A draw on the scoreline, but for sure a victory for the crowd. This was a match compiled of world-class quality and breathtaking dramas. It might be a roller-coaster night for the French supporters. More importantly, their hopes of advancing further in the Champions League is still kept alive as French La Ligue leaders PSG shock Barcelona.

However, disaster happened at the other end of the field and the match was destined to end on a high note. Matuidi’s shot was literally the last attempt of the game. It went through the legs of young Bartra, who replaced the injured Javier Mascherano, and the slight deflection saw the desperate Victor Valdes failed to crawl his way back for the save. There was a bit of luck in their two goals, but Ancelotti’s tactics and the players’ spiritual performance absolutely deserved the draw. There is more work to be done at Camp Nou before heading to the semi-final, but now nobody would assume Barcelona is the definite favourite of the tie.

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I think that we’d all agree that the 2012/2013 Barclays Premier League season has not been one to remember so far. After the sensational last day drama of last year when Manchester City grabbed the title trophy from under the noses of a stunned Manchester United, that act is a tough one to follow. There was no doubt that Sir Alex Ferguson was determined to win the title back from his “noisy neighbors” at The Emirates Stadium, and with his club currently 15 points clear with only 8 games left, he has certainly achieved that.

Depite a down year in terms of late season excitement for the title chase, there still remains a lot to play for in the 2012/2013 Barclays Premier League.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

The post POLL: Which teams in the 2012/2013 Barclays Premier League will finish this season in the Top 4? appeared first on Soccer Limey in America.

As we get to the last 7-8 weeks of the 2012-2013, we can all agree that it has been an exciting one to date from many different aspects. However, I always feel that goalkeepers don’t get the full credit they deserve for the contributions they make to what might be a winning season, or if your team is in a relegation fight, a consolidating season.

We’re using Listly as a way of interacting everyone’s views so go ahead and let’s see what readers think! If you’d like to see a goalkeeper on the list, click on the tab “ADD LIST” and let’s get him up there!

The post Who is the Best Goalkeeper of 2013? appeared first on Soccer Limey in America.

It has been a season David Moyes’ side has lived up to the expectation to produce some spectacular football and also sweet results. Having been in the race for the Top 4 for most of the season, recent injury crisis and Liverpool’s revival saw them momentarily in a season-low 7th position in the Barclay’s Premier League. The FA Cup exit against Wigan only added more misery to Goodison Park.

A clash with title-chasing Manchester City seemed to have come at the wrong time, but Everton proved once again they are a team who relishes performing on big stages, especially with the backing of the hot-blooded home crowd, forcing a Manchester City stumble. Even Marouane Fellaini, the key feature of Everton’s attack, was fired up in the wrong way to get an early booking, which would suspend him for matches against Stoke and Tottenham.

Without Yaya Toure who suffered from illness, Manchester City’s midfield was only of average quality. Facing a very physical and enthusiastic Everton group, David Silva struggled to make an impact, particularly when the most physical figure up front, Edin Dzeko, was busier protesting rather than contesting the ball.

Everton was the team who showed more desire for victory and could have easily put the game to sleep merely in the first half. Kevin Mirallas’s volley got the better of Joe Hart but was wrongly dismissed by an offside call, when he appeared to be level with Aleksandar Kolarov. Fellaini’s penalty claim was also denied when Matija Nastasic had no idea where the ball was following a corner but wrapped up the Belgian with his arm. You would have little idea what more Roberto Mancini could complain about to Lee Probert at half time when his side obviously got the benefits of the calls.

Ultimately, it is the goals that count, and Everton got one in a fashionable way. Leon Osman did a Roberto Carlos with his weaker left foot and left Joe Hart dumbfounded. The English international goalkeeper would feel relieved that they will only be on the same team in the coming international fixtures. He was beaten by a goal which is a strong candidate for the Goal of the Season. More importantly for Everton, they finally got their deserved lead.

The game changed as radically as the British weather (sunshine, rain and snow all in two days?!) in the second half. A silly and needless high-boot challenge from Steven Pienaar earned him the second booking and the marching order and Roberto Mancini’s hope in the title race was re-ignited. However, goalkeeper Jan Mucha, in place of the injured Tim Howard, quickly demoralized Manchester City with a fantastic double-save to deny Dzeko and Milner. Shortly after, Mucha made himself big enough to deny Zabaleta’s shot in the box with what appeared to be his bicep. Three inspirational saves from the second-choice goalkeeper anchored the belief that the Toffees could hang on with the lead.
The most controversial moment came with five minutes to go before the final whistle. Carlos Tevez’s shot obviously hit the arm of Fellaini in the box, but only a free kick outside the box was given and a second yellow card for Fellaini was never shown. Apparently, Lee Probert decided Leon Osman handled the ball with the slightest of touches just before it struck Fellaini’s arm. Whether Mr Probert should be credited for his exceptional eyesight, Manchester City would feel a penalty should instead be the justifiable decision.

Nikica Jelavic put an end to his personal goal drought as well as City’s title hopes in the dying minute with his deflected shot that lobbed over Joe Hart. Everton locked out the 2-0 scoreline and in fact, they would be utterly disappointed with even a draw, despite playing the last 30 minutes with a man down. Regardless of the dubious handball decision, Roberto Mancini has to concede they were never the better team of the afternoon, as City players were as if still in a Friday night hangover. By the time they have recovered, they may already find themselves 15 points away from the League title.

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Two losses in a row have not been the headlines you would normally see in local Barcelona newspaper for the last three years. Losing in two consecutive El Clasicos had not happened since the 07/08 season as well. Today, Barcelona slump again in the El Clasico and officially entered a new low point after losing at the Bernabeu in an unusual early afternoon fixture. They may still have a healthy lead in La Liga, but the once-invincible Barcelona is showing signs of faltering.

The width of Camp Nou has been an advantage which Barcelona has been able to utilise to turn their brilliant football into victory. Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo, though, had turned this around and tortured Barcelona’s defence with well-crafted counter-attack in the Copa del Rey match last Tuesday. While Jose Mourinho’s game plan was executed to perfection, the Catalans played nowhere near their highest standard. Having already been outperformed at San Siro, it raises doubt of Barcelona’s competitiveness at the top level of European football – despite local domination.

Saturday was the perfect opportunity to prove the pundits wrong and to regain the momentum. Mourinho had both eyes on Old Trafford and decided to rest most of his key players. Although still featuring Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao and Kaka, Barcelona still looked a stronger team on paper.

Yet again, their body language and performance under the sunshine of Madrid showed they lacked confidence, or even prompting the question whether they still had the desire to win. Morata, Kaka, Essien and Luka Modric are not Mourinho’s automatic first choices, but they all relished the opportunity to prove their worth to the team. In contrast, there was only clumsiness and complacency in the visitors’ side. Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano looked particularly vulnerable, and it was the latter who allowed Benzema to slip in at his back to put Barcelona in the trailing position once again. Pique definitely let nerves get the better of him, looking like an amateur center back when Ronaldo joined the match.

Things could have been worse than the final scoreline, because in the attacking front, there was no creativity and fluency. Lionel Messi may have scored a wonderful goal, but his lack of presence in the box was not what Barcelona fans like to see. Entering the final 10 minutes of the match, Messi was essentially invisible. Pedro was eager to make a difference, but his style has already been well-studied by Mourinho the tactician and the Spanish international has yet to add more diversity to his game.

Fatigue may be a good excuse. In fact, Barcelona do not have the squad depth of Real Madrid. They were involved in numerous competitions in the last few seasons. Bearing in mind quite a few Spanish internationals are in their first team, the number of games Xavi, Pique, Iniesta and Puyol have played is absolutely shocking.

The worrying sign is they never showed they wanted to win the game. It should be a derby that they can’t wait to win regardless of league positions; it should be the perfect chance to throw back a punch after Tuesday’s humiliating loss, but one could barely see the passion in their eyes. The Real Madrid “B” team, on the other hand, displayed excellent fighting spirit throughout the match. The difference only became more and more obvious entering the second half. Victor Valdes, looking as if he is the only warrior of the away side, was determined to deny Ronaldo from starring in the El Clasico, but his teammates seemed to be more worried about how to get Ronaldo booked. Los Blancos was definitely more eager for the win and was finally rewarded with the winning goal from their captain of the night, Sergio Ramos.

Roura may feel hard done with their last minute penalty claim being denied. In truth, they had always been the second best this afternoon. They have the right to complain about the officials and Real Madrid’s destructive playing style, but there should be more to worry about on their own training ground. Roura will have to revitalize Barcelona ahead of Deportivo La Coruna’s match to anchor their leading position in La Liga. Otherwise, in a blowing second, it could be an empty-handed year for the Catalans.

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It’s a question everyone should be asking themselves after this far in the season. When will we see the Liverpool we are all used to seeing? Liverpool find themselves 8th in the Barclays Premier League standings with 10 points separating them and 4th placed Chelsea. Liverpool have been an inconsistent club all year hovering around the tenth position and being unable to get a good string of wins together.

Liverpool have shown this year that they are unable to beat a top club. They have yet to beat a top team and have gotten embarrassed by some lower table clubs that they should have handled easily. Having been knocked out of every cup this year, all they can do is fight for a Champion’s League spot, which, at this point, seems highly unlikely. We all know what is expected of Liverpool and it is going to take time, but how long will it be until they are back to the Liverpool we are used to seeing?

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Tonight I was lucky enough to attend the Europa League fixture at White Hart Lane between Tottenham Hotspur and Lyon, and witness three world class goals, two from Gareth Bale in a thrilling match between two of Europe’s biggest sides.

Tottenham take a 2-1 lead back to Lyon where they will meet next Thursday to decide who will progress and secure a tie against either CFR Cluj or Inter Milan in the last 16 of the competition.

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This is the encounter everyone has been waiting for. Real Madrid vs Manchester United. Cristiano Ronaldo against his old club Manchester United. United find themselves well ahead of the pack in the Premier League while Madrid are sitting in third position, 18 points behind leaders Barcelona, in a very disappointing campaign for them thus far. José Mourinho’s future could be in the hands of this draw, with an exit from the Bernabéu likely at the end of the season. José Mourinho will be without his first-team goalkeeper Iker Casillas due to a hand injury. On the other side of the ball, summer signing Robin Van Persie has been in incredible form so far this season. He has scored a total of 23 goals this season and has willed Manchester United to the top of the Premiership. Along with Wayne Rooney, Madrid’s back line is going to have their hands full. With two prime left feet on the pitch at the same time, this tie is looking to be world-class.

The first leg of this competition will be held in Madrid at the Bernabéu. As far as match-ups go, these two teams are evenly great. If you look at where the two are at in their respective seasons, they couldn’t be more apart. United find themselves having an excellent season sitting comfortably on top of the Premier League and Madrid have been disappointing thus far seemingly out of chances to win La Liga. Everyone is looking forward to this match-up and I have to believe that we will see in incredible two legs of football. The fact that the second leg will be held at Old Trafford makes it that much sweeter. Overall, we can expect both of these squads to come out and play good, entertaining football.

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So, join us for a LIVEBLOG for Real Madrid vs Manchester United on Wed Feb 13th

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Check out our LIVEBLOG coverage of Real Madrid vs Manchester United from The Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on February 13th

The post Poll: Would Sir Alex Ferguson trade the Barclays Premier League title for a Champions League Final win at Wembley? appeared first on Soccer Limey in America.