Can I just start by saying that Man United’s win at PSG in the Champions League was incredible.
Watching the first half, PSG moved the ball around like they were playing 11 against five and could have scored three or four on another day.
But fair play, the Red Devils stuck with it and somehow found themselves a couple of goals to the good.
I don’t want to harp on about it because they’re through and good luck to ’em, but that VAR decision still baffles me.
Yes, there are some who believe it was correct, but taking a non-biased view, it was harsh, to say the least.
So the rules say “hand to ball”, let that be the premise to my point.
INEFFECTIVE: Eden Hazard. Photo: DAVID KLEIN/ REUTERS
The defender had no idea where the ball would be kicked right? He had his back to it.
His arm was not "unnaturally" out of place right?
If you jump up and turn at the same time your arms will naturally flare out slightly to balance.
So how is that a penalty?
Again, not knocking the result, but this VAR s**t is mad.
They really need to re-examine the finer detail, like linesmen not flagging offside until a “goal might be scored”.
I guess Arsenal being awarded the softest of soft penalties on Sunday against United had an air of justice to it!
Anyway, on to another big weekend in the Premier League and most notably the demise of Tottenham.
It must be SO PAINFUL supporting Spurs.
Not because winning trophies is everything, but the groundhog season scenario is on the eternal repeat button.
Everyone sees it, everyone predicts it, why doesn’t chairman Daniel Levy invest? They’re like three or four players short of a proper competing side.
They looked superb earlier this season, but a couple of injuries, a pile-up of fixtures and it appears all is falling apart again.
They have, however, kept their European hopes alive with the recent undoing of Dortmund who are a very decent side, but with the fight for fourth place heating up every week in the Premier League, it seems unlikely their thin squad will be able to manage the physical and mental demands.
On the title race itself, it does feel like Man City have taken charge.
Liverpool responded on Sunday, but despite scoring four it never really felt that they were in full control.
I fear that the Scousers are gonna do a Spurs, however, looking at their remaining fixtures, it should go down to the wire.
Back to Sunday and what a s**tshow at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, somehow working themselves back into the fold for a top-four spot, needed all three points against Wolves, but just couldn’t break down the 11-man bus parked in the first third for the entire game.
It was one of the most frustrating performances I’ve endured for years, with Wolves taking the lead with their only shot (and that was deflected).
City also faces teams that set up with 11 behind the ball, but the difference is, inevitably they break it down with the type of quality Chelsea just isn’t producing.
Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic repeatedly lost possession, leaving Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain ineffective up top.
Still, a win against Brighton (a game in hand) puts the Blues level fourth with the Gooners.
It’s super tight, Spurs, United, Chelsea, Arsenal.
Four teams, two places, oh dear get ya’ nappies on, it’s gonna be squeaky!