Premier League 
/ Ralph Ellis / 18 April 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Alan Shearer's celebration wasn't particularly flash but then again he was always more interested in scoring golas than celebrating them
"Celebrations were also making news at Wembley a day earlier, as barmy Mario Balotelli chose to mark his team’s victory over United by brandishing his City badge in front of the rival fans. The scuffle that followed was a sign that Roberto Mancini’s side still have an unpredictable streak that might make a price of [1.42] to win the Cup worth laying."
Celebrations have moved on since the days Alan Shearer just raised his hand in the air but study the different ones carefully and you'll pick up big clues as to what's going on, says Ralph Ellis.
Alan Shearer simply ran off with his hand in the air. With 313 goals for club and country you might have thought he'd have come up with a different celebration at some time. But then the most consistent goalscorer of the Premier League era was far more interested in hitting the net in the first place than with what he did next.
Everybody else seems too often to have it the other way round. There's the rocking the baby one used by everybody who's just become a dad, there's Tim Cahill's boxing the corner flag, there's the slide on the knees. Then there are the cartwheels and other acrobatic double flips, as used by Kenwyne Jones at Wembley yesterday; and the more bizarre, choreographed routines involving fishing, rowing, golfing and all sorts of other sports.
And, of course, there's the big favourite, ripping off the shirt and waving it around. Ryan Giggs probably did most to make that fashionable after his brilliant solo effort in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal back in 1999. But it's been timeless. Robin Van Persie was still doing it yesterday after the 108th minute penalty against Liverpool he thought had earned a priceless three points.
But while the Dutchman was duly collecting a yellow card for the way he chose to mark his 13th goal of the season, his skipper Cesc Fabregas had other priorities. He was making signs to his defenders to warn them to concentrate. He knew what was coming, and sure enough Arsenal gave away one free kick and then a penalty, and with it almost certainly threw away their last chance of winning the Premier League.
The only people celebrating then were Manchester United fans, nursing their hurt at getting knocked out of the FA Cup a day earlier by learning that the coveted 19th title is on its way.
Celebrations were also making news at Wembley a day earlier, as barmy Mario Balotelli chose to mark his team's victory over United by brandishing his City badge in front of the rival fans. The scuffle that followed was a sign that Roberto Mancini's side still have an unpredictable streak that might make a price of [1.42] to win the Cup worth laying.
I noticed that while Stoke's forwards weren't slow to celebrate their goals in the 5-0 thumping of Bolton, the defenders didn't really join in (except Robert Huth when he got the second, of course, and he couldn't really stay out of that one!). It's part of their more pragmatic mentality instilled by Tony Pulis, and they look value at odds against [2.6] to put Wembley to one side for a few weeks and secure a top ten Premier League finish.
I wonder how Chelsea will celebrate when Fernando Torres eventually scores his first goal for them. They are doing everything they can to help him. In the last minute of the 3-1 win at West Bromwich, skipper John Terry even organised a free kick routine designed to present the Spaniard with an easy chance. The plan worked - except Torres slipped and scuffed the finish. Whatever his problems, Chelsea still look more than capable of going past Arsenal for second spot, for which they are [2.02].
If Torres is going to get on the scoresheet, there's every chance it could happen against West Ham this weekend. The Hammers' tried to orchestrate their crowd's celebrations, handing out tacky claret and blue Union Jacks before they played Aston Villa. They might have been waved for a while when Robbie Keane gave them a 2nd minute lead, but it didn't last. Instead Gabby Agbonlahor's last minute unmarked header dumped them back second from bottom and odds-on to go down once more at [1.46].
Alex McLeish has never allowed himself to get too carried away about Birmingham's Carling Cup victory. He was always aware of the relegation fight that remained, and still wasn't jumping up and down after the 2-0 win against Sunderland that lifted Blues to 38 points. "I'll celebrate when and if we are safe," he said. And maybe the craggy Scot has a lesson to a lot of others.
Certainly Blackpool fans believed they would be more than one season wonders when they were winning games in the first half of the season. Now a 3-1 home defeat by Wigan has put Ian Holloway's side in the bottom three for the first time, and they look as if the nerves are cutting in.
That's certainly the case at Blackburn, who after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Everton have taken just four points in eight games. They now face both Manchester clubs and a bitter local derby with Bolton at home, plus away trips to relegation rivals West Ham and Wolves. How Steve Kean must wish he could turn the clock back nearly 20 years to when Blackburn boasted a young Shearer in their ranks, raised arm celebration and all!
Amazing late drama at the Emirates as injury time penalties make for crazy in-play action and some punters win big......
Manchester City fans may still be celebrating but they haven't won anything yet and, if they fail to qualify for the Champions League again, their season will be deemed a failure. Richard Aikman reports....
Etherington strike starts the rout as incredible first half display sets Stoke on the path to FA Cup Final....
No comments:
Post a Comment