Favourites from 'The Friendly Derby: Liverpool V Everton

As regular readers of this blog will know, I am a huge Liverpool fan. I do try to not show my bias, but sometimes it's quite difficult; particularly on the weekend where the Merseyside derby comes around. So, here are my favourite moments from the greatest derby match of all from over the years.

The first clip comes from 2001, which apart from 2005 has been the most successful year in recent history as we won a magnificent cup treble. I think the greatest success from that time was Gerard Houllier bringing Gary McAllister to the club. He might have been coming to the end of his career, and only stayed at Anfield for two years, but the lessons he was able to pass on to the younger players at the club was invaluable; as this clip shows, particularly around the 4.00 mark. 

As I was born in the late seventies, my footballing memories really start around the mid eighties. Liverpool were in their heyday then so these memories are great, and perhaps the one that really sticks in my memory is the 1986 FA Cup final. Liverpool went behind in this game to a goal from Gary Lineker, but then the fight back began.

Goals from Ian Rush, Craig Johnston and Rush again save the day. From the moment I saw Alan Hansen climb the original Wembley steps to lift the FA Cup that day I was hooked. Ultimately, I support Liverpool because my Grandad does; and although there are as many Blues in my family as Reds, there was always only ever one team for me.

Having lost the 1988 final to Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang' after John Aldridge missed an early penalty, the determination to win back the trophy the following year must have been huge. Unfortunately, ninety six fans did not come home from the abandoned first semi-final to see us win the cup back. Those fans will never be forgotten, and you can see in the clip below what it meant to the players to try and bring the trophy home for the lost loved ones.

Stuart McCall tried his hardest for Everton, but there was really only to be one winner that day. John Aldridge banished memories from the year before by scoring first, and two goals from our perennial hero Ian Rush saved the day. In a a way, it was incredibly fitting that the final was against our closest rivals. These rivals were our closest allies in those most difficult of times, as there will have been Everton fans who lost relatives on April 15th 1989 at Hillsborough, and the city grieved as one. The ninety six have now got the truth they deserved, and justice is well on its way too. #YNWA

And so to the first of this year's fixtures. There is absolutely no disguising that Everton have had the better start to the season. After all, the table doesn't lie. Liverpool may be six points and eight places behind our neighbours, but we are starting to hit a bit of form. Three clean sheets and seven points from the last possible nine is good, but we have only scored twice in those games which will need addressing. With Nuri Sahin and Oussama Assaidi coming more in to the fold, as well as Raheem Sterling's fantastic start to the season, I think we are due a few goals. Everton have five points from their last three games, but they have scored six so the Reds back four will need to have their wits about them. With the game being at Goodison Park, if you offered me a draw now I'd probably take it. It is always an intimidating place to go, and with us having so many young and inexperienced that could be overawed the result is difficult to predict. I'll go for 1-1 and hope for the best. Come on you Reds!

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From Slumdog Millionaire to Stratford Masterpiece!

On Friday evening, I wasn't particularly enthralled by the prospect of sitting through three hours of the Olympic ceremony. As there wasn't much else on the box at seven o'clock, I thought 'what's the harm in watching the build-up?' The set looked intriguing from the first time I saw it. A mini Glastonbury Tor in honour of the music festival that was cancelled to allow Police resources and public toilets to be redeployed to Olympic venues; fluffy white clouds floating around the arena (that were to provide rain later on!) and farmers fields complete with farmers and livestock! What followed was not only breath-taking, it was intrinsically British from start to finish. If the history of Britain theme was inspired, then the show itself and the make-up of its cast was definitely inspiring. As well as the farmyard animals, there was a tribute to the NHS and Great Ormond Street Hospital which included NHS employees and children from Great Ormond Street; The Red Arrows display; Bradley Wiggins; Kenneth Brannagh as Isambard Kingdom Brunel; Her Majesty the Queen meeting James Bond; Mr Bean playing Chariots of Fire on the piano! All this and much much more set to a soundtrack including The Sex Pistols, The Arctic Monkeys, Mike Oldfield and a personal favourite of mine, Underworld's Born Slippy from one of Danny Boyle's most famous works Trainspotting.

The Olympic Rings, molten!

I'll be honest, I went in to the ceremony thinking 'how can a budget of £27million be justified in such austere times?' At the end of the main part of the ceremony I was left feeling even more proud to be from our fantastic nation than I normally am, having sat through a fantastic display of everything this country should be proud of and that has made Britain Great! 

It is a shame that Britain's sporting prowess hasn't quite come to the fore just yet; although I am sure it will. Perhaps one of Britain's main medal hopes, Mark Cavendish and Team GB failed to finish on the rostrum citing tactics of the other teams as a contributory factor. Cavendish said in his post race interview that his team couldn't have done more for him, and they went above and beyond the plan for the race. All the British riders looked absolutely spent at the end of the race, which is no surprise because by all accounts they had dragged the peloton along for most of the race. If they tried their absolute best, which it certainly seemed that they did, isn't that all anyone can ask? After triumphing in the most famous cycle road race in the world last weekend maybe this was just one step too far? All I hope is that in trying to elevate Cavendish to a gold medal, the other team members chances of medals in other events have not been compromised. Aside of Korean flag mishaps and match programme errors in the football, I think things have gone pretty well so far so long may it continue. (although I have lost count of the amount of times I've heard people call Team GB England. That will endear our Celtic neighbours I'm sure..!

SPORT SHORTS

 After American MotoGP rider Ben Spies announced this week that he would be leaving Yamaha at the end of the season, the rumour mill didn't take long to start hinting that Valentino Rossi could be set for a return to his old team? Lord he knows he needs to be on a bike that can get him nearer the front. You can see he still has race in him, but his Ducati is just not quick enough. 


South African Steven Pienaar has re-signed for Everton after failing to make in impact at Tottenham, and spending the latter half of last season back on loan at Goodison Park. Will the thirty year old be able to rekindle his previous form? Time will tell.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said that Andy Carroll is happy to stay at Liverpool and that he can fit into the 'keep-ball' style of play he is trying to bring in at Anfield. As a Reds fan, I am more than happy about this as the prospect of seeing Carroll with either Suarez or Borini, or perhaps both, was quite exciting after Carroll's late season return to form last term. 

Back next week folks!

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Well Done Wiggins and Ernie, and Welcome to Olympics Week!

Wiggins wins the Tour de France

On Sunday Bradley Wiggins became the first Briton to triumph in The Tour de France as his Team Sky teammate Mark Cavendish won the final stage on the streets of Paris. Cavendish has now won this stage four times in a row which is some feat in itself. Wiggins conquered the peaks of the Alps and Pyrenees on a hellish two thousand one hundred and seventy three mile journey spanning three weeks, which surely puts him amongst Britain's greatest sports men and women of all time? Having won three gold, a silver and two bronze medals at three Olympic Games, as well as seven gold, four silver and one bronze at various cycling World Championships I can't see that there is an argument against this train of thought. A mention should also go to his team mates whose support was valuable to Bradley throughout. Briton Chris Froome, also of Team Sky, finished second behind Wiggins and three minutes ahead of their nearest rival. Bradley also showed great sportsmanship to fellow competitor Cadel Evans who suffered three punctures on one stage; carpet tacks were thrown on the road and Wiggins slowed the Peloton to allow Evans to catch up which isn't always the done thing. I'll be honest, I'm no expert on cycling and I wouldn't even say I'm a fan just yet. But what Bradley Wiggins achieved over the last three weeks is monumental, and his accomplishment, coupled with the fact that the Olympic Road Race is in the Surrey Hills just down the road means that I will probably tune in and I suspect I won't be alone. 

Massive congratulations to South African Ernie Els who won his fourth Major and second Open Championship on Sunday at Royal Lytham and St Annes.  Many thought that 'The Big Easy' might never reach such heights again, but he did all you can do as a golfer; post a score and see what happens. What did happen beggars belief. After the fourteenth hole where Scott made a birdie, some bookmakers were offering odds of 1/100. You have to wonder how many people thought they could make a quick killing? Scott went on to make four bogeys, missing a putt to take the tournament to a play-off and the rest is history. It will give Ernie a massive boost, but you have to fear for Adam Scott. The Australian was quite pragmatic in the aftermath, but like a boxer taking punch after punch, it must take its toll. He definitely has the talent, and Steve Williams on the bag must be a plus point, but he needs to invest in a sports psychologist I would say!


Strangely for me, I am getting somewhat disillusioned by the Olympics. I really hope it doesn't turn out to be a complete shambles. The threat of striking by British Border Control staff, the 'crackdown' on enterprising business people who aren't allowed to use words like 'Summer', 'London', 'Gold', 'Silver' or 'medal' in conjunction with each other. Just in case it is perceived as guerrilla advertising. Hardly. It is just honest people trying to earn an honest living, yet again being hindered by bureaucracy. It seems the 'Team GB' umbrella only extends so far. I am sure I will get in to the swing of things once the competition gets underway, but the seven years since I had a tear in my eye when Jacques Rogge announced London had won the bid is going very, very slowly. The last few weeks have been like swimming in treacle but we'll see.

Sorry to get all political, but it had to be said!

Close-season football shorts

Football's pre-season friendlies have begun so its not long now! 

Luka Modric is on strike at Spurs; Chelsea have signed Brazilian Oscar, Belgian Eden Hazard and they are also signing the younger Hazard, Thorgun. 

Much to my surprise, Everton sell Tim Cahill to New York Red Bulls for around £1m. I wouldn't want to doubt David Moyes, as pound for pound I think he is the best manager in the league. I have been saying for years that he will be the next Manchester United manager, but there will be more to come on that when it happens.

Unless Portsmouth can offload their last senior players, they will have no option to close their doors on the August 10th deadline. There are seven high earners left who must find a compromise, or the South Coast club will have played its last game. A very sad state of affairs.

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FA Cup semi-final preview

Who will lift the FA Cup this year?

 Well the middle of April is upon us, and that means it is semi-final time in the oldest, most prestigious, and some would say the best club knockout competition in the world; The FA Cup. And this years semis are both poised to be absolute crackers as they are both derbies. I still am not sure about playing the semi-finals at Wembley, but I understand that the FA have to make back their £800 million deficit, but contrary to that I do think it devalues the final in a way. Maybe Elland Road and Villa Park are not really suitable anymore, but why not play the games at Old Trafford and The Emirates?

SF1: Liverpool v Everton 14 Apr 12.30pm

The first semi-final is very much a game that has history with the FA Cup. A reminder of years gone by; Lineker v Hansen; Rush v Ratcliffe; Kendall v Dalglish. The Old Wembley!
This game has always been billed as 'the friendly derby', and I believe that it still is. My family is very much living proof of this. I am one of four boys, two of which are reds, and the other two are blues. The first result I look for after Liverpool's is always Everton's, even if it is so I can give my brothers and my Mum some banter! I would have to admit though, that I have been a bit quiet on the banter front ever since Everton beat Sunderland. Despite David Moyes' attempts to play down his teams chances, Everton would be favourites in most peoples eyes. They have been in a very rich vain of form since the turn of the year, and Liverpool's form couldn't be more different. Having only picked up nine points in the calender year, our only real shining lights have been getting to this semi-final, and beating Everton 3-0 in the league a few weeks ago. Maybe this will be the inspiration that the mighty reds need. Key areas for Everton all seem to be positive on the face of things. Tim Cahill is coming back to form, and Nikica Jelavic looks to be settling in nicely. Tim Howard is, and has been for some years, an outstanding goalkeeper; and with Phil Jagielka coming back to full fitness at the right time The Blues should be just about at full strength. I wish the same could be said about Liverpool. Having lost Pepe Reina to a suspension last week, things are looking bleak to say the least. In Reina, Lucas and Agger, three of our most influential players of the season will all be missing. Hopefully Captain Fantastic Steven Gerrard can inspire Liverpool to the final.

SF2: Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea

 

All the talk up until now has been about the timing of this game, which is strange to say the least, but both teams will have to grin and bear it. It is a shame for Chelsea though, because they should be given the best opportunity to beat Barcelona which will be near impossible at the best of times. Yet another faux pas by the FA. 
In a way, this game is quite similar to the first semi-final as we have one team who had a great start to the season but have faltered a bit recently, and another that started poorly but are coming on strong at the right time. Spurs would be many peoples team of 2011, but since all the talk of Harry Redknapp being the stand-out candidate for England manager they have seemed very much unsettled. They do still look to be playing well, but have seemed less clinical than usual. They do have so many match winners in Bale, Modric, Adebayor, Defoe....(the list goes on!) and they also have a quality defence backed by Premier League stalwart Brad Friedel. On the other hand, Chelsea could not have been in more disarray before Christmas, but since removing Andre Villas-Boas and replacing him with a man deemed not good enough for West Brom last year, they strangely seem to have found some timely cohesion. Having reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the Champions League, you would think that Roberto Di Matteo would target Spurs as an easier team to beat than Barcelona; as good as Spurs are it is a bit of a no brainer. With this in mind I expect Chelsea to go all out to win this game, and as it is Spurs only opportunity to win a trophy this term they shouldn't leave anything behind either. 

SPORT SHORTS

• The final day of The Masters at Augusta today, and the Brits will have some work to do if one of them is to bring home the title. My money would be on Phil Mickleson as not only did he have a storming round yesterday, but he's done it before. I am sure Augusta will bite back at some point though.
• Despite making the point in my description of this blog that I can't stand Horse Racing, I do watch the Grand National. I pick a horse based on a combination of its name and its jockey, and this year I'm going for shakalakaboomboom. I hope all get round safely, and I hope there are people left in Liverpool to go to Aintree. Are there people in Liverpool who don't like football? I doubt it. 
• I make this point in my shorts as it is something that makes me very sad and very angry; even twenty three years on. On April 15 1989 96 people died at Hillsborough at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Without doubt it brings a tear to my eye and rage to my heart, every time. All I want to say is Justice for the 96. Gone, but never ever forgotten. 

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Football finance: How long can it go on?

With events last week seeing two massive clubs in Britain entering administration (Portsmouth and Glasgow Rangers), this week saw a Football League founder member Aston Villa reporting a loss of £53.9 million for the 2010/11 financial year. The Birmingham based club claim to be happy with the situation, and on the face of it they have no reason not to be. They have increased overall revenue by 1.3% and commercial revenue by 15.9%, as well as decreasing borrowing by 8.3% so Randy Lerner is certainly steering the good ship Aston Villa in the right direction; but with the Aston Villa fans becoming increasingly unhappy with things on the field it highlights the balancing act that club chairmen have to perform. 

Villa Park Stadium

This led me to look a little deeper in to the general finances. I sought out the Deloitte report on finance for the top twenty clubs (based on revenue) in Europe and it does make interesting reading. (read the full report by clicking here or see overview below) Perhaps the most interesting point to note is that broadly German clubs take the large part of their revenue from commercial exploits, as where around the rest of Europe most clubs see Broadcast rights bringing in the lions share. Also, if you'd asked a group of people to guess the top ten in this Money League, not many would have put Schalke 04 in there; I'd also hedge my bets that nobody would have put Hamburger SV in the top twenty bearing in mind that they haven't even played European football. Manchester City fans will constantly tell you that they are now the richest club in the world, but they haven't even made the top ten;in fact their revenue is only just over a third of that of the top club Real Madrid. 


Perhaps the most interesting fact I found in this report is that in the group of teams between places 21-30 in this list, (see full report) you will find Everton and West Ham United. I don't think fans of these clubs would place them in the financial European top 30, bearing in mind that the lack of money at Everton has been making headlines for years and West Ham were nearly bankrupt a few years ago. It brings to mind a phrase said many times by Duncan Bannatyne of Dragons Den fame; "Turnover's for vanity, profit's for sanity!"

I think this phrase hits the proverbial nail right on the head, and I think if British football does not get its act together we will start losing the 134 professional clubs in England and Scotland at an alarming rate. Eighteen months ago, my club Liverpool were days away from administration and our £350 million debt being called in by the bank before Fenway Sports took over the club and rescued the situation. If this situation can nearly happen to Liverpool it can happen to anyone. To return to my points at the start of this article, Aston Villa are reducing debt and increasing revenue but their fans are probably as unhappy as they've been for years, so I guess my over-riding message is - Be careful what you wish for!

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The Deloitte Sports Business Group presents the Football Money League 2012