Richard Williams
Best match Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City, City's third equaliser with 10 seconds to go countered by Michael Owen's 96th-minute winner.

Favourite moment The second goal in Arsenal's 3-0 defeat of Aston Villa in December, Cesc Fábregas stretching a hamstring as he sprinted to turn in Theo Walcott's pass.

It's been quite a season in the English Premier League already. We've had the handshake. The upset. Burnley's bolt from the blue floors United as Carrick fluffs spot kick The tackle. Courtesy the Republik of Mancunia Even, the beachball. But nothing could prepare us for... The kiss. Dear god, what could follow that?

The serious awards...

Best Player: Wayne Rooney

Most Improved Player: Nani

Unsung Hero: Patrice Evra

Young Player: Jonny Evans

Best Match: Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City

Manager of the Year: Alex McLeish

And the very pointless.

Everybody knows tournament preparations haven't officially begun until a handful of goalkeepers threaten to storm the compound, whichever compound, unless the Big Tournament Ball is replaced with something which doesn't fly like a balsa wood plane. Recently, a few keepers would whisper fling daggers, luring the Grand Poobah of goalkeeper criticism, Jens Lehamm, from his cave to throw down the Mad Jens kibosh.

Although much of the football was dour once again, last night's Socceroo performance against Denmark was much improved from the New Zealand outing. The defence looked far more assured with the addition of Messrs. Wilkshire and Chipperfield (Wilkshire's crossing was a definite asset, for one thing), and even the midfield axis of tedium functioned a little bit better than usual.

In the midst of the best day's football at South Africa 2010 so far came the upset of the first round. In many ways, though, the signs were there: but for a breathtaking goal, Brazil might have suffered a similar fate against the totally unfancied North Koreans.
Picture this: a team knocking the ball around nicely, creating intricate patterns in midfield, holding onto possession with consummate ease, almost teasing their opposition.

It's with great sadness to report that Eric Altshule, a blogger for both MLS Talk and EPL Talk, has passed away at the young age of 44. Eric died of a massive heart attack in Los Angeles Wednesday night. He leaves behind a wife and two beautiful young daughters.

Eric's brother said that "Eric was a passionate soccer fan, and loved more than anything contributing to [MLS Talk and EPL Talk].

"That'll teach you to laugh at the cockerel."

The mysterious, cockney and self satisfied voice seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere. More specifically, it seemed to be coming from a derelict speaker system lodged in the beachball-like-thing on a 40-foot version of Tottenham's crest.