The season upon us

It has started again. The mad Saturday and Sunday nights, one match after another, is back. It is something to look forward to, because eversince I can remember, there were never anything good on TV on Saturday night. Therefore, it is quite a relief for me when the footballers started playing again. At least I have better things to do than mopping at home thinking about black holes and the theory of relativity (okay, maybe I don't think about astro-physics, but my mind can really wander to the far corners of the galaxies).

And last Sunday, I finally had the chance to see my first EPL match. The big showdown between Liverpool and Chelsea. And it was a good to see Torres scored on his home debut. And a cracking goal too, I must say. What a finish! Kinda makes you feel that the 20mill plus pounds Liverpool parted for him is worth every penny. But of course it is still too early to judge.

Liverpool played well, controlling most of the possession, and created plenty of chances. Of course the finishing of Kuyt and Gerrard could have been better, they seemed to be hitting everywhere except the back of the net. And defensively, I think Carragher was rock solid at the back. Even Gerrard was ever-present doing his defensive duties.

The match was rather physical, with tackles flying everywhere, and tempers flared. I think 9 players were shown the yellow card. And just when I thought we would be getting our usual win against Chelsea, the referee decided to take matters into his own hands (or to be exact, his mouth).

He blew the whistle for an apparent dive by Florent 'Bloody' Malouda inside the box. And of course Steve 'I didn't do anything!' Finnan was furious. Heck! Everyone in a red shirt was livid! And up stepped Frank 'why am I keep missing penalties' Lampard, and he blasted the ball on the left side this time, which is right, as Jose 'how did Van Der Sar did it?' Reina dived the other way.

Liverpool worked hard to look for the winning goal, and when Kuyt kept firing blanks, and Torres disappearing into the shadows, Rafa brought in Peter 'Yeah! Less than 10mins and you put me in now!' Crouch, hoping that the lanky forward could be more accurate than Kuyt.

But of course, with Chelsea already settling for the draw, and packing up their defenses, it was all over. And so Liverpool dropped their first point in Anfield for the new season. But on a brighter note, Man. United lost to their City rival, thanks to Carlos 'I'm too good to score such an easy goal from a yard away' Tevez, and the other misfiring United players.

Of course it is still very early in the season. nothing much is certain yet.

But one thing for sure, Torres will score again, lots and lots of goals!

Anyway, looks like someone admitted that he made a big mistake. Scant consolation, I would say!

In the Daily Express:

Rob Styles has issued a grovelling apology to Rafa Benitez and will be banned from refereeing in the Premier League this weekend after being severely reprimanded for his handling of Liverpool's controversial draw with Chelsea.

The Daily Mail:

Premier League referee Rob Styles yesterday apologised for the Anfield penalty blunder which has resulted in him being dropped from next weekend's fixtures.

The Guardian:

Rob Styles will not referee in the Premier League this weekend and it could be up to a month before the official takes charge of a top-flight fixture again after he was sanctioned following his performance at Anfield on Sunday.

Daily Telegraph:

Referee Rob Styles was forced into a humiliating public climbdown yesterday as he apologised to Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez for wrongly awarding Chelsea a penalty at Anfield on Sunday.