Jon Mcleod
Andrew MacdougallThe Final Word on the Weekend - Time to enjoy season of football farce
For the majority of fans in the Premier League the season is over. Their teams are out of contention for the title, short of a tilt at Europe and safe from the threat of relegation. Their chants and jeers are largely redundant - save for some end of season frivolity.
So it is time to focus on the flip side of football support - taking pleasure in the suffering of rivals. Watching the seesawing drama of the final days from a safely detached perspective, and savouring the angst and neuroses of opponents, can be thrilling (whether it is blowing the title or succumbing to relegation).
It is an entirely legitimate and hugely rewarding pastime. Any uncomfortable feelings that they are slightly sadistic thoughts can be countered by the knowledge that the outcomes really don’t matter as much as the managers, players and supports protest. It is like being a neutral at a penalty shoot-out. The narratives and drama are clear and compelling.
And in those terms MANCHESTER UNITED 5 TOTTENHAM 2 was a great end of season game for all those fans with little watch for and requiring an outlet for their passion.
First there was the incredulity etched on Sir Alex Ferguson’s face as Tottenham raced into a 2-0 lead and United’s title credentials were again in question.
Then there were the remonstrations of Harry Redknapp at Howard Webb’s penalty award and Cristiano Ronaldo’s finish from the spot. An end-of-season thriller is not complete without a refereeing blunder that stirs up anger and embarrassment in equal measure.
United, and Rooney in particular, scented blood and played some inspiring and pulse-elevating stuff as Tottenham capitulated in fine comedic fashion.
The narrative was set and farce ensued. Comedic defending not seen since Djimi Traore’s own goal for Liverpool in a Carling Cup match, followed as Tottenham relinquished their lead with abandon.
There were goalkeeping errors, centre-back sins and general inadequacies to cheer any bored football fan. It was all topped off by further remonstrations and innuendo from Redknapp about the injustices of the Premier League.
There was less delight in the 2-0 defeat of Middlesbrough by Arsenal. May be that is because Middlesbrough are harder to hate than most.
But having said that, any football fan seeking some light entertainment on Monday night, should watch Newcastle v Portsmouth. There is plenty of joy to be had with Newcastle. With an inflated owner, jail-bird midfielder, ‘carry-on’ defending, mop-haired centre-backs, belief in Messiahs, and the conviction that they are the ‘chosen people’ - Is there a team with greater delusions of grandeur? Is there a team more ripe for ridicule?
