Mourinho's Notebook - October 3
Champions League Notes
Crazy to think Danny Welbeck had never scored a hat-trick before as a pro. Not since his time in the United U21s he reckons. All three goals were pretty similar, using his pace to get behind the defence and slipping it past the advancing keeper. Top quality stuff, exactly what Arsenal were hoping for from him. Mesut Ozil deserves a shout out too for a great game, given the fact that he’s become a pundit’s punchline this season. This was Danny’s day, though… even if he forgot to grab the match ball after the game. Luckily his teammates requisitioned it and even signed the bugger too for good luck.
Chelsea didn’t do anything much worthy of comment other than getting a good result in their 1-0 over Sporting CP. Although any away result in Europe is a big deal. Those away legs are so tough, something that Liverpool is learning following a 1-0 loss to Basel. The Swiss side are much stronger than people realise, they’ve beaten LFC before and knocked Man United out a few years back. Not that they shouldn’t have acquitted themselves a little better. Raheem Sterling is starting to look exhausted while the entire team is suffering from the lack of Dan Sturridge, especially Mario Balotelli who’s been expected to lead the line alone.
And City still seem to be without that belief in Europe. They’ve been a consistent presence the last few years yet have never made it past the top 16. Sitting third in their group with 1 point and it doesn’t look likely here either. The legendary Francisco Totti took a couple points off them with his first ever goal on English soil.
Legends Totti & Xavi Break a Couple Records
Fat Sam Forgets The Rules
Sam Allardyce was pretty furious over the linesman’s decision to disallow a late Kevin Nolan equaliser against Man Utd on the weekend, displaying a pretty glaring lack of knowledge of the offside rule in his post-match complaints.
Allardyce: “Somebody told me his nose or his head might be offside, but I don’t think you can base a decision on the fact that it’s a nose or a head offside.”
Official FIFA interpretations define a player as offside if: “any part of a player’s head, body or feet is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. The arms are not included in this definition.”
Apparently The FA Don’t Watch the Champions League
Danny Welbeck of Manchester United! What is this, 2013!?
Just on that England squad, there was a bit if drama this week as Brendan Rodgers told everyone that even if Daniel Sturridge plays for Liverpool next time out he still won’t be available for the England squad. And because Woy ‘Odgson has zero pull in these situations, he wasn’t.
Instead there were only 3 strikers picked, Rooney, Welbeck and Lambert. Nathaniel Clyne gets a first call up after some top games at right back for Southampton, while Kieran Gibbs and Jonjo Shelvey both get recalls. Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers return to the under 21 squad.