A Predictable Outcome

       A predictable outcome came out of the Chelsea v Liverpool game just a few short hours ago. While Liverpool surely dominated the game, you wouldn't be able to tell that from the stat line. Chelsea had 58% of the possession, had more corners, and commited less offsides. They took more shots (19), but had the same amount on goal as Liverpool, (3). Chelsea only scored on 1 of those 3 chances, while Liverpool scored twice, including a Glen Johnson goal that left a streched and tired Chelsea defense in the dust. In the first half, Chelsea barely looked like Chelsea. They weren't attacking well, and left the pitch for the break with no shots on goal, even though Drogba nearly netted a 26th minute free kick, sending it just wide of the right post. It rippled the net, and had a great many people convinced that it was a goal. All of the misery changed though, with a key substitution to start the 2nd half. Daniel Sturridge was brought on to replace an aging John Mikel Obi. Strurridge's youth brought a new attacking vigor to the team, and a goal by the very culprit soon followed. At this point, Torres, Meireles, and Bosingwa were warming up. "Good choice," I thought to myself, "Torres wants to beat his old team so bad, he'll commit himself well, and both Meireles and Bosingwa bring a good attacking personality while still keeping the defense under control." I said that to myself for the nest 30 minutes, as the game went into it's dullest period, with neither team got any real chances. Stewart Downing came on for Maxi Rodreiguez. Then, finally, in the 84th minute, Torres and Meireles came on for Drogba and Ramires. In the 86th minute, a beautiful cross field pass by Charlie Adam set up a downright embbarrassing goal for the Chelsea defense. As Glen Johnson netted the goal, something else happened.

       That goal may very well have ended Chelsea's title hopes. While that may seam premature, think about it. They are 12 points behind leaders Man City, which equals 4 wins, and at the pace Man City are at right now, they very well may stay that far ahead. If Man U, Chelsea and others nipping at their heels start catching up soon, it's going to be Blue Moon Rising all across England. I believe the team with the best chance to catch City are in fact the Red Devils. While that does sound obvious, they are the closest to the leaders, and are in just as good form as the Citizens. I believe that Chelsea's best hope for silverware this year is in the FA cup. Don't even mention the Champions League. Barca has the title wrapped up, unless a talented Inter Milan can regroup enough to make to the championship. I believe that they are the only team with a decent chance at even challenging the Catalans.

The Baggies Bag Another.

Newcastle has surprised all this season. A strong start, allowing just five goals at home, while scoring eight, was a shock to many. After losing Andy Carroll under much scrutiny, one would rather expect the team to not be on such a high. Sadly, that high might just be ending. The next three weeks, Newcastle goes on the road to play Man City and Man U, then returns home for a match-up against fourth place Chelsea. This will be a tough period for Alan Pardew's boys. This is the chance that Chelsea, Tottenham, and Liverpool have been looking for,(Chelsea especially, looking to climb back into the top three and then the top two.)

Meanwhile, Chelsea have continued their search for a new stadium. They have the eighth largest stadium in England, and 61st in Europe. Chelsea's chief executive Rob Gourlay said that they could struggle in Europe if they don't expand to a larger stadium, something that Champions League crazy owner Roman Abramovich would be displeased with. Also, manager Andre Villas-Boas had said that he "feels no pressure to perform," while he does say that "the fans will have his head", and does not see himself there longterm. No comparison to Mourhino huh?

Meryside, London and... Newcastle?

     An predictable start to the BPL season, with one reasonable exception. Newcastle have started out strong, have jumped up to 3rd, passing a Chelsea squad that has lost 2 straight games, both London derbies. They have yet to lose a game, and a tight Newcastle defense allowing just 4 goals at St James' Park. They have a strong fan turnout, as expected, averaging just over 46,000 a game. Meanwhile, a Chelsea side that looks at times like the could beat both Manchester clubs, and at times that even QPR could overcome them. Oh wait, that actually happened. Speaking of QPR, an owner with an open pocketbook has helped to make Neil Warnock's job easier. Summer additions include Shawn Wright-Phillips, (What is it with three word names? Who's next, Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis?), and former Newcastle bad boy, Joey Barton. Although the team seems to be able to attack fine, their defense is hardly up to par with the rest of the body. They have a negative 9 goal difference, and have yet to win 2 games in a row. Neil Warnock, stop getting strikers who will get headlines. Go get a defender, a veteran who will anchor your back line and add some experience to a young team. Maybe an aging Rio Ferdinand. You have the money, so what's the problem?

   Aside from that surprise, the season has been...straightforward? Well, both North London clubs have recorvered from disaterous starts, and the Manchester clubs are taking an early lead. So yes, this season has been straightforward. More exciment to come? Maybe, but not while the Manchester clubs hold such a high lead.