Wimbledon 2014: The new generation emerge

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

Wimbledon 2014 (logo pictured below) will always be remembered as the time when the new generation of tennis superstars came of age. The heavyweights of the game had a tough time at the All-England club, overshadowed by the power, determination and no fear attitude of new kids on the block.

Wimbledon 2014 provided a mix of fresh talent and expected forces winning

It brought us controversial moments, sensations on Centre Court, a groan of disappointment as our champion had a bad day and the return of a Swiss ace that refuses to go away. However, if you looked at the record books, you’d think the SW19 edition this year had a retro feel as the men’s and women’s singles champions were the same as they were in 2011.

Czech Petra Kvitova returned to the scene of her greatest triumph to overpower Eugenie Bouchard in the women’s final, whilst Serbia’s Novak Djokovic put aside his pain of losing his last three Grand Slam finals to win the men’s showpiece in an epic five-set encounter with Roger Federer.

Andy’s agony

British tennis was in its best place last year when Andy Murray ended 77 years of heartache to beat Djokovic and become men’s champion. It hasn’t been an easy year for the Scot since and this Wimbledon was going to bring highs and lows.

Back surgery last September and a parting of the ways with his coach Ivan Lendl earlier this year have made life more difficult for Murray. An encouraging run to the French Open semi-finals on his least favourite surface (clay), had people talking his chances up of repeating his glory from 2013. The realism was though that with a new coach in Amelie Mauresmo, a former female champion in 2006; it was going to take Murray time to gel with his new partner.

The first four rounds were a breeze. Murray played some great tennis and made no hassle with his opponents, not dropping a set and barely losing his serve. That all change though in the quarter-finals against the tall Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

Dimitrov, best known to us as being the other half of Maria Sharapova’s life, was in the form of his career. He had won the AEGON Championship at Queens before coming to south-west London and dealt brilliantly with the pressure of having a home crowd against him. Couple this with a bad day for the champion and Murray’s defence of the title was over.

The straight sets demolition was a shock and questions were raised about Murray’s mind, shot selection and condition of his fitness. His ranking has dropped to no.10, the lowest it has been in six years but the reality is that this was always going to be a testing year after such major surgery. At 27, Murray still has time to win more Grand Slams. The sparkle from winning Olympic gold, the US Open and Wimbledon in such quick succession has most definitely fizzled out. However, he will bounce back from this challenging period in his career.

Serena’s shambles

In the women’s game, the overwhelming favourite going into the tournament was Serena Williams. Despite disappointing early exits from the first two Grand Slams of the year, this is Serena’s favourite surface…well it was until the last fortnight.

First, she crashed out before the start of the second week in the singles, beaten by Alize Cornet on the middle Saturday of the championships. Four days later and in bizarre circumstances, she came onto court with Sister Venus for the doubles quarter-finals, looking disorientated and dizzy. A mystery virus meant she couldn’t even control her racquet. After a game with four double faults, she sensibly withdrew but it was a sorry and shambolic way for her SW19 challenge to end.

Her exit made Sharapova the bookies favourite, but she didn’t get much further. The French Open champion was beaten in one of the matches of the tournament, ousted by German no.9 seed Angelique Kerber in the round of 16. Kerber had earlier ended British interest in the ladies draw, having beaten Heather Watson on Centre Court in the second round.

The female game was rocked to the core by the tragic death of former British no.1 Elena Baltacha in May from liver cancer. On day two of the championships, a highly-charged Centre Court paid its tribute to ‘Bally’ with nine-year-old Elle Robus-Miller – a young player from the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis in Ipswich walking out hand-in-hand with the 2013 champion Marion Bartoli to emotional applause.

Bartoli herself struggled to fight back the tears. She retired from competitive tennis only six weeks after her Wimbledon glory last summer. The Frenchman was back this time working for the BBC, and took her seat in the Royal Box to see one of her best friends and the runner-up from 2013, Sabine Lisicki win her first round match. The German’s wave towards Bartoli after completing a straight sets victory showed her respect and gratitude in taking the honour of opening up Centre Court action on day two, normally reserved for the defending champion.

Lisicki would reach the quarter-finals this time, before being blown away on the same court by Simone Halep. The Romanian has soared up the WTA rankings and was one of the many newcomers who made their mark at Wimbledon 2014.

The new generation

Halep was seeded no.3 here and despite admitting that grass was her least favourite surface, she showed no mercy to Lisicki in the last eight and made the semis, being beaten by another newcomer in Bouchard.

The Canadian is definitely one of the most attractive females on the WTA tour and the British media definitely loved her. Only two years ago, she was winning the girls singles here. Now, she charged into her maiden Grand Slam final. The Czech, Lucie Safarova shouldn’t be forgotten either. She made her first Grand Slam semi-final, before being beaten by Fed Cup partner and compatriot Kvitova.

After winning Wimbledon in 2011, Kvitova didn’t seem to handle the pressure of it well and had almost faded into obscurity. Now 24, she seems ready to be able to cope with becoming a Grand Slam winner again. Apart from a bruising encounter with Venus Williams in round three, she charged into the final with consummate ease, barely breaking sweat with some accomplished performances.

The sensation in the men’s draw was Nick Kyrgios. Only given a wildcard entry into the tournament and ranked outside the top 100, the teenager caused a stir by knocking out no.13 seed Richard Gasquet in round two and then an even bigger sensation two rounds later. He faced Rafael Nadal, who was coming off the back of a stunning ninth title at Roland Garros.

Nadal looked uneasy once again on the grass. He dropped the first set in his three opening games but managed to recover. The Spaniard did it again against Kyrgios, only he couldn’t recover this time. Kyrgios showed great maturity for such a young age and his power was unstoppable. Rafa had no idea and checked out in four sets. If he stays fit and keeps focused, Kyrgios is a champion of the future.

He bowed out in the next round to another young Canadian in Milos Raonic. Raonic has so far unfulfilled his genuine promise but that all changed in the past fortnight. The eighth seed moved through into a first semi-final, although he was no match for Federer. It is fair to say the future of tennis is looking bright.

The double repeated   

On paper, Bouchard vs Kvitova looked like being a close women’s singles final. It sadly didn’t live upto the hype and promise. Kvitova was the slight favourite with many due to her previous experience of a Wimbledon final but she produced a simply stunning performance that Bouchard couldn’t live with.

Unlike Lisicki last year, Bouchard’s game didn’t crumble under pressure of the big occasion. She simply had no answer to Kvitova’s brilliant serve and her strong return shots that were making rallies very short and therefore, the match far too quick for many people’s liking. To Bouchard’s credit, she kept going but there was only going to be one winner. Kvitova (pictured below) won 6-4, 6-0 – becoming champion for a second time in under an hour. Petra has the ability to capitalise on this momentum and win many more titles. She just has to believe in herself more, something that didn’t seem visible three years ago.

Petra Kvitova produced a breathtaking performance to win the title for the second time in four years

If the crowd felt short-changed on Saturday, no-one will be asking for a refund after Sunday’s match. Djokovic and Federer met in a Grand Slam final that will go down as one of the best. It went the full distance, as the balance of power shifted back and forth. Federer won the first set on a tie-break, Djokovic the next two 6-4, 7-6 and he seemed to have it wrapped up with an early break of the Swiss’ serve in set four. He even had a championship point, but this was saved by Federer on the Hawk Eye technology. He then reeled off five games in a row to win the set 7-5 and leave his opponent stunned.

The fifth set was a tight and close affair. Both players had opportunities to break serve, but couldn’t take them. Finally at 4-5 in the decider, the Serb had two chances. This time, championship point wasn’t squandered. A return into the net and Djokovic was champion at SW19 again. Federer’s drought without a Grand Slam now has stretched to two years, but while he was denied an eighth title this time – he has the capability and the concentration to still win more in the future. For now though, it was Djokovic’s time and over the course of the fortnight, he was the best player and deserved to take this great prize again.

And just like that, it was all over. Two weeks of absorbing tennis had come to an end; the tournament where the new generation had shone but the established were still able to take the top prizes.

Categories: 2014, Andy Murray, Centre Court, Novak Djokovic, Petra Kvitova, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Singles, Tennis, Wimbledon

Liars never prosper

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

Throughout our time on this planet, we all will or have made a bad decision. This could range from a dodgy choice of girlfriend and trusting someone you shouldn’t to taking a risk that ultimately backfires. From my own experiences, being honest is the best way forward.

There are some creatures though who develop a habit and an unhealthy one at that too. It might not be as damaging on a health scale if you compared it to smoking or addictions to gambling, drinking and prescription drugs but it put bad stains on characters.

Lying through our teeth is often the easiest way out of a sticky situation. Once you have lied, it can be quite easy to repeat the trick because it causes less strain in a relationship, friendship or professional aspect. What it means though is when the truth is revealed, the individual caught lying looks like as the saying goes; ‘an English fool.’

Liars never prosper and here are three examples – one from a TV show, one from the political spectrum and a few experiences involving yours truly where honesty should be and is the best way forward.

Broken promises

The broken promise is a term used when in public, you make a promise to do something radical, then go back on your plan and become a figure of hatred. In the world of politics, the game of lying to try to win the minds and hearts of voters has often been used. However, the difference between sly points and major policy reform can have major implications on future careers, particularly in senior positions. Yes you’ve probably guessed it, I’m talking about Nick Clegg.

Four years ago, Mr Clegg was the ‘supposed’ brightest thing about British politics. Gordon Brown was on his way out and David Cameron seen as the man in the middle. Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats made some bold statements in the run-up to the 2010 General Election, outperforming his rivals frequently in the live televised debates. Ultimately the Lib Dems didn’t do brilliantly as an overall party, but Clegg’s influence persuaded Cameron to go into a coalition government with him after no overall majority seized control.

Clegg (pictured below) appealed to the younger voter, especially as one of his main aims of his party's manifesto was for tuition fees at University to be abolished. First put in by Labour under Tony Blair’s stewardship, University was becoming more and more expensive. I was at Uni at the time, and Clegg’s desire to ditch this policy was a major pulling power – perhaps not to change my life but because it would encourage many generations afterwards to stick with higher education. After all, we were often told that you were a no-hoper without a degree.

Nick Clegg's actions from 2010 have really hurt him recently

Six months later, Clegg went back on his promise and when a bill was pushed through the House of Commons to increase tuition fees to £9000 a year which was a Conservative plan, he went along with it. He lied through his teeth to his party, and the people that marked an ‘x’ next to the Liberal Democrats months earlier. As a result, peaceful demonstrations across London in November 2010 turned into something far more violent. That action can’t be excused but you could also sympathise with the anger youngsters felt towards Nick Clegg. He had kicked this group in an unpleasant place and the fallout for him has been massive.

After an overwhelming rejection of his AV vote plan a year later, the Lib Dems performed so miserably in the recent Local and European election, it was kicked into sixth place in many counties and districts across the country, falling behind the likes of the BNP and the Green Party. As UKIP leader Nigel Farage celebrated his success over a pint, Clegg was giving TV interviews looking red-eyed and broken; as if a toy had just had its batteries removed easily. The fight in him has gone. He will be around for another 12 months but it is unlikely he will end 2015 anywhere near Westminster. A career in politics has been ruined by lying to thousands of people. The moral in this is liars never prosper. His lies have caught up with him now.

The bigamist

If you like your secrets, your liars and your affairs, then soapland is the place to be. The nation is often taken in by the regular dozes of what is offered in the Yorkshire Dales, Walford and Chester. Some soap characters are loved to hate. Others just never learn their lessons from previous big errors. One of these is Coronation Street’s Peter Barlow, played by actor Chris Gascoyne.

Once upon a time, his character was married to two people at the same time! The cake wasn’t enough, so he needed some icing on top! 11 years later, Mr Barlow seemed settled. He had controlled his alcohol addiction, was married to factory owner Carla Connor (played by Alison King), devoted his child and owned 50 per cent of the local knickers factory. Not bad going. Sadly for him as has often been the case, temptation strayed him and led to lie after lie.

When he has it all, Peter Barlow then does a really good job of messing it all up. He started an affair with his child’s babysitter Tina (played by Michelle Keegan), and couldn’t keep away. Oblivious to Carla, he kept coming up with cheap excuses to get his second helping of satisfaction. Eventually, his lies and deception led to him getting back on the booze and looking like a fool once again.

The storyline led to Carla finding out and vowing revenge on the pair. Before she could though, Tina was killed in a recent dramatic exit. Now, Peter has lost it all. His marriage is over, Carla miscarried with his child following the stress of the revelation, his lover is dead, his son hates him and he is back on the booze. Round of applause for the ultimate cock-up!

While it might only been a TV programme, don’t be surprised to find similar kind of problems up and down the land. Sometimes, the quiet life is okay but can get boring for others and lead to these kind of things such as having sneaky affairs and the development of dangerous addictions.

The moral to this is; be thankful for what you have and count your blessings. Unfortunately for Peter Barlow’s soap character, that wasn’t enough. The ex-bigamist simply couldn’t keep his trousers on.

My experiences 

At the end of the day, have we all told a white, little lie once in a while? Probably we all have. I know I did, especially in my young days – going all the way back to primary school.

As I’ve grown up, I have matured and understand far more about the consequences of lying. There a difference in gravitation between lies. Small things such as making an excuse up to not meet up are frustrating but can easily been forgiven. Much bigger things when the lives of other people can be changed by your actions is a far bigger deal.

At University, I was taught by one of my colleagues to just be honest. If you think someone has offended you, tell them face-to-face, not through social media or text message. There isn’t any point in hiding away feelings, as it can often cause far more damage.

I’ve been accused of lying before and that isn’t nice. Being honest won’t always get you what you want. A confession of love or assessments of a social situation are examples but I do believe you become a better person for these experiences. Lying makes things even worse and doesn’t make you a great individual – one who certainly doesn’t deserve a lot of time and effort for sure.

At the end of the day, liars never prosper. It might be fun and thrilling at the time but the web of deceit will ultimately catch up and have a much bigger bite. Those who do it, perhaps think about the potential consequences before deciding the route you go towards.

Categories: Affairs, Coronation Street, Decisions, English, Liars, Nick Clegg, Peter Barlow, Politics, Tuition Fees, University

World Cup 2014 - My Predictions

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

The countdown is almost over. Summer is here, four years have passed and the talking is going to stop. Football’s greatest show on earth is around the corner, with the opening ceremony just two days away now (written on 10 June).

The greatest football show on earth is just days away from beginning

The World Cup arrives home in one of its most spiritual places, Brazil. It is the first time the country will host the competition in 64 years and the first time in the continent since Argentina hosted and won the 1978 edition. No European side has ever triumphed overall on these shores.

32 teams all arrive in their various destinations across Brazil, preparing to take part in 64 games in some beautiful stadia (depending on whether they are all completed!). England is among the elite and Roy Hodgson has assembled a young, hungry squad with the country back home having much lower expectations than for any major international event for at least a generation.

I now give a quick guide to all the teams taking part in the World Cup of 2014, and how well I think they will do. One record I think will go over the course of the next month.

Group A

Brazil

All eyes will be on the hosts and whether they can cope with the pressure of an expectant nation. Luiz Felipe Scolari is in charge, just as he was when Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002 and there seems to be a good vibe around the camp (team photo pictured). The golden boy is Neymar and if he performs to his absolute peak, the Brazilians will be hard to stop. There are still some concerns though about the lack of depth in attack behind Neymar and Fred and it is for this reason that I think they will just fall short in their efforts to win a sixth World Cup.

PREDICTION: Semi-Finals (3^rd Place)

The Brazil team will be under huge pressure to deliver the main prize on home soil

Croatia

Niko Kovac was playing in a World Cup as recently as 2006. Eight years later, he guides Croatia to this tournament. Qualification was assured via the play-offs over Iceland but they have lost Mario Mandzukic for the first game. The Bayern Munich hotshot is suspended due to a red card in the second leg of the play-offs. Luka Modric is their main threat but this is a tough group for the Croats. A trip to Manaus to face Cameroon convinces me that this tournament won’t give much for the supporters to cheer about.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Mexico

Mexico limped through to another World Cup, needing a two-legged play-off success against New Zealand after making a meal of qualifying automatically. Four coaches have come and gone in the last few years, so stability at the top of the hierarchy remains a concern. However, they have a good tournament record. 1978 was the last time Mexico qualified for a World Cup and failed to make the knockout rounds. The Oribe Peralta/Javier Hernandez strike partnership should be just enough to carry that statistic on for another four years.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

Cameroon

It has now been 24 years since Roger Milla’s corner dancing and the Indomitable Lions stunning run to the quarter-finals at Italia 90. Since then, Cameroon have flattered to deceive on the main stage, failing to qualify for 2006 and ending their finals in the group stages on three other occasions. A pay dispute has already disrupted pre-tournament preparation, so confidence is not high. Ex-Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o needs to play well throughout for them to have any chances to progress but an early flight home is the only forecast here.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Group B

Spain

It isn’t quite the frightening force of previous major tournaments but the Spanish squad is still incredibly strong and that is despite leaving out the likes of Isco, Jesus Navas, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo. The holders must not be discounted, even if they aren’t favourites with many pundits. There is plenty of quality in the final third and del Bosque’s men should go deep into this World Cup. From a personal point, I want them to win again but a brave runners-up spot is what my professional instincts are telling me.

PREDICTION: Finalists

Netherlands

There is often a team that implodes on the main stage and I think that prize will go to the Netherlands this time around. They might have some stars, such as skipper Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben but there is a lack of team unity and most individuals can’t win football matches on their own. Outgoing manager Louis van Gaal already has a job after the finals and I don’t think his man-management skills will help any mutinies that break out. There is little chance the Dutch have of repeating their exploits from 2010. It will be three games only this time around.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Chile

Chile outclassed England in an international friendly back in November and are a very popular team with many neutrals. Coach Jorge Sampaoli has followed Marcelo Bielsa’s trend of playing fluent, attractive, attacking football. Arturo Vidal is at the top of his game and when on top form, Alexis Sanchez is very tough to stop. Injuries have affected preparation slightly but I like the Chileans a lot. Only a probable run-in with the hosts (like in 1998 and 2010) will stop them progressing further than the last 16.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

Australia

Brazil 2014 will be a third successive World Cup for Australia. The Socceroos have gone for a mixture of youth and experience in the squad. The likes of Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano will be making way after this tournament for a younger generation of Australian footballer. They conceded 16 goals in three games to Brazil, France and Ecuador in friendly matches, so I don’t think they will threaten the other three teams in Group B. They will go down fighting though as expected.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Group C

Colombia

16 years have passed since Colombia were at France 98. This crop of exciting footballers shows much promise under boss Jose Pekerman. The loss of Radamel Falcao to injury is a big blow, but that is more for the tournament spectacle. Jackson Martinez and Adrian Ramos promise goals and James Rodriguez is one of the young superstars of the European game. A quarter-final result is most definitely achievable for this bright South American side.

PREDICTION: Quarter-Finals

Greece

Rewind back to Euro 2004 and no-one gave Greece a hope. Yet the 150-1 outsiders stunned the world with their success and showed teams win football matches, not single individuals. A decade has passed and there are still representatives of that squad, like Giorgos Karagounis. They’ve done well to qualify for their second successive World Cup but lack the firepower required at the highest level. I think a lean tournament awaits the Greeks. However, they deserve to be here and have the potential to surprise people once again.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Ivory Coast

Having been given the dreaded ‘Group of Death’ in both 2006 and 2010, the Ivory Coast must be happy to have a more favourable draw this time around. They have one of the best midfielders in the world in Yaya Toure of Manchester City and Didier Drogba is bound to have a say in what is likely to be his international swansong. They qualified well and could be Africa’s best hope for success. Sadly for the White Elephants, it will be third time unlucky when it comes to escaping the group stage.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Japan

Technically gifted and with plenty of power and skill to hurt opposition, 2014 could be a breakthrough competition for Japan. They might have lost all their games at the Confederations Cup last summer but they impressed many with their free-flowing style. Keisuke Honda of AC Milan is their star player, but Shinji Okazaki is a proven goalscorer having netted 15 in the Bundesliga last season and Shinji Kagawa has a point to prove after his frustrating time at Manchester United. The Blue Samarai in my view will produce Asia’s best performance in a World Cup on foreign soil.

PREDICTION: Quarter-Finals

Group D

Uruguay

The Uruguay squad is relatively unchanged from four years ago, when they reached the semi-finals. Holders of the Copa America and semi-finalists last summer in the Confederations Cup, there is no doubt that the Uruguayans are big tournament performers. In Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, they have the deadliest frontline duo going to Brazil but a fragile backline could be their undoing. The last 16 is as far as they will go in 2014.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

Costa Rica

Costa Rica are an unpredictable outfit but don’t underestimate them, despite being in one of the tougher groups. Scotland did in 1990 and were embarrassingly beaten. There aren’t many household names, although Bryan Ruiz did have a spell in England with Fulham and Joel Campbell impressed for Olympiakos in the Champions League against Manchester United. They have a sound defensive unit but will be missing main goal threat Alvaro Saborio, due to a foot injury. It will be a battling, but predictable group stage exit.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

England

So what do we make of England’s chances? Roy Hodgson has picked a strong squad and whilst he has been starved of Walcott, Rodriguez and Townsend – injuries have been relatively unscathed compared to some nations. This is the final chance for the likes of skipper Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and maybe even Wayne Rooney to shine on the international stage. There is plenty of promise for the future and with more experience; the 2016 European Championships is a more realistic target for a better performance. With two wins in six since qualifying just in October, form is sketchy but confidence and morale is high within the Three Lions camp. I think getting out of the group is the realistic goal and they will just about do that. Anything further than the Round of 16 and World Cup 2014 will have been a notable success for the Three Lions. If anyone is still dreaming of winning the World Cup, keep dreaming because realistically, that is not going to happen.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

England head into this World Cup with much lower expectations for a long time

Italy

Cesare Prandelli has just extended his contract to remain boss of Italy until after Euro 2016. He might be quite pleased to do this. While the Azzuri qualified easily, a sloppy 2-2 home draw with Armenia cost them a top seeding and that must be regretted now. Since then, only one win in seven suggests rocky form and even the manager seems to not know his best formation to proceed with. It is always dangerous to write off the Italians, especially when they can call on Buffon, Pirlo and Balotelli but I think they will be the former winners who won’t escape Group D.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Group E

Switzerland

This will be Ottmar Hitzfeld’s last tournament as a manager. Having won multiple Bundesliga titles in his successful career and the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund in 1997, Hitzfeld has achieved a lot and guiding Switzerland into the world’s top 10 according to the FIFA World Rankings must rank highly among his achievements. I thought they were lucky to be seeded though and will be found out for that this summer in South America.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Ecuador

Ecuador showed flashes of brilliant skill against England in a recent international friendly, even if their discipline was called into question. Coach Reinaldo Reuda will be aiming to match the Ecuadorians last World Cup effort, which was a run to the last 16 in 2006. Ecuador will also want to honour their late striker Christian Benitez this summer. ‘Chucho’ scored four times in qualifying before passing away last July at the tender age of 29 from a cardiac arrest. Progression out of the group would be a fitting tribute to the no.11.  

PREDICTION: Round of 16

France

The French national team are like marmite. You either love them or hate them. In the last four World Cups, they have either shamed themselves in first round elimination or gone on to reach the final, winning the prize on home soil in 1998. Key man Franck Ribery has been ruled out thanks to injury, whilst in-form Samir Nasri was excluded from the squad altogether by Didier Deschamps. The group looks routine and with a few promising youngsters, a satisfactory run to the last eight beckons for Les Bleus in 2014.

PREDICTION: Quarter-Finals

Honduras

On the evidence of last Saturday’s friendly with England, Honduras might turn all of their football matches into boxing contests! Their tackles were cheap and appalling and had no place in the game. They have done well to reach their second successive finals but made no impact on the competition in South Africa four years ago. It will be a similar story this time around, although don’t be surprised if their campaign is littered with injuring other players and red cards.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Group F

Argentina

There is nothing else Argentina would love than to win the World Cup on the backyard of their biggest footballing enemy, Brazil. In Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain, they have perhaps the best forward combination and if Angel Di Maria can repeat his stunning performance in the Champions League final, their attack promises loads of goals. There is still some concern about the defence and goalkeeper though and I think it could be their downfall. A shock quarter-final loss to the USA is my surprising prediction.

PREDICTION: Quarter-Finals

Bosnia-Herzegovina

The only debutants at this football festival will be Bosnia-Herzegovina. Two decades ago, the country was destroyed by genocide and civil war that turned Sarajevo into a war zone. Now, they are about to embark on a maiden appearance in the World Cup finals. It is a remarkable turnaround. Edin Dzeko promises goals, and should be supported by Miralem Pjanic and Vedad Ibisevic. After a tough opening in the Maracana against Argentina, I think the Bosnia team will reach the last 16 and get a hero’s welcome on their return.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

Iran

Managed by Carlos Queiroz, this group of Iran players is probably the best they have going to a World Cup. However, they have only one win to their name in the finals and that was against the USA in 1998. No household stars they might have, but there is plenty of team spirit and if they can match their impressive qualifying form that saw only Japan qualify from Asia with a better record, they might match Queiroz’s objective of a place in the last 16. I think that is a bridge too far but don’t discount Iran. They could be a real success story.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Nigeria

Nigeria has undergone a radical football transformation following World Cup failure in 2010. The underachieving stars were replaced by a younger breed and Stephen Keshi was rewarded for that youth gamble by becoming African champions last February. Goalscoring hero from that final Sunday Mba has been left at home though and they might be relying on more goalkeeping heroics from Vincent Enyeama – one of the most consistent in that position. I think it will be a disappointing campaign for the Super Eagles.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Group G

Germany

The German team is ready to take on the world and they have been the bridesmaids for so long. Manager Joachim Low has had a wealth of talent to choose from and looking at their attacking options is scary, despite losing Marco Reus on the eve of the competition to a heartbreaking injury. Thomas Muller and the experienced Miroslav Klose will lead the line and there is barely a weak link in the starting XI. If they can escape a tough group and cope with the conditions, I think another star will be added to Germany’s three on their shirts after this tournament.

PREDICTION: WINNERS

Portugal

Dragged to the finals almost single-handedly by Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal have plenty to thank their skipper for. The greatest player on the planet at the moment has missed the build-up with a knee injury and they look limp without him. They might have Champions League winners in Pepe and Fabio Coentrao and the talented Joao Moutinho in midfield but if Ronaldo is injured or doesn’t perform to his maximum, Portugal struggle. Add in the hardest group of the first round and I think this tournament will be a step too far for them.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Ghana

The Black Stars from Africa came within a crossbar of making the semi-finals four years ago. Ghana won the hearts of many neutrals and are still considered as Africa’s best side, even if they continue to choke in the games when it matters in the African Cup of Nations. The Ghanaians have appeared in the last 16 on both of their previous World Cup final attempts. This time around, the power of the opposition will be just too much to repeat this feat.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

USA

I like the look of Team USA. Jurgen Klinsmann has put a lot of time and effort into this team and he has a core of strong and promising players to choose from. Omitting Landon Donovan from the final 23 was an incredibly tough decision and a massive surprise but Klinsmann is a winner and he believes he has enough goal power in Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore and MLS ace Chris Wondolowski. Previously seen as a ‘joke’ outfit, they are serious dark horses and I reckon they will cause big surprises en route to a shock semi-final berth.

PREDICTION: Semi-Finals (4^th place)

Group H

Belgium

There is a lot of attention around Belgium, who have a very familiar squad to many who ply their trade in the Barclays Premier League. The likes of Kompany, Hazard, Lukaku and Fellaini are ready for the challenge of a World Cup but can they deliver on the main stage. Sometimes, teams can flatter to deceive after such a big build-up. I hope I’m wrong because I really want Belgium to succeed but I have a feeling that this pressure means expectations are far too high. A last 16 place is the minimum and probably realistic achievement.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

Algeria

Away goals were what was required for Algeria to get to Brazil, denying Burkina Faso a World Cup debut bow. They played a very old fashioned style of football four years ago, which did earn them a great point against England in Cape Town but offered little going forwards. Not much has changed since. I think they will score a goal, which they didn’t manage in 2010 but a similar early exit awaits the Algerians.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Russia

A familiar foe is in charge of Russia and he has a point to prove. Fabio Capello’s reputation took a battering when in charge of England’s dismal challenge in South Africa four years ago. He didn’t help himself either and his abrupt departure over the John Terry racism row in February 2012 meant he wasn’t missed. To his credit, Capello has rebuilt his international career in charge of Russia and will guide them to the 2018 World Cup. Losing skipper Roman Shirokov to injury is a big blow but they topped Portugal in a challenging qualifying group and have the potential to at least reach the last 16 – possibly as group winners.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

South Korea

South Korea reached the last 16 in 2010, eliminated on a rain-sodden evening in Port Elizabeth by Luis Suarez and Uruguay. Although they made heavy weather of qualifying, beaten by Iran to top spot, the Koreans have every chance of repeating the 2010 result. A run to the semi-finals like they managed in 2002 is highly unlikely though. Heung-Min Son of Bayer Leverkusen is their star man and in what is likely to be a three-way shootout with Belgium and Russia for progression, I believe South Korea will be the unlucky side to miss out.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

So the action is about to begin. You can follow all of the World Cup on BBC and ITV this summer and it all begins on Thursday night (12 June) with the opening ceremony from 7pm on ITV, followed by the opening match which is Brazil v Croatia. England’s first match is in the Amazon rainforest against Italy on Saturday, 14 June, kicking off at 11pm.

Let the games begin!

Categories: 2014, Brazil, England, Europe, Football, Rio de Janeiro, South America, Spain, Summer, World Cup

Premier League 2013-14 Season Review: Blue Moon rises again

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

It was one of the most closely fought Premier League years of recent times. The title was only settled on the final day of the season in a campaign that was full of unexpected twists and turns, but lacked a fitting finale to it.

A comfortable final day win at home to West Ham United ensured the blue half of Manchester celebrated again, as Manchester City (pictured below) won their second crown in three years.

Vincent Kompany and Manchester City regained the Premier League crown in an epic tussle

Manuel Pellegrini won the league in his maiden season in the Etihad dugout, as they held off challenges from a resurgent Liverpool, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea and Arsenal to claim top honours.

It was a season of change. No fewer than 10 managers lost their jobs during the campaign, we saw the introduction of goal-line technology, a striker who found redemption and swept the awards board and a manager who decided his head would do the talking in one of the league’s craziest moments of madness ever seen.

Simon Wright now reviews the 2013-14 campaign from the opening kick in August to the final whistle in May as the Barclays Premier League continued its reputation as the most unpredictable division on the planet.

CHAMPIONS: Manchester City

RUNNERS-UP: Liverpool

THIRD PLACE: Chelsea

RELEGATED: Norwich City, Fulham, Cardiff City

TOP SCORERS: Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 31, Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) 21, Yaya Toure (Manchester City) 20, Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) 17, Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) 17, Edin Dzeko (Manchester City) 16, Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) 16, Wilfried Bony (Swansea City) 16, Romelu Lukaku (Everton) 15, Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) 15, Eden Hazard (Chelsea) 14, Loic Remy (Newcastle United) 14, Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) 13, Rickie Lambert (Southampton) 13, Robin van Persie (Manchester United) 12, Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham Hotspur) 11, Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) 10, Christian Benteke (Aston Villa) 10, Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City) 9, Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) 9, Samuel Eto’o (Chelsea) 9, Danny Welbeck (Manchester United) 9, Adam Lallana (Southampton) 9, Oscar (Chelsea) 8, Lukas Podolski (Arsenal) 8, Kevin Mirallas (Everton) 8

BIGGEST WIN: Manchester City 7-0 Norwich City (2 November 2013)                                    

HIGHEST SCORING GAMES: Manchester City 6-3 Arsenal (14 December 2013), Cardiff City 3-6 Liverpool (22 March 2014), Manchester City 7-0 Norwich City (2 November 2013)

PFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 

PFA YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

The 2013-14 Barclays Premier League campaign was going to be a season of charge, especially at the top. The top three clubs from 2012-13 all changed managers at the start of a new campaign. David Moyes was ‘The Chosen One’ to begin life at Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson. The calm Chilean Manuel Pellegrini replaced the sacked Roberto Mancini at Manchester City and Jose Mourinho made his second coming to Chelsea as Roman Abramovich finally indicated that he had found no-one suitable to replace the so-called ‘Special One.’

There were other new managers arriving too. Roberto Martinez moved on from relegated Wigan to succeed the departing Moyes at Everton and Mark Hughes returned from the managerial exile at Stoke City after the Potters elected to go down a fresh direction without Tony Pulis.

The transfer market was dominated by three players and their futures – that of Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez and Wayne Rooney. Suarez was the subject of a ridiculous £40,000,001 bid from Arsenal – intended to trigger a clause in his contract. The striker spoke out and wanted to leave but the owners stood firm and he remained a Liverpool player. Rooney was courted by Chelsea but stayed loyal to the new regime at Old Trafford and would sign a new contract by the season’s climax. It was Bale who went though as Real Madrid got their man. Tottenham received £85.3m for the Welsh wizard – becoming the most expensive transfer in the history of football.

Manchester City spent nearly £100m combined on the Sevilla pair Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo, Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk and Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic. After missing out on Rooney, Mourinho went for Samuel Eto’o after a restructuring plan saw Russian club Anzhi sell all their stars. Willian was another who ended up at Stamford Bridge as the Blues stole the Brazilian at the last minute from under Tottenham’s noses.

With the Bale money, Spurs spent it on almost a brand new team. Spanish striker Roberto Soldado and Roma playmaker Erik Lamela were the biggest additions – costing £56m in total. Liverpool paid £17m to PSG for rising defender Mamadou Sakho and Southampton forked out £8.5m for Lyon centre back Dejan Lovren.

Domestic moves saw Romelu Lukaku go out on loan again, but this time to Everton. The Toffees made a similar move for out-of-favour Gareth Barry and Martinez went back to his former club Wigan on deadline day to acquire James McCarthy for £13m. Joe Kinnear controversially returned to Newcastle as director of football, although he only made one addition which was the loan signing of Loic Remy from relegated QPR. Adel Taarabt swapped the Hoops for the Cottagers of Fulham on a loan deal too and newly promoted Hull City broke their transfer record for Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone.

As deadline day ticked down, Manchester United were noticeably quiet. Despite pursuing the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Leighton Baines, no new signings were made until the final hour. Moyes eventually forking out a club record £27m for Everton’s Marouane Fellaini. It was a deal that would backfire badly for both player and boss.

Spend, spend Arsene!

Whilst their rivals paid out big amounts to strengthen their squads, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger decided again not to make any moves. The fans grew frustrated, especially as the debt on the Emirates Stadium that had restricted deals before had now been paid off.

It got really ugly in north London on the opening day when Aston Villa blew the Gunners apart with a stunning demonstration of how to play counter-attacking football. Arsenal lost 3-1 and the supporters started hurling ‘Spend, spend, spend Wenger’ banners out around the ground.

He eventually did buy on deadline day and what a capture. £42m was paid to Real Madrid for German superstar Mesut Ozil, doubling the club’s previous transfer record. By then, Arsenal were back in the top three including a north London derby success over a new-look Tottenham side.

It was Liverpool who were the surprise early pacesetters. Brendan Rodgers side played carefully in the opening three weeks and his measures paid off. Three goals, all scored by Daniel Sturridge were enough for three 1-0 wins to ensure they had the only 100 per cent record in the division. One of those winners from Sturridge came in early September against Manchester United as Moyes suffered an early taster of what was to come.

One of the biggest upsets in the entire campaign came in late August. On a bright late summer’s August afternoon, Cardiff City memorably defeated Manchester City in their first home match among the elite. Frazier Campbell scored twice in a sensational 3-2 win but there were already evident cracks in the cordial dialogue between owner Vincent Tan and manager Malky Mackay.

Di Canio bites the dust

The other main headline in the opening two months was the poisonous atmosphere around Sunderland. Despite bringing in 12 players, the club was on the verge of meltdown under Paolo di Canio.

Constant criticism of the first team players in the media, plus excluding the popular Phil Bardsley and Lee Cattermole from his plans made him a scapegoat in the local and national media and with the Black Cats fans. Those who couldn’t work out whether he was a genius or an idiot quickly had their answer and after a public remonstration to the visiting fans following a 3-0 defeat at West Brom on 21 September, he became the first boss to bite the dust in 2013-14. The former Brighton manager Gus Poyet replaced him and Sunderland became a much better environment for this decision.

Meanwhile in Manchester, David Moyes got another indication of the task he had at Old Trafford. Manchester United were trounced 4-1 in the first Manchester derby of the season, with Sergio Aguero scoring twice. The following week, United caved to a shock 2-1 defeat by West Brom. Albion recorded their first victory at the Theatre of Dreams since 1978 with goals from Morgan Amalfitano and youngster Saido Berahino. Already, the champions crown was slipping.

Vilified after his bite out of Branislav Ivanovic in April of the previous campaign, Luis Suarez returned in late September from his 10-match ban for the incident. He made a scoring return too in Liverpool’s 3-1 away win at bottom club Sunderland and he didn’t stop scoring until the season ended.

With Chelsea losing for the first time under Mourinho’s second spell 1-0 to Everton and Manchester City slipping to a 3-2 loss away to Aston Villa; it was Arsenal who led the way at the end of September. Helped by the goals of Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud and with Ozil settling in quickly, the Gunners had chalked up five successive victories. The gloom over the club from six weeks earlier had most definitely disappeared.

Carnage at Cardiff

When Jordan Mutch scored a stunning 90^th minute winner to help Cardiff to a 2-1 win away at Fulham, the Bluebirds were sitting in a fine seventh place in the table. It rapidly went downhill from there.

Chief scout Ian Moody was unceremoniously fired by owner Vincent Tan at the start of October and replaced with an unknown individual from Kazakhstan, who was one of Tan’s closest friends. An ally of Mackay, Moody’s departure sparked carnage which remained at the club for the rest of the campaign. Cardiff’s form on the field started to take a nosedive in October with successive defeats to Newcastle and Chelsea, followed by a 0-0 draw away against Norwich City. They plunged into the bottom half and the chaos wouldn’t end there.

Moody eventually turned up as the director of football at Crystal Palace who were also about to experience a managerial change. After a pitiful 4-1 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Fulham, not helped by a Goal of the Season contender from Patjim Kasami, Ian Holloway resigned from his post, believing he had lost the dressing room in south London. After Keith Millen stood in as caretaker for four games, the call went out to Pulis to try and save the Eagles. However with just four points from 11 games, they already looked good as doomed.

Arsenal held onto top spot throughout October, with Jack Wilshere starting to show some good form. He finished off one of the team goals of the campaign as Norwich couldn’t cope with the Gunners’ incisive movements in a 4-1 defeat, where Ozil also scored twice. At the wrong end of the league, Fabio Borini hit an 87^th minute winner in the Tyne & Wear derby to spearhead Sunderland to a 2-1 triumph over Newcastle and their first win of the campaign and for new boss Poyet.

The month ended with a gladiatorial showdown at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea and Manchester City were deadlocked at 1-1 going into stoppage time when a nightmare mix-up between Matija Nastasic and Joe Hart allowed Fernando Torres in to score the winner. Cue ecstatic celebrations from Mourinho on the touchline which rattled Pellegrini, who didn’t shake his hand at the full-time whistle. It also was the final straw with Hart’s form too. After a series of erratic performances, England’s number one was set for a spell on the bench at Eastlands.

City’s goalscoring power

Troubles on the road were plaguing Manchester City’s title challenge so far. A fourth away defeat would follow in November when they lost 1-0 for the fourth successive year to Sunderland. The back in-favour Bardsley scored the solitary goal. The Citizens had only collected four points from six trips away from the Etihad Stadium.

At home though they were a different proposition. Norwich were battered 7-0 at the start of November on a miserable afternoon that summed up the Canaries season. Three weeks later, Tottenham fell behind inside 13 seconds to a goal from Jesus Navas and ended up shipping six. It seemed like Manchester City were going to be invincible at home.

Asmir Begovic put himself in the select list of goalkeepers to score in the Premier League. The Bosnian’s goal kick inside the opening minute of Stoke’s home match with Southampton looped over a bemused Artur Boruc and into the net with help from the predictable gust at the Britannia Stadium. Despite that, the Saints were in great form as Hull found out a week later. Adam Lallana scored a superb individual goal in a 4-1 victory for the home side. Under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, Southampton had climbed into third place in the table, playing some great football and producing top home-grown talent from this country. The likes of Lallana, Luke Shaw and Jay Rodriguez would blossom all season on the south coast.

The first top flight south Wales derby also took place in November. Steven Caulker’s second half header ensured Cardiff beat Swansea 1-0 in the Welsh capital and claimed the bragging rights in the country for now. Another derby in November was the Merseyside clash at Goodison and what a game it was. A late Sturridge equaliser saw Liverpool rescue a 3-3 draw with Everton but had it not been for the goalkeeping exploits of Tim Howard and Simon Mignolet, it could well have ended 8-8! Arsenal suffered only their second defeat of the campaign at Old Trafford. Robin van Persie found the net again against his former employers in United’s 1-0 win.

One team who had a great month were Newcastle United. Helped by the goalscoring exploits of Remy, the creative influence of Yohan Cabaye and some heroic saves by Tim Krul, the Magpies notched together four straight wins with Chelsea and Tottenham among their noticeable scalps. It wasn’t so good for Fulham and after a meek showing in a 3-0 defeat to West Ham United; Martin Jol’s services were dispensed with 24 hours later.

The axe on Christmas

Christmas is normally a time for giving and receiving but they were only giving at the home ground of the champions. The fortress that formally stood around Old Trafford was fast turning into a festive gift shop! First, Moyes could only look on with pain etched on his face as his former club Everton claimed a 1-0 win at the start of the month. Bryan Oviedo grabbed the winner; the Toffees first win at the ground since August 1992. Three days later, it got worse as Newcastle ended their 41-year drought at the Theatre of Dreams. Cabaye scored the solitary goal as United dropped to ninth and 12 points off the top. The board kept faith with ‘The Chosen One…’ for now at least.

Other owners decided not to though. Getting a new manager seemed to be the hottest fashion accessory during winter. Rene Meulensteen succeeded Jol at Fulham but he began with four defeats in six games – the worst was a 6-0 mauling away at Hull City where Huddlestone ended his three-year drought for a goal and got rid of his ‘afro’ haircut with it! West Brom panicked after losing four games in a row and wielded the axe on Steve Clarke. The Scot was placed on gardening leave and was eventually replaced by Pepe Mel.

The end also dawned on Andre Villas-Boas at Tottenham. A 5-0 drubbing at home by free-scoring Liverpool spelt the end for AVB at White Hart Lane and probably in this country too. Tim Sherwood was promoted from the academy into the hotseat on an 18-month contract. Lastly, Mackay was finally given the chop by the clueless Tan at Cardiff on 27 December. He had told his boss to resign or be sacked before a trip to Anfield six days earlier. Mackay survived that game, but not a 3-0 home defeat to Southampton on Boxing Day. Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was brought in and Mackay took his unfair dismissal to the lawyers as he issued legal action against the Malaysian owner.

Player of the month undoubtedly was Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan was winning back fans and neutrals with his stunning performances and goalscoring exploits. He became the first player in the history of the league to score three hat-tricks against the same opposition as Norwich City once again felt the full force of his power. Suarez scored a stunning four goals in Liverpool’s 5-1 win on 4 December. He added another six during the month, including a double at home to Cardiff and another brace in the Tottenham triumph. Despite losing Sturridge, skipper Steven Gerrard and Sakho to lengthy injury absences – Liverpool were top on Christmas Day.

They ended 2013 though down in fifth spot. Whilst their defensive naivety was exposed in a 6-3 reverse at Manchester City, Arsenal went into the New Year on top of the table, helped by plucky away wins on Boxing Day against West Ham United and three days later on Tyneside over Newcastle United. Liverpool slipped to consecutive defeats over the festive period by the same scoreline (2-1) to Manchester City and Chelsea. With Lukaku banging in the goals, Everton were quietly going about their business, in the top four and having only been beaten twice so far. The bottom three consisted of Sunderland, Fulham and West Ham.

18^th century football!  

2014 began with Manchester City in top form and now having sorted out their early difficulties on the road. They started the month in third and ended it top of the pile. Their year began with a 3-2 win on a soaking lunchtime in south Wales over struggling Swansea City.

After getting some luck in a 2-0 triumph against Newcastle United, the club scored their 100^th goal incredibly in all competitions by this stage of the year when Cardiff were seen off 4-2. Edin Dzeko was the recipient of this honour. The month concluded with another five-star performance against Tottenham. Sherwood’s men were blown away 5-1 by their opponents. With Hart back at the top of his game after his break from first team action and the likes of Aguero, Dzeko and Negredo smashing in the goals, who could stop Pellegrini’s men?

Arsenal did concede top spot after drawing 2-2 at Southampton but were still right in the heart of the battle. Chelsea too, but they dropped two points in a disappointing scoreless contest with West Ham United. After the game, Mourinho had the cheek to accuse West Ham of playing “18^th century football!” Pot, kettle, black spring to mind with this quote Jose!

Sunderland began climbing the table in the right direction and got out of the bottom three for the first time in the season, thanks to the goalscoring exploits of Adam Johnson. He hit a treble in a 4-1 victory over relegation rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage and ended up with an impressive tally of six goals in four matches. The Poyet factor was working on Wearside.

Sunderland’s local rivals suffered a huge blow in the January transfer window as Cabaye was transferred to oil-rich French side PSG and no replacement was brought into Newcastle. Kinnear left his role as director of football shortly afterwards. Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City kept their chequebooks in their pockets during the reinforcement month but Chelsea added Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah to their ranks and Hull City boss Steve Bruce splashed out £14m on a new strike partnership in Croatian Nikica Jelavic from Everton and Shane Long who was discarded from West Brom’s plans without much of a fight. The biggest transfer though came in Manchester where United shattered their transfer record again – this time to acquire Juan Mata from Chelsea for £38m. Fed up of warming the bench under Mourinho in west London, the Spaniard hoped the move would give him a new lease of life.

Arsenal start to fade

When Arsenal travelled to Anfield to face Liverpool for a lunchtime kick-off on 8 February, they were back on top of the table and seven points clear of their opponents. Liverpool had dropped costly points at home to Aston Villa and away at West Brom and looked to be fighting Tottenham and Everton for the final Champions League spot. By the full-time whistle, both team’s season objectives turned around in different directions.

Arsenal simply couldn’t cope with Liverpool’s fast-paced start. They caved in dramatically, shipping four goals in a breathless first 20 minutes. The only surprise was Suarez didn’t find the target. Martin Skrtel and Raheem Sterling got doubles as the home side won 5-1 – just 10 days after dishing out a 4-0 scoreline on their Merseyside rivals. Daniel Sturridge also scored as part of a run of games where he would find the target in seven successive Premier League encounters.

Arsenal’s challenge started to fade after that result. Four days later, they played out a forgettable 0-0 draw with Manchester United at the Emirates and Liverpool quickly overhauled their deficit to the leaders. In the other big showdown of the month, Mourinho produced a tactical masterclass to frustrate Manchester City at the Etihad. Chelsea became the first team to win at the home of the champions-elect in the campaign as Branislav Ivanovic drilled in the only goal of the game.

With that, Chelsea took control of the title race. A majestic hat-trick from Young Player of the Year Eden Hazard sank Newcastle 3-0 at Stamford Bridge and they ended February as the team to catch. Manchester City’s response to defeat by the Blues was to draw another blank with Norwich at Carrow Road and then see a game with Sunderland postponed by heavy winds and driving rain in the area.

Meanwhile the battle to stay among the elite was intensifying, with almost half the division scrapping for survival. Michael Laudrup became casualty number seven of the Premier League season. The Dane was fired as Swansea slipped into the bottom six following a run of insipid performances. Former captain Gary Monk was appointed to steer the club through the rest of the season and beyond. Fulham then made another change days later. Having collected just three wins from his 12 games, Rene Meulensteen collected his P45. Felix Magath, never relegated as a manager in his days managing eight Bundesliga clubs was brought in to try and rescue the sinking club down by the River Thames. Going in the right direction though were West Ham. Sam Allardyce spearheaded his club from 18^th to 10^th with four wins in a row, with Kevin Nolan responding to criticism for two childish red cards in quick succession during the winter round of fixtures by scoring six times in these four games.

Pardew’s moment of madness

At around 4.15pm on Saturday, 1 March – Alan Pardew lost the plot and created one of the Premier League’s craziest moments ever seen in its lifespan. With his team cruising at 3-1 up away against Hull City, he reacted badly to receiving a shove from Hull’s David Meyler as the midfielder was trying to get the ball for a throw-in. Pardew (pictured below) leant forward with his head and butted Meyler in a complete moment of madness.

How stupid can you get? Alan Pardew stunned football with this head-butt in March

Pardew was sent to the stands and the book was thrown at him. Newcastle fined him and warned him about his future conduct and the FA banned the Englishman for seven matches – three of which were for permission to even enter the stadium. With Cabaye sold, Remy injured and now their boss public enemy number one Newcastle’s season continued to unravel and they never really recovered.

The same could be said for Manchester United. New low points came in March when both Liverpool and Manchester City won so easily at Old Trafford. The 3-0 scorelines didn’t flatter them and it could have been more in both cases. Liverpool’s visit saw them win three penalties in that match – the first time ever that has happened at the ex-champions’ ground. Steven Gerrard scored two of them but missed the third and the departing captain Nemanja Vidic received a red card against the Merseysiders for the fourth time in his career. Sections of the United support had enough and hired a plane to fly over the stadium during the Aston Villa game at the end of the month with the banner ‘Wrong One – Moyes Out!’ Liverpool fans chose a better banner, going with ‘David Moyes – Footballing Genius!’ Either way, the stressed look on the Scot’s face suggested he was a manager on seriously borrowed time.

Another manager who looked totally crestfallen was Arsene Wenger. Any outside hope Arsenal had of getting back into title contention went when they imploded in his 1000^th game in charge at Chelsea. For once, the Blues had a day where they actually enjoyed attacking their opponents. Chelsea won 6-0, their biggest margin of victory ever against the Gunners. The match is also remembered for a calamitous gaffe by referee Andre Marriner. When Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain handled on the goal-line, he correctly awarded a spot-kick, but then sent Kieran Gibbs off the pitch instead! It was another ridiculous moment from the men in the middle who had another season of regularly questionable decisions in key matches.

Mourinho had continued to dismiss Chelsea’s title claims, even when they briefly went seven points clear after handing Tottenham another hefty beating in mid-March. His claims seemed to be validated when his side slipped to shock consecutive defeats on the road. First was a loss to Aston Villa, where Willian, Ramires and Mourinho himself were all sent off. A fortnight later, a rare error from John Terry saw the defender head into his own net to seal a surprising 1-0 victory to Crystal Palace. When Liverpool beat Tottenham 4-0 the next day, the Reds suddenly had the destiny of the title in their own hands for the first time.

Gerrard’s emotion and slip

April was always going to pack a punch at both ends of the table. At the top, three sides could win the title, whilst at least seven clubs were still fighting for their lives to escape relegation.

The month started with a potential Champions League shootout between Everton and Arsenal. Wenger’s side had now slipped into the clutches of the impressive Toffees, who were in a sequence of seven successive victories. Everton outclassed Arsenal on that day, winning 3-0 to take control of the race for fourth. Unfortunately for Roberto Martinez’s side, three defeats in the run-in ensured they finished seven points off the top four, but with 72 points, still set a record points tally for the club in their Premier League life. All of the top three won, although Manchester City’s 4-1 success against Southampton was overshadowed by a cruel ACL injury to Saints striker Jay Rodriguez that meant he would miss the World Cup finals for England. On that weekend, Chris Hughton lost his job at Norwich following a home defeat to West Brom. Neil Adams took over for the final five games and with a devilish run-in against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal; relegation looked all but a formality for the Canaries.

Whilst Chelsea were still in the fight, many believed the showdown on Sunday, 13 April between Liverpool and Manchester City would be the title decider. It came at a charged time for LFC, with the 25^th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster lurking around the corner. After an impeccable tribute to the 96 who never came home in 1989 from an FA Cup semi-final, the match lived up to all expectations. Goals from Sterling and Skrtel inside half an hour had Liverpool 2-0 up and their fans daring to dream that the impossible could become the possible. City responded in the second half with two goals from David Silva and had the momentum at 2-2. Then with 12 minutes left, a mistake by City captain Vincent Kompany of all people allowed Philippe Coutinho (pictured below) to strike the winner for the home side. At the final whistle, skipper Steven Gerrard was seen struggling to hold back the tears. The trophy that had eluded him throughout his career was now in touching distance. Liverpool had it to lose now.

Philippe Coutinho hit a late winner as Liverpool beat Manchester City in an April cracker

Sunderland suddenly got into the equation. When they surrendered 5-1 away at Tottenham, the Black Cats had collected one point from a possible 21 and were bottom, seven points adrift of safety. Gus Poyet said afterwards that they needed ‘a miracle.’ The miracle began at the Etihad where Connor Wickham scored twice and only a calamitous Vito Mannone error in the 89^th minute denied the visitors a shock win. The draw gave them confidence though and they then outplayed Chelsea on their own backyard. Fabio Borini’s 78^th minute penalty buried the Blues as far as their title challenge was concerned. Mourinho’s sarcastic comments about referee Mike Dean afterwards led to another fine from the authorities and more criticism about his side’s style of play. It was now a two-horse race.

Liverpool still had it in their own hands, with a six point lead over City, although the Citizens had a game in hand. The decisive moment came in the 44^th minute of Liverpool’s home game with Chelsea on 27^th April. Gerrard slipped on the halfway line and Demba Ba got away from the defence before finishing coolly infront of The Kop. On a day when Liverpool could have won it, their main players had an off-day. Despite parking the bus infront of the Anfield goal, the Blues ended up comfortable 2-0 winners as Willian scored a second in stoppage time. Later than afternoon, City won 2-0 at Crystal Palace to take command of the race for the title.

At the bottom, Cardiff’s 4-0 defeat to Sunderland left them in a precarious position. Solskjaer had only managed to spearhead his strugglers to three wins since taking over on 2 January. Although they won back-to-back games over Aston Villa and Norwich at the start of the month, Fulham were favourites to join Cardiff in the Championship after throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at home to Hull City. Sunderland’s great escape had meant Norwich were now favourites for the third spot. Swansea, Hull, West Ham and incredibly, Crystal Palace all achieved mathematical survival in April. Palace strung a fantastic run of five successive wins to take them to mid-table from almost certain relegation five months earlier. Pulis was the deserving winner of the Premier League Manager of the Year award.

David Moyes’ miserable tenure at Manchester United also finally came to an end in April. He was never going to look forward with any envy to a trip to Everton on 20 April. The home supporters enjoyed taunting their former boss as they won at a stroll 2-0. 48 hours later and with no hope of Champions League football, Moyes was finally given his marching orders after a nightmare year that has severely damaged his reputation in this country as a manager. Playing legend Ryan Giggs took charge for the remaining four games of the season, and would hang up his boots at the end of the campaign to become the assistant to Moyes’ long-term successor which is the experienced Dutch coach Louis van Gaal.

City win it, Liverpool bin it

The final month of the year began with the first two issues to be settled. Cardiff and Fulham were both relegated on the final Saturday of the season after messy campaigns for the pair. Cardiff lost 3-0 to Newcastle – one of only two sides the Magpies beat after the Pardew head-butt at Hull. Fulham put in their worst display of the season away at Stoke City. They were beaten 4-1 and it could have been more. For the first time in his managerial career, Felix Magath had been relegated but both he and Solskjaer have already insisted they will be staying. Despite a shocking run of form that saw them collect just four points in their last eight matches, Paul Lambert guided Aston Villa just about to safety and Midlands rivals West Brom did the same. Lambert will stay in the Villa Park dugout, but Pepe Mel left by mutual consent after just five rocky months at the Hawthorns.

Back in the title race and Manchester City triumphed 3-2 away to Everton. Usually the club’s bogey ground with only one win at Goodison since 2001, City fought back from conceding a magnificent opener from the talented Ross Barkley to win in an end-to-end contest. This defeat for Everton handed fourth spot to Arsenal, who also would go on to win silverware for the first time in nine years after a hard-fought extra-time win against Hull in the FA Cup final.

It was over to Liverpool then on Bank Holiday Monday against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Win and they would at least keep the pressure on City but they binned it. Cruising at 3-0 up on the hour mark with goals from Joe Allen, Daniel Sturridge and PFA Player of the Year Luis Suarez, their gung-ho approach backfired. Pushing for a fourth rather than shutting up shop, they allowed the Eagles to incredibly draw it back to 3-3 with three goals in the last 12 minutes – two coming from substitute Dwight Gayle. The expression on the faces of the players and Brendan Rodgers at the full-time whistle was the telling point. The fight was all but over. 48 hours later, City’s routine 4-0 win over Aston Villa meant they went into the final day with a handy two-point cushion. On the same night, Sunderland’s great escape was complete after defeating West Brom 2-0, relegating Norwich City in the process.

So for the seventh time in the league’s history, the title battle went to the final day although it looked like a formality. Manchester City only needed a point at home to West Ham, who had nothing to play for but pride. Should they blow it, a Liverpool win against Newcastle might have been enough. They were behind at half-time to the Magpies though, as Martin Skrtel scored his fourth OG of the season, a new record in the Premier League. City were 1-0 up when Samir Nasri drilled them ahead in the 35^th minute. West Ham never threatened and didn’t even register a noticeable shot on target at the Etihad and when Vincent Kompany stabbed home a second goal in the early exchanges of the second half, it was all over. Liverpool did recover at Anfield to win 2-1 but it was too late. Their 24-year wait for a league title goes on and so, the crown stays in Manchester but returns to the blue half of the city. Chelsea finished third, followed by Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham who sacked Tim Sherwood after the season’s conclusion. Seventh is Manchester United’s lowest in Premier League history and ensures they won’t be in Europe for the first time since 1990.

It was a campaign of change, a season of revolution and evolution. A year where reputations were both created and destroyed. The Barclays Premier League season of 2013-14 was a classic and a massive improvement on the stale 2012-13 edition. Liverpool came so close, Chelsea gave it a good go but it was Manchester City who ended up deserved champions. The next chapter in 2014-15 could be the most intriguing to date.

Categories: 2013-14, Chelsea, David Moyes, Eden Hazard, Football, Liverpool, Luis Suarez, Managers, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier League, Steven Gerrard