The DVR is your friend.....unless....

As I've previously noted in this blog, I am a big fan of the DVR and feel it really makes the life of a soccer fan in the States a lot better.

Of course all of that assumes that you actually remember to confirm you set the DVR to record the game before you leave the house. I didn't and only found out later that Fulham-Manchester United would not be on tap for my viewing pleasure this evening.

Oh well, Premier League Review Show is now set up to record all new episodes so I can at least see all of the goals I missed.

Karma returns to the CL semi-finals as Barcelona visits Milan

One year ago (well, 51 weeks ago) Chelsea players and fans were left fuming following their semi-final loss to Barcelona. The referee had missed two fairly obvious penalty calls against the Spanish squad, allowing Andres Iniesta's late strike to win the two-legged tie. Accusations flew, suspensions were handed out, and Barcelona advanced, defeating Manchester United to lift the trophy.

Fast forward to this evening in Milan. Barcelona loses 3-1 to Inter, with the Italians benefiting from a penalty that wasn't called as well as a missed offside call on the final goal. There are a few differences from last year, Barcelona still have the second leg at home to overcome the deficit and Inter could easily have won by more than two goals.

However, it seems fitting that former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was the one to deliver this little bit of payback. I guess Karma really is a, well you know.

English teams still in Europe

There are four English teams still remaining in Europe fighting for semi-final places in their competitions. Here is where they sit after the first leg of the quarter-final series.

Champions League

Manchester United lost 1-2 away to Bayern. Wayne Rooney notched a valuable away goal, however he limped off with that ankle injury in stoppage time.

Arsenal fought back to draw Barcelona 2-2 at home after trailing 0-2, losing Cesc Fabregas for the season in the process. They travel to Spain needing a win or a two goal draw.

Europa League

Liverpool fell 1-2 in Portugal to Benfica. Ryan Babel took what amounts to a silly red card but he isn't an automatic name on the team sheet for the Reds so it may not be the end of the world for them. They need a 1-0 or better win at home next week to progress.

Fulham won 2-1 at Craven Cottage against Wolfsburg. They were comfortably ahead before giving up the late away goal to the Germans. They hit the road next week needing a goal or a goalless draw.

Prospects

So, who will make it to the semi-final? The outlook for Arsenal seems grim after giving up two away goals and losing their midfield lynchpin. Manchester United and Liverpool both scored away goals and will fancy their chances to score and advance on their home turf. United's task will be a bit tougher though without Rooney, barring an amazing recovery, as they face a tough Bayern side. Fulham will also like their position and need a goal at Wolfsburg. However, the Germans have the away goal and are a huge threat.

The Cottagers do have the advantage in that they are not fighting tooth and nail in the Premiership. The other three are fighting for the title or the Champions League, Fulham sit comfortably in 10th. They are not going down and they are not going to qualify for Europe next year. They can put all their resources into the Europa League at this point, as illustrated by Hodgson fielding a number of second stringers over the weekend in the domestic league, saving his full strength line-up for the game earlier tonight.

Predictions

1. Arsenal to go out at Barcelona.

2. Manchester United to scrape through at home with Michael Owen the hero.

3. A lovely Anfield evening as Liverpool ease past Benfica with ease.

4. Fulham to surprise again at Wolfsburg as Bobby Zamora continues to make his case for a trip to South Africa with England.

And the injury train rolls on...

For once though it is an opponent of the United States sweating it out over a star player. Wayne Rooney turned an ankle in added time of Manchester United's defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champion's League.

Rooney to miss a month

Leaves Munich on crutches

The injury occurred just prior to a superb individual effort by Bayern's Ivica Olic resulted in the go ahead goal as the German team will take a 2-1 lead into the second leg at Old Trafford.

I never want to see players get hurt, but the US chances will only improve if Rooney is less than 100% when they face off against England on June 11th. While Jermaine Defoe, Peter Crouch, and company would all instantly slot into a starting role for the Stars and Stripes, none of them are at Rooney's level. Which, quite frankly has been terrifying me for months as he has been in the form of his life.

The Special One vs Chelsea - thank you Tim Howard

This week's Champions League action sees high drama with the return of one Jose Mourniho to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea attempt to overturn a first leg 2-1 defeat at the hand's of Inter Milan.

Drama of course because of Mourinho's self proclaimed status as "The Special One" and his two premier league titles at the helm of Chelsea. And in case you were wondering Chelsea have not lifted the trophy since he left (as I'm sure he'd be happy to tell you all about).

Mourinho is great entertainment at all times as he works the press and exudes ultimate confidence. This week's game will be the latest episode of the theatre that follows his every move. I love it!

Watching the 2-2 draw between Birmingham City and Everton over the weekend it occurred to me that we may just have Everton keeper Tim Howard to thank for this particular spectacle.

You may not be asking yourself why, however I'm going to pretend you did. Rewind a bit to March 9, 2004, the venue Old Trafford, the players Mourinho's FC Porto and Manchester United.

There were a host of reasons that United bowed out to Porto, including poor marking, poor finishing, and a red card for Roy Keane. However the lasting image will be Howard, in goal for United, palming Benni McCarthy's stoppage-time free kick directly to Costinha who slotted home the winner.

Cue Mourinho dancing down the Old Trafford touchline, FC Porto marching to the Champions League title, and finally "The Special One" moving to the Premier League as Chelsea manager.

Yes, Mourinho would have eventually forced his way into the international consciousness sooner or later, even if Porto had lost at Old Trafford. And whether Howard deserved full blame for the loss is certainly debatable. Either way, Tim's last minute error on that March evening in 2004 started a chain of events that culminate this week in London and have, at least for my money, provided one of the best soccer story lines in recent memory.