Ninety-Three

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Libya

An interesting and informative conversation between Victor Davis Hanson and Hugh Hewitt on last night's radio program. If your interested you can read the transcript here at RadioBlogger or if your lazy like me you can download the MP3 audio here (13 mins, 4.6Mb).

Red Men Miss the Final

Luis Garcia and Hayden Mullins have had their appeals for the red cards they earned on Wednesday turned down by the FA. Both players will therefore recieve three-match suspensions which means they will miss the last two games of the Premiership and the FA Cup Final.

West Ham United manager Alan Pardew had joined Rafael Benitez in asking the FA to show leniency straight after the game, but a disciplinary commission hearing on Friday rejected the claims.

Garcia had aimed an elbow at fellow midfielder Mullins' back before going to ground after a shove by his rival as the duo fought for the ball eight minutes from time.

Pardew said:

"I feel very aggrieved and very upset because Hayden has had a fantastic season. He has been one of our best players. He was my first signing here, I'm very proud of him, of what he has done and achieved. I for one will be very sad if he misses the final and I know Hayden will be feeling a lot worse than I will be."

Rafa added:

"Luis is very disappointed. I said to him after the game that he had made a big mistake as you can't lose your control before important games. Maybe for the future this will be good for Luis and the rest of the players because they can see what could happen."

To be honest, Luis has got what he deserves. It was a bad tempered elbow by the Spaniard after he failed to cling onto Mullins arm which followed an aggresive tackle by Mullins. Hayden is a little unlucky though - a push for an elbow in the back is surely not a three-match ban offense.

West Ham will suffer for missing Hayden and that will be good for Liverpool at least. We can cope more easily without Luis, although he would have been useful as he has a habit of scoring in important games.

Illegal Definition

I've been a little partial to Chris Muir's comic strip for a while now - that's why you'll see it daily on the side-panel. The strip is about two different couples discussing (mostly) political idiotsyncrasies (sic). The main couple are Damon and Jan, who despite being together are political polar opposites (Damon's a conservative and Jan's a liberal).

I'm happy to leave it in the side panel, but every now and then there's one that makes me laugh a little more than normal, such was the case with today's one (click the image to enlarge and see more clearly):


You can see more of Chris' strip at www.daybydaycartoon.com.

Tech Geeks Fight with Chicks

This has always been something I've wondered about. Why tech geeks need to go on and on about what the best computer/software is, etc.

I get some of it, in the sense that I personally choose Firefox over IE, but some guys get really bent out of shape and trying to get their point across by 'photshopping' pictures of some fine women. That's fair enough - but it just seems a tad bit sad!

In any case the pictures are very tasty:

Threesome Update!...Urm...Update!

The guy is now way past the 4½ million mark. So either he's spending all of his time trying to find the third person, he's knacked after recieving his reward, or he hasn't checked back on his webpage for the last two days!

If it's the first two, we are still waiting for pictures! IF it's the latter: "You Pleb!"

Six weeks to go.

The start of the World Cup is now only 6 weeks away - and all that crap I promised that I would be posting a few weeks back hasn't happened, and it probably won't happen today either.

Happy Birthday CA

Do you know what happened this week back in 1850 (156 years ago), in California?

• It became a state.
• The State had no electricity.
• The State had no money.
• Almost everyone spoke Spanish.
• There were gun fights in the streets.

So basically, it was just like California today except the women had real boobs and men didn’t hold hands.

Threesome Update

At last time of checking (see timestamp), the guy had 1,634,202.

By the time I wake up tomorrow he will be a lucky guy and if we're lucky there'll be a website with a bunch of pictures and a streaming video!!!

Bunch of Arse Mate!

Loads and loads of derrieres - if you, like a babe with back, you'll find a large selection. Some are great, others poor, some are gags, and others of celebs (see if you can find any - I caught two of Kylie when I glanced over them.)

Be warned though, a couple of them are dudes, and if you can't tell before you click on it then it's your own problem.

Middlesbrough 4 - Bucarest 2

An amazing night as Middlesbrough come back from 3-0 down (2-0 on the night) to come back and score 4 (3 in the second half) and secure their place in the UEFA cup final. Second half goals by Vidulka and Riggott were sandwiched between Macarrone's brace (one in each half), the later coming in the 89th minute!

Middlesbrough along with Arsenal now have a chance join Liverpool and winning a European trophy this season. It could be a clean sweep of Super Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions LEague come May 17 and then an All-English Super Cup in the autumn.

The greatest game in their history - let's hope not, that will come in Holland, but for now it'll do. Well done ladds!

UEFA Cup

Middlesbrough are hoping to join Liverpool (European Super Cup) and Arsenal (Champions League) and become the third English to reach a European Final this year.

Middlesbrough FC will be seeking a hat-trick, of sorts, when they attempt to overcome a 1-0 deficit against Bulgarian team FC Steaua Bucuresti at the Riverside stadium in the second leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final. Steve McClaren's team lost away games in the previous two knockout rounds, but prevailed at home, most memorably in the quarter-finals when Massimo Maccarone completed a stunning comeback in the last minute against FC Basel 1893.

1-nil down from the first leg, Middlesbrough will need to score two to avoid extra-time, but more importantly they must maintain a clean sheet to avoid the pitfalls of the away-goal rules.

16 mins: Terrible start for Middlesbrough as Dica scores and the Romanian fans go crazy. Marin picked up the ball out on the left before cutting inside and delivering a powerful shot which Jones parried into the path of Dica and the striker made no mistake from close range. Middlesbrough now need three goals to win...a 2-1 scoreline in their favour will mean nothing. The only good thing is that at least the goal came early giving them the majority of the game to get back in the tie.
24 mins: It goes from bad to worse as Goian scores the second for Bucuresti - It's surely all over now as Middlesbrough's defensive shambles from another corner allows Dorin Goian to fire home from close range after his initial header was saved. They look to be heading out of a second semi-final in the space of a week!
2-0 to the visitors on the night and 3-0 on aggregate. Middlesbrough now need four!!!
26 mins: Maclaren does the smart thing and sends on a forward for a defender, with Southgate making way for Maccarone. They've got to push forward.
33 mins: The substitution pays off and there's a lifeline as Maccarone scores. Unbelievable scenes at the Riverside as a long ball forward ends up with Viduka around 20-yards from goal and the Australian then passes to Maccarone inside the area and the little Italian fires home. They still need three more, but hopefully the goal will give them a boost.
45+4 Mins: Half-Time and even four extra minutes have yeilded no goals for the home team. Middlesbrough's ground has been a little sparse for their Euro games. Whoever is there will need to make some noise if they want to repeat Liverpool feat last year.
46 Mins: The second-half begins. 'Brough will need to get an early goal to set the ball rolling for this Houdini act.
48 Mins: Things go from bad to worse for 'Brough as the game has to be stopped as the Dutch midfielder receives treatment. Middlesbrough eventually launch the free kick into the area but Steaua have no problem clearing the ball away. At least Boateng comes back onto the field of play.
50 Mins: The 'Brough fans have found their voice, but they will have to keep it up if they want to lift their team to victory. Three goals in 40 minutes are required. Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, Seville are still 0-0 with German's Schalke, and will need two goals themselves to go through after going down 3-1 in the first (away) leg.
65 Mins: Finally another goal for Middlesbrough. Downing receives the ball way out the left and the winger's cross into the box and Viduka heads it over the advancing Carlos and into the goal. 2-2. Two more goals needed and 25+ mins left to do it in. Com'mon ladds.
68 mins: Dica foolishly handles the ball in the opposition half and the resulting booking means he will miss the final should they get there - he's looks in pieces now and will be of no use (hopefully) to the team in the rest of this match. Still Steaua choose to take off Daniel Balan and bring on Iacob in his place.
73 mins: That's #3! A high ball into the box is flicked on to Downing on the left side of the area and his low shot is parried into the path of Riggott who makes no mistake from close range. Middlesbrough are making it quite the habit waiting 'til the last minute to attack these games. One more without reply will see them thoughwith almost 20 minutes (including injury time) left to go.
77 Mins: The Riverside is probably the loudest it has ever been as the fans cheer their side on towards a final in Eindhoven. I guess all of those who missed the Basel game are getting a 'make-up' . Great games and great comebacks are a sign of good things. Last year Liverpool came back 3-1 against Olympiacos, held onto a 0-0 in the San Siro and beat Chav$ki with a wonder goal before going on to the greatest game and comeback in European history.
80 Mins: 'Brough have just 10 minutes left to score the winning goal. Steaua, meanwhile, make a defensive substitution with the rest of the side looking nervous.
83 mins: Olaroiu, the 36-year-old manager of Steaua, stands on the touchline instructing his side to defend, but they are not doing a great job of it.
87 mins: The visitors run down the clock by making another substitution, this time Mihai Nesu replacing Bostina, who walks off very slowly.
88 mins: Boro keep pressing forward and Hasselbaink is able to shoot from the edge of the area but the Dutchman's effort rolls wide of the post. Two minutes left - nerve wracking stuff for Middlesbrough fans.
89 mins: GOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL - Maccarone heads the ball past Carlos and into the net! Amazing stuff! Now they just need to keep their concentration for the last few minutes.
90+1 mins: There will be four minutes of stoppage time to be played and Ugo Ehiogu has come on to keep the Bulgarians at bay, replacing Hasselbaink.
90+4 mins: That's it 'Brough are through to the final (joined most likely by German side Schlake 04). An amazing game, that will surely be remembered as their best game ever. Two English teams in two European finals - fantastic stuff. McClaren won't be giving a toss about the imminent arrival of Scolari now!

Help Needed

I got this, this morning, both in my e-mail and from Dan's blog.

This guy is trying to get 2,000,000 hits to his website with he started 1½ months ago.

The Prize: a threeway with his girlfriend (right) and another chick. He's currently at about the 500,000 mark, so he needs to treble that number. But he's getting about 50 hits a second, so at that rate he could be done and in the sack by tonight.

Of course the hope is that this isn't some stupid hoax (the contract link doesn't work), or the girlfriend won't try to get out of the bet, or (more importantly) this guy will post the pictures and/or video when he wins the bet!!!

Incompetent or Scared?

As was expected there were many changes to the Liverpool starting line-up when they played West Ham tonight: Robbie Fowler returned, Dudek was in goal, FA Cup heroes: Hyypia, Riise, Garcia and Alsono started the game on the bench with Pepe Reina while Gerrard and Crouch weren't even in the squad.

Was this an insult to West Ham?

Not really, just a sign that Liverpool have a much larger/deeper squad than the Hammers, much like Chav$ki have over us. The difference between the two examples being that 3rd place in the Prem is secured and Rafa is prioritising the FA Cup over a, possibly futile, charge for 2nd place.

Perhaps Moaninho was thinking the same? Was he fearful that ManScum could catch them in the closing weeks of the Premiership and therefore saved using his players in the FA Cup tie? the only other alternatively is that he just made a bad team selection. Admitting either would be bad though, the later would just highlight his shortcoming and/or arogance; the former could perhaps be even worse though admitting a fear of Scum that they might catch him.

So much of his career and managerial style is the illusion of aloofness. Once that is lost the wheels will come off and no amount of Roman's money will rescue that chariot.

Well that's just one man's opinion.

Dress Rehersal

Liverpool take on West Ham United at Upton Park in the Premiership will take on an extra meaning as it's the dress rehersal for the FA Cup Final (being playing just 17 days later).

As was expected there have been many changes to the Liverpool starting line-up, with Robbie Fowler returning after missing the Chav$ki game (due to being cup-tied) with Cisse (Right-Midlfield) and Nando starting the game. Also, not surprising, Dudek has started in goal with Rafa keeping his promise of giving the pole some time in goal before the end of the season to better his chances of making the Polish World Cup squad.

FA Cup heroes: Hyypia, Riise, Garcia and Alsono start the game on the bench with Pepe Reina, which means that Hamann has returned to the center of midfield along side Sissoko. The is no place for Gerrard at all in the team, who has been completely rested by Benitez. there is also no place for Crouch in the squad.

An insult to West Ham? Not really, just a sign that Liverpool have a much larger strong-squad than the Hammers, much like Chav$ki have over us.

It affords Liverpool the chance to really look over West Ham in preperation for the upcoming final, while giving little away to the Hammers, with a least 5 player changes expected between this game and that.

Alan Pardew, however, may be playing things smarter, since a win will do little for his team vis-a-vis the Premiership. The Hammers are well clear of relugation and already have UEFA qualification in the bag*. Pardew has rested three of his main players: Shaka Hislop, Carl Fletcher and Marlon Harewood.

Hidding the abilities, as much as possible, of Shaka Hislop and the dangerous Marlon Harewood is well played by the Hammer's boss, although he may want to use Marlon later on in the game, so he can size himslef up against the Liverpool defense.

Min 2: An early shot by Bobby Zamora centre of penalty area, well blocked by Jamie Carragher.
Min 8: A shot by Djibril Cisse left side of penalty area, but it's blocked by childhood LFC fan James Collins. A corner results and an outswinging corner from right by Dietmar Hamann to the near post is cleared by Nigel Reo-Coker.
Min 10: Shot by Cisse from left channel, but it's parried by the Hammer's goalkeeper.
Min 12: Another outswinging corner from Hamann to near post is headed goalbound Cisse from right side of penalty area, but it goes over the bar.
Min 19: GOAL! Djibril Cisse drills a right-footed shot from left channel into the bottom-left of the Hammer's goal. West Ham 0-1 Liverpool. Mohamed Sissoko made the assist from left channel.
Min 23: A shot by Reo-Coker from 25yards out is blocked by Carragher.
Min 30: A strike by Robbie Fowler on hes right-foot goes wide.
Min 35: Yet another shot on goal from Cisse, but it is caught by the keeper
Min 40: Jersey Dudek saves a shot (taken 18 yards out) by Bobby Zamora.
Min 44: A cross by Anton Ferdinand, leads to a header by Teddy Sheringham from centre of penalty area, but is goes wide. Another cross by Zamora, is met this time by the head of Yossi Benayoun, who heads it over the bar from 6 yards out. West Ham are going all out trying to go into the break on level terms.
Min 46: The second half resumes, and Fletcher is finally introduced for James Collins
Min 46: Nigel Reo-Coker scores for West Ham to level the game for the Londoners.
Min 48: Right-footed volley from Fernando Morientes from centre of penalty area but it just hits the bar.
Min 54: Goal! by A second for Liverpool and a second for the frenchman, Djibril Cisse, whose right-footed shot from the centre of penalty area fires into the low centre of goal. Robbie Fowler assisted with a pass from his own half. - You've got to wonder if Rafa didn't have a few words with Cisse after his lacklustre performance against Chav$ki on Saturday, he's one off from a hat-trick!
Min 62: Yet another shot by Cisse, taken this time on his left footfrom left side of penalty area, sadly it goes wide.
Min 63: Steve Finnan is replaced by Sami Hyypia. Not sure who will move into the right full-back position? Carragher or Kromkamp?
Min 65: So far a pretty clean game, with 11 fouls (8 by West Ham), but no cautions.
Min 67: Dudek parryies Matthew Etherington';s shot from the left side of the penalty area.
Min 68: Hamann takes a crack at goal from 25 yeards out, but the ball goes wide.
Min 69: So far Cisse seems to be the star with 7 attempts on goal (4 on target) to go along with the two goals he's scored. Any chance Rafa will pair him with Fowler up front and bring on Garcia for Nando?
Min 69: A cross by Benayoun is blocked by Djimi Traore. The resultant inswinging corner from Matthew Etherington to near post, is cleared by Carragher.
Min 70: A foul by Jan Kromkamp Carl Fletcher leads to a free kick which Yossi Benayoun takes.The shot is punched clear by Dudek.
Min 77: As expected, Marlon Harewood makes a late apperance coming on for Benayoun.
Min 80: Luis Garcia comes of for Robbie Fowler - will the Toxteth Terror ever be allowed to finish a game under Benitiez? At least Cisse can return to the front and leave the right-side of midfield to the flambouant Spaniard.
Min 82: Drama now as both Garcia (who's only be on the pitch for 2 minutes) and West Hams's Hayden Mullins are red carded for violent conduct following a foul by Garcia on Mullins.
Min 84: A couple of shots from Cisse result in a save and a miss.
Min 88: A volleyed shot from Sissoko from 30 yeards out is caught by West Ham's James Walker.
Min 88: The straight red for both Garcia and Mullins will mean both will miss the rest of the season.
Min 90: Into extra time now.
Min 90+3: It finishes 2-1 to Liverpool with not too much learned vis-a-vis the final, but the defence have at least had a taste of danger man Marlon Harewood. Liverpool move to within 3 points of Man Sum (albeit with an extra game played). Cisse had a good game scoring 2 from 9 attempts (5 of which were on target), but ironically will most likely end the season playing on the right of midfield after the sending off of Garcia robs the Reds of a right-sided midfielder. One wonders how Garcia and Mullins will react with each other should they both be selected for the FA Cup Final.

---

Meanwhile Barca and AC Milan will fight it out at the Nou Camp to see how will face Arsenal in Paris. Barca have a 1-0 lead in the Semi-Final from the the first leg.

Half-Time: The Italians and Spaniards are goaless in the the first half, while has been largely entertaining. The home side have been largely on top and Eto'o was foiled twice by Dida in the early stages, although Milan have shown glimpses of their threat with Inzaghi and Shevchenko both enjoying sights of goal. That is not good enough for the AC Milan, who have to score in the second period to stay in the competition.
66 Mins: The teams are still goaless although a total of 20 shots have been taken (6 of those have been on goal from Barcelona).
80 mins: Just 20 minutes left of regular time and still no goals, a result like Arsenal's last night will do Barcelona fine, even though their activities is the polar opposite to what the London side produced.
81 Mins: AC Milan are running out of time and options as they bring Gilardino on for Inzaghi.
Full-Time: A goaless draw sees Barcalona head to Paris to take on Arsenal.

UNITED WE WATCH

You might see protesters outside the theatre this Friday (plenty have already been complaining to theatre personnel). They will be protesting about the screening of Flight 93. They won't be talking about it being based on lies (it's not the Da Vinci Code), but that it's being released too soon after the tragedy. It's been less than five years since that horrible day and there's no doubt that it's too soon for a tragedy movie to be made on the events.

The truth, however, isn't that these protesters think that it's too soon to make/release this film. The real reason why they don't want it shown is because it will help film goers remember. Remember that horrific day, that so many Americans have sadly consigned to history and forgotten about. To remember what happened to so many of our fellow Americans (and I call myself one - even though I'm a British Citizen, albeit living in LA for the last 10 years) will only give us resolve to make sure that we don't let this happen again.

September the 11th, and in this case Flight 93, isn't history though...not yet! It is current day, it is the world that we are living in and we cannot afford to think any other way.

The film per se is not about 9/11, but rather about one airplane and it's passengers - in truth it was the first flight that was post-9/11 (if only by a few minutes). It tells the story of the day through a meticulous re-enactment of events surrounding United 93, the last of four hijacked aircraft (tracking events in real-time). By a quirk of fate, Flight 93 was delayed on the runway at Newark Airport for 45 minutes. By the time it was airborne, the other three planes had reached their intended targets. As a result, the forty passengers and crew on board Flight 93 became the first people to inhabit the post-9/11 world.

The cast is large, some 47 actors in total. The 48th cast member is Ben Sliney who plays himself in the film as the National Operations Manager reenacting the events he went through on that day.

The Best Judges: The film was made with the full support of the families of those who were on board Flight UNITED 93 (who are the best judges as to whether this film is being released too soon).

So when you see the protesters there at the theatre, see them for what they really are: Anti-American Protestors and go in shouting out your support of the troops who are fighting to stop this kind of evil ever happening again!

As for me I'll be walking in drapped in my American flag!


LINKS:

• United 93 - Film's website
• United Heroes
• National Memorial Project (Donations to the families affected can be made here.)
• September 11 Web Archive
• Complete 911 Timeline
• 7th of July London Bombings (BBC)
  

ZZ STOP

Zidane Zidane has announced he will retire from football after this summer's World Cup finals.

The 33-year-old France playmaker's contract at Real Madrid is due to expire in the summer of 2007 but he has opted to hang up his boots a year earlier, citing fitness concerns as the main reason behind his decision.

"After the World Cup, I will stop playing football," he told Canal Plus. "It is especially because of my body. I cannot play on for another year."

Zidane, who will be best remembered for scoring two goals for Les Bleus in their 3-0 win over Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final at the Stade de France, hinted recently he was ready to retire. He has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and his form has also dipped, although he will be one of France's talismanic players in this summer's showpiece in Germany.
"It may seem strange that I am announcing it now, two weeks before the end of the (Spanish) championship," he added.

"But this is a decision I have seriously reflected on, and one I had to make before the World Cup.

Champions League - Semi-Final

Arsenal take on Villarreal at El Madrigal stadium in Spain in the second leg of the Champions League Semi-final tonight. Arsenal have soaked up plenty of pressure, but remained on target for the Champions League final after a goalless first half.

The second half is delayed as a pitch invader runs on to present a bemused Henry with a Barcelona shirt - funny stuff.

46 mins: The second half is uder way in Spain, with neither side having made a change at the break.

49 mins: Villarreal almost ahead after a thumping header from Franco. The big striker rises above Toure but heads it just the wrong side of Lehmann's left post.

54 mins: Arsene Wenger has to be worried now with Arsenal having yet to threaten the Villarreal goal at all in almost an hour of football. At the other end the hosts are getting closer.

65 mins: Shots: Villarreal=9, Arsenal= 0! - Arsenal are very lucky still to be on terms. there is still more that 25 minutes to go - a goal on the break could really relieve the pressure! A goal for Villarreal could see Arsenal out before Full-Time!

69 mins: Arsenal free-kick in a promising position down the left. Fabregas swings it in and Campbell gets a head to the ball but it sails out harmlessly for a Villarreal goal-kick. Arsenal's first shot only took 70 minutes to arrive !? And from a defender!?
I've probably got friends at the game, if Arsenal make it, they might be glad of it, but what a terrible game to watch if you're a Gooner!

70 mins: Less than 20 minutes left now as Ljungberg is left in a heap after tangling with Pena. The Villarreal defender crudley just bumped into Ljungberg, who has had to come off for treatment as a result. Then Ljungberg gets back in the thick of things and the Swede does brilliantly to get back and stop the advancing Josi Mari in the area. The Spaniard then aims a kick at Ljungberg, who has been in the wars in these past few minutes! Free-kick to Arsenal.

Meanwhile Villa of the Aston kind are entertaining Man City in a game that means nothing (although a point David O'Leary's men will guarantee Villa from the drop). Man City are 1-0 up with 20 minutes to go.

76 mins: Villarreal almost create another chance for Sorin in the area but Campbell does well to somehow get the ball away at the second time of asking.

80 mins: Into the final 10 minutes now with Arsenal within touching distance of a Champions League final for the first time in their history. Arsenal free-kick some 35 yards out and Henry tries a rather ambitious effort that cracks straight against the Villarreal wall.

85 mins: Villarreal looking a little ragged now as they chase the elusive equalizer that would keep this semi-final alive. Senna pumps a long ball forward but Arsenal clear through Toure. With less than five minutes remaining Riquelme works the ball to Jose Mari who crosses from the right but Campbell does well to head clear.

88 mins: CRAP! Clichy is called for a push on Jose Mari in the area. Villafrreal have a very dubious penalty that Riquelme will take.

89 mins: Amazing! Lehman guesses right and saves Riquelme's spot kick. It was a decent height to be fair but what a stop from the big German.

90 mins: There will be three minutes of injury-time as Sorin sends a deep cross into the Arsenal half.

90+1 mins: Henry almost seals the tie but Barbosa saves well from five yards out. At the other end Riquelme looks on into space. The Argentine probably can't believe what has just happened.

90+2 mins: That's it the referee blows up early and Arsenal are through to the Champions League final for the first time in their history - what will Henry do with that Barca shirt now!? It was a terrible game from Arsenal (Lehmans last minute penalty save aside) with only 1 shot on goal, but a job done and atrip to Paris for this very French London-based team.

Joga Soccer

Com'mon Arsenal

Yes I know what you're thinking this guy's really a closet Arsenal fan, but that is not the case. There are other teams that I llok out for, for varous reasons. Primarily the reason why I'm hoping the Gunners do well in the CL is because they're pretty crap right now in the Prem and I don't view them as a threat (hopefully I don't eat my words next season). Also they've been the pain in the side of Man Scum for so long in the absence of a Liverpool. Last year they stole the FA Cup from Scum, leaving them empty handed; Chav$ki, Arsenal and of course ourselves took all the available silverwear that year.

This time around Man Scum have walked off with the Carling Cup, Chav$ki will undoubtably walk away with the Prem (if not against Scum, then soon after that) , while we will hopefully walk off with the FA Cup. If the Gunners then take the European Cup, that leaves Man Scum fourth again (or even FIFTH if Middlesbrough win*) for the second year running - I nice feeling indeed.

*Priorities are: League, CL, FA Cup, UEFA, League (Carling) Cup.