Sunday, October 27, 2013

The Day of the Refs and Managers (Gone Wild)

First for the good news. In a sloppy game on the road at Crystal Palace, Arsenal did what title contenders must do: win games ugly when they don’t play particularly well. Arsenal very well could have lost the game but instead walked away 2-0 winners, on a penalty by Arteta (47’) and a late goal from in-form Giroud (87’) on a lovely cross from Ramsey. But in between those two goals, there were two excellent saves from Szczesny and a questionable straight red card for Arteta on a play in which ex-Gunner Chamakh backed into him at least 40 yards out. On top of this, we lost Flamini early, probably for the next two weeks at least, when we will play Chelsea in the Capital One Cup, Liverpool and Man United at the Emirates, as well as Bayern on the road in the UCL. It is a tough run, with many of our starters still injured, but a run where we must perform well to keep ourselves in the hunt for the easiest available trophy, the knock-out stage of the Champion’s League and remain at the top of the table. These less than three weeks will go a long way toward defining our season and one hopes the last two games were but a blip on a fine start to the season.

Now onto the classico, where Real Madrid outplayed Barcelona in the second half after getting thoroughly outplayed in the first, but still lost all three points. The game started with some questionable calls from new coach Ancelotti, starting Gareth Bale, who did little, moving Ramos up to defensive midfield, for the first time since 2005, and leaving Isco and Benzema on the bench. The plan backfired and Real went into the break down 1-0 after a fine, if fortuitous, goal by Neymar (19’). But Real came alive in the second half and should have had the opportunity for an equalizer, but for a bizarre no call on a clear penalty as Ronaldo was taken down from behind in a clear goal scoring position inside the box. This was but one of a number of questionable calls by the referee. But a beautiful chip goal from Alexis Sanchez made it 2-0 and a late goal by wunderkind Jese was not enough to avoid giving three points to Barcelona and a six point cushion in the title race. Bad coaching? Probably an exaggeration, though it was clearly risky. Bad refereeing? No question.

And now to a bizarre but entertaining World Series game in which the Red Sox twice came back from two run deficits before ceding the game on a knuckle-headed play that will go down in the annals of baseball history. It started with men on second and third and one out. First, was yet another bizarre decision by Red Sox Manager John Farrell, deciding to pitch to John Jay rather than load the bases with Pete Kozma and Kolten Wong coming up (two hitters doing nothing at the moment). Jay hit the ball hard to the right side, but Dustin Pedroia dove to his right, snagged the ball, jumped up and fired it home, getting Molina at the plate. Then, with no real chance to get Craig at third, Boston catcher Jarrod Saltamacchia threw the ball down the line anyway. Will Middlebrook, who had taken over at third after pinch hitting and allowed two runs to score after missing out on a very makeable play earlier, failed to come off the bag to get the ball. The ball went off his glove and into left field while he floundered on the ground. But when Craig started to run for home, Middlebrook raised his legs from his belly, essentially “obstructing” the runner and the third based umpire immediately called for him to advance one base. But no one realized what was going on and a throw to the plate beat the runner, who would have been out. So the game didn’t go to extra innings but was instead decided by the call. It was a disappointing end to a gritty performance from the Red Sox, but was just the latest questionable call from their new manager, who has taken them from a terrible season to 1-1 in the World Series in one year.

Let’s look at a couple of those decisions: 1) He pinch hit for pitcher Felix Doubrant in the top of the seventh with two outs, even though he was doing great relief work (and then brought in Craig Breslow, who gave up two runs and the tie – though partially because of below par plays from new third baseman Middlebrook (who pinch hit for Doubrant ) and rookie 8-year old phenomenon Xavier Bogaerts). 2) Then, in the top of the ninth, with one out, he allowed pitcher Workman to hit – leading to a strikeout. After he gave up a leadoff hit, he was pulled in the bottom of the inning anyway, and with Napoli sitting on the bench, one has to wonder what the hell he was thinking. 3) Pitching to Jay, as outlined above. At least three bad decisions in one game is not terribly impressive, though most of his decisions this year have been spot on, and thus it would be harsh to adjudge him as anything but a little off his game tonight – and, of course, hindsight is 20/20. The Cardinals themselves could have won the game running away, but for their failure to bring in a runner on third with less than two outs – on two occasions – and by stranding 12 runners. Now the Red Sox find themselves in a 2-1 hole with a tough pitching matchup tomorrow night.


On top of all this, Man United again found themselves down at home – twice – before pulling off a late equalizer and winner to remind fans of the good-ole Fergie-time days. Yet the equalizer from Hernandez maybe should have never come, as his elbow to the throat might have led to a straight red from a ref following the rules, a few minutes earlier. Not the best day for managers or umpires/referees, but an entertaining one nonetheless. More action tomorrow, let’s hope the players decide the outcome on the field, without any undo help … or hindrance.  

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