Barcelona were simply stunning
If anyone doubted just how good Barcelona are they only needed to watch the match against Arsenal in the Champions League midweek. The fact that Arsenal managed to come away with a 2-2 draw is a miracle.
It could have easily been 3-0 to Barca after the first 10 minutes. They managed to pierce the Gunners' defence at will and Arsenal have their goalkeeper Almunia to thank. He made some tremendous saves in the first half – and this only a week after being criticised for his performance in the Premier League. It is so easy to go from the goat to the hero.
What Arsenal experienced in that Champions League first leg quarter-final is what many teams in the Premier League experience when they take on Arsenal. Barca's passing and movement were simply spectacular. Arsenal were also fortunate in getting that penalty. Personally I felt that Fabregas kicked Barca captain Carles Puyol who was sent off.
It is a pity that Puyol cannot appeal the decision as it means he will miss the return leg next week. It was a bad decision by the ref – but that is football for you.
Barca will be without a few players for the return leg but so will Arsenal and I think that the Spanish champions will be able to cope better. I really cannot see Arsenal getting past Barca in the return leg – if they do it will be a miracle especially in the huge Nou Camp.
Fabregas was going to miss the return match anyway because of a card but now it looks like the young Arsenal captain is out for the season after he broke his leg on Wednesday night. And William Gallas may not make it and there are doubts about Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin who limped off.
Fabregas may also miss the World Cup which would be a shame really. You want to see the best players at the World Cup. I also believe that with Arsenal drawing at Birmingham last weekend they are fading from winning the Premier League especially with the injuries they have.
Manchester United lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich and the return leg looks to be enticing but United are so strong at home. But they are also going to miss Wayne Rooney who has been magnificent for them this season. Rooney limped off the field right at the end of the match in Germany after he twisted his ankle and is now expected to be out for a few weeks. Hopefully for United, and England, the injury is not serious.
Now is the time for Dimitar Berbatov to rise to the occasion. He scored and played well last week against Bolton when Rooney was rested. Now he has to take the bull by the horns and really do it for United and prove that he was worth all that money they paid for him. He is a very good player as he showed when he was at Spurs and he is going to have to be very sharp on Saturday against Chelsea when the Blues visit United.
I think this match could decide who will win the title with so few games remaining. Chelsea put on a great show last week when they put seven goals past Aston Villa. They are the type of team that have the ability to do that to you but as I said earlier United are strong at home. It should be a great showdown.
As for Villa they really feel it when a few players have injuries as they do not have a deep squad. And they also have a young squad which at this time of the season doesn't help.
My boys West Ham are still struggling after losing 1-0 to Stoke last weekend and on Sunday we have to travel to Everton who are playing well. I would love to get something out of that game but I am not going to hold my breath. It is next week when we host Sunderland that we have to grab the points. But after all that has gone on I am happy Zola decided to stick it out. Despite the results we have had I really like him. And I hear that there are very rich investors who may buy the club if we can stay in the top flight. Now that would be nice.