and its over.

fantastic afternoon for Fabianski

I hate him

this game is on Wenger.

He put out a weak starting 11, and this is what he gets.

alex having a very good game by the sound of it.

someone, please, score past the epic joke that is cech 2009

Wenger has silverware in his grasp and he starts with Denilson and Diaby over Song and Arshavin.

just astounding.

im not even disappointed, im pissed.

FTN wrote:Wenger has silverware in his grasp and he starts with Denilson and Diaby over Song and Arshavin.

just astounding.

Flop, you're on 606 RIGHT NOW.

I never realised you had an african-sounding accent. Wow.

Two things from this morning's news. Brief article on how arsene's steady course has meant a strong finish and another shot at the Champions League title if they beat Utd.

Jacqui Smith, Home Office Secretary, has requested that the remaining police files on Hillsborough be released 10 years early.

Jerz, you should know that this has come about in part because of goddamn hippies demonstrating at g20. Some bad policing at the demonstrations meant an innocent man died following a police assault (not necessarily linked, as yet) and 90 complaints being followed up by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Then the huge coverage of Hillsborough. Any other year, the pressure wouldn't have been there as much, but the investigation into Ian Tomlinson's death has put a lot of pressure on the IPCC and the perception of the police, and the home secretrary herself (who oversees the police) is still in political hot water for a dodgy expenses claim, and a police investigation into leaks from her dept which resulted in an opposition mp being arrested for no good reason. Oh, and the ruling labour party has fucked themselves a bad smear scandal. Bit of a holy shit storm, and without doubt, the pressure has been on to be seen to be doing the right thing.

Timely reminder that decisions in politics and decisions about sport are never far removed. Hopefully something good will come out of this morass and we'll get a full account of what happened.

You know you've become a fan of the football club when you're sure a manager should be fired one week, but the next he's clearly a smart man finding his feet.

[url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/apr/18/premier-league-sunderland-hull-city]It appeared under the somewhat topspun headline "Black Cats are a Spent Force" and Ricky ­Sbragia was furious when, at 11.45am yesterday morning, he spotted it. Sensing an opportunity, though, Sunderland's manager swiftly had copies of the Hull manager's comments photocopied, pinned up and distributed in the dressing room for digestion by his players.

It proved a minor masterstroke, as this was one of the Wearsiders' more spirited performances in recent weeks. Djibril Cissé, one of those mentioned by Brown, was especially annoyed and unusually committed. Moreover, he proceeded to score the winning goal.[/url]

Sunderland wit at its finest:

Born up the coast in South Shields, Brown – a boyhood Sunderland fan – spent much of the afternoon berating the fourth official, prompting one anxious local to bellow: "You're a disgrace to South Shields. You're not a Shields man, you're a tit."

Andy Reid apparently got in on the act and swore at brown as he came off the pitch. Bet you Phil said something to Andy about Pies.

Hope brown and hull stay up - they play pretty good footie. if there was some way for blackburn AND bolton to go down, that would make up for West brom blowing it. I can live with middlesboro going down if necessary, but would like to get to a tyne and wear derby next season, preferably in the premiership.

Kruker, not sounding like a good start. He's got Duffer playing as a left back more than a left winger. Duff's a good player and he'll try hard, but he can't defend for long periods and it sounds like spurs are hammering him.

jeezo, this game sounds proper ugly. you have my sympathies, kruker.

Edit. Steve Claridge going mental shouting 'JUST CHANGE THE SHAPE'.

United are not playing Rooney, Carrick, Van Der Sar, John O'Shea, Fletcher and Ronaldo today (none have travelled on the bus). Looks like him AND Wenger have an eye to the semi final.

Hope that Darren Gibson gets a game today for them.

I think Fergie's eye is more on Pompey Wednesday.

It's a bit amusing that this is Everton's biggest game in years, while it's United's least important game in a while.

Scintillating stuff.

Sir Alex is angry.

Penalties

Can't like Everton's chances. Come on Timmy!

Cahill misses horribly :?

TIMMY! Way to drag his leg behind there.

HOWARD! Oh my

lol the less ugly neville sister scores