A long time since I've posted. So sorry, Pips. You were worried I'm sure. Too many news since my very brief hiatus, so much to cover. So may I just cover the more recent news and Pips can add more on the ones I fail to mention. Lets start from the top.

Chelsea's buying of Fernando Torres was expected to pay off the the blues as they put a major upgrade on their attacking front. But it seemed as if they had abandoned their attempt to be "financially fair" and just bolstered their squad. Why not? ALL the other powerhouse clubs in Europe have not even tried yet. Their succumbed to the pressure of their rivals doing well and they were stumbling across the league as if they were drunk. As many fans alike thought they were officially "back" after winning two matches straight with goals plentiful, the buying of Torres and David Luiz at the window seemed to bring the play down even further facing defeat to Liverpool, a goalless draw to Fulham, then a disappointing loss to the hands of Everton in penalties 4-3, notable moment much to the distaste of Pips, the shot into the crowds from Ashley Cole. Carlo Ancelotti is now desperately seekeing salvation in any form. None of the players are looking in the same direction and have declined in play. Drogba after his start is not scoring as he used to, and Lampard's hernia surgery seemed to have broken the heart of the blues and basically burned out not having a deep squad because of many injuries. Misfortune one would call. SO what's the answer? Roman Abrramovich is looking to bolster the squad once more. Many names being mentioned, Alexis Sanchez from Udinese being the top name mentioned to help the attack. So more money being spent....*sigh Will Abramovich ever let his side just play? Even the managers are frustrated. Having a strong side is all well and good, but when one manager is faced with so many of them at once, he can get very stressed picking teams and faces fierce criticism when they do not get maximum points every outing. Something needs to change. They have FC Copenhagen on Tuesday for CL....Torres wanted CL football. And he got it. Time to play, boy.

Manchester United is no longer "invincible". After a loss to lowly Wolves, they rebounded very well in the Manchester derby with City. I expected United to drop this match as well, but Wayne Rooney showed why he is one of the very best in the world with his cool finish, the highly eye-appealing bicycle kick. Undoubtedly the goal of the season. The quality of the finish and the significance wins it in my book. And nine changes made Sir Alex look like a professional gambler. But he thought, "Crawley? You must be joking!!!" Not so much of one though. 93 positions ahead in the league tables above the fifth tier Red Devils, a rare, emphasis on rare, goal from Wes Brown was all they could get to earn the win. But one goal or sixteen goals, it gets them into the next round. But major kudos to the Crawley team, Sir Alex even had to upmost respect for them saying they deserved a draw and a replay for a second leg. They poured it on late and the bicycle kick from one their players should have made it level.. They have French Ligue 1 champions Marseille on Tuesday. That should be a very god match. Marseille surely has the quality to beat them, I hope they do.

And finally Arsenal. After that horrible second half against Newcastle, giving up 4 goals to settle for a point, they played host to Wolves, a week after they slayed the might Manchester United. They wanted to do the same to the Gunners, but at home, we are nearly unbeatable and showed that with a 2-0 win. CL followed being linked with the major powerhouse Spanish champions, FC Barcelona. ALL the tabloids marked this THE best pairing for CL, the rematch from last year's Quaterfinals and the rematch of the 2006 CL finals. Fives matches against Barcelona has ended in defeat. Barca came into London with the same mindset to do it once again and cruise into the Nou Camp with the advantage and surpass us once more....I guess they thought too far ahead. This match fancy football with the most stylish football clubs in the world going head to head. THe biggest story was how Arsenal would contain Messi. 28 goals in 35 matches this season, surely he was expected to score and create a ton more for his teammates. He did...to David Villa. But the resiliency showed for the Gunners, who showed they were kids no longer and stood face to face with their opposition. Djourou and Co. pestered the likes of Messi, Villa, and Pedro and held them to a single goal while scoring two themselves to win? Yes, win. Van Persie's form in goalscoring has been unreal somewhat, 10 goals in the last 7 matches heading into the match, he provided the equaliser. And Arshavin fought off some critics to score the winner and prove he is still a great player. A great player he is. CL resumes 8 Feb at the Nou Camp. Arsenal leads in aggregate 2-1, but Barcelona do not disappoint in Spain, they are looking at defeat...not even considering it. Not an option, they will surely bring the pressure and we will be heavily dependent on the defence to show up and play the way we did in the first tie. Well, enough of the upset....the match after CL seemed easy somewhat. Arsenal goes to Brisbane Road to derby with Leyton Orient. Barry Hearn, the chairman on Orient said his club had no chance in beating the mighty Arsenal. On paper, Arsenal were leap years above Orient, but matches like this proves that games are not won on paper as Orient fought back late in the match, something Crawley did against United, to score the equaliser and secure a rematch at the Emirates. Maybe fatigue could have played an issue. Not many great players were starting and they lacked presence at times. We have been notorious to not play well against lower tier clubs and this was another one of those matches...

covered everything from the big 3...anything else Pips?