As pundit’s guessed, Sunday’s Arsenal-City game turned into a defensive affair at the Etihad.
City emerged with 72% of the possession but goalless, leaving the league wide open. City is on 64, Arsenal on 65 and Liverpool on 67 points, with nine games to go.
Is this an indication of how things are going to go? Methinks no, as nine games is a huge chunk, especially in the era when three points count for a win.
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One thing I did find strange, however, was how Arsenal defended on Sunday. They seemed to be okay with dribbling their way, even out of their own box.
I don’t know if I was seeing things, but I noticed this a few times and to me it seemed stupid. But hey, they did emerge with a point.
One thing that is going to play a role in the future of this year’s Premiership is what I am calling the “old foe factor”.
You probably didn’t pick this up, but both Arsenal and Liverpool have got Manchester United in their remaining games — and both away.
So, while United can’t win the league in 2024, heck they can play a more than important role in determining who takes the title. It is going to be tough working which of the three teams United hates more.
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The drama starts on Sunday when they meet Liverpool at Old Trafford. United are still cock-a-hoop after their 4-3 win in the FA Cup two weeks ago, but this game is even bigger, with more at stake and the whole world watching.
Arsenal play United in their second last game of the year on May 11. Interestingly, City are up against fourth-placed Villa today at home. Could be an interesting week.
Trump troubles from unlikely source
In one of the most bizarre revelations it has come to light that Donald Trump’s legal woes actually all started because of his crazy obsession with the game of golf.
The story goes that shortly after purchasing Mar-a-lago, he built Trump International adjacent to it and was smitten by the golf bug.
His masterplan was to purchase beaten down clubs, renovate them and find wealthy members who could pay in the region of $200 000 (R3,758 million) in annual fees. By 2011 he had purchased 10 golf courses, but his strategy was failing dismally.
His recovery plan was to generate greater exposure by hosting a PGA Tour event. This also failed as PGA officials rejected all his proposals to host events. So, he did the next best thing — bought a course that already hosted a tournament.
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He purchased Doral in Florida for $150 million, but needed to renovate it. To do this he required $250 million, but did not have the funds so he applied for a loan to Deutsche Bank. This was the first time he used fake financials.
The trick worked and he repeated it a few more times. Unfortunately, in the U.S. it is OK for him to lie to Forbes Magazine about his wealth, but lying to banks and the taxman is a crime.
And so, the New York attorney-general, Letitia James, nailed him for $450 million after a civil trial. So, there you have it, Trump’s really in the poo because of golf.
New sprint star rises
I wrote a few weeks ago about 20-year-old Botswanan sprinting sensation, Letsile Tebogo, who smashed the world 300m record (leapfrogging Wayde van Niekerk, Usain Bolt and Michael Johnson).
Well, there is another kid who is emerging as a sprint star but much closer to home. Katlehong boy Bayanda Walaza (18) won the SA U20 100m title in a time of 10,13 sec — making him the fastest teenager on the planet.
Walaza also has a time of 20,34 in the 200m (also the current best U20 time) — making him one of the blue chips in world athletics. Pundits are predicting that he could be one of only a few teenagers to run the 100m in under 10 seconds.
For the record, only five kids under 20 have done this. Tebogo was one. Usain Bolt missed the feat.
Motoring Treat on Netflix
Motor enthusiasts are encouraged to watch Ford vs Ferrari — reflecting the amazing rivalry between the two teams in the 1960s.
The movie brilliantly portrays the life of Ford driver Ken Miles and engineer Carroll Shelby as they take on Ferrari during the 1966 Le Mans 24-hour race. The movie is thrilling and excellent depiction of the competitive world of motor racing. Well worth a watch.