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Anorak News | An Ugly Shower

An Ugly Shower

by | 30th, September 2004

‘JOSE Mourinho may be arrogant and cocksure, but it’s a state of mind based upon his magnificent record in European football.

Just good friends

But football fans – at least the more knuckle-dragging ones – are cursed with appallingly short memories.

Having turned Porto from a nothing team into European champions, the new Chelsea manager was within his rights to expect a rousing reception when his old and new clubs met last night.

Instead, we get the Mirror headline: “DROG AND FLOB.” It’s an ugly, clumsy headline, but it is in keeping with the matter in hand.

The Porto fan(s) who spat at his former idol should be ashamed – although he’s probably too stupid to feel contrition.

But credit to Mourinho – whose side won 3-1 – for sticking to the good times and thanking the Porto fans who came up to greet him.

While Chelsea were doing a professional, if unattractive, job on Porto, Arsenal were labouring in Norway.

In what the Independent calls a “careless display”, Arsenal failed to capitalise on an early goal and take one of the many chances they had to win the game (it ended 1-1).

The paper calls their performance nothing less than “maddening”.

Not that Arsenal’s inability to transfer domestic brilliance to European domination is the most maddening thing in sport.

This is Britain, the country that can boast Wimbledon tennis – and still have no player able to win the title.

With Tim Henman seemingly doomed to never succeed and Greg Rusedski now wearing a headband, we are craving a new hero.

And the Telegraph thinks it’s found him. Step forward, Andrew Murray.

Despite being in the British Davis Cup squad, Murray is far from being a household name.

So his management team have lined up a match for their 17-year-old hopeful against that old stager, John McEnroe.

The game will take place under spotlights at Wembley Arena and feature in mini-tournament with the likes of Boris Becker, Goran Ivanisevic and dear old Rusedski.

If Murray wins, he’ll collect £250,000. And by next summer, he’ll be the name on everyone’s lips. And most likely, have a hill named after him…’



Posted: 30th, September 2004 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink