Chapter 190 Half of the League
"Let Manchester United start No. 9!" Manchester United fans have shouted slogans!
Ferguson also realized this problem. It seems that all the players are very tired now. Only Li Yu can exert his strength normally. This boy is really a freak, just like a perpetual motion machine, always maintaining good physical fitness.
But before that, the old man had to give the players half a day off first. The reason is very simple. Today is Christmas.
Manchester United players held a Christmas party at Ferdinand's restaurant Rosso, which was attended by all members, including some young players with a record, Welbeck and others.
There were media reporters waiting outside the door of the restaurant, shooting stars one by one.
Li Yu was also among them and found that there was a reporter shooting. Li Yu also waved his hand to the reporter, thinking that it was not easy for these people. Everyone else had a holiday, but they still had to stand outside to shoot in the cold weather.
Entering the restaurant, a waiter took Li Yu's coat, and he strode into it.
"Come on, here!" Rooney warmly greeted Li Yu to take his seat.
The people have not yet arrived, and the dinner has not officially started. The players present are chatting, some chatting with their wives or female partners, and some chatting with their teammates.
It was not until Li Yu sat down that why Rooney greeted himself so enthusiastically to sit next to him. The two first-line team were lonely. Rooney's wife had to look at the newborn child and did not attend. Li Yu's girlfriend was not around.
After waiting for about 10 minutes, everyone arrived and began to serve.
The huge Christmas traditional food, roast turkey, was on three large plates. Li Yu looked at it and muttered in her heart, a group of foodies!
It's really a little bit like a gathering hall to share the stolen goods, drinking a lot and eating meat.
The British are also easy to take a sip. Both men and women can drink it. Li Yu knows that on a cold day, the reporter outside is still shooting hard in the cold wind. He brings it to his female companion in China in case of drinking too much. In Britain, this method is completely not applicable. If the female partner drinks too high, you have to care about her. Of course, the premise is that you don't drink it. Hang up.
What kind of party is this? Drink, from the beginning of champagne to red wine, and finally beer!
Fortunately, there was no strong wine, but there were also a lot of people who drank. After the dinner, the old captain Neville was obviously drunk. He giggled when he saw people, and walked around.
Looking at the outside of the restaurant, I don't know whose female companion is sitting on the side of the road, where she is drunk.
It's lively and absolutely lively. Rooney hasn't been in pain recently. He hasn't scored in several consecutive games. He also joined the ranks of drinking. He also knows who is drunk and crazy, and unexpectedly called 999 ambulances.
Rooney is drunk and has to get into the ambulance. Li Yu is really scratching her head. Tomorrow, I will report to see how entertaining these stars and female partners are!
"I want to go up! Keep drinking!" Rooney is still working hard for the ambulance.
Li Yu can't ignore it. "There is no wine on it, but it's inside!"
"Who said, what is not wine!" Rooney pointed to the bottle in the car and was about to get on the car.
The ambulance personnel who arrived at the scene saw that Rooney was about to get into the car and didn't stop him. Anyway, he was drunk and went to the hospital to sober up.
However, in order to prevent Rooney from getting drunk in the car, he got into the car and tied Manchester United's big star to the stretcher.
"Drink, what kind of game is this, hehe!" Rooney really drank a lot. Now he successfully got into the car and giggled.
"Please!" Li Yu had to say a few words before driving, "Do you want me to follow along and have a look?"
"No, we have a lot of experience in dealing with this situation!" The ambulance staff answered very professionally. Li Yugang wanted to leave, but he heard a shout from behind, "Can you take a picture with us!"
"Here?" Li Yu turned around in surprise. She was really embarrassed and didn't know how to answer. This is interesting. One of Manchester United's two strikers had to go to the ambulance to drink, and the other took a picture with the ambulance. What's the matter?
However, Li Yu still agreed with a click.
"Yeah!" Where is Rooney still enjoying himself?
......
Li Yu walked into the Carrington training base with anxiety. There is no need to ask about the demeanor of Manchester United players on Christmas Eve. He will definitely see the newspaper as soon as possible. Will the old man Ferguson be angry?
However, Li Yu is still a little too worried. On the special day of Christmas, the old man really didn't say much.
Immediately, in the 19th round of the league, Manchester United played against Hull City at home, and this game became unacceptable.
If something happens again, maybe you don't need to say anything. Manchester United players themselves know that this season's championship can say goodbye.
This is the 19th meeting between the two teams in the league. Previously, Manchester United had an advantage of 11 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses. Among them, the Red Devils have won the last five matches between the two sides. As for Hull City's latest defeat against Manchester United, it needs to be traced back to 34 years ago. After Manchester United's injury crisis was eased in this game, Vidic, Brown and Raphael recovered from their injuries and returned to the starting lineup with Giggs, and Rooney and Li Yu were side by side in the front line. In Hull City, Brad and Ashby hung an exemption card with a knee injury, and Bamby, who had an injured calf, also sat on the bench at the beginning of the game.
It turned out that Li Yu's appearance instantly activated the whole Manchester United's attack, and Rooney also scored with the help of Li Yu.
Li Yu also bombarded a long-range shot.
Manchester United, which visited Kingston Communication Center Stadium, defeated Hull City 3-1 with one shot and two passes by Li Yu, and was still in second place, two points behind Chelsea. Hull City suffered two consecutive defeats and five rounds of defeats, and was still in the relegation zone.
In the earlier Chelsea match, Birmingham, who was at St. Andrews Stadium at home, drew the leader Chelsea 0-0, set an unbeaten record in 10 games in the top league for the first time since 1908, and also ended the London Blue Lions' record of scoring in 23 consecutive league rounds. Chelsea won the 5th in the last 7 games. A draw. In the game, Benitez scored a goal, but the referee's controversial decision blew the goal. In addition, Birmingham goalkeeper Hart performed bravely, sealing the single-handed ball of Lampard and Kalu. Alex's shot was blocked by the lintel, and Malouda was expelled for the second yellow card before the end of the game.
Lampard and Kalu missed a single knife, Alex was in the middle, and Malouda lost most of the empty goal... With 30 shooting opportunities created in the whole game, Chelsea failed to break through the opponent's city for the first time this season. As a result, Birmingham has become the first team to score a clean sheet of the London Blue Lions after Barcelona (April 22, 2009). So far, there is no team that can score a goal in the Premier League this season.
If the defending champion Manchester United has been trapped by large-scale injuries of defensive players recently, Chelsea's attack is also in big trouble, although the Blues currently ranks second only to Arsenal in the Premier League. Before this game, Chelsea showed offensive fatigue. In fact, since Anelka scored a goal against Portsmouth, the Blues have not scored in sports for 4 hours and 7 minutes. In the last six rounds of the league, in addition to the opponent's own gift, the eight goals were only concentrated in Drogba, Anelka and Lan. In Pad's three people, the two balls of the " magic lamp" are still penalty kicks.
Sky Sports said bluntly after the game: The visiting team (Chelsea) must feel frustrated because they created a lot of opportunities throughout the game. The 80% possession rate in the first 10 minutes was just an advantage for the Blues. Then Sturridge, Lampard and the substitute Kalu saw the strength of the opposing goalkeeper Hart. When the team's closest opportunity to score a goal in the whole game was created by the defender, then the team must be offensive. There is a problem.
It is an indisputable fact that Chelsea relies on Drogba and Anelka, especially its dependence on Warcraft. The Times warned Ancelotti very early: If Chelsea wants to win the double, the team must be more blossoming. After all, Warcraft is not Superman, and he can't be in shape every game. Although Drogba, who has just recovered from his injury in the last two rounds, has returned, he is in an unstable state. In addition, Anelka suffered injuries, and the London Blue Lions suddenly lost their vigor. What's more, Drogba will leave the team after this game, which is likely to be absent for a month because of the African Cup.
Anelka's injury and state are variable, so Ancelotti can only rely on two young players, Sturich and Borini, because An Pang said in a recent interview: "In January next year, Chelsea do not need to draw on the front line. If he is willing to run naked in the snow..." Sturridge, this battle ushered in In the first Premier League start, although he worked hard, his ability to seize opportunities was limited; Borini, the best scorer of the reserve team, has not been able to open a goal account in the first team so far.
It can be said that while Ancelotti ushered in his first zero-goal game after coaching Chelsea, the biggest challenge to him also followed. The "Christmas Express" schedule already needs time to adapt, and the front line has lost the general for various reasons. There is no doubt that the leading Chelsea is experiencing a cold winter. It is a small matter of losing 33 consecutive goals in this game and 23 consecutive goals in the league. Losing the top position and the confidence of the whole team is the most fatal.
Anyway, Chelsea still surpassed Manchester United to win the first half of the league.
In a flash, half a season has passed. The ambitious Manchester City has not won the ideal ranking, while the top four who tightened their belts are dominated by Chelsea. Liverpool has fallen behind. After the boxing schedule, Chelsea temporarily occupied the Christmas championship with 42 points, while Manchester United (40 points) and Assen Na (38 points), Aston Villa (35 points), Tottenham (34 points) and Manchester City (32 points) are not far behind, and the competition in the second half of the Premier League will enter a super fierce era of princes.
The three promoted horses this season, Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley, have performed well. The most amazing thing is Birmingham, which is now ranked 8th.
In October, Hong Kong businessman Yang Jiacheng entered Birmingham and became the first Chinese boss in the Premier League. It's strange to say that Birmingham, which has only won 2 games before, with 1 draw and 6 losses, is unbeaten for 6 wins, 4 draws and 10 rounds after the arrival of the new boss, rising from the relegation zone to the 8th place in the league, creating a dark horse legend that came up in the first half.
However, last Saturday's game against Chelsea fully demonstrated the characteristics of Birmingham, goalkeeper Hart and central defender Roger? Johnson's performance is the most outstanding. The team only conceded 18 goals in 19 rounds. It relies on Manchester City to borrow Hart and the Champions League Championship central defender combination Roger Johnson and Dan. In the face of the strong team, they fight tenaciously, and the blood splash three steps will pull you off, and in the face of the middle and lower teams, they dare to attack. Scottish coach McLeish is the soul of this team, and his tenacity has made Birmingham's blood.
Burnley temporarily ranked 13th. At the beginning of the season, he beat Manchester United 1-0 at home to create a big surprise. The team's home record is very NB, with 5 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss. The only home loss was 1-3 defeat to Wigan. However, Burnley has been away with 1 draw and 8 losses this season. Compared with the home record, the second half of the season will be over. To achieve the important task of relegation, it is necessary to strengthen the means of being a guest and getting points.
The Wolves temporarily ranked 15th, only 2 points away from the relegation zone, and there is a long way to go. Top scorer Doyle seems to have regained the feeling of scoring recently, but he and the team need to work harder.
In today's football world, you really can't play without money, especially in the Premier League. Last summer, Suleiman Fahim, who bought Manchester City as the front desk representative of the Abu Dhabi consortium, bought Portsmouth from the little Gaidamac this summer. People thought that Fahim was a rich man. After all, as an Abu Dhabi real estate giant, he owns a large private jet and a Lamborghini worth 600,000 pounds. I hope he can save the club's financial crisis. But soon, people found that Fahim only had a lot of empty talk and a package of ambitious plans.
At the beginning of October, the players found that the club could not pay the September salary. CEO Storey borrowed 1.8 million pounds from the bank to deal with it, but the work of tearing down the east wall and repairing the west wall could not be done often. Soon, Fahim sold Portsmouth to the unknown Saudi developer Faraj. The club However, it can only be barely maintained, and it can last for a day.
The club that is in financial crisis continues to sell players, and the results are inevitable to fall free. Hart, the hero of Keqin's relegation last season, was dismissed, and Grant, who took Chelsea to win three runner-up titles in the 2007-08 season, took office. Portsmouth is still at the bottom, but defeating Liverpool gives people a glimmer of hope. Only relegation can avoid the complete collapse of the club. Grant's burden is not light, which is also the best way for the former Chelsea coach to prove himself to Abu and the world.
Everton's situation is equally bad. In the past two years, the team has been cursed by injury. It often lacks half of the main lineup, and the UEFA Europa League needs to be split up. Moyes, who sells central defender Lescott, also needs time for the team's defense to regain its senses. Due to the mess of the league results, Everton's only consolation is that Liverpool and himself met in the UEFA Europa League.
West Ham United finally won the 9th place under the leadership of Zola last season, but this season suffered from the economic crisis of the club's backstage boss, and the winter transfer had to sell big names, so the prospect is not optimistic. Like Portsmouth, relegation is the first priority.
Due to the depravity of Liverpool, it also gives the middle and lower teams more opportunities. It is worth mentioning that the middle class and relegation teams in the first half have risen up and no longer easily succumb to the rich. Therefore, the leader Chelsea lost 3 games in the half, Manchester United lost 4 games, Arsenal 4 games, and Liverpool 7 games. In the halfway, the semi-finals have lost 18 games, and only lost a total of last season. There are 17 games. Therefore, Arsenal coach Wenger predicts that winning the championship this season will be the lowest score in the Premier League in 13 years. In the professor's opinion, he may win the championship with 78 points and 83 points, and more than 83 points will definitely win the championship.
Previously, the Premier League was used to high scores. Manchester United scored 90 points in three consecutive championships last season, while Chelsea won the Premier League championship for the first time under Mourinho and got the highest score of 95 points. The lowest score of 75 points was in 1997. Ferguson led Manchester United 7 points ahead of Newcastle to win the championship. But with Arsenal's defeat to Sunderland, Manchester United lost points to Burnley and Aston Villa, and the "ex ATM" team no longer exists.
Aston Villa, who is temporarily ranked fourth, has the most outstanding performance in the first half of the defense line, conceding only 17 goals in 19 rounds, which is the defense line second only to Chelsea in the Premier League. Manchester City, introduced by coach O'Neal this summer, abandoned Dunn and West Ham United central defender Collins, replacing Raulson (retired) and Curtis? The combination of Davis (incessantly injured) has become Villa's most trusted central defender partner, and the veteran American goalkeeper Frieder is still one of the most responsive goalkeepers in the league. With a solid defense line, there are Milner and Ashley in the attack? With such an excellent winger like Yang and the growth of striker Abang Laho's shooting, there is a good reason for Villa to be in the top four. Last Sunday, he was defeated by Arsenal, but Villa was not at an obvious disadvantage before Fabregas scored a free kick. How to quickly get out of the shadow of defeat will be a reference to reflect the team's psychological adaptability.
The key to Tottenham's success is attack. 40 goals are second only to Arsenal and Chelsea. Tottenham's offensive combination in the midfield is very rich, especially Lennon's strong performance in the right wing. In the past, Lennon's speed was amazing, but the last pass or handling is always shocking, but this season Come on, his breakthrough is still sharp, but the passing is also more accurate. Lennon has had eight assists this season and only six in the whole season last season. Top scorer divford can currently temporarily top the scorer list with 13 goals, many of which are assists from Lennon. In addition, the handover between the two Croats Modric and Kranitsa is also very natural. Modric, who performed well, was accidentally injured in August. Lao Lei introduced Kranica in time, which has now become an important part of Tottenham's attack.
Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City, these middle class who have been full of ambition in recent years and intend to end the rule of the four major families will still be an important force in the overall situation of the league in the second half. In the end, whether Liverpool will fall behind and whether the order of the top four in the Premier League will be rearranged will be up to the middle class itself. .