Ronaldo was outstanding, Fletcher was unlucky and Arsenal were poor
That basically sums up last night's game.
As we all know by now, Manchester United will be going to Rome in three weeks time after they saw off Arsenal in last night's all English Champions League semi-final.
In truth, United's progression never looked in any real doubt after they went a goal ahead after just eight minutes of proceedings at the Emirates last night. Ji-Sung Park put the ball beyond Manuel Almunia after he capitalised on Kieran Gibbs' eary slip-up to leave the home side with a mountain to climb.
Arsene Wenger's men were left with an even bigger mountain to climb just moments later when FIFA World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo fired home from all of 35-yards to leave the home fans wondering why they bothered turning up.
The second-half did little to change proceedings in any way. United were in complete control and deservedly bagged a third goal just after the hour mark when Ronaldo finished off a sumptuous move by the current Champions of Europe.
Everything seemed to be going almost too well for United and unfortunately for them a poor refereeing decision has cost Darren Fletcher a place in the final. The Scottish international was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas in the box, however replays clearly show Fletcher getting a massive touch on the ball.
Robin Van Persie converted from the spot, however it was far too little too late for the North London club and the result now means they will have gone four years without any silverware.
What do you think? What must Arsenal do now? Why on earth was Fletcher sent off and just how good was Ronaldo? Comments below please.
Ribery to arrive at Old Trafford for £60 million? You must be joking
£60 million for Ribery? Come on. It's never going to happen.
One English newspaper has today reported that Manchester United have today made a massive £60 million bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery.
The French playmaker is widely regarded as one of the finest talents in world football and the 26-year old has been strongly linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona in recent weeks and months.
No disrespect to Ribery because I think he is an outstanding player, but do you really think Sir Alex Ferguson would spend £60 million on him? The simple answer to that is no.
Ferguson is not stupid with his money. If it is to be that Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Old Trafford in the summer to join Real Madrid for, lets say, £68 million, United won't just go out and spend the same amount of money on someone else. They will buy two or three very good players and then work from there.
Even Ribery's biggest fan would have to admit he is only worth £40 million max. There is no denying he is a world class player and I am sure a lot of United fans would love to see him arrive during the summer, however I find it impossible to believe that Ferguson would spend such a large amount on a single player.
What do you think? Agree or disagree? Comments below please.
Oh no Joe
His first game back after several months out with a foot injury and what does Joey Barton do? Yes, the Newcastle midfielder receives a straight red card for a challenge on Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, however that's not all.
The 26-year old has now been banned by the North East club until further notice for the tackle which Alan Shearer described as "stupid" at the time. The club who look destined for the Championship had this to say : "Joey Barton has been suspended from the club until further notice. The club will be making no further comment at this time."
You may remember me saying a few weeks ago that I thought Joey Barton could be the man to help save the Magpies from the drop. Well how wrong was I?
So what now for the former England international?
Well, I can't see him remaining a Newcastle player for too much longer. Despite all the bad press he gets, I still think he is quite a decent player. He had one or two outstanding years at Manchester City and if he can reproduce that kind of form, as well as keeping his mouth shut, I feel he would be a cracking signing for anyone of the promoted sides, i.e Birmingham or Wolves.
What do you think? Was the tackle really that bad? Are Newcastle right to ban Barton? Comments below please.
Wolves & Birmingham are up, but who will be joining them in the Premier League?
Today saw the Championship season come to a close, with Birmingham City booking their place alongside Wolves in the Premier League next season.
With both those sides now up, that leaves just one more team to join them out of four. The four clubs to book their place in this season's play-off's are Sheffield United, Reading, Burnley and Preston, however only one can go up, so who will it be.
Looking at the table, you would have to fancy Kevin Blackwell's Sheffield United to go up, being the side who finished just outside the top two, however it is often the case that the side who finishes 3rd don't go up.
Steve Coppel's Reading will look to make their stay in the Championship quite brief, having only been relegated from the top flight last year. They will now face 5th place Burnley, who, as we all know, have done tremendously well in the cup competitions this season. Owen Coyle's men saw off the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal on route to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup earlier this season, so a repeat of those kind of performances may see them to play-off glory.
Alan Irvine's Preston complete the line-up for this season's Championship play-off's. To say Preston squeaked into the final play-off spot would be a massive understatement. They made it in on goals scored, not even goal difference. Overall, Preston scored just one more goal than Cardiff City and ultimately it is they who go forward to face Sheffield United later this month.
So who do you think will join Wolves and Birmingham in the line-up for the 2009/2010 Premier League season. If I had to pick someone, I would probably say Burnley. The play-off's always provide some memorable matches and I'm sure this season will be no different. Comments below please.