England book their ticket to South Africa

England! Looking Serious.

Qualifying calmly with two games to spare, England is a new team. They've shaken off the shocking loss to Croatia that kept them out of the Euro's last year. Moreover, the squad has been meticulously picked according to balance and cohesion on the pitch. They look like a new team. A much better team.

It was just last year when I was watching England struggle to qualify for the Euro's and shaking my head in disbelief at the lack of teamwork. England's two top superstars, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, could not play together to produce something productive. David Beckham was crossing the ball from the right while the young and speedy Aaron Lennon watched from the bench. The midfield was imbalanced and lacking control. I could go on but it's all in the past.

All the aforementioned has changed. England have a new skipper and a new attitude. Gareth Barry is holding down the midfield and adding vision to the game. Frank and Stevie G are lighting up the game like the superstars they are. England's youth is being given a chance and Fabio Capello is using England's arsenal of top class weapons superbly.

England qualify with the most goals scored in the European groups. The group as it stands now shows a beat down. 31 Goals For. 5 Goals Against. A +26 goal differential.



Simply stated, England has played eight qualifiers. England has won all eight and dominated their group. They have never qualified with games left to be played in qualification. This in turn allows England to test out their firepower and establish a strong bond before the World Cup.







England moves forward as a collective unit after this first goal. They shine as one team and confidence beams from their play. Have a look.










It's all over...Then Croatia score. Then England score and politely say "Thank You Very Much"

Burnley celebrates it's first home victory via a blazing volley

Making their Premiership debut, Burnley hosted their first match in top flight English football. However, the side they faced happened to be the champ. Manchester United.The atmosphere at this game had the entire stadium behind Burnley no matter what the outcome.



United looked sloppy. This goal in particular was a sixth or seventh chance at attack. With the only goal scored to upset the champions, United Keeper Ben Foster whiffed at a hard hit volley by Robbie Blake. This ball was seriously hit. From the angle behind the goal, notice how fast the ball comes in.

Happy times for the newly promoted side.

Fabregas takes a stroll. Starts and Finishes.

What can I say? This strike was all Cesc Fabregas. Simply, Manuel Almunia throws the ball to his wide open captain and the rest of the play from then on is improvised. The space Everton leaves in unbelievable and Fabregas makes them pay. Taking advantage of wide open space, Fabregas dribbles 3/4's of the field then rips an amazing shot. From outside the 18 yard box, the ball knuckles, dips to the floor, and squeezes in the bottom left corner of the goal. From the back camera angle, you can see the absolute genius behind the shot. It could freeze any keeper.



I would like to point out that this example can be used to highlight the difference between top class football and mediocre mid range professional soccer(MLS). You'd be hard pressed to see a shot like this taken with ease or even taken in the MLS. It would beat any keeper in Major Leauge Soccer. Period. Beautiful.

After the goal, Fabregas honors the fallen captain of Spanish La Liga club Espanyol, Dani Jarque, who died from a heat attack while on pre-season tour this past year. A fellow Spanish International, Fabregas couldn't have dedicated a more beautiful goal.

Everton v Arsenal
Barclays Premier League, Goodison Park
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Everton 1 - 6 Arsenal

On a break away, Arsenal threads a needle through the mid-field

This play displays the young attacking talent on Arsenal's side. Captain Cesc Fabregas is among the best attacking midfielders in the game today. He can be mentioned with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and Xavi. The main difference that sets him apart from the aforementioned is age. He is at least seven years younger. Arsenal's captain is the leader on the pitch by nature of his position and talent. Fabregas is Arsenals most important player and it's future.



After clearing the ball out of the box, Andrei Arshavin wins the ball at the back of the Everton attack and sets the breakaway in motion. Arshavin finds Denilson in space and the young Brazilian scans up the field and reads the attacking runs of Fabregas and van Persie. A no look through pass to space on the wing is swiped up by Robin van Persie and driven up field. This counter attack chain is almost complete.

You'll notice that Denilson and Fabregas make eye contact right as the pass is fired to Van Persie. Cesc Fabregas see's the play develop once the pass is made and sprints to the top of the 18 yard box in a straight line. Fabregas positions himself brilliantly once the Everton defender runs to pick up Van Persie by turning on the boosters to receive the cross. He takes one touch and slots the ball through the five hole.

I love how Fabregas celebrates the play by tugging on his jersey as his momentum takes him to the team mate who fed him the ball Robin van Persie. Everton was sliced and diced by world class attacking talent. Class all the way.

Everton v Arsenal
Barclays Premier League, Goodison Park
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Everton 1 - 6 Arsenal

Denilson's Curling Upper V Strike

One of three goals I'm featuring from Arsenal's 6 - 1 opening game stomp of Everton at Goodison Park. This strike by Brazilian talent Denilson opened up the flood gates on American Goalkeeper Tim Howard. Despite Everton's horrendous defending throughout the game, nothing could be done about this strike.



Arsenal's patience on the ball is rewarded immediately when space is found on the top of the box. Nicklas Bendtner finds space by beating a defender and lines a pass to captain Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas, a dangerous world class player draws the attention of five defenders immediately when the ball reaches his feet. Three Everton defenders rush Fabregas. Quickly, Fabregas lays the ball to the wide open space at the top of the box vacated by an incoming defender.

Denilson hits the ball with a full leg as the window is opened by Fabregas. Denilson follows through the entire kick and lands on his kicking foot. This ensures that his entire momentum is directed towards the top corner. Howard can only swipe a handful of air as he too is one full step behind the entire play.

Everton v Arsenal
Barclays Premier League, Goodison Park
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Everton 1 - 6 Arsenal

Man City's Turn Around Counter Attack Skills

Record spenders in the transfer market this past year at 212 million pounds spent on players. This beautiful counter attack starts with Enamual Adebayor tracking down a mis touch to continue the attack. Adebayor lays a perfect heavy through ball in front of Sean Wright Phillips. While Phillips is one on one with the defender, Robinho and Garreth Barry make runs into the box looking for a cross. This draws defenders and leaves a hustling Adebayor with enough room at the top of the box. Sean Wright Phillips skips past the defender and leaves a perfect ball for a charging Adebayor who hits it with the inside front of his foot and follows through. 212 million dollars worth of top drawer execution.

Blackburn v Manchester City
Barclays Premier League, Ewood Park
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Blackburn 0 - 2 Manchester City

Russia's Euro Run was Fun! Part 1:

Russia was the most exciting team in the Euro tournament of 08. After David Villa scored a hat trick in the open game for the eventual winner Spain, Russia woke up. 4-0 was the score and then the Russians snapped to reality and executed a plan. With a clean tactical approach beginning after the whistle to start the game up after Spain's third straight goal, Russia started playing. Each player has a role and each player from then on fulfills it. Not only fulfills their positional duties, but creates chances, and intern they give themselves a fighting chance in the tournament. The teamwork was absolutely beautiful at times. The shape of the team never broke quite like that again.

I watched every game Russia played in the tournament. I was rooting for them to beat Greece and they earned a victory. The next two games were truly aw inspiring. Andre Arshavin and Roman Pavliachenko launched their club careers with their performances. Arsenal and Tottenham as well as others have Russian talent on the radars until further notice.

1st goal: Roman Pavliachenko opens up the Russian score sheet in the Euros. Russia was overwhelmed by the size of the stage and the polished skill of club superstars that pack the roster.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russia vs. Greece
Round Two Group Stages



Every game is certain elimination for Russia from here on. They played like they wanted the third game. Roman starting firing and the score could very well have been larger. A positioning error by Greece resulted in a goal that ended up winning the game for Russia. Russia takes another dose of confidence by eliminating the reigning champs. After the first defeat, to win with confidence against the former champs without play maker Andre Arshavin, is huge! They have everything to play for again.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russia vs Sweden

Russia came into this game on a high note after knocking out Greece and suiting up Andrew Arshavin. Sweden had just come off a heartbreaking loss to Spain. Sweden's defensive side was literally threaded by David Villa for the winning goal and their defensive shape was dismal. Russia came at Sweden with all the pieces they had. Gus Hidink schooled the over-rated Swedish side. You'll notice that the Swedes look like they are literally being run around.

Enjoy

Stabbed by a dagger. It came and went in a second.

After beating Greece in the first group stage match 2-0, Sweden faced Spain. Spain, coming off a dominating win over Russia 4-1 featuring a hat trick by David Villa were high with confidence. Getting into the rhythm of tournament play, Spain opened the scoring via a goal from Fernando Torres.

Sweden with their backs against the wall pulled one back with a cheeky little goal by zlatan ibrahimovic to tie the game at 1-1.

Both sides attacked and defended as if their lives depended on it and it seemed as though the game would end in a stalemate. But in a flash of brilliance Sweden was handed a ticket to a must win 3rd game by David Villa, giving him four goals in two games to start the eventual champions off. Villa put Spain on his shoulders and single highhandedly catapulted his team into the quarterfinals.



I remember watching this game and seeing the air get sucked out of Sweden. I couldn't imagine scoring a game winner in front of the opposition fans like that. Sweden's fans got a perfect view of Villa slicing a dagger through them like butter. Enjoy.

Disecting Fernando Torres's first goal for Liverpool

World Class Fernando Torres Win's the heart of Anfield with his first goal for the Reds



This is one of my absolute favorites. After a crisp through pass from Steven Gerrard. Torres runs on to the ball and takes a touch. Ben Haim runs to defend on the first touch. Immediatly as Haim arrives and sets his feet to defend, Torres skins the Chelsea defender. Pushing the ball into space in front of him at the exact moment the Chelsea defense tries to bite.

El Nino makes them pay. Torres opens his body up to the far post and follows through the shot and places it beautifully. Ben Haim was left to watch Torres number fly by as the goal is scored in a flash. If you really dissect this goal you can see that Torres follows through the shot and ends his momentum right in front of the end line. Any further and the shot would have missed because angle at the far post would have proved to tight. The finishing skills of Fernando Torres were very well known after scoring a slick goal like that. He went on to score 30 for the season.


Liverpool v. Chelsea
08.19.2007