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| photo by sindesign | via PhotoRee |
December 28 / St. Andrews / Birmingham, England
Lee Mason is shite. There, I've said it. The Premier League has the odd combination of the word's best footballers playing alongside the world's worst referees, and Lee Mason is right up there in the pantheon of losers with Mike Dean. Missing an offside? Maybe. Missing a handball? Possible. Missing a foul? Everyone has an off day. Missing all three on a play in the 89th minute that costs United two points? I'm sorry sir, but it's three strikes you're out, and straight to the third division for you.
Mason's bottle job cost United a hard earned victory against a dull and dreary Birmingham side that wouldn't have scored if they weren't allowed to whine, moan and cheat. For much of the game Birmingham's offense consisted solely of falling over anytime a United player drew close by, in a baseless effort to draw opportunities for their free kick specialist, Sebastian Larsen. I used to like watching the Blues, but this year they seem unispired, insipid, and just flat out boring. In fact, after the drivel that they produced today in the name of offense, I hope the crowds at St. Andrews are enjoying the best football the Championship has to offer next season.
The affair this evening opened cagily enough, with United looking remarkably fresh despite starting virtually the same side which played a short 48 hours ago (Gibson replacing Park was SAF's only change, qualifying as a miracle in the current days of constant squad tinkering). Although the Reds had the better of the opening twenty minutes, the Brum squad gradually pulled themselves back into the match as the free kicks began to pile up in their favor.
