Was Rafa being arrogant?

A WAR of words have re-emerged again as Sir Alex Ferguson and Sam Allardyce accused Rafa Benitez of being arrogant.

After Fernando Torres scored Liverpool’s second goal against Blackburn last weekend, the Liverpool manager was caught on television making a gesture that may seem to some to mean “We are done, they are finished”.

The YouTube video above shows the gesture in question.

Fergie also added fuel to the fire by recounting Rafa’s “small club mentality” quote on Everton, just before United were scheduled to take on the Merseyside club in the FA Cup semi-final, which they lost.

Here is what Rafa told Sky Sports after the goalless draw against Everton in 2007:

When you play against the smaller teams at Anfield you know the game will be narrow and compact and at times we were a little bit nervous. We are really disappointed. You could see one team that wanted to win. It was difficult because they were defending. They had a chance in the second half after our mistake but Pepe made a good save but apart from that we controlled everything. We had three strikers and Pennant and Riise saw a lot of the ball but they had nine men all the time behind the ball.

He stood by his comments this January, after his side drew 1-1 against Everton in the FA Cup:

I am really pleased with my team. We deserved to win. To play like that against a team with 10 players behind the ball is not easy but we worked hard, created chances and reacted very positively after the disappointment of the other night.

Is there some truth indeed in the accusations hurled at the Spaniard?

Is Berbatov really worth £30.75m?

HE TOOK the run-up in his usual languid style and hit it weakly down the middle, as Tim Howard’s flailing legs managed to block Dimitar Berbatov’s first penalty kick.

In the end, that – along with Rio Ferdinand’s saved spot-kick – proved decisive as Everton marched derservedly into the FA Cup final.

While much have been (and can be) said about Alex Ferguson’s decision to field a much-weakened team, the spotlight now falls squarely on the Bulgarian, who moved to Manchester United early this season in a controversial £30.75m transfer deadline deal.

Berbatov arrived at Old Trafford with much fanfare, as a deadly striker whose silky skills made him such a hit with Tottenham Hotspur. The 28-year-old was supposed to add a different dimension to United’s attack, a touch of class to complement the hardworking Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

Brilliance he has shown, but in sporadic bursts in a season where United are chasing every available title on offer. Indeed, 13 goals in 37 games is hardly a hallmark of a player who costs that much, especially when you compare that with his 27 goals last season with Spurs.

Say what you want about the goalscoring opportunities being shared about a posse of United players, but when a player is brought in, he is generally supposed to improve the team. In Berbatov’s case, his hold-up play and vision is supposed to boost United’s strike force.

But take a look at the statistics – United have scored 10 lesser goals in the Premiership at this stage of the competition this season as compared to last, with Berbatov playing 27 of these games.

Is Berbatov really worth £30.75m?

Same, same, but different

THOUGHT Albert Riera’s goal last night was a gem? Check out Wayne Rooney’s goal against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup in 2005. Similar, isn’t it?

Can Eduardo save Arsenal’s season?

STRIKER Eduardo marked his return from a horrific leg injury in style, scoring two goals to help Arsenal breeze past Cardiff in a 4-0 FA Cup victory early this morning (Singapore time).

The Croatian’s return came at a time where the Gunners are lying fifth in the table – currently out of contention for a Champions League berth – and goals all but drying up, with just one goal in their previous four games in all competitions.

Arsene Wenger’s team is also missing presence of playmaker Cesc Fabregas, while new recruit Andrei Arshavin has not tasted action at the Emirates since moving from Zenit St Petersburg in the January transfer window.

Could Eduardo be just the man to save Arsenal faltering season?

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: Yes he can. The Brazilian-born Croatian was showing so much promise last season before he had his leg broken in a clash with Birmingham’s Martin Taylor a year ago.

Up to the Birmingham game in Febuary last season, Eduardo was joint second on Arsenal’s list of top scorers in all competitions, tying with Fabregas with 12 goals. Emmanuel Adebayor topped the list with 22 goals up to the point.

Would Keane have made a difference?

RAFA Benitez will no doubt face more pressure than he already is, after Liverpool’s 1-0 extra-time loss to arch-rivals Everton in the FA Cup this morning.

The Reds boss has been under fire for his seemingly erratic behaviour in January – from his unsolicited rant about Alex Ferguson and Manchester United, to his very-public contract dispute with the club, to the Robbie Keane issue.

While the Irishman’s tenure at Anfield could be considered a flop by some, his absence would be more keenly (no pun intended) felt in the coming games, with captain Steven Gerrard limping off the field after just 16 minutes into the Merseyside tie.

THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: The question on most fans’ lips now would be – would Keane have made a difference after Gerrard limped off?