That Bloke In The Big Smoke

Last night I watched what was probably the game of the season and surprisingly, it didn't involve either Real Madrid, Barcelona or both, even though they were also in action together. It's not easy picking one game out of half a dozen humdingers, Arsenal featuring in at least three of them. But last night was special because I watched it in a pub packed with fans from both sides not far from where the game was actually played. And it was a study of contrasts, as one side went into the ascendency followed immediately by the other. The game ebbed and flowed until Spurs came back from a two-goal deficit to secure a draw against the mighty Arsenal. A bad result for both teams but perhaps more damaging for Arsenal as they seek to end their six-year silverware drought. There's a better chance Spurs will qualify for next season's European Cup. And most hope they do.

Meanwhile, Liverpool remain rooted to sixth which will probably deny them any European football next season for the first time since 1999/00. That's thanks to Birmingham City winning the League Cup and only one of the top five clubs making the final of the FA Cup. However there is an outside chance we could sneak through to the Europa League, if Manchester City win the FA Cup but get pipped to fourth place in the league by Spurs and we finish sixth. That would be harsh on Stoke City who have qualified for their first ever FA Cup Final in their 148 year-old history. And if we don't watch out, the Blue Shite are just 2 points behind us. COME ON YOU REDS!

In the other half of the table, the bottom eight clubs are separated by a mere six points. There may only be five or six games left this season, but it's all to play for! A fitting finale to an exciting Premier League campaign!

Fuck.Fuck.Fuck. This is the first time since April 1987 that we have lost four games in a row in all competitions. Our season has gone from bad to worse. Four defeats in nine league games and an European exit imminent. To make matters worse, Gerrard limped off midway through the first-half. Both him and Torres are unlikely to feature against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday. And then there's Arsenal's toddlers in the League Cup next Wednesday, followed by the Halloween fixture that I'll be attending at Craven Cottage when we play Fulham. Sad as I am to admit it, by then the Rafalucion could be well and truly over. SO COME ON YOU REDS!!! YNWA

Rafa Benitez moved one game closer to his Anfield exit as The Reds were sucker-punched out of the world's oldest club competition by Yorkshire's Barnsley FC. In a game many predicted the Merseysiders to cruise through it was a tragic ending as Tykes captain 25 year-old Brian Howard produced a last minute injury-time winner in front of the Kop. Most of the credit for their shock victory though should go to 24 year-old goalie Luke Steele, on loan from West Brom and making his Barnsley debut! He made not one, two or three great saves but at least a dozen crucial saves that kept Barnsley in the game even when they went behind. It's matches like these that add to the glory that is the FA Cup and the Yorkshire club could not have scripted a more beautiful win. Their fans will no doubt remember this match with fond memories for the rest of their lives and it is worth noting that Dickie Bird, the world's most famous cricket umpire and lifelong Barnsley supporter, was also in the crowd. Liverpool meanwhile will once again wonder just how much worse this season can get and with Inter Milan to play in just three days time, their American owners may be just one game away from bringing the Rafalución to an abrupt end. That would be a cruel blow. SO COME ON YOU REDS (Liverpool, that is), GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!!!

I have listened to some great footie commentary in my time, be it in English, Arabic, Spanish or Chinese... but this clip takes the cake!

It's really sad that Henry is leaving the Premiership. He may have annoyingly scored some of his best goals against Liverpool, but nobody can deny his greatness. Every football fan will miss him next season. The end of an era in English league football and possibly the beginning of a new one in La Liga. Here are a couple videos to remember the good ole days.

( Thierry Henry, the French footballing genius )