Good referee-ing and the bad

Quiet week-end with 2 winning selections and 1 void. The wins of the leaders of La Liga and EPL ensure the predictable statu-quo. Sunderland could only muster a goal-less draw against Wolves.

The result of the Tottenham vs Chelsea FA semi-final match was far of an interest, except that Martin Atkinson decided it to be otherwise with the ghost goal he allowed for Chelsea. I don't usually go bash into referees, because they are human, but this is a clear case where the referee needs to be held accountable and punished for such a mistake. Why allow a goal which he hasn't seen, or he has seen through troubled vision? The likes of Tevez, Balotelli and Busquets theatrics might be bad for the sport, but irrational decisions like Atkinson's make a mockery of the game. Spurs fans are rightly livid; the referee can express their sorries post-match, but they impacted on the result Yes, the game needs technological help, yes Blatter is the ultimate responsible for this kind of failure, and yes, Martin Atkinson should be banned from representing England to the next European Championships. This was not a mistake of human nature, as many of them are often categorized. And his resume is full of such errors this season. If vision is the excuse, then that says it all.

There were 2 penalties that made the headlines over the week-end; first, the Ashley Young theatrical tumbling for Man Utd's penalty. He clearly accentuated the fall, but he was clearly tackled, so it was a penalty. It's just that he has just earned himself the title of diver and will be scrutinized more so than referees from now on. Second, was Barcelona's penalty against Levante. In my books, that's a good decision as well as the Levante defender did himself no favours in doing a pushing act with both hands during the tussle. The contact might have been slight but the referee will not have missed the defender's body language.

The excitement really came from horse racing; Dabirsim, the champions 2-year old from last year, blotted his resume by losing for the first time, albeit by a nose on his seasonal debut. It is unclear what to make of this defeat; he still looks a horse that can contend for major honors, maybe he won't be as dominating as last year. It will be interesting to see if it is lack of true stamina that will impede him in the Classic races.

States-bound, there were some good preps for the Kentucky Derby, and Bodemeister is the primary name to remember. He thrashed a field containing the not-so-bad Secret Circle by over 9 lengths. Clearly, the son of Empire Maker will be a leading fancy for the big race in May.

Oh Frankel

No surprise seeing Real Madrid winning the derby against Atletico Madrid. Not many footballers would have attempted that Ronaldo shot that led to his second goal. Absolutely brilliant. There is only one real hurdle left for Real Madrid and that is their away game to Atletic Bilbao. With their 4-point cushion, if they win this game, they can afford to lose to Barcelona, as there is little doubt that they will get maximum points in their other remaining encounters.

Actually Real Madrid could make some breathing room for themselves this week-end as they host Sporting Gijon. A certain win for the Los Blancos. Barcelona travel to Levante for a tricky match; the hosts are a force to reckon with at home and it would be a mistake to think that Barcelona are sure winners of this game.

In the EPL, Man Utd could also be opening a gap as they host Aston Villa. I cannot see Villa winning this one at Old Trafford, and they might get lucky to steal a point. But I believe it is worth going for a straight Win for the Red Devils. Man City are in for a tough trip to Norwich, who are a tough cookie at home. This game can really go either way.

I like Sunderland's chances at home to Wolves. If only the bottom-of-table club could have some discipline in their ranks; they just keep shooting themselves in the foot by collecting red cards early in the game. That's one of their many problems. Sunderland as draw-no-bet should be safe.

Finally, some horse racing notes where the Grand National takes place on Saturday. A great spectacle I'll watch but I have no clue on the form of the National Hunt horses. Hopefully, Mc Coy won't win it again as I think he's won everything there is to win now and it's about time that someone else shares the honors.

On the Flat front, Frankel's injury yesterday has given a mighty scare to the racing world. The agony of waiting  will last 1 week by the time he's due his second scan to reveal the extent of the injury. Hopefully, it is only a superficial injury, as connections are hopeful it is. Frankel is having the horse nation on tenterhooks just like Rooney and Beckham had the English nation on the leadup to the last World Cup and European Championships. This is the year Frankel is supposed to show he's the greatest of them all, and I really hope it turns out that way.


Win: Real Madrid, Man Utd
Draw-no-bet: Sunderland

The Great Collapse

Canada leading 3-0 and a period of hockey to go, and you think punting does not get any easier than that. Take a nap and 20 minutes later, and realize that Russia has scored 5 unanswered goals to win the game and the gold medal... Amazing meltdown, the greatest collapse in the history of world junior hockey as the commentator was saying. If my hockey punting ego has taken a huge beating, I wonder how stunned real Canadian hockey fans must be! Congratulations Russia, well-deserved world champs, and that could be the turning point into the revival of Russian hockey.

Earlier, Barcelona drew with Bilbao for a voided bet. Again then, I had stopped watching after they scored, thinking they had the game in control, only to find out later that Bilbao tied the game five minutes from the end! Oh well, I suppose I can look at the outcome positively, and the draw-no-bet saved me there! On Thursday, Madrid are at Levante and although the coach is saying they will treat this seriously despite having won the first leg 7-0, the motivation will probably be with Levante to ease some of the humiliation. No recommendation there as this can go any way.

In the Premier League, Man Utd is just laughing its way towards the title. It got the perfect results possible on Wednesday with Chelsea and Tottenham losing and Arsenal and Man City fighting to a dull goal-less draw. I wonder if Paddy Power will soon consider the title race over and start paying out?