WINNERS
Peter Crouch
The man standing at somewhere approximating gigantism, has now scored 7 in his last 7 games for the reds, his last coming against a PSV playing how Mourinho likes to call "parking the bus" in front of the goal. His hat trick against Arsenal was exceptional, and the goal against PSV cannot be underestimated.
Wayne Rooney
Finally ending his goal scoring drought, "Wazza" netted a very well taken finish at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Although United lost the game, Wayne's contribution may turn out to be the most important goal he's scored in 2007.
Joe Cole
After a long absence, Ashley Cole's "brutha from anotha mutha" took part in Chelsea's campaign for European domination. Substituted on with about 20 minutes remaining, Joe Cole finally saw some footballing action -- his first touch went wayward, but he displayed fitness, speed and hunger to take the game to the Valencians.
Quique Sanchez Flores
It's no secret that Valencia have been experiencing internal turmoil which can only be approximated to that of Eastenders, but Quique's squad scored what could be a crucial away goal (and what a goal it was) and perhaps, just perhaps may have given Carboni the result he needed to prove that all is not lost.
Roma
Manchester United's form of late has been exceptional. Even though this blog predicted United's triumph at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma played a safe game, and were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty or have made it 3-1. They will take the game to United at Old Trafford, and it will take an exceptional peformance from the Red Devils to progress to the semi-finals.
LOSERS
Shevchenko
Sheva's purchase by a deep pocketed Russian was meant for these exact competitions, although the exact value paid for him is unkown, it can be certain that it was enough to buy European goals (whatever their average cost may be in the modern age of "self-made" billionaires). Shevchenko was made for nights like this, and his performance against Porto was indication of his natural explosive talent. However, against Valencia, Drogba was made to do all the work and the Ukranian star was nowhere to be found on a night where his skill would have been the catalyst to a revolt.
Scholes
Paul Scholes' form this season has been a renaissance, a joy for all to watch, culminating in an incredible goal against Blackburn at the weekend. How he went from hero to zero against Roma was once again due to his absolute blindness in the tackle. No amount of skill can save him from his atrocious tackling, and a first half red card is testimony to that. His reckless nature may prove costly to United's European quest.
Chelsea
Once again, the men in blue went behind due to individual excellence. They started poorly against Porto, and suffered due to a Quaresma goal, and again against Valencia started weakly and were forced to pay from another piece of individual brilliance. How many times will Chelsea have to fight back before they realise their own potential? A trip to the Mestalla with an away goal in mind is hell for any team, and Chelsea will have to be at their utmost best to turn this result in their favour, a performance we haven't seen them give since their late equaliser at the Nou Camp in the group stages of this same competition.
Heavens 11
This blog is the biggest loser this week, for predicting every score incorrectly. Manchester United's game did indeed end up 2-1, however it was not the visitors who added goals to their tally.
FINALLY...
A quick mention should go to Steven Gerrard and Didier Drogba. Stevie G has now entered the Liverpool record books as their most prolific European scorer of all time, and Drogba is the first Chelsea player to score 30 goals in a season since Bobby Tambling in '62 (could be wrong here).
Peter Crouch
The man standing at somewhere approximating gigantism, has now scored 7 in his last 7 games for the reds, his last coming against a PSV playing how Mourinho likes to call "parking the bus" in front of the goal. His hat trick against Arsenal was exceptional, and the goal against PSV cannot be underestimated.
Wayne Rooney
Finally ending his goal scoring drought, "Wazza" netted a very well taken finish at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Although United lost the game, Wayne's contribution may turn out to be the most important goal he's scored in 2007.
Joe Cole
After a long absence, Ashley Cole's "brutha from anotha mutha" took part in Chelsea's campaign for European domination. Substituted on with about 20 minutes remaining, Joe Cole finally saw some footballing action -- his first touch went wayward, but he displayed fitness, speed and hunger to take the game to the Valencians.
Quique Sanchez Flores
It's no secret that Valencia have been experiencing internal turmoil which can only be approximated to that of Eastenders, but Quique's squad scored what could be a crucial away goal (and what a goal it was) and perhaps, just perhaps may have given Carboni the result he needed to prove that all is not lost.
Roma
Manchester United's form of late has been exceptional. Even though this blog predicted United's triumph at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma played a safe game, and were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty or have made it 3-1. They will take the game to United at Old Trafford, and it will take an exceptional peformance from the Red Devils to progress to the semi-finals.
LOSERS
Shevchenko
Sheva's purchase by a deep pocketed Russian was meant for these exact competitions, although the exact value paid for him is unkown, it can be certain that it was enough to buy European goals (whatever their average cost may be in the modern age of "self-made" billionaires). Shevchenko was made for nights like this, and his performance against Porto was indication of his natural explosive talent. However, against Valencia, Drogba was made to do all the work and the Ukranian star was nowhere to be found on a night where his skill would have been the catalyst to a revolt.
Scholes
Paul Scholes' form this season has been a renaissance, a joy for all to watch, culminating in an incredible goal against Blackburn at the weekend. How he went from hero to zero against Roma was once again due to his absolute blindness in the tackle. No amount of skill can save him from his atrocious tackling, and a first half red card is testimony to that. His reckless nature may prove costly to United's European quest.
Chelsea
Once again, the men in blue went behind due to individual excellence. They started poorly against Porto, and suffered due to a Quaresma goal, and again against Valencia started weakly and were forced to pay from another piece of individual brilliance. How many times will Chelsea have to fight back before they realise their own potential? A trip to the Mestalla with an away goal in mind is hell for any team, and Chelsea will have to be at their utmost best to turn this result in their favour, a performance we haven't seen them give since their late equaliser at the Nou Camp in the group stages of this same competition.
Heavens 11
This blog is the biggest loser this week, for predicting every score incorrectly. Manchester United's game did indeed end up 2-1, however it was not the visitors who added goals to their tally.
FINALLY...
A quick mention should go to Steven Gerrard and Didier Drogba. Stevie G has now entered the Liverpool record books as their most prolific European scorer of all time, and Drogba is the first Chelsea player to score 30 goals in a season since Bobby Tambling in '62 (could be wrong here).
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