Melchiot must think Albanian's are poor sports...

Two minutes after a controversial red-card Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored in the 91st minute to give the Dutch a one nil victory. An Albanian hooligan promptly takes out his frustration on Wigan defender Mario Melchiot:

Google Mario Melchiot and you'll see the highlight. Netherlands was beating Albania 1-nil as they say, and someone in the stands decided this would be a good time to throw a firework right at one of the Dutch players.

Mr. Melchiot ended up the target, and it, whatever it was, exploded about two and a half feet above his head.

To the credit of the head official, he stopped the game right away. But that doesn't prevent the possible hearing loss Melchiot may very well suffer.

I've done the googling for you:


To be fair to the Albanians it was a maddeningly brilliant goal by Ruud:
More Euro 2008 Update:

Scot James McFadden scores a goal to stun the Frogs, already being declared one of Scotlands best goals ever, rightfully so:Michael Owen joins Jimmy Greaves, Sir Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker as the only players to score 40 times for the Three Lions:
Well done Michael.

Borat must be proud.

Throwing off-topic and mega-post caution to the wind... For the benefit of The Back Four's foreign audience here is the greatest advert ever, from Hollywood director Michael Mann:

Music from The Last of the Mohicans:

Recap of the weekend; Best XI

David Warner at AOL Sportshouse with another entertaining break down of Saturday and Sunday's fixtures.

The best XI from ESPN:

GK: Robert Green (West Ham)

LCB: Joleon Lescott (Everton)
CB: Zat Knight (Aston Villa)
RCB: David Wheater (Boro)

LM: Matt Etherington (West Ham)
CM: Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
CM: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
RM: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

ST: Craig Bellamy (West Ham)
ST: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
ST: Michael Owen (Newcastle)
Manager: Martin O'Neill (Villa)

Don't have too many problems with that line-up but I would have to offer up Clint Dempsey who was all over the pitch over the weekend, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists allowing Fulham to salvage a point. In any event he was certainly the top Yank from the weekend.

Another worth noting - the FA chief is concerned about the recent influx of foreign players into the Premier League.

Oh yea -- Chelski lost to Villa thanks to Zat Knight, narrowing the lead they enjoyed over ManYoo.

Since the PL seems to be blocking anyone from showing their highlights - I would have love to have show Kamara's equalizer for Fulham - here are some brilliant goals from their competition instead:

Wesley Sneijder's unstoppable free kick
Ditto from Ron
Alberto Aquilani with a nice free kick
Apologies in advance for the foreign languages.

Is Jens Lehmann a liability?

David Warner at the AOL Sportshouse answers that question, with video of another poor showing by Lehmann:

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann could not have started the season any more poorly -- two horrible gaffes in two Premier League matches, including that David Dunn shot that slipped through his fingers and cost the Gunners two points. Fans at the Emirates may be calling for his head, but the team has rallied around him, and midfielder Cesc Fabregas says Lehmann has no reason to say he's sorry.

"When I make a mistake I don't like people shouting at me. I just have to think about what I did wrong and put it right. Now Jens has to think about it himself but of course we are all alongside him. He does not have to apologise.

"This is a team. Since the beginning of the season we said we will always be together. We are together now and we are strong. We showed that at Blackburn. There was one mistake and we lost two very important points. But it is still very early."

True, it is early, but as the old saying goes, one is a coincidence, two is a trend, and three... well, three will put a lot more pressure on Arsene Wenger to make a change. With only Lukasz Fabianski or Manuel Almunia (who?) on the bench, though, are Wenger's hands somewhat tied? Do the Gunners just have to score more goals and hope Lehmann gets it together?

Beckham MLS highlights...

Highlights from the LA Galaxy - NY Red Bulls match from this past weekend, which is being touted as the one of the best MLS matches ever, whatever that means:

While Beckham draws the most attention its the play of Jozy Altidore, who scored niftily twice, that has Yank's excited as he appears to be a lone American that can finish consistently and is the best hope for a promising run at the 2010 world cup. Granted Altidore's goals came against crap defending but he has shown class in finishing at the U-20 world cup level and now in the MLS.

Worst Decision of the Week...

While the Malouda flop was egregious, the worst call of the weekend came against Fulham as a David Healy shot was carried accross the line by Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer, clearly evident above. Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez rightfully says that the poor decision cost them a point:

TV replays clearly show that Healy’s shot was gathered by Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer behind the line. Sanchez was disappointed with the officials and believes the goal should have been given.

“We obviously were (robbed of a point). As everyone could see it was a goal. There was nobody blocking the linesman’s view of it,” Sanchez told Sky Sports.

“He had to be brave and make the decision because it was well over. It’s one if those ones for the goal-line technology argument.”

Of course the FA, a day late and a quid short, chimes in to say that they will review goal-line technology but are hampered by FIFA rules:

A spokesman said: "We understand the debate around goal-line technology and it's always going to be an important talking point after these incidents.

"Fifa rules clearly state that a referee must take decisions based on what he sees on the field of play and cannot refer to video replays at any time during the game."

Why is FIFA against getting the decision right?? I know that the intent is to not slow the game down but when goals are hard to come by and team like Fulham will be fighting for points they should have the opportunity to dispute a poor decision, especially when the technology is readily available. The Premier League should take a stand and lead the change to institute replay challenges like they do in nearly every other sport

To make things worse, Fulham lost their American skipper Brian McBride for a few months with a dislocated kneecap after planting his leg for a shot on goal in which he scored -- the video below says it all -- OUCH!!

Maradona good; Pelé better; George Best.

Featuring a spectacular 6 goal effort from George and the infamous FA game with the Cottagers against second division outfit Hereford United in which he tackled his teammate, and old drinking mate, Rodney Marsh:

Top goals from Wednesday's action...

Michael Johnson's superb strike for Man City, showing why all the big clubs want this kid.

Voronin's immaculate blast for Liverpool in their away leg qualifying round match against Toulouse.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Hartley's great header to give Celtic a huge advantage in their CL qualifying battle with Spartak.


Scholesy's thread the needle screamer from outside of the box to put United up on Portsmouth.


Clichy's steal and set up for Fabregas as Arsenal take a two goal advantage in their CL qualifying round with Sparta.

Messi's wonder strike against Bayern Munich


Caffa's stoppage time free kick goal for Real Betis to win the friendly over Real Madrid.

Betis 1 - 0 Real M. Caffa 93'
Uploaded by cubbek

And of course, Golden Balls' is free kick.


And if you get a chance, here are Drogba's tremendous strike and Hleb's kamikaze goal. Cheers.

Bend it like Bastos...

A superb effort from the corner by (newly promoted) Metz defender and Brazilian international, Michel Fernandes Bastos:


Oui Pierre -- that goal was as brilliant as Jerry Lewis

Game winner from the center circle

Konstantin Nahk of Red Star Belgrade scores a free kick from center circle -- nice touch mate!

Star of the Week: Obafemi Martins...

Although Steven Gerrard was brilliant in his nearly single-handed effort to best Aston Villa, it was Martins' two spectacular goals that led to the most "oooo's" and "aaaaa's" over the weekend. Unfortunately the EPL has cracked down on YouTube showing highlights from their matches so this is the best one can do if you haven't seen it yet.




Martins took it off the chest and quickly rounded into a bicycle kick -- class!

(Newcastle fans might soon be saying bye-bye to Adriano)

UPDATE: Found a video:
http://beta.spikedhumor.com/articles/120554/Obafemi_Martins_Overhead_Bicycle_Kick.html

Robin van Persie in for a big year...

What a class goal! The angle doesn't get much more acute than that and the footwork was outstanding. Gunners supporters' hope he can show more of this class in league and cup play...