Ian Tanner
The hyperbolics during and after Newcastle’s comeback was almost as frustrating as the game’s outcome and circumstances thereof. Alan Pardew apparently delivered an inspirational half-time speech worthy of Churchill himself! This utter nonsense reminded me of another 4-4 and the so-called “Harry Redknapp effect” being responsible for Spurs’ salvaging of a dramatic draw during his first game in charge. Arsene, not for the first time, nor the last, had a perfect, succinct riposte on that occasion when this hypothesis was put to him: “at 4-2 there was no effect …” And twenty three minutes into the second-half at St. James’ Park there was no Alan Pardew effect. There were several Phil Dowd effects, however: two penalties – one “soft” (goal 1), one ridiculous (goal 3) – various cardings and non-cardings (depending on shirt colour), and the all-important free-kick (goal 4) when man mountain and thoroughly bad egg Tomas Rosicky fouled cynically the gracious and unassuming Joseph “Joey” Barton, who had balletically and legally contested a header.
Robert Exley has already provided an excellent character assassination of this Angel of the North, so I’ll make just two further observations. Interviewed immediately afterwards, Joey had the straight-faced effrontery to criticise Arsenal players’ ill-discipline. If Harold Shipman had criticised Florence Nightingale’s bedside manner one could hardly have been more incredulous. Second, two seasons ago, Barton was an 89th minute substitute in Newcastle’s 3-0 defeat at the E******s. Determined to make his mark, he challenged Clichy, getting the ball but also ensuring his forearm caught Gael’s leg a nasty blow. Intent was written on his face. His so-called legitimate challenge on Diaby should be viewed in this light by pundits with memory spans shorter that a goldfish’s. Still, we gained one point on ManU and Chelski and the Invincibles’ achievement is now safe for another season. Always look on the bright side of life …
It beggars belief that the Premier League’s bottom club have gained half their tally from just one game against each of ManU, Chelsea, Liverpool and Citeh. Only attendees on Saturday saw an amazing early surge which led to Cesc’s neat finish. Wolves’ defenders couldn’t stop our favourite n-n-n-n-nineteen year-old, who wears his age on his back and plays with his heart on his sleeve, by fair means or even foul. No, it took the latest incompetent whistle-blower to take charge of our proceedings to render Jack’s efforts in vain. No goal and no booking, despite the cynicism or dangerous position. A few miles west at Twickenham, another code of football was being played that actively encourages referees to apply advantage and common sense. Always nice to stuff the Italians, by the way.
Local teams are “paired” by the Football League for fixture purposes: Arsenal/ Spuds, Everton/Liverpool, ManU/Citeh. Two Bristols are also paired, naturally. A topological rarity occurs this coming Saturday. Charlton host Exeter and Millwall entertain Boro. With Craig Eastmond on loan at The Den, no prizes for guessing which game I’ll patronise. More immediately, I wonder if there’s a midweek game in London worth attending?
