Every Saturday afternoon, Chris Kamara heads to stadiums up and down the country to deliver his unique match reports for Soccer Saturday.
On Sundays you can see him back in the Sky Sports studios as he brings you all of the Premier League highlights on Goals on Sunday.
And then on Mondays you can find Kammy right here on skysports.com as he brings you his Premier League picks of the weekend. Join us every week as he runs through his highs and lows as well as answering YOUR questions...
Liverpool: big celebrations after a big win
GAME - Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United
It can only be this one, can't it? It's always a massive game in the football calendar but it was what this stood for that made it even more special. Had Liverpool lost it was possibly the end of the road for Liverpool in terms of the league, and it might well have spelt the beginning of the end of Rafa Benitez. People might say it was not a classic in terms of entertainment and end-to-end action, but I thought it was an absolute cracker: no-one outside of Liverpool thought they would win, but they did win. And it was a huge result for them.
If ever a man was entitled to gloat it was Rafa Benitez - in fact you could've excused him if he'd run past Fergie doing somersaults - but he didn't say a word back to all his critics when he could have. He didn't even crack a smile, just kept his counsel.
Chris Kamara
Quotes of the week
TEAM - Liverpool
You have to applaud what Stoke did against Spurs, but again you can't look past Liverpool. As much as the manager was under pressure, those players had come in for some stick, too. A lot of them were fringe players and I watched them against Leeds in the Carling Cup a few weeks back and I did fear for them coming into this game. Then you take Steven Gerrard out of the equation, but those Liverpool players stood up to Manchester United. David Ngog got the second, Lucas had a decent game when everybody had been questioning his worth an the likes of Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua also played their part, along with Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher - who we always expect to play well.
PLAYER - Steve Simonsen
He was only drafted in at short notice because of illness to Thomas Sorensen, but you wouldn't have noticed it. How often though, do we see stories like that? Someone coming in unexpectedly and having a blinder. Usually we see the Stoke back four defending heroically but this time Spurs got past them to create plenty of chances, but Steve pulled off three or four blinding saves. You forget he was once an England Under 21 keeper, but for one reason or another, his career seemed to go off track. But he has clearly lost none of his ability.
GAFFER - Rafa Benitez
There were a few great results, but Rafa has to pip Tony Pulis for this one. This was a massive, massive game for him and he had to get it right. He had to pick the right team - again without Gerrard - and he had to get his tactics spot-on; and he did both. United didn't really get going, but that was because Liverpool didn't let them and you have to give the manager credit. Also, if ever a man was entitled to gloat it was Rafa - in fact you could've excused him if he'd run past Fergie doing somersaults - but he didn't say a word back to all his critics when he could have. He didn't even crack a smile, just kept his counsel.
GOAL - Fernando Torres v Manchester United
I gave it to Glenn Whelan on Goals on Sunday, but Sunday afternoon was always going to produce something special and Torres did just that, holding off Rio Ferdinand for that all-important first goal. What you ahd there was two world-class players and to be honest, it wasn't even a contest. Normally you'd expect Rio to come across and nick the ball of the forward but Torres showed all the strength and power he possesses and just blew him away - and that doesn't bode well for England at the World Cup next summer. It was not just a great finish, but also a big, big goal in a big, big game and the one that won it, really.
GRIPE - Doyle denied
The only reason Kevin Doyle didn't get a penalty from Peter Walton was because he didn't throw himself to the floor. There is no doubt Richard Dunne was all over him and he was being pulled and I can't believe the ref or his assistant couldn't see it. What really bothers me about incidents like this is that referee's are the first to moan about simulation but Doyle stayed on his feet, tried to be honest and suffered as a result. Look at Didier Drogba against Blackburn, he threw himself to the floor when he was tackled by Ryan Nelsen (he had to get out of the way because Nelsen's follow-through was going to scissor his ankles) - and got his penalty. I know it's hard at corners and set-pieces in the box because there is a lot of pulling and pushing and block off that goes on and most of it is instigated by attacking players. But Doyle wasn't doing anything wrong, just trying to stay on his feet and get the ball. Luckily for Wolves it didn't cost them in the end, but the easiest way to sum it up is had Dunne and Doyle been challenging for a goal kick in the centre circle, it would've been a free-kick.
Kammy answers your questions...
Do you want Chris Kamara to answer YOUR question? Email him at skysportsclub@bskyb.com or use the feedback form at the bottom of the page.
CECH-ERED FORM
Hi Kammy. I just wanted to ask you about the form of Petr Cech. It seems to be me he just hasn;t been the same since coming back from that head injury. It is completely understandable, but I do fear his confidence has gone - and it worries me when we get down to the business end of the season, when mistakes will be even more costly. Kev Bateman
KAMMY SAYS: I've got to say, his form has been in and out this season - and was towards the end of last season. There was one game, I think it was Liverpool, in Europe where he had a shocker and there have been one or two times this season where he has flapped at a few crosses and had some mad moments. But I wouldn't worry too much about Petr because his form is probably just levelling off after a couple of outstanding seasons. Maybe it has something to do with the Czech Republic, who are struggling at the moment; maybe he made saves to win football matches and that's not happening any more. But he will turn it around.
The awful head injury probably has something to do with it as well, but don't forget this a player that plays virtually every game - and has also been injured this season. People talk about outfield players getting tired and although the physical demands might not be the same on keepers, they do have to maintain intense concentration for 90 minutes. Cech had nothing to do against Blackburn, so maybe a few more quiet afternoons like that and he'll be back to his best.
NOT ROVER THE MOON
Dear Chris Kamara. As a Blackburn fan I am not impressed with Sam Allardyce's attitude soemtimes, its almost as if when we play the big four, we don't even bother, like we accept we're going to lose. Also, why doesn't he give Benni McCarthy a game? Ross Harvey
KAMMY SAYS: I wouldn't say that was the case, because the way Blackburn started against the other week showed they went out to win it. Ok, they ended up getting tonked, but I don't think for a minute that Sam would write any game off in the Premier League, or any other competition. I think a lot of the problems lie with the fact that the players he's working with are not his own; almost every one of them was there when he came and took the job. I think you will see a lot more from Blackburn when he's had a chance to bring a few more in, like he did at Bolton, and mould them into his own team.
As for Benni McCarthy, it is a strange one, I have to say. Mind you, I don't really know the situation at Ewood Park - maybe Blackburn fans out there are better placed to tell us - but it does surprise me that McCarthy is not getting a game. Sam has been using big Chris Samba in attack as well, which only makes it even more confusing! I would've thought that with the World Cup coming up in South Africa at the end of the season, Benni would've been desperate for a good season. Maybe he's thinking the rest will save his legs for the summer!
Comments (15)
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Rob Mcqueen (Aston Villa fan) says...
In reference to the Wolves fans, it may well have been a penalty but there was not massive contact with the player and he did eventually throw himself to the floor after so it would have been soft to say the least. In reference to decisions "evening" themselves out, it happened later in the first half when Carew was tugged down and there was as much case for a pen as there was with Doyle. So Wolves were not actually that unlucky.
Posted 08:59 28th October 2009
Andrew Lucas (Leeds United fan) says...
Hi Kammy, I've watched quite a few Man Utd games this year and one thing that has stood out markedly is that Paul Scholes isn't half the player he used to be. Don't get me wrong Scholes is/was a champion but every time he starts nowadays Man Utd seem to get overrun in the midfield, even Lucas had a good game against him and he's rubbish. By the way how did you view Leeds' four goal thumping of Bristol in response to their first defeat against Millwall on the weekend. Come on the Whites!!!
Posted 02:04 28th October 2009
Paul K (Liverpool fan) says...
Just when i thought that it was the wrong time to play Manchester United & we pull a result out the bag like that. I think Yossi Benayoun is so under-rated & deserves a lot more praise. Am i the only one however who is more critical about Lucas Leiva? The amount of free kicks he gave away within shooting distance of Reina's goal was worrying. It was a good job the Man Utd players didnt have their shooting boots on! Bring on Arsenal!!
Posted 15:35 27th October 2009
Andy Gannon (Liverpool fan) says...
great win for pool sunday against the old enemy . well deserved aswell hopefully all pool fans will back rafa and the team now as bad as its been so far this season we are stil right in title race if things go well rest of season there will be a lot of embarrassed pool fans singing rafa's name come May delighted for lucas played a stormer sunday next step fulham
Posted 15:22 27th October 2009
Noel Openda (Liverpool fan) says...
What a great victory for my team Liverpool which i have supported since my childhood in the seventies particularly over our biggest rivals Manchester united.But that's not all we need i think coach Benitez should consider new approaches now that we did it without key player Stevie Gerard everybody says we can't win without Stevie and one Fernando Torres which isn't true i think Rafa has to start exploring more how useful his players can be in certain roles look how well Fabio Aurellio held in a more attacking role in the midfield particularly against Lyon midweek though we lost he created the goal and he poushed the midfield forward so well.Rafa just needs to instill more confidence in the players even when key players are absent and Liverpool we're gonna be up there again.
Posted 10:36 27th October 2009
Jesse Beckford (Manchester United fan) says...
hi kammy,as i recalled in the Man Utd vs Arsenal game earlier this season,you said that the foul on Arshavin by fletcher was a stonewall penalty.Well,jamie carragher did the exact same act if not worse,and you haven't mentioned it in your column this week.I'm not tryning to say that you're Man Utd hater but i wish to know your thoughts on this
Posted 20:54 26th October 2009
John Petty (Liverpool fan) says...
hi Kammy.im only writing to say that lucas has been given a lot of stick,but the performance he gave against united was pure class. i hope that his caraer goes uphill and a fresh sart for the youngster.
Posted 20:35 26th October 2009
Oskar Arnold derozario (Chelsea fan) says...
hi chris i was just wandering whether you think Didier Drogba can be the best player in the world (better than Messi and Ronaldo) if he continues his form this season as he has started i think he can because he has everything power, pace, dribbling skills, free kicks, shooting ability, goals, playmaking, defending ability, his big match presence and his ability to destroy all the back four at once he can be the best player in the world and doing it in the premier league, and would you think that jose Mourinho coming back to chelsea would make the premier league better, well probably no for the rest of the league thanks Kammy looking forward to another UNBELIEVABLE premier league week
Posted 20:28 26th October 2009
Stuart Bonell (Stoke City fan) says...
Ryan Shawcross for England???
Posted 19:10 26th October 2009
Jack M (Liverpool fan) says...
Hi Chris, looking at some of the funny results this season and the amount of goals do you think that the premier league is going to be a 3 tiered division again this season with the top 4, bottom 6 or 7 and the rest playing for UEFA cup spots? Are the so called lesser teams geting better or are the big 4 not as good as they have been in the past few years? Or a combination of both? The top 4's perfomances in Europe have also been less dominant than in the last few years, particularly defensively?!? Its maybe more entertaining to watch but is it really better football than what we have been treated to over the past few years? Personally I don't think so. Also is Ferdinands form a worry for the World Cup or do you thik he'll rediscover his form in the coming months?
Posted 18:49 26th October 2009
Toseef Ahmed (Liverpool fan) says...
Hey chris, im really impressed at what liverpool achieved on the weekend but i was at the lyon match on tuesday and i was jus so disappointed at the lack of energy and ambition to win the game. i felt like only benayoun and reina played properly and wanted to be on the feild. i just want liverpool to play how they did on the weekend everyday they are a top side and showed they have some strength in depth because they beat united without a fully fit torres and no gerrard.
Posted 17:39 26th October 2009
Matthew Gibbins (Liverpool fan) says...
hi kammy im glad we beat man utd on sunday what areas does rafa need to strenghen on.i think we need a left back and winger and striker possable central midfield.
Posted 17:09 26th October 2009
Alan Bishop (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...
Chris. It does seem Penalty decisions are not going for Wolves this season. There has been four clear penaltys not given. 1. The richard dunne one Saturday. 2. Kevin doyle at Sunderland. 3. A clear handball against Portsmouth marc wilson and 4. Andy Keogh against Wigan which he got booked for. My point is that they say these things equal themselves out over the season, but for teams trying to stay up they are not going to creat as many chances as the top four say, so therefore its more important for referees to get these decisions right. What do you think.
Posted 16:31 26th October 2009
Ryan James (Liverpool fan) says...
I've critisised Lucas in the past, but I have to admit against Utd he was excellent,. I'm still yet to be convinced that he is the answer and I would much rather see Gerrard alongside Masch, but fair play, that was hit best performance for us by a mile. Carra was back to his best (apart from the challenge on Owen) Agger also looked solid and Yossi was brilliant, Nando rightly grabbed the headlines but the whole team gave 150%!
Posted 15:32 26th October 2009
Adrian Anderson (Liverpool fan) says...
Hi kammy i would just like to make the point of saying the stick Lucas has been getting is totally unfair. From he's debut against Everton a couple of seasons ago. He is a fantastic player in the making
Posted 14:33 26th October 2009
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