A bumper weekend in the Premier League, is followed tonight by El Clasico in what has been a feast for football fans this week.
Five for Berbatov
36 goals were scored on a record-breaking Saturday in the Premier League, followed by 5 more on Sunday as all 20 teams scored in a weekend for the first time in Premier League history. There were several fightbacks, including Spurs win over Liverpool and Wolves last-minute winner against Sunderland. Man United blasted their way to the top of the league, finally finding their form with Berbatov on song, before staying there as Chelsea could only draw at Newcastle. The quality of the goals stands out for me though, especially Berbatov’s third and Bolton’s injury-time equaliser. And with Barca v Madrid tonight, it raises the same old question in my mind. Which league is better, the Premier League or the Spanish Primera Liga?
The big one!
With Messi and Ronaldo on 13 and 14 goals, respectively, and Barca playing the best football anyone could hope to see, tonight’s La Liga encounter is a real mouth-watering prospect. Jose Mourinho’s victory over Pep Guardiola in last season’s Champions League semi-final, adds another dimension to the clash, with the Catalan fans ready to give Mourinho a reception similar to the one given to Luis Figo back in 2002, after he made the fabled move from Barca to Madrid.
Two great teams, probably both better than anything the Premier League can offer at the moment, but these two apart, surely the Prem is the place to be.
Yeah, admittedly, the quality in England is lower, but the intensity, tempo and excitement is undoubtedly higher, perhaps this is a fair trade-off? Maybe Barca and Madrid are so good, that they are flying the La Liga flag on their own, that is a little unfair on the other Spanish teams, but I do think the Premier League has more strength and depth.
Whatever you think, the argument doesn’t look like going away any time soon. I do think, however, that it’s fitting that the Premier League threw down some sort of gauntlet this weekend, I’m now just waiting for it to be thrown back with a 5-5 draw tonight!
