Bow Down...

[Gamma]

before i look, is that tuffy's goal or dane richards' goal against antigua?

[Paul Marin]

before i look, is that tuffy's goal or dane richards' goal against antigua?

Comedy Club have open mic night every wednesday... too bad for you it's thursday!

[Jangle]

Negredo's goal is better because he one-timed it which is a more difficult skill.

[Paul Marin]

Negredo's goal is better because he one-timed it which is a more difficult skill.

Well, here's the acid test: of the two, which would be easier to pull off skillwise from an average footballer a) the volley, or b) bringing the ball down from 45 yards off the shoulder the way Suarez did? If you answer the first one, then go outside with a friend and try to do both, you will see that the Suarez one is demonstrates and requires far more skill than the one-timer.

[Jangle]

cho, before my career-ending head injury, me used to do dem tings deh everyday.

[Muadib]

Which video game are you referring to ?

EA Sports ?

[Paul Marin]

cho, before my career-ending head injury, me used to do dem tings deh everyday.

LOL!!!!! I knew you couldn't have been born so dyam fool fool!!!!!! Well, thanks for that bit of enlightenment...there are some other people on here that are not as forth coming with their own xcuse(s). That said, I know you know I am right...Suarez's goal was a more skillful execution.

[Karl]

There is no way the center halves could have reached him either...the flight of the ball took them both out of the play. What really happened was that they did not (and understandably so) anticipate Toure was going to make such a bold face pass. Still, as good as it was, this goal was better...so still not impressed...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcF2gk2pnUI

Just to be clear - Are you saying that either of the center-halves could not have moved to and headed that ball away...as opposed to each running parallel to the flight of the ball (thus ensuring each could not have been in position to win the ball)?

Aside: I viewed that goal over and over and over -
1. Hey the beauty of the strike warranted that repeated viewing;

2. The ineptness of the center-backs also brought 'wonderment' and thinking on use of video of same to teach defenders what not to do...and what to do.

...but...
3. It also caused a -

A wah di??? dey were tinkin? di fus rule a nuh fi get/ketch/tek control a di ball!!!? di faaawad widhout di ball can score??? Why di march dun di field pan eida side a di ball? wah dat di-a guh duh?

[Paul Marin]

Just to be clear - Are you saying that either of the center-halves could not have moved to and headed that ball away...as opposed to each running parallel to the flight of the ball (thus ensuring each could not have been in position to win the ball)?

Aside: I viewed that goal over and over and over -
1. Hey the beauty of the strike warranted that repeated viewing;

2. The ineptness of the center-backs also brought 'wonderment' and thinking on use of video of same to teach defenders what not to do...and what to do.

...but...
3. It also caused a -

Karl - there is NO WAY the backs could have gotten to the ball before Negredo - it would have required SUPER HUMAN SPEED. The pass was pin point perfect and the anticipation and understanding between the forward and midfielder unparalleled. The only chance they had was to anticipate it, which would have been a near fluke. That was just an unstoppable goal, unless you wanted the left back to have been holding on to Negredo.

[Mosiah]

Some of us just can't appreciate the fact that sometimes it is just a great play, no defender or defence at fault. Just give credit to the people who execute the play and done!

[Bricktop]

thing is City doesn't play that style of football...the backs were guarding against the quick combination passing on the ground...they were totally caught by surprise...

[Karl]

Karl - there is NO WAY the backs could have gotten to the ball before Negredo - it would have required SUPER HUMAN SPEED.

I differ!
It seemed an easy saunter across.

Negreto came from behind the center-halves and *got there!
If he could see where that ball was coming down...so could the center-halves. That ability to judge flight and speed of ball is a big part of what they are being paid for.

It appears to me that either of the center-halves if they moved immediately to the place where the ball would come down...and that they should...would have been there before even that 'flying' Negreto.

Look! In such a situation where a ball is floated into your penalty-area it is the duty of the center-half to go meet that ball. The position of any opponent is unimportant! Only the ball does damage to a TEAM!!!

Sure the ball moves as propelled...but stopping or taking control of the ball must always be first option. ...if one cannot reach the ball then other options come into play..e.g. interposing self between attacker and ball. ...fairly charging attacker or whatever other is allowed within the ambit of the 'Laws of the Game' or at times 'plays' not allowed by the 'Laws of the Game'.

The central defenders were 'miles' nearer to where the ball descended. Their 'computers'/thought process should have told them "get to where ball comes down"...perhaps at height somewhat above their height but within reach of head on putting in a jump!

They each made dumb plays. They ignored a simple relatively easy play for 'God knows what'? ...and it led to a goal against!

*Negreto met the ball on the penalty-spot or below the penalty-spot nearer to goal.

The center-halves should have met the ball above the penalty-spot...certainly further in-field that the penalty-spot i.e. further away from West Ham's goal and before the position where Negreto eventually caught up with it.

[Karl]

thing is City doesn't play that style of football...the backs were guarding against the quick combination passing on the ground...they were totally caught by surprise...

You could be correct - They certainly got going 'escorting' the ball (path of the ball).

The question is; what purpose escorting the ball served?

[Karl]

Well I do not know who could not appreciate that pass by Toure and the finish applied by Negreto?

Fantabulous both!!!

...but that has nothing to do with the defending on the play!!!

[Peter R]

Karl, look at this replay and the decide if you are going to stick with your assessment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xYN2qzxIIk Check the view from minute 0:52 to 0:56 to see exactly how the pass beat both defenders.

At the time of the pass, i.e. the second it left Toure's boot, the right back had his back to his own goal, Negredo had already begun his sprint forward, so the right back was out of the play unless his name was Bolt and even then... the left back was half turned and Negredo was also off to the races before him.

And, Negredo did not "catch up to the ball", the ball caught up to Negredo.... he and the ball arrived at the same spot at the same time... It was one of those pinpoint passes where everything fell into place like a jigsaw puzzle between the passer and the striker... IMO the two defenders had a snowball's chance in hell to defend that given their starting position when the pass was made and that the striker had begun his sprint forward and essentially had them beat from the moment the pass was made. Check it!