Liverpool and Arsenal are one and two respectively in the Premiership as rightful order resumes following bizarre top placings by Wigan, Everton and Man City.
Arsenal seem to be coping without Thierry Henry for now but when wintry weather comes, the wear and tear on their bodies starts taking its toll and their volatile youngsters get suspensions, expect them to fall away. In the meantime, Cesc Fabregas is on fire. He hit one as the Gunners saw off Portsmouth 3-1 on Sunday even though they were reduced to 10 for most of the second half after Senderos got dismissed.
Chelsea have the same points as the leaders – 10 – despite losing 2-0 at Villa. The Blues had to lose eventually – their unbeaten Premiership run went back to January. Villa seem to be their bogey team. Jose Mourinho has never beaten them in three seasons now. Props to Villa boss Martin O’Neill, a highly respected but still under-rated manager. He is one of the few British managers capable of making a success of running the England team and deserved a chance ahead of McClaren but politics got in the way.
I saw the match in a sports bar in George Town alongside a handful of Englishmen. Considering they were sober and middle-aged I was amazed that they burped, cursed frequently and behaved loutishly throughout. I’m English, born in London of Dominican parents but don’t feel very British. That’s partly why.
The litmus test for wobbly McClaren comes on Saturday in the European Championships. They must beat Israel at home and get at least a draw the following Wednesday against Russia otherwise the pressure will be on again.
Finally, here’s some inspiration for any young Caymanians hoping to make a career in football. Sunderland signed striker Kenwyne Jones, 22, from Southampton last week for the equivalent of CI$10 million. Three years ago the Trinidad and Tobago international was playing his club football for W-Connection in Port-of-Spain. Snapped up by Southampton scouts for next to nothing, his development was so fast he is now entrusted by Roy Keane with helping them stay in the top flight. Jones could be the next Dwight Yorke who had a similar rise from obscurity in Tobago and went on to win everything with Man Utd. Two of Cayman’s Under-15 footballers – Arvid Harris and Darvin Watson – have just returned from a tournament in Trinidad where they impressed with spectacular goals and man of the match awards. All Cayman footballers should draw inspiration from their stories.
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