I should be getting back to my 360 tomorrow evening, and I will start CRACKING THE WHIP!
I am setting a new first-half season deadline of Sunday, Jan. 14. Don't be too freaked out, though, as I know there will be plenty of football to watch through next Monday, but still I want to get this ball rolling in a forward direction! I'd love to get this season wrapped up by Sunday, Jan. 28 if possible.
First round Cup games should also be done ASAP so we can get into the Quarter Finals (Round 2). I'll do the Round 2 draw by the end of this week, or as soon as the other two Round 1 games are completed and reported.
Season seven's premiership kicked off with a thrilling night match amidst the concentric circles of Stadio Olimpico as Villareal hosted Man City. Villla got off to a fast start as Riquelme looked like he was going to dribble past the endline before slipping a pass through two sleepy defenders to an unmarked Forlan for the opener (3'). The first of two goals generated off of turnovers followed as Man City turned the ball over then collapsed on the dribbler, leaving a wide open Guayre to put Villa up 2-0 going into the half (34').
Man City's defense got them back into things in the second half with Fowler capitalizing on an interception, beating the one man in front of him and sending one off the right post that trickled left along the length of the goal line with just enough spin to roll into goal before it was too late, cutting the deficit in half (56'). Having been up 2-0 in their last meeting only to leave with a draw, Villa's coach was understandably nervous. But Riquelme allayed all fears with a lovely piece of cut-back dribbling that left him open at the top of the box, blowing one left past the keeper (65') to give Villa some breathing room at 3-1, which is how things would finish.
Good game, with a lot of near goals and blazing shots.
SOG 16, 23
Tar 5, 12
CK 4, 5
FK 6, 9
Posses 45, 52
Scoring
Real Madrid: Woodgate (OG) 14', Raul 21', Ronaldo 62', 75', Zidane 66'
Newcastle: Shearer 24', 45+
Bookings: Woodgate Yellow, Ramage Yellow
The Galacticos of newly promoted Real Madris shot down defending champs Newcastle with a ten-minute second half barage to overcome a two goal deficit. Shay Given had a horrible game, as 4 of the 5 shots that the Spaniards put on target found glory.
The Spanish defense was cause for alarm early on, as Woodgate played a ricochet back into his own goal. The visitors eqalized just seven minutes later when Raul blasted a ball from the top of the box past Given. The momentum swung again moments after the re-start, as a long through ball sprung Harry Shearer, who beat Casillas one on one. Shearer added to the Magpie lead just before half with a powerful volley that the Spanish keeper parried but couldn't fully deflect. Newcastle went into the break up 3-1.
The second half saw Newcastle have most of the chances, but Jermaine Jenas and Michael Owen saw only repeated near misses. Ronaldo drew the Spaniards closer in the 62nd minute with a dazzling toe-poked goal, and drew the equalizer thorugh a PK just minutes later. Zinadine Zidane scored the winner with a technically perfect strike from just inside the 18 yard box. Despite relentless pressure, Newcastle were unable to grab an equalizer.
Great game, Cloud. Ever time I felt comfortable there would be a small break in my defense and BOOM, it was a goal! Looking forward to the rematch, especially if I can get Ameobi back and Owen at full strength. Good luck with your other games.
PS You need to add Woodgate to your roster for the OG and the booking.
XBL Gamertag: RobVarak
"Ok I'm an elitist, but I have a healthy respect for people who don't measure up." --Aaron Sorkin
Manchester City opened their home season with a 1-0 win as Real Madrid traveled to the Råsunda for the first ever meeting between the two teams. City controlled the match in the first half, but an early goal from Robbie Fowler seemed to put them into a shell. Only late in the half did the spark return, but what chances they earned went begging.
The second half saw many more chances for Madrid. Ronaldo missed a startling number of quality opportunities, all going just wide of the right post. The final fifteen minutes was wild, with both teams creating chances to score, but neither team could find the target and the match ended 1-0 for the home side.
There were no bookings, and no injuries, and I can't find where I jotted down the stats.
I hope all of you enjoyed the holidays and are doing well.
In Looking forward to the next release of WE i've dug up a question. Is there even going to be an xbox version of the new game? I ask this only because i've not been overly impressed with the 360 PES6 demo and talk from the other side of the pond seems to be a bit less than encouraging. In looking at game sites this morning nobody shows an xbox version to be released.
We haven't heard from Mo in a long time, and to be honest I'm not entirely sure if he even wanted to be in for this season. So, if the other matchup is completed before he shows up or posts, we'll do the 2nd Round draw and try to get started on that Quarterfinal round with Arsenal defaulted through.
OK gang, it's time to start getting some games in here!
Today is the first-half season deadline, and I will put the second-half schedule up tomorrow or possibly tonight.
2nd Division people: are you guys interested in playing any games? I know Mo is probably gone, but I dind't think everyone else had left! I was thinking of dropping forfeits for Mo's first-half games, but no one else has played any games either. Let's get going.
First Division people: where is fsquid? He's the only one yet to play a game. I don't want to have forfeits if we don't need them, but if we don't hear from squid in the next couple of days, I will do that just to make sure we can finish this league before the 360 game arrives on 2/6 or 2/7.
MON VIL
7 15 tsog
4 9 sot
7 8 fk
6 4 corner
8 7 foul
2 3 off
50 50 poss
Adebayor (MON) 21'
Jose Mari (VIL) 41'
Adebayor (MON) 58'
Santi (VIL) 65'
Chevanton (MON) 86'
Excellent match Slumber. You deserve at least a draw (if not all three points)...nearly every bit of luck went against you that game. Look forward to the rematch.
I'd love to get this season wrapped up by Sunday, Jan. 28 if possible. 
