After having spent more time on the golf course than the Etihad Stadium over the recent past and 90 days more in Argentina than in England over the past three months, Carlos Tevez is back in Roberto Mancini’s plans. And no it has not got anything to do with the fact that his moves to the Milan clubs and Paris Saint-Germain fell through; but everything has been patched up owing to that little heart-melting, bond-inducing miracle often known as an ‘apology’. Funny, how apologies almost always work when the concerned parties
are in desperate need of one another.
Saying that Carlos Tevez has made more headlines over the past nine months for his off-field exploits than those on it, would be the biggest understatement since NASA dubbed the Challenger explosion a ‘major malfunction’. However, despite that Munich disaster in September in the garb of dialectical chaos, what has brought the divorced couple together is Tevez’s need of an employer and Mancini’s need of a talismanic figure to guide his side’s two-pronged quest for silverware. There is a general consensus amongst the City faithful that with the early Champions League exit and mediocre cup showings, winning the Premier League and the Europa League would be a just return after the pre-season disbursements – an opinion that they share with their self-proclaimed ‘quiet’ neighbours. City have been the frontrunners for the league since that late-October ‘Six and the City’ episode, but there has been a very palpable slump in City’s performance after the turn of the year that has allowed one of the most below-par United sides over the past two decades to cling onto the coattails of their archenemy. Tevez’s arrival would provide City that added dimension (apologies for the cliché), and if he gets his head in its righteous place, he could provide his team with that inspiration, and league winning experience to guide them over the finish line; but then again, that ‘if’ about the size of United’s trophy cabinet.
ARSENAL VS SPURS
Despite traversing one of their worst seasons in recent memory Arsenal are sitting in the fourth spot on the table, and one is sure that Arsene Wenger would be willing to give every penny of his next couple months’ wages, for that to be the case at the end of the season – or maybe not. Nevertheless, Arsenal have served up their annual February capitulation, and barring a miracle – and mind you a real miracle, not the sort that Andy Gray screamed about when United scored a late goal, or when Steven Gerrard scored any goal – Arsenal should only have the fourth spot to play for after their Champions League return leg against Milan.
It is not every season that Spurs find themselves 10 points clear of Arsenal with March approaching, and look a shoo-in for a top three – let alone top four – finish. But that’s the case this year; and ahead of the game on Sunday, Spurs fans have ensured that they keep reminding their neighbours of their sheer pleasure in this anomalous season. Arsenal’s season has withered away after their 7-1 demolition of Blackburn and a closely fought win over Sunderland. Their abysmal away form has been the principal antagonist for Wenger, and he’d be glad that tomorrow’s game is not one of that particular kith and kin. Spurs are on a relative slide themselves, with only two wins in their last five games, which has seen their title tilt penetrate into the realm of over-optimism; however, a 5-0 thumping of an impressive Newcastle side should have re-instilled self-confidence in Harry Redknapp’s side. Emmanuel Adebayor’s goal scoring – upon his Emirates return; another tasty prospect – could be decisive. Even though it’s hard to see Spurs lose, but it’s a tough one to predict; although considering the customary goal-fest in this fixture, it’s easy to predict goals in this one – cue commentators/sports writers curse.
CARLING CUP FINAL PREVIEW
Liverpool are the overwhelming favourites against Cardiff City in tomorrow’s Carling Cup final, and even though the trophy is not the most coveted piece of silverware available in English football, but a triumph could propel the Anfield club to bigger and better things. Winning trophies gels together teams, provides the youngsters with a platform to further quench their thirst for accolades and gives them the first taste of glory that can expand their appetite. That was the case with Manchester United in 2006 when their Carling Cup triumph, after a few below-par seasons, extended the ambitions of the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo and laid the platform of the most successful era of United’s glittering history. This could be Liverpool’s first trophy for six years, and the first for Kenny Dalglish after his return as manager. Cardiff meanwhile, have nothing to lose and would be going all out for glory. And Liverpool know that losing out, after being overpowering favourites for a cup final, could come back to bite you and derail your season. Arsenal; Birmingham; ‘2011 – oh the deafening bell.…
The return of the ‘Super Sub’
