The List | 10 Things From The Weekend - 17/02/14 - Football News

Revenge was the name of the game this weekend and whilst certain big sides had to sit the weekend out the rest were left to battle it out for a place in the next round of the FA Cup. Domestic action was on the cards in the rest of Europe and we were treated to a couple of wonder goals as the giants of football geared up for the return of the Champions League this week...
 

Revenge is sweet – Arsenal were battered by Liverpool and Chelsea beat Manchester City in the league. Both sides would have taken the three points over an FA Cup win, and it is a good thing considering the reversal of results in the knockout competition. Both Arsenal and City reigned supreme and will avoid each other in the next round.

Bayern unbeatable? – They crushed Freiburg by 4 goals to nil, and managed to extend their unbeaten run to 46 games. Pretty impressive and pretty ominous for Arsenal who of course face them this week in the Champions League. It is worth noting Bayern have been beaten in Europe – at home by none other than Manchester City, and Arsenal nearly did it against the Bavarians last term too.



Magic Messi – Ominous for Manchester City really. The forward will admit that he is not back to his best totally, but the Barcelona game on the weekend certainly showed that he is getting there. Messi loves his big occasions and there is few bigger than the one this week.



Kompany holds key to beating Barca – The defender was hurt by the loss in the league against Chelsea and it was telling. During the FA Cup tie he was everywhere, not even letting Chelsea having a sniff at the ball in his zone. The skipper will have to be as good if not better against Xavi, Iniesta and co and do not bank against him.



When the postman delivers a letter, does he celebrate? – A thirty yard screamer to win three points for his AC Milan side at the death would make most people raise a smile – or run around like a lunatic with their shirt off. Not Mad Mario. He just turns around nonchalantly and walks off, despite being mobbed by his teammates apparently.



Howard Webb is bottling it this season – He may be more concerned about getting to the World Cup than making the right decisions and it is becoming obvious. Not only is Webb now bottling controversial calls, he is also making outrageously wrong ones. Luis Suarez was denied an obvious penalty and then Gerrard did not receive a second yellow. Trying to atone for an earlier mistake Howard?



No smoke without... smoke bombs – The game at El Madrigal had a serious incident with a smoke bomb being thrown onto the pitch and both the crowd and the players had to be evacuated. Calls are being made to bring back standing areas – but before that can happen, the likes of flares and smoke bombs have to be eradicated. We're all for a good atmosphere but the line has to be drawn somewhere.



Mind games are all the rage – Jose’s press conferences have been slightly more entertaining than his Chelsea side in the last couple of games, and the Special One is getting told off. From Wenger branding him disrespectful to Brendan Rodgers noting his side are not even a horse but a yappy dog, Mourinho is the darling of the press once again, even if it ruffles a few feathers.



Liverpool's Lions – Southampton may be getting all the praise this season for their home grown players, but Liverpool have been flying high – and their five English players of Gerrard, Sterling, Sturridge, Henderson and Flanagan haven’t been too shabby either – in fact they have been the toast of Merseyside and with good reason too.



Clean sheet king – Albeit in the SPL, the player has now picked up the PFA player of the month accolade and has made history by keeping 12 clean sheets to boot. Hart may be looking better than in previous months but that is not really saying too much. Forster will be on the plane to Brazil and carry on the way he is, the boy might be between the posts as well.

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