So, Giggsy scored one just before halftime but Simao Sabrosa from the opposition team scored the equalizer. And THEN, Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud van Nistelrooy scored the late winner a few minutes from time to prevent another embarassing show to the home crowd. It's not those fancy long-range goals, but it was a goal needed. Kudos to the Red Devils for FINALLY showing everyone what we're made of. Great work by youngsters, Phil Bardsley whom made his first ever European appearance & Kieran Richardson, who's presence definitely would make Sven Goran Eriksson sit up & take notice.
A little OT here but damn, since when did Simao Sabrosa get so damn bloody cute?? Sure, I noticed him during Euro 2004, but whoaaa...did he just evolve into some boyband cutie or something?? But no, Xabi is still No. 1; I know it used to be JC & Ruud before but I guess JC is just too damn far away to reach & Ruud is already married. And both are turning 30 next year so my hopes for them are dashed.
Anywayz, tonight's THE night. Liverpool play against Chelsea at Anfield. A neutral field for all of us Devil lovers & Gunner haters or vice-versa. I think Liverpool is the only team Jan & I agree on so it's considered neutral territory. Daph is definitely 100% behind the Reds while Such just wants to look at cute guys. She'll jump ship anytime. Ahahahakz!!
Another reason why I had no motivation to watch this morning's match was the lack of company. You think Daph or Jan would want to stay up with me to watch a Manchester United match?? Daph would rather sleep & Jan would rather kill herself.
And after Saturday's disastrous defeat against Blackburn Rovers, I have to admit that I was rather doubtful of this morning's game even though I kinda predicted a 2-1 win for us. But, good match nonetheless & I look forward to watching the replay this coming Saturday.
In the meantime, here's a match preview on tonight's game which I'm sure Daph would love to read since it's about our favorite team; she has to read it anywayz, or else I'll kill her. Ahahahahakz!! Courtesy of ESPNsoccer.net, the one-stop website for all things soccer. Where else, right??
Chelsea plotting Anfield revenge
LONDON, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Liverpool are European champions but Chelsea will start as favourites when the two English rivals clash in the Champions League for the third time in five months on Wednesday.
Liverpool were the last team to beat the English champions in any competition when a disputed goal from Luis Garcia after just four minutes of the second leg of their semi-final gave them a 1-0 aggregate win at Anfield on May 3.
Although Chelsea clinched their first league title for 50 years four days after that defeat, coach Jose Mourinho still claimed he was dissatisfied with the season because they failed to win the European Cup.
Liverpool went on to do exactly that when they beat AC Milan on penalties in Istanbul. Now Chelsea are back at Anfield seeking revenge in what is likely to be a tense Group G encounter.
Chelsea skipper John Terry described the Anfield defeat as 'the worst I have ever felt after a football match,'but he's had a lot to be happy about since then with Chelsea starting the season with eight straight successes comprising seven league victories and a Champions League win over Anderlecht.
Few teams now intimidate Chelsea and they travel to Livepool with their confidence sky-high and victory in the European Cup final in Paris in May top priority on their agenda.
On Wednesday, Mourinho could welcome back close-season Spanish signing Asier del Horno at left back after a thigh injury, strengthening a defence that has conceded only one goal all season -- in Saturday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
He is likely also to play Argentine Hernan Crespo, who has his own reasons for wanting revenge against Liverpool after scoring twice while on loan at Milan in the Istanbul final but still finishing on the losing side.
Liverpool appear to have started this season as they ended last -- playing below par in the league but better in Europe.
They have won one and drawn four of their opening five league games, scoring just three times and conceding only two, but they were far more impressive beating Real Betis 2-1 in Spain in their opening opening Group G game two weeks ago.
Liverpool's fulcrum, captain Steven Gerrard, also looks to be coming back into form after injury and was close to his best in his side's 2-2 draw at Brimingham on Saturday.
The midfielder, who changed his mind over signing for Chelsea in July, scored seven times as Liverpool progressed through the qualifying rounds while Djibril Cisse has also hit seven this season, including a penalty in the 2-2 draw with Birmingham City on Saturday.
Liverpool host Chelsea twice in five days and manager Rafael Benitez said all his side needed to be playing at 100 per cent.
'You cannot afford to make any mistakes,' he said. 'We have beaten them before and we can beat them again. They are a better team than last year but we're a better team as well.'
Probable teams:
Liverpool: 25-Jose Reina; 17-Josemi, 4-Sami Hyypia, 23-Jamie Carragher, 6-John-Arne Riise; 8-Steven Gerrard, 16-Dietmar Hamann, 14-Xabi Alonso, 30-Boudewijn Zenden; 10-Luis Garcia, 9-Djibril Cisse
Chelsea: 1-Petr Cech; 20-Paul Ferreira, 13-William Gallas, 26-John Terry, 3-Asier del Horno (6-or Ricardo Carvalho); 4-Claude Makelele, 5-Michael Essien, 8-Frank Lampard; 11-Damien Duff, 9-Hernan Crespo, 16-Arjen Robben.
Should be a cracker of a match. Will be counting down my time till kick-off; I'm sure I'll indulge in some pre-match conversation with Daph as well as Jan & Such to remind them of the match today.
Anywayz, thank you soooooooooooo very much to those of you whom commented on yesterday's photoblog entry, personal-wise & blog-wise. And here I thought I was fresh out of nonsensical quips & was losing my touch. Really appreciated them so, yeah. Keep them coming in 'cuz you'll never know what to expect in my next entry.
Laterz...
Lenny JC
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