This week was full of Italian and Spanish action, but with many matches postponed in the premiership, it seems that it affected Arsenal and Manchester United, both drawing with opposition that they would normally expect to get a win.
Birmingham City - Manchester United
Manchester United drew 1-1 with a fantastic Birmingham, sound in defence and deadly when going forward, Birmingham are now in a fantastic eighth place, proving that working as a team is more important than throwing big money players on a pitch. Manchester United on the other hand were slow and unable to break down Birmingham's tough defence, with the recent financial troubles revealed, we could see the beginning of the end for Manchester United. Especially since their deal with Sporting Lisbon expired (a deal that brought players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani to Old Trafford), United could be losing their power in european football, and on an interesting side note, who did Sporting get a new deal to replace the United deal with? Manchester City.
Arsenal - Everton
In the beginning of the year, this fixture ended 6-1 for Arsenal at Goodison Road, but with an assist providing Donovan, Everton put Arsenal to the test. The final score (2-2) does not show the difficulty that Arsenal had breaking down Everton, and with both goals being deflected shots (one in the 90th minute), Everton could be considered the better side. A header by Osman and a chip/scoop by Pienaar over Almunia should have been worthy enough for a win.
Manchester City - Blackburn Rovers
Manchester City continue their domination lead by Roberto Mancini, Tevez scored a hat trick and Micah Richards could be revitalizing his career after his goal scored to make it 4-1 for City. With two of Tevez's goals being identical right foot instep curls from the top of the box, Richards tapped one in after the ball ricocheted off the post. A great win for City, which will now be thinking of challenging for the title thanks to three straight wins under Mancini.
In Spain, Sevilla were outdone by a fantastic Racing Santander, 2-1 for Racing, both goals scored by a fantastic Sergio Canales who is attracting a lot of interest from foreign clubs after his four goals in three starts. Barcelona pound Tenerife 5-0 with a fantastic treble by Messi, Tenerife were the better side for the first hour of the match, and had three or four great scoring opportunities, but Barcelona woke up and put on a show for everyone watching. Real Madrid get past Mallorca thanks to Granero and a fantastic goal by Higuain, Mallorca's goalie Aouate had some fantastic saves that kept Mallorca in the game. Atletico Madrid find their form with a 4-0 win over Real Valladolid, while Valencia continue their great run of results with a 3-1 win over Deportivo Xerex.
In Italy, Inter Milan play terribly but show heart and power with a 4-3 win over Siena, Maccarone scored two fantastic goals, putting Inter under pressure, but a spectacular free kick by Sneijder and Diego Milito's venemous diagonal ball across the box kept them in the game. But once Ekdal scored, it seemed over for Inter, at 3-2 down, in the 88th minute Sneijder strikes another fantastic free kick which goes in off the post, and then in the 93rd minute of stoppage time Walter Samuel scores the winner, giving Inter a fantastic result. Juventus and AC Milan also didn't play very well, but Milan was much more sound defensively, and with three goals, one by Nesta and two by Ronaldinho, it really seems that Juventus might be crumbling and Milan might be rising. Napoli win 1-0 over Sampdoria, taking the fourth Champions League spot in the table, and Parma lose to Livorno after a great run, 2-1.
What do you think of this weekend's action? Comment below!
