All Things Footie | Monday, March 18 | Jordan
Brammaul Lane
Starting outside the Premiership today, the events at Brammall Lane were extraordinary to say the least. What on earth was George Santos thinking of? his lunge at Andy Johnson on another day would have snapped the Albion players leg in two. For anyone who missed it, Sheffield United had three players sent off and two withdrawn due to injury, forcing the game to be abandoned (FA rules decree this if less than seven players from one team are on the field of play).
There's talk of a replay, points being deducted from Sheffield U or simply leaving the result as it stood, 3–0 to West Bromwich Albion. As far as I'm concerned a replay is out of the question. It is perhaps unlucky that two players were injured (though Neil Warnock allegedly issued some unusual managerial instructions to the two players, telling them to feign injury) but I would say hard luck — you shouldn't have had three players sent of first should you? Points being deducted is another option, though I would suggest heavy fines and suspensions for the players concerned — unless Warnock is found to have instructed players to make a late bid for a best actor Oscar, in which case deducting points would be an appropriate punishment.
There is however a more original solution to the problem; how about replay the final 8 minutes (plus injury time of course) with the score at 0–3 and Sheff Utd down to 8 men. I bet a big crowd would turn up.
Premiership matters look pretty boring in comparison, United win again; despite conceding three goals and being outplayed for the most part by West Ham. The ever present Sven Goran Eriksson will not have been impressed by World Cup hopeful Joe Cole but the excellent Michael Carrick certainly caught the eye. All over the field controlling the play and getting the better of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt on more than one occasion — I'd have him in the squad like a shot. It also shouldn't be overlooked that Carrick's personal profile is unblemished, no late night brawls or assault charges hanging over his head.
Arsenal worked out another tight win — an encouraging sign for a team that usually lets results like that slip out of their grasp in the final five minutes. David Seaman once again proved he's head and shoulders above the rest and is no doubt still Englands number one. I heard that the bookies have stopped taking odds on Robert Pires claiming the player of the season award — still, how many players have lobbed Peter Schmeichel from 8 yards?
From the international perspective again, Robbie Fowler is looking as sharp as ever and is the only choice to partner Michael Owen in the World Cup (please Sven, not Heskey, please…)
Goal of the week was again a tricky one, a regular problem as there have been some beauties this season. Nicky Butt's overhead kick I thought was more luck than judgement but David Beckham's chip was absolutely sublime. So close but seeing as I was sitting behind the goal and saw Peter Schmeichel's face close up, I have to go for…
Performace of the week : Derby vs Bolton
Player of the week © : Robbie Fowler (Leeds vs Blackburn)
Goal of the week : Robert Pires (Arsenal vs Aston Villa)
Team of the week :
| David Seaman Arsenal |
| David Weir Everton |
Hermann Hreidarsson Ipswich |
Danny Higginbotham Derby |
| Robert Pires Arsenal |
Michael Carrick West Ham |
Patrick Vieira Arsenal |
Jesper Gronkj�r Chelsea |
| Paul Scholes Man Utd |
| Robbie Fowler Leeds |
Marcus Bent Ipswich |