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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