their hard work, they lack the quality required when push and shove collide in the traditional fashion.

The visitors started the second half in decent fashion, but you suspected their fans were more interested in Liverpool's progress as their side rarely looked like getting anything out of this game. News that Steven Gerrard had scored an equaliser for Liverpool deepened their gloom and manager David Moyes seemed ready to explode as the game drifted towards a close.

With his men launching long balls aplenty into their opponent's box, he felt referee Steve Bennett was missing a few too many fouls, though Fulham's Papa Boupa Diop was sent off thanks to a second yellow card 15 minutes from time. Even against 10 men, Everton were not good enough to score a goal and Moyes looked to be seething with anger as he faced the media.

'We never played well so we cannot have too many arguments,' conceded the disgruntled Everton manager. 'The injury to Tim Cahill knocked us back because we started the game fine. The disruption to the team when we lost Tim hit us hard and Fulham probably took advantage of that.

'There have only been a few occasions when I have been disappointed with my players this season and this was one of them. The goals we gave away were poor, but this game has gone now.'

As for the suggestion the Toffees would embarrass the Premiership in the Champions League next season, he had this response. 'People can say what they like about us. We have won 17 games in this league so far, we have qualified for the UEFA Cup and a lot of people would like to be in our position.

'We've been in fourth all season and intend to stay there. I don't care what the media say about us after this game, but I expect my players to respond as they have done all season.'

Fulham boss, Chris Coleman, was naturally more content. 'We have beaten a strong Everton side today and finally got some rewards for a good performance,' he stated.

'We have been playing well for a few weeks now and not getting the rub of the green, but it went our way today. We are safe in this league for another year and that's all I care about.'

Everton fans may not like this comment, but for the sake of English football, you have to hope this limited team finish fifth.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Luis Boa Morte

Fulham did well to hang onto this improved attacking talent in the transfer window and they may have more offers coming in for him this summer.

PLAYER REVOLT: Fulham's Steed Malbranque walked out in a huff after being dropped by manager Chris Coleman. His future at the club must now be in doubt.

FACE IN THE PRESS BOX: Sky Sports motor mouth Chris Kamara was straining his vocal chords on this crucial day for Everton. Apparently, TV babe Amanda Holden was also in the ground, but I didn't get the chance to try my luck with a quick chat up line.

HARD MAN: The prize goes to Luis Boa Morte as he squared up to the mighty Duncan Ferguson mid-way through the second half. Predictably, he ended up being shoved to the floor.

EVERTON VERDICT: If this is the standard of Champions League contender the Premiership is going to offer up next season, this league is not as strong as it claims to be. You cannot be lucky in 38 games, but Everton are not worthy of representing England in Europe's showpiece competition.

Discuss...

 

[jaecole]

What's to discuss?

Yeah Everton aren't guaranteed a place with 4th and yeah they will suck in the Champions League. Then again look at Liverpool this season, absolute garbage yet they are in a position that they could reach the final. Everton have been ALOT better than Liverpool this season so who knows, maybe they will get past the group stage. That would be great for them financially and professionally. Of course their fans can be excited, they would placed in a draw with the best teams in the world. Many everton fans have NEVER seen these players play.

Fact is if they finish 4th, then qualify, they deserve to be there, they have EARNED their place. Everton fans are hardly thinking they are going to make an impact on next years CL.

And stop ripping that 'Discuss...' thing of Shadowfax

 

[Bjerknes]

I highly doubt Everton would do anything in the CL. Has David Moyes ever been in the Champions League or UEFA Cup? Benitez knows what he's doing in Europe but obviously has some work to do in the Prem.

And of course this whole discussion matters only IF Liverpool win the CL, something I doubt they'll do. If they beat Chelsea and go to Istanbul there is no way they will beat Milan.

 

[pembohong]

Anyone saw Gerrard's goal?

 

[jaecole]

++ [ originally posted by Andy ] ++
I highly doubt Everton would do anything in the CL. Has David Moyes ever been in the Champions League or UEFA Cup? Benitez knows what he's doing in Europe but obviously has some work to do in the Prem.

Do anything? Depends on their draw. They could sneak a second in the group stages.

Moyes not being in the champions league is irrelevent. Look at Leeds last time they made the CL, everyone thought they would be shit and they were pretty good. One thing Everton have going for them is they play with balls, they would fight for it thats for sure.

Besides Everton getting there is the achievement, anything more is a bonus for them. Of course they wont do what Liverpool did this year though but thats just because they dont have the squad for it.

And of course this whole discussion matters only IF Liverpool win the CL, something I doubt they'll do. If they beat Chelsea and go to Istanbul there is no way they will beat Milan.

What has this got to do with Liverpool? This about Everton making the CL. Liverpool making it is irrelevent and they are not going to.

 

[Chxta]

Even if by some odd coincidence Liverpool win the CL, I'd rather Everton going for next season's CL. Why?

They qualified pure and simple. As in the European Nations Cup (for want of a better name), and now the World Cup, it is not just enough to be the Champions. You have to earn your place there.

Personally I agree with the article that states that Everton would in all probability fuck up in the CL next term, but so fucking what? If they earned the right to be there, then ffs let them be there.

@jaecole, I love that habit of Shadowfax, which is why I copied it.

 

[jaecole]

++ [ originally posted by chxta ] ++

@jaecole, I love that habit of Shadowfax, which is why I copied it.

Ah that's ok then.

Ripping off Shadowfax can't be bad for you, do as you will my man

 

[Chxta]

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina could be the latest player to join Liverpool's Spanish armada in a summer switch from Villarreal. The Reds have reportedly stumped up the €12million required to activate his release clause, leaving the Liga outfit powerless to keep him.

Reina is set to sign a three-year deal at Anfield worth around 40,000 euros per week after an impressive campaign that has seen Villarreal emerge as contenders for Champions League qualification.

Rafa Benitez has targetted the former Barcelona man as the answer to his well-documented problems in goal.

Jerzy Dudek has continued to costly mistakes while Chris Kirkland's injury hell shows no sign of stopping.

Youngter Scott Carson was thrown straight in for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Juventus but needs time to develop.

Reina's arrival would see Dudek and probably Kirkland ushered out of Liverpool.

 

[Nicole]

++ [ originally posted by chxta ] ++
Goalkeeper Pepe Reina could be the latest player to join Liverpool's Spanish armada in a summer switch from Villarreal. The Reds have reportedly stumped up the €12million required to activate his release clause, leaving the Liga outfit powerless to keep him.

Reina is set to sign a three-year deal at Anfield worth around 40,000 euros per week after an impressive campaign that has seen Villarreal emerge as contenders for Champions League qualification.

Rafa Benitez has targetted the former Barcelona man as the answer to his well-documented problems in goal.

Jerzy Dudek has continued to costly mistakes while Chris Kirkland's injury hell shows no sign of stopping.

Youngter Scott Carson was thrown straight in for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Juventus but needs time to develop.

Reina's arrival would see Dudek and probably Kirkland ushered out of Liverpool.

He's also been linked to Man Utd and Arsenal. I've never seen him so I dont know how good he is.